Would you pay?

This is not going to happen, "well maybe the Price Part". But for debate sake, If Toyota or any other brand for that matter "over built everything on the trucks to double their current standards "twice as much as they felt was needed for everything from power train, electronics, plastic parts, and so on and offered it as a "Heavy Special Edition" with a 10 year 120,000 mile warranty for say, 10,000 on top of what they already charge MSRP for there current trims respectively, would you buy it or buy the current standard offerings.

 

For an added $10k I'd need to crawl all over that pig to see exactly what the differences are and make sure I'm getting what I pay for. If it was indeed double the standard than I would not hesitate to drop the extra coin, especially if they can add a few hundred lbs of payload while they're at it.

 

Yes. A Toyota Tundra HD package for a half ton, absolutely. 6.7 gasser

 

Feel the same way. If you will, I see some of the "Old" trucks from way back at least with concerns to the body and their still there , they were built to last. Don't think you could set some truck out today with all the plastic and expect it to still be good 15 yrs. down the line. Same goes with the engines and so on. Don't want to pay the price. God knows where I would come up with the extra money but if I could drive away knowing that I have a "Solid built like a tank" vehicle for the next 15 or more years it would be worth it. Some people Mod their trucks for aesthetics and that's cool. Others change things because what came with the vehicle is just barely enough to get the job done if that.

 

I don't know if I'm not understanding the question/OP properly, but if you're suggesting that Toyota could double its quality/standards/whatever (which could very well double their costs - or close to it), and I'd only have to pay an extra 15%?

Yes absolutely.

(ps - are we returning to the 3UR-FE ?)

 

Well as stated, this is just for debate. But if you will. They built the truck. They didn't start from scratch. 90% say is already there. What your adding is taking existing design and beefing it up. If you do this on a mass scale prices can be managed.

 

Ok well, subjectively speaking then, who wouldn't want a little more beef in their life?

 

Was it LC80 that they over built? Thicker frame by like 25%, thicker glass on the windshield, even thicker brake rotors. Something like that needs to make it to America for sure

 

Well what started this thread is reading of some of the things that break on these trucks that just shouldn't. Like any business your there for profit and I get that. The thing you have to be careful about is shaving too much off quality/durability of what you make. Get to close to the edge and what you end up with is just another common item. nothing special or worse you end up with a piece of junk. How many times have you paid up for one item over another item that does the same thing but is just built better. Guess it come down to the old saying. "Lead, Follow, or get the hell out of the way"

 

Didn't this used to be the whole idea behind the Land Cruiser?

 

You’re already paying 15% more. And not getting most of what you’re asking. Getting more regulatory required additions instead.

 

Interesting thought... On a similar note, I've wondered whether or not there is a market for a super stripped down model too. Engine, frame, body, wheels and go pedal with manual windows and and AM/FM radio. Perhaps the safety requirements these days don't allow for such skin and bones options to even exist.

 

Economies of scale. Would likely require a separate production line entirely if not a separate facility. Even if most of the parts weren't made in-house, the cost to have the "stripped down" parts manufactured and installed would cost nearly as much as the current "set up" of existing trim ranges.
Consumers would expect a significant cost savings that just wouldn't be there.

 

Nope.

 

That would be sweet. Or.... a 3JZ 4.5L sequential turbo inline 6... I'd bite

Same as above, I'm not sure exactly what the OP is suggesting, but if we are looking at 1/2ton HD, I'd be looking at: increased frame rail height, extra bearing support in the 10.7" rear end, full float outers with larger hub bearings, factory air + coil suspension, proper class V 2.5 or 3" hitch, big brakes from the factory, and some added cooling capacity..? I'd pay 10k for that in a heartbeat. Make sure to go back to the 5x150mm wheels to confuse people about the number of lugs required to be an HD truck, but at least you can fit HD bearings back in the hubs..