The reps at Tustin Toyota service rarely see a vehicle get over a million miles, and any car brand that accomplishes this deserves a very place on a very impressive list. Dealers near Tustin auto center say that Toyota is one of these car brands. Victor Sheppard bought a 2007 Toyota Tundra nine years ago and has now shared the odometer that ticked a million miles with us. Is it a record? Not really, but it’s absolutely something to boast about in the car world.
That’s right! Undoubtedly, a vehicle that reaches one million is a fantastic achievement, but how great is it when two Toyota vehicles achieve this? The same two Toyota models achieved this ranking, and we are enthusiastic about filling you in on exactly how.
Fortunately, Toyota’s engineers were also keen on finding the reasons that made the 2007 Tundra so long-lasting. The sales reps at Tustin Toyota service put together all their findings on this magnificent truck. Keep on reading to learn more about the history and specifications of the Million Mile Tundra.
What Is The 2007 Toyota Tundra Packing Under Its Hood?
Before talking about the Million Mile Tundra, here is a synopsis of the specifications of the 2007 model overall. When the truck first debuted, car enthusiasts were fascinated by its enormous size and interior space. It had lots of room and was efficient, even though it may not be the biggest truck you could purchase. The 2007 Toyota Tundra provides seating for three to six passengers and a load capacity of 1,580 pounds.
The Tundra was fitted out with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, a complete output of 136 hp, rear-wheel drive, and other standard features. Nevertheless, Toyota also added an option for a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine, with 381 horsepower and four-wheel drive. Weighty, strong, and well-designed, the advanced trim cost next to nothing at the time. Although not a game-changer in the fast-growing market, the model offered drivers enough to entertain the basic requirements and more.
How Victor Sheppard Reached One Million Miles On His 2007 Toyota Tundra
Did anyone from Toyota ever think the 2007 Tundra would reach well over a million miles? Probably not. Still, the owner Victor Sheppard from Louisiana got it up there and above. Reports show he drove the truck for nine years from Houma to North Dakota, Wyoming, and Virginia for his job, which means he traveled about 125,000 miles every year. Bearing in mind the odometer stops at 999,999 miles, it isn’t easy to say how far Victor arrived with his Toyota Tundra.
What’s even more astonishing is the condition of his Tundra. Apart from a few dents on the exterior, the truck is remarkably well-preserved both inside and out. That made Toyota think, is there a special element about this model that could steer them into a new way of designing future trucks?
As anticipated, Toyota engineers became very keen on something that was first only a phenomenon on Facebook. They called Victor Sheppard to drop by and offered an incredible vehicle for an opportunity to look under the hood of this truck. Who wouldn’t take the chance to begin with a zero on a brand new odometer?
The Toyota Engineers’ Conclusions
As soon as the engineers at Toyota Motor North America Research & Development got a hold of Shepard’s Tundra, they began meticulous testing. The Tundra was completely dismantled; the parts were taken apart one by one and carefully labeled. Engineers checked out everything from the engine to the truck bed. The first thing they found was the flawless engine condition.
Surprisingly, this specific model had one of the first manufactured 4.7-liter V8 engines that were phased out after a while. Engineers realized that nine years later, the engine works flawlessly. As a matter of fact, they couldn’t find any serious problems with the truck altogether and looked all over.
There were no signs of rust and outstanding frame and leaf springs; this truck could easily be one for the books. Among other things, the interior remained in good condition, with little to no wear. Also, the truck bed did an excellent job holding the weight, even though Sheppard loaded extra cargo on it throughout the years.
So, how did Sheppard maintain his Toyota Tundra to this high level of preservation? It may sound a little apparent and downright straightforward, but monthly oil changes and minor tune-ups were all it took to get this truck over a million miles. There was no need to visit the mechanic frequently.
For taking care of his 2007 Tundra so well, Victor got his reward. In 2016, he received the keys to a new Toyota model, shaking hands with Mike Sweers, a chief truck engineer from Toyota Technical Center. Both were truly happy with how everything worked out. How could they not be? Keeping in mind the accumulated results, we expect to see many more Tundra models driving along the streets with one million on the odometers.