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Whats the deal, Why does all the new 4x4 come only with flex fuel ??

6.6K views 67 replies 20 participants last post by  Jesco  
#1 ·
So i'm shopping around to upgrade my 08 DC 4.7 2wd truck to a DC 5.7 4x4.
from looking around, all the newer 2010 2011 4x4 come only in flex fuel

Why is that ?

I know e85 gets poor gas mileage, so if you put e85 in it, would it be lower ratings that whats on the EPA estimates ?
 
#2 ·
The government and their retarded regulations. Its suppossed to burn cleaner and be better for the environment. pah. I just bought a 2011 dc 5.7 and it has the E85 motor. I find it a bit contradicting when the government pushes for us to become less dependent on oil, but force this E85 crap down our throats on the flipside. I was reading in my manual that you have to change the oil every 2500 miles if you run E85!!! WTF Our government must think we are a bunch of morons to mandate something that is this stupid. Sorry my reply is a bit harsh. I just had to vent. I wont be able to install that supercharger because it is not E85 compatible. sucks.
 
#4 ·
Deals, Deals, Lobbyist, deals and More deals

And remember, Ethinol Plants are, and have been filing for bankruptcy each and every week.

drop by your local UDF and get a good shake today
 
#11 ·
WTFFFFF.... well, ain't that bi..aaatttccchhh.... You're right mendonsy.
I went back to toyota.com and changed my Texas zip to 90210.. (lol... been watching the show too much). So after I changed the zip, the whole "build your toyota" screen changed and it was nicer and the options on the Tundra changed to more Beverly Hills bling bling type things somewhat. So the cali 4x4 was also a standard 5.7 engine without flex fuel.

I don't get, why is Texas getting screwed. It seems to be along the 5 gulf states that 2011 4x4 only comes in flex fuel.

Theres a damn conspiracy here !!!!!!!!!!
 
#17 ·
so, with the flex, will yota change the oil in the free oil changes @ 2500k? i mean, they cant really say no if its their recommendation if you run e85 right?

and


i don't understand why you cant sc a flex, the only thing different from what i could imagine (based on my experiences with flex fuel engines) is the fuel system can handle 85% ethanol without corroding, or melting (plastic... o-rings...) the ecm can adjust to run the e85 which requires more fuel to make same power and necessary a/f mixture, thusly the injection system also would be changed, and thats about all i can think of...

maybe they just dont sc the flex cause under boost it cant feed enough fuel in a situation where someone is running e85 maybe?

e85 is higher octane...

cant see a knock issue,

if anyone knows, plz lemme know.

no i dont wanna sc, just curious
i would turbo tho.
 
#19 ·
my 2011 is a standard 5.7, the flex fuel models have the badge on the tailgate and according to my manual, they have a yellow gas cap.
 
#20 · (Edited)
folks folks, listen...... Flex Fuel trucks are built for most of the US with exception of a few areas. The engine is set up for E85 to meet our gov. Cafe standards. You will get less fuel economy than on window sticker. there is another blue sticker outlining this on the window. you DO have to change your oil every 2500 miles IF you PRIMARILY use e85. If you use regular fuel it is NO DIFFERENT than a non flex fuel 5.7.

NOW, as far as SuperChargers go. It is NOT an option to get the supercharger on a Flex Fuel 5.7. Although all fuel mapping is changed for the Supercharger, the VIN# shows the truck as being set up for e85. if you put E85 in with the Supercharger it would SURELY detonate. For LEGAL reasons, they WILL NOT warranty a flex fuel 5.7 with the Supercharger. I'm sure more will have questions now but i hope this clears it up for most people. ;)

EDIT NOTE; i shouldnt say that it would surely detonate. i'm not sure of the effects truly because i'm not sure how E85 reacts with Timing, amount of fuel vs. air ect.
 
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#21 ·
Don't the flex fuel trucks have larger injectors for E85?
 
#25 ·
I'm in Texas and they said Toyota dealers can only trade with dealers in the designated zones considered the "5 gulf states".... TX, OK, AR, LA, and MS which gets the Tundras from the San Antonio, Tx plant....and this region gets 2011 4x4 in only flex fuel....
Its a damn conspiracy !!!!
My only option is to find a dealer outside of these states and drive out there and buy one of theirs. Or just suck it up and buy the flex fuel one. Although I want to have the option of super charger later on. I guess i have to decide which is better for me
 
#31 ·
That is only because "gulf states toyota" is a company that distributes toyota's for all dealers in those states. Just like "South East Toyota" for all the folks in the lower eastern states. The rest of us get distribution straight from Toyota. Thats why you only see the X-SP package in southeast. (they create that themselves) and thats why you only see the Texas Edition and Lucesse edition in the gulf states toyota region (they make those). I can trade for non flex fuel and i'm in Cincy OH. the northeastern states get non flex fuel vehicles.


BUT AGAIN, DONT GET CAUGHT UP BY THIS. THERE'S NO NEGATIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2. YOU JUST CANT GET THE SUPERCHARGER, SERIOUSLY HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD GET IT ANYWAY? IF ITS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOUR PLAN FOR YOUR TRUCK THEN GO THROUGH THE HASSLE TO GET A NON FLEX FUEL, BUT....... BE AWARE, ITS HARD TO TITLE A NON FLEX FUEL IN SOME STATES THAT REQUIRE THE FLEX FUEL TRUCKS.;)
 
#32 ·
its no biggie to me to not be able to s/c, i would prefer turbo anyways.

as for detonation, the e85 is higher octane than even premium pump... its a lot higher, just adversely, it takes a lot more of it... ever seen an alcohol banshee, they make amazing power, but take a amazing amounts of fuel to do 5 runs up the hill lol.


thats all i was wondering.



and i have a black gas cap on my flex.
 
#33 ·
Any fuel that contains ethanol is going to cause major fuel system issues in any vehicle. Not only just vehicles but lawn & garden equipment any anything else with a carburetor. I have ran a few tanks of non-ethanol fuel through my Tundra, and you can in fact tell a difference. Without the ethanol the truck doesn't hesitate when you get on the throttle like it does with ethanol based 87 octane fuel.

Thanks to the stupidity of the government most fuel has ethanol in it.

If you let ethanol fuel sit for a few weeks the ethanol will separate and guess what it doesn't burn worth shit. Your left with a tank of crap that doesn't burn and will plug up your fuel system, and eat away at the internal parts of a carburetor.
 
#34 ·
just to explain what actually happens, the ethanol does not seperate, rather it actually wicks moisture from the ambient air...

and yes, actual gasoline has more energy in it vs e10, not tons more, but still more.

however, i think as of now all states are required to sell fuel containing 10% blend. i think arkansas was the last state that didnt have to sell 10%, and last i heard it was there to.

even our fuel source now which up till last year sold us non blended (by the 1k gallons) now only carries 10% blend also.


all new engines in automotive, or lawn and garden power equipment/outdoor powersports are capable of operating on 10% ethanol without any issues, there have been many issues with fuel lines that were used pre 10%, they will just dry rot and crack, some materials just expand, while others turn to total goo.

also, new fuel has a shelf life of a month... so yea, a few weeks (3-7) it can become bad and non volatile, especially if not in a completely sealed container.

even the fuel containers are different now, low permeation, all non vented/self vented (aka pours like shit and gets everywhere)
 
#35 ·
this would be why its more important now if you let one sit to put stabil in one over winter huh lol. THANKS for that info bro i appreciate it ;) my lowrider the past 2 years has rotted a rubber fuel line sitting in a garage over winter. this may explain why now. never put 2 and 2 together there, i guess cause i didnt realize the fuel was that much different with 10% ethanol in it.
 
#36 ·
I wasn't aware of the flex fuel prior to purchase and saw the surcharges advertised after purchase, so I planned on it mainly for the dealer warranty. Guess now i'll have to stick to chips, and other stuff like exhaust and such.
 
#37 ·
Same for me

I wasnt aware that my truck was FF until I took delivery. It is a little dissapointing. That is the route I am going to have to take also. Intake, exhaust, etc, etc. But I am still happy with my purchase. I'm about to order a toytec 3/1 for it and slap some 35 inch tires on her. I will probably remove the crappy skidplate altogether for now. I dont go offroad and dont plan to either. It will be strictly for looks. That is one aspect of this truck that has really let me down, the freakin SKID PLATE. It is made out of extremely thin tin. I figured the skids would at least be on par with my F150. Not even close. Wow Toyota, really? I feel insulted that they even call that a skid plate.
 
#38 ·
Not to change the subject but why would you say something like this:
one aspect of this truck that has really let me down, the freakin SKID PLATE. It is made out of extremely thin tin. I figured the skids would at least be on par with my F150. Not even close. Wow Toyota, really? I feel insulted that they even call that a skid plate.
Directly after making a statement like this?:
I will probably remove the crappy skidplate altogether for now. I dont go offroad and dont plan to either. It will be strictly for looks.
If that's the case why do you care?