I've got 5k on my 07 rcsb SR5 4x4 in naut. blue. So far, so good. It feels a little goosey on ice, compared to a longer wheelbase, but the shortness is good in the tightness. The longer door is a nuisance until you learn to give yourself more space, but the B pillar is farther from your head. The amount of space in back is comparable to an extended cab with seats folded up. There are very few canopy shells available; rcsb has a unique shape to the back of the cab. I found fitments from Leer, ARE, Century; SnugTop is pending.
Man, I wonder if I need to get Jim to order me one.
Latest episode in this saga... asked the dealer for Salsa/Oak, and he came back with Salsa/Grey. (I hate the grey interiors, sorry to say. But these guys are wearing me down.)
Should I just order through Jim and get it when they make it? Is that even an option?
Ordering isn't an option... you're less likeley to get a 'deal' that way anyway. Don't hesitate to travel for your purchase. My local dealership is Weasel Country...useful only for test drives (their problem, not mine). 40 minutes away I enjoy traditional good-business practices...the kind that lead to repeat business. Don't reward predatory behavior! You're looking for a truck not a friend. These days, you can get 0 down/ 0%/ close-to invoice or better. You can also use a buyer's agent (yellow pages, AAA, credit unions) or the fleet pricing from AAA, Costco, etc. If the dealer senses that you're savy to 'alternative' shopping he'll cut the crap...or watch you walk. (their problem, not yours) Never reveal emotional attatchment or enthusiasm/ always indicate plans to purchase later in the year. Be realistic about your trade-in...if your paying wholesale, that's all they're gonna pay for your trade-in. The more complicated the deal, the more chances for 'buyer's regret' Stick to your budget and play nice.
I have seen a couple more of these now, tricked out. They are doing Black + Black I believe, and then TRD, then adding exhaust and rear anti-sway. Very expensive additions. So maybe $5K in options over a straight TRD.
One dealer said he may be able to order. I'm thinking about that. In the meantime, I may just swallow hard, and move up to Double Cab.
Added the option list below... seen a few of these now, so if you got the bucks... and you can
live with the grey interior:
All Weather Mats (2 pc) (2Q)
TRD Cat-Back Dual Exhaust System (37)
Cold Kit (CK):
Includes Cold Area Package.
Radio: AM/FM Audio w/6-CD Changer (DZ):
Includes 4 speakers and auxiliary audio jack.
Power Heated Black Outside Mirror w/Remote (HM)
Hood Protector (HP)
TRD Rear Sway Bar (HR)
Off Road Package (OF):
Includes DLX Up-Grade package and Offroad Grade package.
Daytime Running Lights (RL)
Ended up going GMC Sierra 1500 4x4, 5.3L, extended cab.
NOTE: so far, the ride quality in the GMC is really poor. I think it is put together better than the tundra, and is probably a better work horse. But ride quality seems really bad at this point. I'll follow up after I have more miles on it.
I thought the new GM's truck were supposed to ride better but not near the Tundra power. (unless it has an offroad pkg or overinflated tires)
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'07 RCSB 4x4, 5.7. Much Faster than my modded Hemi was. Insulated intake & box. Drop in K&N. Removed top filter. Bypassed TB coolant hose to keep intake cold. Valve cover hoses to breather, not intake. 305-50-20 Yoko's on 20 x 9 chrome MB 5 spokes, Debadged, More to come...
WANT TUNER!
I think a lot of the GMC's if you are either SLE or better, will have
the heavy duty suspension. I drove both the Z71 and this one, and
it seemed at the time that this one was less jittery than the Z71.
There is a "smooth ride" suspension that some folks might want to
check out. I haven't been in a truck with that one.
When I test drove the Tundras, they always seemed very solid,
and just locked to the road. More like a muscle car.
It could just be my perception of it, or the roads that were in use.
But yeah, most reviews seem to say what you are saying. As always,
driving both is the best way for any person to decide.
According to the brochure, and what I'm reading on my papers, I am driving on the default which is the Z85 suspension package. And I did drive a Z71 of the same truck before I decided on this one. They are very similar in terms of suspensions. You can get a "smooth ride" suspension. Other note: it appears from the book that the towing capacity goes up about 1000lbs if you get the option 4.10 axle ratio, as opposed to the default 3.73 ratio. But people say that is usually only recommended if you are towing most of the time.
Overall, I give the nod to GMC on the interior, and on the build quality of the panels, and on mpg (5.3L). On power, ride, handling, I think the Tundra is probably a better truck. The Tundra transmission is excellent. You would have to do a Denali in the GMC to make it compare to the Tundra. But then the cost doesn't compare.
GM finally figured out how to do a nice set of gauges and dash. Oh, and the surprise one: the CD player in the GMC sounds really good. I think it's 1-up from the default, but sounds much better than the Tundra default stereo.
I have the 5.3L LY5. It has, as you probably guessed, the two electric fans in a shroud; nothing connected to the belt. More info below.
So yeah, for people who are towing more, there may be better choices.
For me, I'm probably on the MPG side of that argument, so still probably
an OK choice in my case.
I like the G80 diff on the GMC. Don't know enough about the Tundra
diff to say if it will be a real advantage, but it does seem like a nice diff.
...
I found the 2005 link (even though this is supposedly a 2007 generation engine, thought it sounded similar)...
ELECTRICALLY OPERATED COOLING FAN
Pickups and sport-utility vehicles powered by the Vortec 5300 will be equipped with electric cooling fans for 2005. The electric fans replace a conventional belt-driven fan on the engine’s water pump.
The new fans are installed side-by-side in the radiator shroud and operated by electric motors. They are thermostatically controlled and managed by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and can operate separately or simultaneously. The fans turn only when additional airflow through the radiator is needed to maintain optimal engine operating temperature. Electric fans have been used in GM vehicles for decades, but developments in control technology and potential fuel efficiencies with Regulated Voltage Control (above) now make them better suited to the demands created by truck engines.
The electric fans allow several engine operating efficiencies. During cold starts, for example, the fans will not operate until the engine reaches full operating temperature, reducing warm-up time. In cold ambient temperatures at certain vehicle speeds and loads, one or both of the fans may not turn at all, reducing operational noise that can find its way to the vehicle cabin. Thermostatic fan control minimizes draw on the vehicle’s electrical system, and more precisely maintains the engine’s operating temperature, ensuring maximum performance and emissions reduction. Finally, like the RVC-managed alternator (above), the electric fans reduce parasitic power loss for the engine, maximizing vehicle performance. Fuel-economy improvements will be measurable over the vehicle’s useful life.
I have a 08 Tundra RCSB 4X4 color is Radiant Red with the TRD Off Road Package. Love that truck. Waited for a month to get it from another dealer in other state. Toyota wont accept my order for a RCSB 4X4. Thankfully my dealer found one thats very close to the one I tried to order. I heard that Toyota made less than 200 like mine for the 2008 model year. They are almost impossible to get.
Last edited by bubbyo : 07-27-2008 at 04:36 PM.
Reason: wrong year
