Gallowbraid
Adventurist
Say hello to my "new to me" 2009 Toyota Sequoia.
This vehicle is replacing my 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4. Yes I know I traded down which is a cardinal sin when it comes to car buying. Oh well, I'll get over it.
The Tacoma was an awesome truck, quite capable off road and a head turner around town. At the end of the day though it wasn't a well researched purchase (an impulse purchase actually) that ended up being simply too small for my needs and the needs of my family. With a larger towing capacity and infinitely more cargo and people capacity this Sequoia should work much better for us. Oh, and it was 1/2 the price.
First, a little information about Sequoias. Introduced in 2000 the Sequoia is based on Toyota's Tundra full size truck. It was initially designed to complete with the likes of the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and Nissan Armada. At a time when gas was cheap and huge SUV's were in demand Toyota went big with this SUV.
In 2008 the Sequoia received a redesign to match the new Tundra models. Unlike the Tundra, however, the Sequoia sports a fully boxed frame, independent rear suspension and a center locking differential. Available with either the 4.7L V8 with a 5 speed transmission (as mine has) or the 5.7 with a 6 speed transmission it has plenty of power to move down the road.
The Sequoia has continued unchanged from 2008 until now with a redesign slated for 2018. Slotted between the 4Runner and the Land Cruiser the Sequoia strikes me as having just the right amount of polish without fading into luxury overkill (and an $80,000 price tag) like the Land Cruiser.
First impressions:
1. This thing is smooth! The Tacoma, with it's KO2's and cheap dealer installed 3inch lift, was always a little harsh to drive for long distances. Cruising 400 or 500 miles in a day would leave you a little fatigued. The Sequoia is the equivalent of stealing your Dad's favorite Lazy Boy chair and fitting it with tires and a steering wheel. The IRS soaks up anything the road throws at it and simply delivers comfort.
2. There's room for days in this thing! My daughter has taken a page from my genetic structure and, at age 12, has outgrown both my wife and my 21 year old son. The Tacoma just wasn't practical for family trips or even runs to the grocery store any longer. Continually readjusting seat positions to accommodate longer and longer legs had my wife sitting on top of the dash in the front seat. Not a problem in the Sequoia. At 6' 4" I can easily sit in the second row and have plenty of room to spare. If forced someone my size could even fit in the third row if need be, although it will probably remain folded down for the foreseeable future.
3. More Power! Obviously when comparing it to the Tacoma we're talking about a V6 vs a V8, but this thing has some get up and go. The 4.7 is spec'd to produce 285 HP (the 5.7 was spec'd at almost 400!) and the 5 speed transmission seems to have good spacing between the gears. Even with 143,000 on the clock it shifts and runs very smoothly.
4. Excellent interior layout. All of the controls make sense and I think they're appropriately placed. There are persons on the interwebs who complain that some of the controls are too far away from the driver. They must be short people as this thing simply fits me. Plenty of OEM spots for electrical expansion and enough little nooks and crannies to house all sorts of camping and adventure equipment.
Negatives?
Well, it's a thirsty V8 so there's that. But it'll be paid for shortly and then who cares. I'll just reallocate funds into the petrol bucket.
It's black. It was well maintained but black paint shows everything so as soon as I get home from my next work trip there will be a 3 day detailing event I'm sure.
It has Michelin street tires that are in too good of shape to get rid of immediately. So they'll stay on there until I wear them out and then there will be a rim/tire package installed with a more off road slant.
So what are the initial plans? Well there's going to be quite a bit of maintenance done first, which I'll detail here as the thread goes on. As far as modifications go, here's the current list:
MODIFICATIONS:
1. Stereo upgrade. The factory unit is 8 years old and lacking plus this boat needs a backup camera.
2. Gobi Stealth Roof Rack
3. Rock sliders (have to find a shop to fab these).
4. 2.5 to 3 inch lift
5. Rims / tires
6. Weather Tech liners
After that we'll just use it and see what happens.
This vehicle is replacing my 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4. Yes I know I traded down which is a cardinal sin when it comes to car buying. Oh well, I'll get over it.
The Tacoma was an awesome truck, quite capable off road and a head turner around town. At the end of the day though it wasn't a well researched purchase (an impulse purchase actually) that ended up being simply too small for my needs and the needs of my family. With a larger towing capacity and infinitely more cargo and people capacity this Sequoia should work much better for us. Oh, and it was 1/2 the price.
First, a little information about Sequoias. Introduced in 2000 the Sequoia is based on Toyota's Tundra full size truck. It was initially designed to complete with the likes of the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and Nissan Armada. At a time when gas was cheap and huge SUV's were in demand Toyota went big with this SUV.
In 2008 the Sequoia received a redesign to match the new Tundra models. Unlike the Tundra, however, the Sequoia sports a fully boxed frame, independent rear suspension and a center locking differential. Available with either the 4.7L V8 with a 5 speed transmission (as mine has) or the 5.7 with a 6 speed transmission it has plenty of power to move down the road.
The Sequoia has continued unchanged from 2008 until now with a redesign slated for 2018. Slotted between the 4Runner and the Land Cruiser the Sequoia strikes me as having just the right amount of polish without fading into luxury overkill (and an $80,000 price tag) like the Land Cruiser.
First impressions:
1. This thing is smooth! The Tacoma, with it's KO2's and cheap dealer installed 3inch lift, was always a little harsh to drive for long distances. Cruising 400 or 500 miles in a day would leave you a little fatigued. The Sequoia is the equivalent of stealing your Dad's favorite Lazy Boy chair and fitting it with tires and a steering wheel. The IRS soaks up anything the road throws at it and simply delivers comfort.
2. There's room for days in this thing! My daughter has taken a page from my genetic structure and, at age 12, has outgrown both my wife and my 21 year old son. The Tacoma just wasn't practical for family trips or even runs to the grocery store any longer. Continually readjusting seat positions to accommodate longer and longer legs had my wife sitting on top of the dash in the front seat. Not a problem in the Sequoia. At 6' 4" I can easily sit in the second row and have plenty of room to spare. If forced someone my size could even fit in the third row if need be, although it will probably remain folded down for the foreseeable future.
3. More Power! Obviously when comparing it to the Tacoma we're talking about a V6 vs a V8, but this thing has some get up and go. The 4.7 is spec'd to produce 285 HP (the 5.7 was spec'd at almost 400!) and the 5 speed transmission seems to have good spacing between the gears. Even with 143,000 on the clock it shifts and runs very smoothly.
4. Excellent interior layout. All of the controls make sense and I think they're appropriately placed. There are persons on the interwebs who complain that some of the controls are too far away from the driver. They must be short people as this thing simply fits me. Plenty of OEM spots for electrical expansion and enough little nooks and crannies to house all sorts of camping and adventure equipment.
Negatives?
Well, it's a thirsty V8 so there's that. But it'll be paid for shortly and then who cares. I'll just reallocate funds into the petrol bucket.
It's black. It was well maintained but black paint shows everything so as soon as I get home from my next work trip there will be a 3 day detailing event I'm sure.
It has Michelin street tires that are in too good of shape to get rid of immediately. So they'll stay on there until I wear them out and then there will be a rim/tire package installed with a more off road slant.
So what are the initial plans? Well there's going to be quite a bit of maintenance done first, which I'll detail here as the thread goes on. As far as modifications go, here's the current list:
MODIFICATIONS:
1. Stereo upgrade. The factory unit is 8 years old and lacking plus this boat needs a backup camera.
2. Gobi Stealth Roof Rack
3. Rock sliders (have to find a shop to fab these).
4. 2.5 to 3 inch lift
5. Rims / tires
6. Weather Tech liners
After that we'll just use it and see what happens.