Alright,
The last few days I was on a business trip in Huntsville AL and my rental car was a 04 Tundra. At first I was pretty excited since I heard all these issues on how it was such a great truck and in some ways better than ours. Now for me it wasnt an option since i wanted American, so I didnt even drive it. But lets just say after 3 days with one, I wouldnt even think about comparing it to my F150.
Okay to lay a few things down, it was a 2wd 4door V8. So size wise it looked more like a Ranger and felt like a small camary or corolla inside.
I was really surprised actually on how this truck looks so damn much like their car line its sick. I didnt like the looks or feel in the driver seat, nor did it have enough room for someone like me (6'3).
Now on to the guts of this rig, the thing is quick. I dont know if it was how it was geared or what but if you even touched the pedal the a$$ end would break loose and the engine was at 5k rpms (not exactly a good thing).
Aside from thinking the ride is ugly I just couldnt believe it even is held up to an F150, they are like night and day to me. After driving the 150 I would have walked into the Toyota showroom, looked at it and turned right back around. Not impressed and this is not a comparable truck no matter what they put under the hood.

 

somewhere, someplace there a Toyota owner with the same story.

 

I don't think I've ever seen the Tundra compared to the F150/Titan/1500 GM/1500 Dodge, even by Toyota.

Its a light truck with a unibody design.

Where have you seen all these comparisons?

 

Check that fact, the Tundra is a body on frame design, much like our F-150's,,,,just on a 'toy' scale.

 

Tundra for one was compared to the F-150 by car and driver and was rated higher than the F150 (a few months ago).
But now after going back to their website to grab that link for you, I noticed they went back on their word and now are calling the F-150 the best pickup on the market.

 

Here in Michigan, back at the release of the new F150 and when Toyota came out with the 4 door Tundra they were running commercials on how it had more interior room, horse power ( 4.6 comparo as they dont offer anything bigger) and more payload than the 150. super crew. Havent seen it in quite a while though.
Those Toyotas are a hard sell here in Ford and GM country.

Sled...

 

I stand corrected.

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/...rame_rail.html

 

Ha, yes I saw the Car and Driver comparison on Spike TV a couple of months ago. I couldn't believe the rating! Tundra??? Good thing they came to their senses.

Did you happen to catch the F-150 pulling the Dodge Hemi off the sand dune when it high sided? It was really cool. They hooked the Dodge up from the rear and ran the cable to the front tow hooks on the F-150 and it was backing up pulling the Dodge like a Catepillar tractor! No sweat!

 

the '04 Detroit auto show had that new full size Toyota truck.

I would expect them to finally bring out a decent truck for 05 or 06 (given that Ford and Nissan have raised the bar)

 

I have owned 4 F-150s, and 2 Tundras. My current 04 F-150 is a superior truck but probably only in size. There is no question in my mind that the Tundra is built better, however it is not as comfortable or fun to drive.

Mini Review

04 F-150 Lariat
After 15k miles still turns heads.
I wish it had a little more get up and go but has plenty of power
Will out pull any LD truck on the planet
I love the center console
If I had to do it over again...I would have picked a super crew...other than that no changes

00,01 Tundra
Tons of get up and go, but cant pull large boat very well
Very high qulity build, but not at comfortable as F-150
Best damn engine ever put in a truck...the 4.7 engine rocks...just needs more umph for a truck that size
Shallow bed for hauling tall items.
Chews up front brake rotors, but problem resolved on both trucks

When it is all said and done. I was very pleased with both of my Tundras. But nothing compares with the F-150.

 

Okay I have to say that although subjective, the F150 has the Tundra beat in looks, and feel as well.
The Tacoma has a much better look than the Tundra to me, but then again I like a very aggressive looking truck and the Tundra doesnt carry that (Jacked up Camary).
The Tundra did have a lot of zip, but the acceleration was not as smooth as I would have liked and I dont really like my truck to be in overdrive almost all the time.
I did have fun smoking the hell out of those tires
but I just cant see it being a better truck than Ford. I am a firm believer that if you want a truck you buy from the USA.
I did see the Spike special and it was also sweet when the F150 went over the dune and didnt break anything and when the chevy did it lost fog lamps and bent some of the molding. I love my 150 even if they all say hes fat.

 

Just remember that Toyota is on a 5 year old design. Yea, the crew-cab is new for 04 but it's more of an addition to an old design. Enjoy it while you can!!!

 

If you only want USA parts I'm not sure how you would drive that Ford when all the foreign parts are removed. Both trucks are built in the USA. I WISH you could buy a completly "made in the USA" truck.

 

very true, but too bad not a damn thing with more than three parts to it is made all right here in the USA. But you have to admit Ford is a hell of a lot more american than Toyota! And my rig was built right here in Virginia, now that I can support.

 

I have to admit that prior to buying my Ford, which I thank the almighty for guiding me through that one, I too was looking at a Tundra,...dodge, and chevy. Sticking with the Tundra, it is definately more car-like if that's what you like. I've read alot of reviews/complaints about how light the rear springs are and have personally spoken with a vendor on base who owns one. Basically he tows a bread trailer everyday and the a$$-end is sagging, looks like an F150 in reverse. He has no complaints about dependability but the stock suspension is not built to handle full-size loads. If you want something a little easier to drive and putt around in go ahead and get the Tundra. But I'll take my F150 anyday, I really enjoy driving up next to a Tundra TRD in my FX4. I would definately feel like a "unich" if I owned one.