Weird observation: truck folks versus SUV folks - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

PenguinOffRoad · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 04:14 PM

I suppose the demographic is slightly different, but I've been noticing huge differences between the Tundra folks and the Sequoia folks...

This Sequoia is our first SUV (mostly because my wife refused to drive anything that a soccer mom would ever consider), so we come from a background of lifted trucks, many modified Mustangs, Lightnings, etc. where most folks can't wait to tear down the OEM crap and upgrade the heck out of their vehicles with stronger/faster parts.

It just seems like most SUV owners are content with slappin a set of wheels on and calling it a day. Mind you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. It's just weird not to see more thirst for changing things up, whether it be suspension mods, performance mods, etc.

Anyone else notice this kind of thing or am I just weird?

LV4R · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinOffRoad

I suppose the demographic is slightly different, but I've been noticing huge differences between the Tundra folks and the Sequoia folks...

This Sequoia is our first SUV (mostly because my wife refused to drive anything that a soccer mom would ever consider), so we come from a background of lifted trucks, many modified Mustangs, Lightnings, etc. where most folks can't wait to tear down the OEM crap and upgrade the heck out of their vehicles with stronger/faster parts.

It just seems like most SUV owners are content with slappin a set of wheels on and calling it a day. Mind you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. It's just weird not to see more thirst for changing things up, whether it be suspension mods, performance mods, etc.

Anyone else notice this kind of thing or am I just weird?

Totally agree with you on this regarding the Sequoia and bigger suvs. The 4runner though is a whole different story. People are modding the heache out of them over at t4r.org and other enthusiast forums. Same thing with the FJ.

I think that the big suvs are bought for the soccer mom types (not that I am one

) or perhaps many are leased so people do not want to do anything crazy to them

.

I know that I can't wait to get some more dinero to lift this, throw some bigger tires on and the SC

RipplingHurst · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 10:02 PM

I think you're right, but I not sure I agree with your explanation regarding the causes.

Many who own SUVs also have cars too, and they used to have (at least in my case) a huge selection of parts to choose from. This is not the case with big SUVs (Sequoia, QX, Armada), specially japanese.

I don't see that many parts to upgrade for the Sequoia. Heck, when I buy truck mags, I mostly see things for Silverados and F-150, much less for the RAM, and for the Nissan/Tundra, even less.

I also don't trust most thing that exist so far. For instance, there is no lifting kit for the tricked out rear suspension of the Platinum. People build spacers, and that's it. It has air bags. Now you can find trick suspensions for the Audi S8 (also has factory air bags), that can raise and lower the vehicle. But that is too sophisticated for the current crop of vendors, I guess.

I'd like to see more electronic kinda of mods to the Sequoia. That could solve most ECU issues, say, related to the Supercharger. BMW/Audi has a huge selection of electronic tuning for transmission behaviour, ECU remap, NAV, calibration for bigger wheel/tires, etc. The same goes for the Nissan/Toyota/Honda, but for that you have to look for Japanese sources.

I'm not talking about poor renditions of something one could build at home, but you can see people really hack the BUS, and took the time to understand the messages running inside the network that runs in all recent cars.

Where is the steering wheel levers to change gears? Nowhere. I guess is that is too complicated for people used to sell simple truck parts.

Big SUVs live in a limbo in the aftermarket world. They don't get the support the cars get, nor they have much use for mods that truckers need and dig.

Of course, that's my view only.

Manoah · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 11:05 PM

in my situation, the sequoia is the family car, im only allowed to do so much to it. i got approval for a spacer lift and 35's but i shot that down as it would make things difficult for the wife with two young kids. i already agreed that i wouldnt do any performance mods because its a family car and needs to be 100% dependable. so that pretty much limits me to wheels and stereo. im fine with that for now as i have my motorcycle for my other modding needs.

Theohiomike · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 10:56 AM

This is my Family car. Other than the audio wheels, tires and some small pieces I have other toys I throw my money at. The sequoia is nice but in my opinion a waste to throw on a lift and bigger MUD tires for what I bought it for. Traveling with the family and towing my motorcycles and ATv's to tracks. Just my 2cents. I do like the lifted SUV and trucks I think there awesome its just not in my cards at this point in my life..

xraytekca · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 11:23 AM

family car here too, thats why my wife made me drop out of the corsa group buy, lol. i was 100% in untill i told her, she said she did not what a loud suv, lol, iam sooooo upset

bj

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theohiomike

This is my Family car. Other than the audio wheels, tires and some small pieces I have other toys I throw my money at. The sequoia is nice but in my opinion a waste to throw on a lift and bigger MUD tires for what I bought it for. Traveling with the family and towing my motorcycles and ATv's to tracks. Just my 2cents. I do like the lifted SUV and trucks I think there awesome its just not in my cards at this point in my life..

PenguinOffRoad · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 02:50 PM

Very good observations and valid points!

This is helping me to gain better insight.

KAELA · #8 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 02:54 PM

Penguin, I just think your weird! j/k

I'm the same with all three above, it's definitely the family hauler. Believe me, there are so much I would love to do to the Sequoia but I really don't want to mess with the suspension. The thing just drives too darn smooth and although I know it would look sweet lifted I just can't justify going through with it.
So that's why I still have my 2004 Tundra DC which I've done tons to and still enjoy driving. I really couldn't see myself selling it after all the money I've spent on it.

KinKaid · #9 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 10:11 PM

No mods...While I am the primary driver...My wife will take it when her SUV is either magically "low" on gas or needs to be serviced. Since she makes a few house calls a month and takes other physicians, residents, and fellows to lunch and dinner once in awhile...We did not think having the "widow maker" options on the sequoia would be a good idea

Plus we got it to be a safe baby hauler. It is a lot easier to take a car seat out of an SUV vs. a Car.

m16basto · #10 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 02:57 PM

I agreed to disagree if there were more of a aftermarket out there for our Sequoias Id probably be upgrading my rig as much as I can on a budget of coarse. My next mod is sound sys/rear dvd/monitor.

Wacked · #11 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m16basto

I agreed to disagree if there were more of a aftermarket out there for our Sequoias Id probably be upgrading my rig as much as I can on a budget of coarse. My next mod is sound sys/rear dvd/monitor.

Come on in and get you a Corsa system, that'll get you started!
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...xhaust-system/

m16basto · #12 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wacked

Come on in and get you a Corsa system, that'll get you started!
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...xhaust-system/

Sorry out of my price range right now, wifey is expecting in June so all my mods have been pushed back for awhile . I was curious how the Gibson compares to the Corsa cat back system? Im not high jacking this thread but the Gibson seems more affordable especially in these times.

Crazy Ivan · #13 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 10:40 PM

I have both, Tundra and Sequoia.
Love to mod Tundra, and enjoy stock Sequoia.

I use Tundra for everything, and don't care if truck will get scratches, or dents, or other damage to it.
But Sequoia on the other hand, is my baby, so no mods except wheels, and other cosmetic stuff.

PenguinOffRoad · #14 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 10:02 AM

My wife and I are still relatively young (she's 28 and I'm 30), so we don't have a family per se (unless you count all the cats we have).

Our garage now holds our 2 Mustangs (both '07s, one pop-top and one coupe), the Red Lightning, and our Sequoia (we sold the Blue Lightning and the Tunda). So, for daily driving, we take the Sequoia 9 times out of 10, but I still have a hard time dealing with it in stock form...

We're collecting the parts for an HID retro-fit right now, but I really want a 6" lift. Does anyone know if ProComp, Fabtech, CST, etc... are planning on making one? The Tundra kits won't work because they have a setup for a solid axel rear with leaf springs.

SE2000 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 10:27 AM

The SUV's replaced the family wagon. And I never remember many mods for those ever.
I had thought about an SUV instead of pickup with a cap as being in snow country, an open bed is useless. And the IRS would be nice. But a truck won out. But then again I am not going to buy a lot of bling for it. Off road lifts for a vehicle that will never/very rarely leave pavement is bling to me

There are lots of Caddy SUV mods because they attract the crowd that want to modify, you just don't get those people looking at Toyota very much.
If a few prominent people did some custom work, it would start a following but that's unlikely.