Trading Ram for Tundra

Hi, I've had Jeeps for years, but now I need a full-sized pickup truck capable of hard work on a farm. It needs aggressive tires (with a studded set for VT winters) and spacers, but I don't want it lifted. (My current Jeep is, and oh man, never again.) Unfortunately, I disregarded everyone's advice and bought a Ram in February before realizing it's essentially a luxury car and incapable of almost any task.

This is what I think I want:
TRD (need that skid plate)
P275/55R20
V8 (w/o hybrid)
1.5" Spacers?

Any suggestions? Thank you in advance for your advice!

 

Why spacers?

 

I guess mainly for looks, since it won't be lifted.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! No need for TRD Pro just for the skid plate. You can add a skid plate yourself very easily.

 

Define "hard work on a farm".

 

'Work on a farm' means being able to drive up to the top of a steep, uneven ridgetop field which has been mowed and bundled into hay bales, fill up the bed and get back down to load them in the barn for the winter.

 

Doesn't TRD include other things, like different shocks?

 

Yea….sounds like you actually need an F-250 FX4 or 2500-3500. Those in stock form will cover your needs and are actually designed for hard work.

 

A 2017 Tundra did it. Slowly and carefully, but it did it repeatedly. And does every year.

 

And Ford or a bigger ram would do it? I've sworn off Ram, and I'm not a Ford fan.

I'm coming to Toyota for a couple reasons. First, I think it's a better product than anything I've seen or driven. Second, I've heard they have customer service.

 

2017 or earlier SR5 TRD Offroad will do that. 2018-2021 is good, too, but perhaps needs a trans.cooler.

 

I’m just saying that Toyota doesn’t make a heavy duty option that is more geared to farms.

 

What is a trans cooler?

 

Yakeng, I appreciate your advice and the explanation. Since I'll also need to use it for commuting between Boston and Vermont for the time being, I probably shouldn't go larger than a tundra.

 

Auxiliary transmission cooler with its own thermostat that Toyota took from Tundra in 2018. Good to have if you actually put your truck to work.

 

Vtl - thank you so much. Thank you all for your input and advice.

 

It does, but you only mentioned the skid plate originally. Your search will be simplified if you don't limit yourself to a TRD Pro. You can replace the shocks yourself (or have them replaced).

 

Awesome tip, thanks. Maybe I shouldn't limit the search to 20" wheels either. I could always upgrade those too.

 

The big GM gas truck seems to be a good choice,, if you are hauling hay and loads around the farm in Winter, I would look at the big GM gas truck. Gas so you do not have to worry about diesel in winter. They look pretty nice too?


I like my Tundra but if I lived on a farm and had harsh winters it would be that 6.6 2500 GM truck. They haul enormous amounts and the payload is up there too.

I love the room for driving in the Tundra and is perfect for around the house projects and help out friends that need a PU full of lumber or what ever.

 

Except it's still a GM. Unlike a darn boring V8 Tundra. Nothing happens to it.

 

Get with the times, gang. V8 is so ancient. 3rd gens run exceptionally reliable and efficient v6 with 2 turbos.

 

Maybe look for a Gen 2 or 2.5 Dbl Cab Long Bed (8ft) Tundra. More payload than Standard bed Dbl Cab or Crew Max Short Bed. This with 5.7 and 4wd should work well on the farm.

 

You don’t have to convince me I could give to shakes. The Tundra does what I want. I do know lots of farmers and I do not know one that had a Tundra? That might have changed but I doubt it. They own Chevy, Ford, and Dodge products in that order. They trash em out in a year or two and then go buy another one. A hand full actually try to take care of their vehicles but they own another truck or car to go places in, like church and Texas in the winter. Tundras are good for 4 wheeling in expensive trucks and taking long cruises having lots of room and in my case having a great sound system to listen to on said drives! I can’t remember ever seeing a Tundra in a commercial as a Farm truck? It is what it is I have never said anything bad about none of the vehicles,,,,,, except a Chevy truck that I traded for my first Tundra in 20??

 

TRD Pro has a decent skid plate, TRD off road package has a garbage skid plate. Much better aftermarket options (RCI is great and popular around here.)

An 18” wheel will give you more rubber and to which you can air down and have better traction when doing “farm stuff”. 20” wheels are for parades.

Stick to model years 2007-2021. Search 2nd Gen and 2.5 Gen forums here as there are many valuable threads highlighting differences between the generations, model years etc. and benefits of one year vs a different year. If you’re looking new plush creature comforts with less mileage but still can do “farm stuff” look at 2016-2018 (38 gal fuel tank, led headlights, still transmission cooler - 2019 is when that was eliminated)

This will worsen turning radius, possibly require trimming and cutting body mounts etc. I know you said you want “the look” but you’d be better off with a new wheel with a little more width and less offset (25mm is commonly recommended as the “sweet spot” for our trucks).

my personal opinion is spacers are goofy looking. But it’s not my truck - let er rip if you want.

Also, welcome from NNY.

 

Maybe you were too young?

https://youtu.be/h9gei7JoaOU?feature=shared

I think I see @Eurodriver in that video with his cows

 

Woo Hoo one commercial very good!!! One maybe that is why I missed it.
That’s funny

I’ve seen a lot in my 60+ years here on earth but I do not remember that one. All though my memory ain’t as good as it used to be either. Plus the fact that someone went and searched for it?

 

^^^^oh ya well let’s see a Tundra do this!!!! That’s all the fun I can have for one day!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mAFKqkifqBM

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from TX. Do the skid plates and call it a day

 

You'll be much better off with 18" wheels for farm and off road work.