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Toyota Shows Off The T150
Acknowledging the fact that Toyota's T100 pickup truck was under-sized and under-powered for the US truck market, Toyota developed a new larger truck to replace the T100. This replacement, known as the "T150," debuted in May, 1999. While it addressed the T100's criticisms, the T150 name was too close to the name of Ford's F-150 pickup, so the name was dropped and the "Tundra" was born. -
Tundra is named Motor Trend Truck of the Year
The new 2000 Toyota Tundra debuted in 1999 to critical acclaim, winning both Motor Trends "Truck fo the Year" award as well as recognition as "Best Full Size Truck" by Consumer Reports. -
TRD Supercharger Offered on 4.7L V8
In an effort to bolster the Tundra's image as a powerful truck, Toyota offered a supercharger on the 4.7L V8. Boosting stock engine output to 335 horsepower. -
Tundra Design is Refreshed
Toyota releases a mid-cycle design refresh, slightly alterting the grill of the Tundra and also offering a stepside/flareside option that, unfortunately, wasn't very popular. -
New 4.0L V6 Engine Released
For the 2005 model year (and coinciding with a major refresh of the Toyota Tacoma), Toyota replaced th 3.4L V6 with a new 4.0L V6. The new engine offered more power, more low-end torque, and better fuel economy. -
Second Generation Tundra Debuts at Chicago Auto Show
While the first generation of the Tundra greatly improved on the size and capability of the Toyota T100, many consumers felt the Tundra was still a bit too small and under-powered to compete with trucks offered by Ford, Dodge, and GM. The second generation Tundra was as large as any competing half-ton, and offered a 5.7L V8, which was the most powerful engine available at the time. -
First Tundra is Built in San Antonio, Texas
Toyota's new truck assembly plant in San Antonio, Texas produces it's very first Toyota Tundra. Known as "TMMTX," the San Antonio assembly plant cost approximately $1.3 billion dollars. -
Tundra Wins Another Truck of The Year Award
Much like the first generation Tundra, the second generation Tundra wins Motor Trend's 2008 Truck of the Year award. However, early quality issues prevent Consumer Reports from automatically recommending the new Tundra. -
TRD Superchrager Released
TRD releases a supercharger for the 5.7L engine that allows the engine to produce a whopping 504hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. Some Tundra regular cab owners claim their trucks will run the quarter mile in 12 seconds flat with the supercharger installed. -
Slow Tundra Sales Force Manufacturing Consolidation
Prior to this point, Toyota had been producing the Tundra in both San Antonio, Texas and Princeton, Indiana. Now, all Tundra pickups would be produced in Texas. -
New 4.6L V8 Introduced
Almost exactly 10 years after the debut of the 4.7L iForce V8, Toyota replaces the 4.7 with a fuel-efficient 4.6L V8 making 310hp and 327 lb-ft of torque. Essentially, the 4.6L is a "short stroke version" of the 5.7L V8. -
Tundra Design is Refreshed
For the 2010 model year, the Tundra's grille and tail lights are slightly modified. Toyota also adds knee airbags to the refreshed Tundra, and amazingly the new Tundra recieves a 5-star crash test rating compared to the 2007's 4-star rating...despite almost no changes to the truck. -
Tundra Frame Rust Issues Investigated
NHTSA begins to investigate allegations of rusting first-generation Tundra frames. Investigators come to learn that most first-generation Tundras did not have adequate rust protection, and that the rear crossmember on many trucks is wasting away, causing the spare tire to fall on the ground (even while the Tundra is moving). -
Tundra Frame Replacement Program Announced
Following months of denials, Toyota announces an official program to replace the frame of any first-generation Tundra with substantial rust. The frame replacement costs are estimated to be approximately $18,000 per truck. Despite the high cost of frame replacement, Toyota does not offer to buy-back any rusting Tundras. -
Toyota and Ford Announce Hybrid Truck Development Pact
In a move that's both surprising and exciting, Ford and Toyota announce joint plans to develop a hybrid powertrain for the Tundra and F-150. The new powetrain will debut "sometime later this decade". -
The Tundra Pulls The Space Shuttle
In a PR coup, a Toyota Tundra is chosen to tow the space shuttle across a narrow bridge in Los Angeles. The shuttle is being towed to the American Museum of Science. Amazingly, the Tundra used to tow the shuttle was "bone stock," reportedly pulled off the lot at a local LA dealership. -
Refreshed Toyota Tundra Debuts at Chicago Auto Show
Toyota debuts a refreshed Toyota Tundra, with an updated interior, more aggressive front end, and very few changes. TundraHeadquarters.com calls the truck underwhelming, saying "The 2014 Tundra isn’t the truck we lusted for, but it’s still a safe, reliable, and durable pickup that stands up to competition."
