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Article Comments 2007 Half-Ton Pickups Comparison

259 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2007 at 3:16 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, Truck

Article comments for Comparison Test: 2007 Half-Ton Pickup Trucks - For almost two weeks, we drove all three trucks in a variety of terrain including urban crush, freeways and gravel roads. We loaded and unloaded them, poked and prodded them, and even dyno-tested them. (more)

Messages Page 27 of 27

#254 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [belias] by 1offroader

Jun 28, 2007 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: belias (Jun 28, 2007 4:29 am)
belias
 
OK, agreed, enuf about "obtuse" tests.
 
You bring up a different issue, which is frame flex. I contend that it IS a significant issue. Here are my reasons:
 
1) torsional flex is a BIG DEAL in offroad conditions, where frequently one corner of the vehicle has little (or even no) contact with the ground. That's the nature of the beast. When this happens, the frame flexes. When the frame flexes, that transfers stresses to body parts that are just not designed to handle stress. The body is just sheet metal. Multiply that over thousands, or hundreds of thousands, or millions, of cycles and you induce rattles, metal fatigue, and other problems. It also means you must increase body panel gaps so the edges of the body panels don't come into contact with each other and beat themselves to death.
 
Why do you think my 69 Bronco, and even my 92 Toyota pickup, had FBFs? Because these vehicles were designed to be superior in offroad conditions. C-channel frames are a big step backwards, offroadwise. But, they are much cheaper to produce so many manufacturers use them. Riveted cross members are also cheaper and easier to produce than double welded cross members. Time is money in the car making business, as elsewhere.
 
A hunting guide recently told me of a test he witnessed on a Ford lot. I did not witness this, it's only heresay, but based on the video it makes a lot of sense. The Ford dealer took a new Tundra and a new F-150. He supported 3 corners, the 4th (rear) corner was completely unsupported. The tailgate of the Tundra opened with difficulty and with a lot of binding, and would not close due to the torsional flex! The Ford - no problem. Once again, I did not witness this.
 
When you go offroad, you cannot always choose where you stop, or where you get stuck. If you park at an awkward angle on a steep slope, do you still want to get into the bed of your truck? With the Tundra, that might be difficult, or even impossible.
 
2) As to the big c-channel frames on the large trucks...these vehicles are not designed for serious offroading, and you rarely ever see them in tough offroad situations. Not necessarily due to frame flex, but because they are so large they are not practical offroad. In any event, flex can be overcome if you throw a lot more steel at the problem even with c-channel. And 3/4-ton and larger trucks have much bigger frames than 1/2 ton trucks. They are built for hauling and towing, and c-channel is just fine for that.
 
1/2 ton trucks are supposed to be a compromise - some towing/hauling, and some offroad capability (in 4WD). The Tundra will be decidely inferior, from a frame flex standpoint, than the GM or Ford. Not sure about the Dodge. In fact, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the frame flex is why the Tundra looked so bad in the 28mph test.
 
3) As to your last point, there is NO detriment to having zero torsional flex in a frame. None. You're just wrong on that point. That's what the suspension is supposed to provide. Less flex is always better. The reason that zero flex is not possible, or practical, is that it would cost a fortune to design and build a true zero-flex frame. That's NASA-level stuff. The ideal is to have as near to zero flex as you can get and still make an affordable piece of equipment.
 
Here's my prediction - the next iteration of the Tundra will have a FBF. And, Toyota will brag that's it's a big improvement. Which will be true.
 
1offroader

#255 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [1offroader] by driver56

Jun 28, 2007 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 8:09 pm)
Hell, I'll go with that, I own a new Frontier 4x4 Nismo.
You know, Titan's little brother. Fully boxed frame, and all that.
 
Enjoyed your post.
 
Mick

#256 of 259 Tundra slowly making headway with domestic buyers by rsholland

Jul 02, 2007 (1:47 pm)

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/3013

#257 of 259 Interesting safety result by belias

Jul 03, 2007 (4:52 am)

This came directly from MSNBC on crash tests performed on SUVs and Trucks where a rear-end collision at 20mph occurred...
 
“In stop-and-go commuter traffic, you’re more likely to get in a rear-end collision than any other crash type,” said Institute vice president David Zuby. “It’s not a major feat of engineering to design seats and head restraints that afford good protection in these common crashes.”
 
In other vehicle categories, the 2007 Toyota Tundra was the only pickup to receive the top score. Three minivans received the highest marks: Ford Freestar, Hyundai Entourage and the Kia Sedona.
 
For pickups, the institute gave poor ratings to Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic and the GMC Sierra 1500 Classic; Dodge Ram 1500; Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series; Nissan Frontier and certain versions of Ford F-150, Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider.
 
As a side note, I looked at the IIHS web-site to see what the ratings were for the new GMC Sierra/ Chevy Silverado (since they weren't mentioned in the article) and they recieved an "acceptable" rating for the same test. Ford received "poor"/"marginal" depending on the seatbelt arrangement and Dodge received "poor" ratings. The Titan got the same "acceptable" rating as the Sierra/Silverado.

#258 of 259 So what you're saying is that the by obyone

Jul 03, 2007 (10:52 am)

Tundra reacts really well when given a swift kick in the butt?

#259 of 259 Re: Pretty Good [1offroader] by saddaddy

Nov 02, 2007 (3:16 am)

Replying to: 1offroader (Jun 28, 2007 8:09 pm)
If you think ANY 1/2 ton pickup in the last 10 years has been designed or built to have any significant degree of offroad ability, you are sorely mistaken. Such capabilities simply cease to exist when the vehicle is larger than mid-sized.

Messages Page 27 of 27

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