Really, the easy answer is:

When they (toyota) feel like they can make a ton of money producing a "full-size" truck.

We knew that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, if Toyota made a 3/4ton diesel, its likely to tip the $50K sticker. Which is still $5K more than the Big 3 offer.

That is half my current mortgage!!! F-that!

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Just look at the target audience that is currently buying the majority of Tundras today (yuppies). There is your answer why you'll not likely see a HD Tundra or a manual transmission for the V8. Matter of fact it seems as though Toyota is making manual transmissions a thing of the past, as they are getting harder and harder to find in thier newer vehicles. They must have some research that shows everyone wants an auto tranny. Sad.

manual trannys are tough all over. i am having a hard time finding a 6 speed cummins. i do nto want teh auto.

Might be special order time then. I had to do that on my Dodge to keep the cost down. Yeah thats right, I didn't want a fully loaded, over priced bells and whistles ram. They make a killing on all that fluff they offer.

Yeah, the sales percentages over the past 40 years! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

I don't personally care for auto's (even though my T is; all I could find), but when the US sheeple make auto their buying preference... The numbers don't lie.

Convenience, this is what America is all about. And we pay out the nose for it. Now days it is demanded.

Dad's gotta have the SUV
Mom's gotta have the Mini Van that she drives a hundred miles an hour everywhere she goes, gunning it from stop light to stop light. I swear to god every place I go these women are running around in those things faster than all other traffic and goin faster than hell, some with their kids in it. I don't know if they are on some kind of a power trip or what but man I ***** you not start lookin around for it you'll notice it. I notice it cause I almost get ran off the road by them especially when I'm on my motorcycle. Not that I hate women, a few of them can do one thing really well and some can even do two. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

But back to the thread, I think the auto trans is here to stay, and you think it is hard to find a stick now I bet you it only gets worse in the future. Convenience!

The sad thing is Toyota makes all of this stuff through their subsidiary Hino. Its starting to become more commercially available in the US, but not marketed to consumers at all.

You know what's saddest... they market diesel trucks w/ manual tranny's in their products to consumers in every other country but ours.

The statistics drive the sales in the US, and unfortunately those of us griping here (including myself, cause I want a diesel LC and Hilux) are the minority.

Joel

Just had interesting talk with a client that is a general contractor. He's had Dodge HD (blech), Chevy HD (poop) and Ford F250SD and told me that as a work truck (drive to job, use at job, return from job ONLY) they all have their pluses. But all their minuses are as an ALL-Purpose truck. Working all day then needing to go out for dinner, etc, you better come home and drive something that rides nicer.

He owns a Tundra (2nd one) and uses it ALL DAY. He's not plowing or towing often, but says it starts everyday and his back isn't killing him from driving.

So...guess its what you need it to do and if it does it, get it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Toyota Tunda gets a all new design in 17 months due to the new 05' Tacoma because the new taco is on the old tunda frame(t-100)and now the taco is about the same size as the tundra and so thats why the need for a change.