The new Toyota Tundra is already an incredible success, and it has lessons learned from an older Tundra model to thank. The 2022 Toyota Tundra is based on valuable information acquired from a Tundra with over 1,000,000 miles. 

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is inspired by a million-mile model 

One massive change for the 2022 Toyota Tundra involves a chassis upgrade. It’s based on a Tundra with a million miles. To make it that far a truck needs to be strong and durable. Therefore, Toyota analyzed the stronger and weaker aspects of the setup. 

According to Pickup Truck Talk, to improve the chassis, it was widened. The old frame bumped out a little on the sides and narrowed toward the end. But with the new spring suspension, the chassis doesn’t need to narrow near the back anymore. 

As a result, the wider chassis in the back helps improve stability, especially while towing. The old Tundra could tow up to 10,200 lbs, and the 2022 Tundra can tow up to 12,000 lbs. 

Plus, the bumper was redesigned to have an integrated hitch. It has a new square design to be stronger, which helps with both hauling loads and carrying payloads. 

The Tundra seats are enhanced 

The million-mile Tundra had seats that were slightly worn out but very comfortable. You could still sleep peacefully in the seat without being jostled around while someone was driving. Only minor rips and tears occurred. 

For the 2022 Toyota Tundra, the seats were enhanced based on the original design to become more durable. The size and shape remained similar, but the weight was redistributed to provide more support and durability where it was needed. 

You would expect the seat materials to be totally torn part by 1,000,000 miles, but they held on. There weren’t any brakes in the welds on the seat frame. 

However, Toyota still upgraded the steel in the seat frame, making them both stronger and lighter. There should be plenty of cushion in the 2022 Tundra for the long haul. 

The Tundra has a new composite bed 

After million miles, the truck bed of the Toyota Tundra didn’t look too great, despite being fully functional. Toyota used the truck to understand what was great, bad, and ugly with the bed to figure out where improvements were necessary. 

Now the 2022 Toyota Tundra has a new composite bed after drivers of the Tacoma loved theirs. They said they wouldn’t buy another Tacoma or Tundra if they went back to using steel. It has the benefit of preventing rust and dents. 

Plus, the composite bed allows for custom molded partition slots in the bed. Because it has zero seams, it’s easy to clean. Best of all, if the bed breaks or cracks, it’s simple and cost-effective to replace unless a rusted or cracked metal bed. 

A few more changes were made based on the million-mile Tundra to improve the new truck. You can check them out in the video posted above. It’s pretty cool that the updates were based on what really worked and what needed to be changed based on a truck that lasted so long.