[reidsworks]

I continue in my quest for a pleasant driving experience. Having let my truck sit and cool overnight, I decided to pull it into my shop/garage and take a close look underneath front to back.
As soon as I opened the hood, I was shocked to find dried antifreeze splashes all over everything. I opened the radiator cap and found the radiator low on fluid.
Next I crawled underneath. There are at least 4 different fittings on the tranny that are leaking fluid.
Also, noted the two of the heat shields are pretty banged up and bent out of shape. I might add they are cheap aluminum foil like stamped shields. Easy to crumple. Several of the fasteners are loose.
On the underside drivers side there is something missing of which I can't figure out. Only noticed this because there is this blank spot with no paint.
Moving rearward, I found the right side tail pipe section forward of the muffle very loose at the pipe clamp joint and leaking water. When I started the truck engine you could hear it bubbling internally.
Finally, at the bumper found the left tail pipe hanging about 1" lower and extended beyond the bumper 1" more rearward than the right side.
I am not so sure it is the right thing to demand a new truck. Our warranty is our only sure savior. In Virginia where I live the rules for arbitration in these matters are pretty stringent. I can imagine it could take quite some time to get relief.
Oh, moving on to the tranny operation. I did drive it again today. Shifting all over the place.... like it can't make up its mind what to do. I did gun it on time to see how the TC would lock up and I thought the rear end was going to shake off the truck. That can't be good.
So off to the dealer for another look see on Monday. I wish stealth Z the best of luck too.
By the way, I don't think our friend at Toyota customer relations cares to hear of our experiences on line. Making comparisons of how each of us is treated doesn't seem to set to well with them.
It would be interesting to know if Toyota is monitoring these sites.
I still love to look at my truck, Just not happy with driving it. Sad but true...
I remain faithful that Toyota will roger up and do the right thing for each and every one of us.