Tundra or Silverado/Sierra?

[RollingsFarms]

I love the power train that comes in the Tundras, as well as the stock 4:30 gears. I wish GM would allow you to get 3:73 or 4:10 in the half tons still. The new GM trucks are quite nice, seats could be more comfortable in my opinion but the interior is much better than previous models.

 

[crazyal]

I've had both but now pretty much stick with just Toyota products. My last GM was a 2004 Trailblazer. After about 40k miles the power steering pump went. At the 50k mark the alternator and the rear diff went. At 60k the transmission went. It has a straight 6 in it with what I thought was a tried and true transmission. The manual said change the oil at 100k miles but Chevy told me I should of done it at 50k and now the discs were falling apart.

OTOH my 2000 Tundra is still running strong with over 160k miles on it. I've never changed the transmission oil as it's always tested fine. Nothing mechanical has ever broke. The only thing that I had to change was the rear springs because I was regularly overloading it while building my house. In all honesty I was trying to kill it to justify getting a new truck but failed. Toyota did replace the frame because of rust. That actually pissed off some coworkers because their trucks of that age had frames that were as bad or worse and neither Ford or GM was doing a thing. Now their trucks are rusty plow trucks or sitting in a junk yard while my Tundra still runs fine.

Honestly I would drive both and buy the one you like the best.

 

[KubotainNH]

Toyota did replace the frame because of rust. That actually pissed off some coworkers because their trucks of that age had frames that were as bad or worse and neither Ford or GM was doing a thing. Now their trucks are rusty plow trucks or sitting in a junk yard while my Tundra still runs fine.

That right there is what annoys me. My Jeep has rebuilt rockers and frame stiffeners because of rust. My sons Ranger has a new radiator support (huge piece of metal) and plates welded on the frame, rust. Look at CL and the thing is full of trucks with rusty frames that shouldn't be that way. My sons 01 Audi, not a lick of rust. 00 and 99 Hondas, just a tiny bit on the wheel well but zip anywhere else. Toyota's had their frames replaced when there was issues. Seems like only a couple of manufacturers stand by their products that much. Nissan is not one of them, they had rust and engine issues.

I run my cars for as many years as possible. It's sad when they start turning to dust in 7 or 8 years, some less. Not a big deal if you never keep a vehicle that is older than 4.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I don't want to derail the guys thread but I have seen the bad side of Toyota too. The side where they couldn't figure out why a 20,000 mile Tacoma had the antifreeze leaking out and the ac wouldn't work. They never made that right and I ended up trading that truck because of it. I figured the dealership was stringing me along to wait until I was out of warranty and then all of a sudden fix it. I never could prove that but when you make four trips to the shop and it's still not fixed and you keep getting all these excuses, you start believing they're wanting to screw you. I even called toyota corporate and they basically told me the dealer represented them and whatever the dealer did they would stand behind. Toyota lost me that day, forever.

 

[tcartwri]

Talk to Toyota owners long enough and eventually out come the repair stories. It's like an owners code or something similar to fight club rules.

 

[HHR]

Talk to Toyota owners long enough and eventually out come the repair stories. It's like an owners code or something similar to fight club rules.

Toyota isn't immune to BDS (Bad Dealer Syndrome). A friend's 2011 Sienna van had a rattling/knocking sound coming from under the hood, dealer installed a new water pump for $1100 and really inspired confidence in their work when they claimed "we've never done that job before." Now a few months have passed and it's dripping coolant in the driveway. I refuse to even get the free factory service done at this dealer. I drive 2 hours to a good dealer or 3 hours to a great dealer.

 

[Bota4me]

In my experience i think hands down reliability goes to Toyota and Ford close second. With that said the Ford eco will get way better mileage. Comparing a tundra longevity to a Sierra is not even in the same league! And yes i have owned both and currently own 2 Toyotas now

 

[xring100]

I love the power train that comes in the Tundras, as well as the stock 4:30 gears. I wish GM would allow you to get 3:73 or 4:10 in the half tons still. The new GM trucks are quite nice, seats could be more comfortable in my opinion but the interior is much better than previous models.

GM does allow 3.73 with the 5.3l
Dealer had a 3.73 but i opted for the 3.42 gearing.

6.2l highest is the 3.42



I like my 2015 the new 355 hp 5.3 L is a big up grade from the old 5.3. My biggest gripe is the smooth road ride harshness with the 20" tires. It does fine on rough roads. I get 20-22 mpg highway @ 70-75 mph in the non winter months. 16.5 -18 back and forth to work 13 miles each way rural roads averaging about 1 stop sign, traffic light, or turn every 1.5 miles

Around town it gets 14-15 mpg

 

[PeterK]

My 03 tundra was recalled because of possible rear frame corrosion issues from road salt here in the Northeast. Mine was way out of warranty at the time. They gave me a brand new loaner car, R&R's my ARE top and the rear bed, then blasted the frame rails inside and out, front to back, then coated it with a black waxy covering the dries (eventually) semi-hard. Not undercoating and it oozed and dripped for a few days. When I got it back, the rear bumper cover was scratched by the r&r of the rear bed so they ordered a new one, no problems. It's like new underneath again. Mine wasn't rusty in the first place but they did the service anyway. Great dealer and service.

I do my own work as well as oil and filter, keep the UPC from the Toyota brand filter box. Switched to Mobil-1 around 12K, new Michelins on at around 40k. Front brakes. One o2 sensor. No other dealer service except for a recalled fuel filler neck causing "small evap " DTC.

MPG doesn't do too well around town, actual 13-17 (range 10-19 both rare) overall.

And it is my most comfortable drive, seats are fabulous, tight suspension and steering. Paint is still mirror finish after 12 years.

 

[Bota4me]

My 03 tundra was recalled because of possible rear frame corrosion issues from road salt here in the Northeast. Mine was way out of warranty at the time. They gave me a brand new loaner car, R&R's my ARE top and the rear bed, then blasted the frame rails inside and out, front to back, then coated it with a black waxy covering the dries (eventually) semi-hard. Not undercoating and it oozed and dripped for a few days. When I got it back, the rear bumper cover was scratched by the r&r of the rear bed so they ordered a new one, no problems. It's like new underneath again. Mine wasn't rusty in the first place but they did the service anyway. Great dealer and service. I do my own work as well as oil and filter, keep the UPC from the Toyota brand filter box. Switched to Mobil-1 around 12K, new Michelins on at around 40k. Front brakes. One o2 sensor. No other dealer service except for a recalled fuel filler neck causing "small evap " DTC. MPG doesn't do too well around town, actual 13-17 (range 10-19 both rare) overall. And it is my most comfortable drive, seats are fabulous, tight suspension and steering. Paint is still mirror finish after 12 years.

This is what im talking about. Toyota takes care of their customers if need be. Meanwhile my sons 05 silverado frame is all rusted to %#%+ ...
And gm could care the f@@? Less.!!It was good when new lol!

 

[oldpilgrim]

Tundra for the reliability. I know several people with over 300k miles on them and they've done nothing but normal maint on them.

Also it's made in Texas and they boast 75% of the parts are made in America.

My 2014. I average 18+ overall with mostly local driving. No real highway stats yet.

My brother bought a Chev at the same time I got this. It's been back for warentee work 3 times already.

 

[Bota4me]

Tundra for the reliability. I know several people with over 300k miles on them and they've done nothing but normal maint on them. Also it's made in Texas and they boast 75% of the parts are made in America. My 2014. I average 18+ overall with mostly local driving. No real highway stats yet. My brother bought a Chev at the same time I got this. It's been back for warentee work 3 times already.

I agree w you. A coworker had a 2009 sierra that had the 5.3 motor bite the dust at 72000 miles. Kept using oil something to do with cyl deactivation crap. This truck was loaded beautiful looking truck, babied since new. He always had gm trucks and now drives a new tundra lol. Btw nice tundra pilgrim

 

[shane77c]

I was in the market for a few months and I was looking at the the GMC or Tundra. Like other members have said. there are pros and cons to each of them. What sold me on the Tundra was price and the towing capabilities. I tired to work with GMC but we just could not agree on a price.

Search GMC and Tundra truck forms and see what others are saying about them

 

[Monster5601]

I was in the market for a few months and I was looking at the the GMC or Tundra. Like other members have said. there are pros and cons to each of them. What sold me on the Tundra was price and the towing capabilities. I tired to work with GMC but we just could not agree on a price.

Same around here, just seems to me GM is wearing the greed bag. I was shopping for a 3500 for pulling a fifth wheel, GM dealers didn't want to deal and their pricing was higher than RAM and Ford dealers in the same area.

 

[jwstewar]

Well, lets see, I've got my 1999 Silverado, it now has 130k on it. Just now starting to rust over the left rear well, can't blame GM for that one, it was replaced when the truck was about 3 months old when the then soon to be Sister-In-Law backed into the side of it. No rust anywhere else on the truck. Only one "major" repair. Had to have the water pump replaced last September. This is a 1500 4x4 that gets abused all the time. From hauling the tractor, stock trailer, or our 36' camper to pulling the tractor out of the mud when I'm stuck. Our 2008 Chevy Suburban only had 1 warranty claim - and it shouldn't have been. It was actually struck by lightening and fried a bunch of stuff in it, insurance company paid to fix it. Then one of the power ports still wasn't working. Took it back, there was a different fuse box for that one vs. the one that powered all of the other ports - go figure.

Compared to my buddy that owns a junkyard, repair shop, and body shop. He used to always get on me that I needed to by a Toyota. Well, he doesn't say that much any more. He wanted a larger truck so he bought an F250 Powerstroke. Sold it after awhile and bought a 2010 Tundra. He managed to get 25k miles on it before the rear end went out. Then so many other issues with it, he ended up selling it. Bought a 2013 or 14, Tundra. Not quite as bad the 2010, but still lots of warranty trips. He had me drive it one time and said something about it, I said it seemed slow, he spouted off the numbers compared to my Silverado. While they may be true numbers, my Silverado still puts the power to the ground better & faster. He was really surprised when he drove my Silverado after I had him put the waterpump on. He doesn't tell me to not buy another Silverado any more and buy a Tundra. Kinda of refreshing not to have to listen to the Toyota commercial when I talk to him.

 

[jwstewar]

Well, lets see, I've got my 1999 Silverado, it now has 130k on it. Just now starting to rust over the left rear well, can't blame GM for that one, it was replaced when the truck was about 3 months old when the then soon to be Sister-In-Law backed into the side of it. No rust anywhere else on the truck. Only one "major" repair. Had to have the water pump replaced last September. This is a 1500 4x4 that gets abused all the time. From hauling the tractor, stock trailer, or our 36' camper to pulling the tractor out of the mud when I'm stuck. Our 2008 Chevy Suburban only had 1 warranty claim - and it shouldn't have been. It was actually struck by lightening and fried a bunch of stuff in it, insurance company paid to fix it. Then one of the power ports still wasn't working. Took it back, there was a different fuse box for that one vs. the one that powered all of the other ports - go figure.

Compared to my buddy that owns a junkyard, repair shop, and body shop. He used to always get on me that I needed to by a Toyota. Well, he doesn't say that much any more. He wanted a larger truck so he bought an F250 Powerstroke. Sold it after awhile and bought a 2010 Tundra. He managed to get 25k miles on it before the rear end went out. Then so many other issues with it, he ended up selling it. Bought a 2013 or 14, Tundra. Not quite as bad the 2010, but still lots of warranty trips. He had me drive it one time and said something about it, I said it seemed slow, he spouted off the numbers compared to my Silverado. While they may be true numbers, my Silverado still puts the power to the ground better & faster. He was really surprised when he drove my Silverado after I had him put the waterpump on. He doesn't tell me to not buy another Silverado any more and buy a Tundra. Kinda of refreshing not to have to listen to the Toyota commercial when I talk to him.

 

[farmeratheart]

Thanks to all of you for your input! Last Tuesday PM I took possession of a 2015 Silverado LT. I drove the '15 Tundra with the 4.6L V8 and the 5.7L V8. They seemed like fine trucks, but did not impress the way the Silverado with 5.3L V8 did. Over the years I've had '74 GMC (100 k miles), '82 Chevy (132k miles), '94 Chevy (194 k miles) and lastly '00 Tundra (150 k miles). No pictures yet as it is away from home today getting a bedliner and steps installed. I enjoyed reading all of your replies and thank you all for your time!

Frank

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good luck with it. We need pictures!

Chris

 

[RPW]

I think you'll do great with the new truck. My opinion keep it stock. With the newer vehicles there are a lot of interconnected electronic parts. I've got a 2007 Silverado 3/4 ton and the wife has a 2008 Silverado 1/2 ton and both trucks have over 77000 miles and 0 issues. Both trucks are stock. Mine is a diesel and I use it a lot pulling 14k loads.

 

[KubotainNH]

It often comes down to what feels right. Enjoy the new truck.