Toyota Tundra Work Truck
The 2010 Is Dressed for Work
Toyota recently made two big announcements regarding the 2010 Tundra: First was the new Work Truck Package and second was that the 4.7-liter V-8 will be replaced by a 4.6-liter. The package, said to cost $550-$655 less than the standard MSRP (for 2009, the base Tundra MSRP was $23,235), is available in 2WD and 4WD, with regular or Double Cab trucks, with either the standard 6.6-foot bed or the long eight-foot bed.
As is the case with all 2010 Tundras, there are three engines, including the base 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 and the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8. The newest addition is a 4.6-liter V-8 putting out 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. It's a smaller-displacement engine than the one it replaces, but puts out 34 more horses and 14 pound-feet more torque, and fuel economy is estimated to improve to 15/20 mpg from 14/17 (2WD Tundras). And, unlike the 4.7, the 4.6 will be backed by the same six-speed automatic as the 5.7. (The V-6 uses a five-speed automatic.)
As is the case for most truck makers' work trucks, Toyota's Work Truck Package allows buyers to pay less for a half-ton by losing styling and luxury items, but they can still get plenty of capability for the money. The Tundra receives black bumpers and grille surround in place of the chrome units seen elsewhere in the line, and manual black side mirrors replace power mirrors. Inside, the bench seat is covered in vinyl and the floors are coated with rubber. Instead of the regular silver center stack and instrument panel, work trucks use a black stack, and there are warning lights in place of gauges for oil pressure and voltage. The light in the glovebox plus the map and courtesy door lights have been removed. Cruise control and keyless entry are optional. If you stick with the base 4.0-liter V-6, four-wheel drive isn't available.
As of press time, we still did not know specific pricing, but based on 2009 MSRPs, the least expensive Tundra is a 2WD short-bed regular cab with the V-6 ($23,285), and there's no reason that would change for 2010. However, unlike the other manufacturers who offer work trucks, Toyota's version is a package that will be available on every truck in the line. This means the top-level Work Truck's MSRP could climb above $30,000, depending on how Toyota equips it when paired with the 5.7-liter V-8.
Fleet Options
Toyota's Commercial Fleet & Small Business program includes all the vehicles in Toyota's line, including all SUVs and pickups. For the Tundra, this includes the Tundra Grade, SR5, Limited and, as of spring 2009, the Work Truck Package. Depending on trim levels, the cold-weather package and TRD off-road package also are options. The V-6 and both V-8s are available, plus both cabs and 2WD or 4WD. Toyota works with aftermarket companies for its fleet trucks. Weather Guard can provide truck boxes and racks; Adrian Steel has tool boxes and runner racks; Tommy Gate makes hydraulic liftgates that replace the tailgate; and there are application-specific ARE truck caps. People interested in buying fleet can also consider the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, and Highlander (and hybrid). Go to www.toyota.com/businessfleet for more.