Throughout its many years as an automotive manufacturer, Toyota has developed quite the reputation for reliability and dependability. Drivers of our vehicles choose Toyota time and time again because they're confident in how long Toyota vehicles last and how well they can withstand just about anything. In fact we have a particular Toyota Tundra to attest to that. The Million-Mile Tundra lives in true fame as a testament to Toyota's world-class engineering and technological capabilities. Interested to know more? Follow along with us at Toyota of Clermont!
The Million-Mile Tundra: Some Backstory
Before we dive into the implications that this special Toyota Tundra has for Toyota as an automotive manufacturer, let's touch on the story of this special million-mile vehicle. The Million-Mile Tundra was formerly owned and driven by Victor Sheppard. Having to travel much for his job, Sheppard racked up hundreds of thousands of miles each year. Eventually the Clermont Toyota Tundra's odometer hit 999,999 miles and crossed the 1 million mark. Toyota, especially those who work at the Huntsville, Alabama engine plant, was stunned by the fact that one of their trucks withstood over a million miles of travel all with the original engine, interior, paint, and hardware.
Victor Sheppard's Clermont Toyota Tundra ascended into legend and his 2007 truck was swapped out for a brand new model and Toyota went to work investigating.
Toyota's Reported Findings
After the Million-Mile Tundra enjoyed a tour through several Toyota manufacturing plants it found its way into the hands of Toyota's quality team where it was inspected. Out of curiosity of how this truck managed to enjoy such an impressive run and how Toyota could further improve future models, they went to work inspecting the Clermont Toyota Tundra top to bottom. Here's what they found:
- The engine was one of the first things to be inspected from the Million-Mile Tundra and the findings were surprising. According to Gary Baker, Toyota's quality manager, the 2UZ-FE engine housed in the '07 Tundra performed better than some brand new engines off the assembly in the Huntsville plant.
- The engine was in immaculate condition with only a blemish on one of the bearings. In fact, there was little carbon built up in the valve stems and there were no reportedly abnormal dimension measurements.
- Test drives of the Clermont Toyota Tundra lead to the same conclusion that it was still in perfect driving condition despite the mileage.
- The vehicle's body was in excellent engineering condition and the only area of complaint was the bed (it was dented because of cargo loaded into it).
- This Toyota Tundra's interior was also still in perfect operating condition with little damage done to the driver's seat, even after a million miles being put on the odometer.
Today, the legendary Million-Mile Tundra will be permanently displayed in the Toyota Technical Center and the findings implemented in future manufacturing practices.
If you're ready to shop for a new Toyota Tundra, Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Shop our full inventory and visit the dealership at 16851 State Road 50 when you're ready for a test drive.
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