How can Toyota ensure the second generation of the Tundra will have some models that reach one million miles? They do this by studying first-generation trucks that reached this mark. The upgrades to the 2022 Toyota Tundra didn’t happen by accident; the designers and engineers studied the original truck. This told them what to keep and what to change.

The Toyota Tundra that reached the magic number

You may have heard the story of the man Toyota gave a brand new Tundra to replace his original 2007 truck. The man’s name is Victor Sheppard, and his 2007 Toyota Tundra reached one million miles in 2016. This gave Toyota the perfect truck to study while developing the new 2022 version.

What did Toyota learn from this well-worn truck?

When Toyota took ownership of the million-mile Tundra, only a few items weren’t working correctly. The sun visor detent was worn out and broken, and the odometer had stopped turning. The odometer is understandable because it had a limit of 999,999 miles, which no one could have predicted would be surpassed.

The truck bed of the million-mile Tundra showed severe stress. This became the focal point for improving the new truck.

How did Toyota improve the Tundra’s bed?

The Toyota engineering team built a more durable bed for the 2022 Tundra. They used a lighter, sturdier, and less corrodible composite material. This new material performed well during testing, in which rocks, cinder blocks, and a V8 engine were tossed into the bed. Amazingly, the bed passed these extreme tests without a dent.

Another way to improve the strength and durability of the new Tundra pickup truck was to build a linear, ladder-shaped frame. This new design gives wider support to the bed and evenly distributes the weight.

Were any other upgrades made to the basic build of the Tundra?

Yes, the Toyota team added more storage in the truck’s cab by placing a new storage area under the rear seats.

What mechanical changes do we see in the 2022 Tundra?

Before we get into the new powertrains, let’s check out the drive chain. This new truck uses a wider chain which measures 1 ¾-inches, which is one-quarter wider than the older chain. This wider chain required increased to the rest of the mechanical elements.

With the changes to the drive chain, Toyota changed the powertrains from a single V8 engine to a pair of V6 models. The base engine is now a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged i-Fore V6 engine that produces 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This is eight more horsepower and 78 more lb-ft of torque than the 5.7-liter V8 from the 2021 Tundra.

A new hybrid i-Force Max engine enters the mix, adding hybrid power to the 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 power plant. This hybrid version reaches 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are greater than the Ford PowerBoost Hybrid for the F-150.

Is the new 2022 Toyota Tundra a good truck?

Yes, this new Tundra, developed through the study of the million-mile Toyota truck, should be a reliable, strong, and dependable truck you can drive every day. Toyota enters the luxury truck class with the new Capstone trim while offering many familiar trim levels we know from the first-generation truck.

Next, check out the proposed time when Nissan will delete the Titan, or learn about the secret features of the Tundra in the video below: