RE: [A/S] Re: Titan Towing - Titan and other Japanese Full Size Pickups - Tundra

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have not looked at either of the Full Size Japanese pickups.

However, one should be aware of the following:

Nissan has a design studio in Southern California (La Jolla, just north of
San Diego), and most other Japanese automakers also have design studios in
Southern California. [The Accura NSX (Honda) ("Japanese Ferrari") was
designed here, etc.] The reason they design cars her is to be close to the
American market - and Southern California is considered a leader in
auto/light truck customer preferences. Most of the world's automakers have
design studios in Southern California - Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, etc.

Bottom line, the Full Size Japanese pickups are very similar to any full
size pickup from GM, Ford, or Chrysler and are designed primarily by
Americans specifically for the American market. Jerry Hirschberg (I think
that was his name) was hired from Oldsmobile about eight years ago to set up
the Nissan design studio in La Jolla). He has since retired.  Anyway, you
get the point.

The major caveat in buying a full size Japanese pickup is the strength and
capacity of the power train.  Since the Japanese auto manufacturers
typically did not have large powerful engines or the transmissions in their
product inventory to handle the higher torque and power required by a large
truck, they typically put whatever they had (too small) and then, when they
felt the market was sufficient for their product, rushed to develop larger
engines and transmissions and related power train components.

Recall the original incarnation of the Toyota Tundra, which, with it's
original V 6 engine even with variable valve timing, was marginally powered.

Of course, the reason these auto makers are offering full size pickups is
because they recognize the market, and the profit potential of such
vehicles.  Consequently they have scrambled to develop new engines and
transmissions for this new (to them) product. Since these power trains are
quite new, and have no real track record, their durability and capability
are a bit of an unknown (other than the reputations of their respective
manufacturers). Some of these larger engines have been used in the current
crop of large Japanese SUVs.

Hence, I would suggest getting as much input as possible before buying one.
There is a good chance that they will be excellent trucks, as well as the
very real possibility of one or more very serious flaws, especially when
used to tow a significantly heavy load.

Good Luck,

Oliver Filippi