2022 Toyota Tundra: How We’d Build It

Photo By: Toyota

The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is finally in production and some early buyers are receiving their trucks. Because of this, we thought we’d poke around the Build & Price page and specify the Tundra of our dreams. This is to both inspire you and also satiate our own shopping habit fantasies. In no particular order, here is how a handful of the Overland Expo staff would build their dream Tundras.

Rick Stowe, Associate Editor

Photo by Toyota
  • SR5 4×4
  • CrewMax with 5.5-ft. bed
  • Lunar Rock paint
  • Black SofTex interior
  • Advanced Off-Road Technology Package
  • Bed Storage Boxes- Swing Out
  • Rock Rails
  • Spray-On Bedliner

MSRP: $56,099

I started the configuration with the CrewMax paired with a 5.5-foot bed powered by the standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. I think this configuration strikes a good balance between cargo room and navigating tight trails. My goal was for every option to add to the trail capability with some daily driver comforts thrown in for good measure.  

The addition of the $7,155 Advanced Off-Road Technology Package includes a lot of options, but most notably 18-inch wheels paired with all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, a TRD skid plate, an electronically locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Downhill Assist Control. I also sprung for the rock rails, spray-on bedliner, and additional storage upgrades. 

The Advanced Off-Road Technology Package also includes some upgrades to the audio and infotainment system. However, I was more excited about the 120-volt power supplies for the rear seat and the bed. The LED bed lights were a nice touch as well.

I wasn’t terribly fond of the fact that some of the additional add-ons weren’t available unless I chose a different package from the previous step of the configurator. While some of these made sense, others seemed to be for no other reason than because Toyota doesn’t offer that combination. In particular, I ended up with Lunar Rock, even though I had my heart set on the Celestial Silver Metallic.

Nick Jaynes, Communications Director

2022 Toyota Tundra
  • SR5 4×4
  • Double Cab with 6.5-ft. bed
  • Celestial Silver Metallic paint
  • Black SofTex interior
  • TRD Off-Road Premium Package with Options
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • TRD Convenience Package
  • All-Weather Floor Liners
  • Spray-On Bedliner

MSRP: $52,357

Unlike Rick, I wanted a 6.5-foot bed, rather than a 5.5-footer. That’s because I already own an FJ80. So, if I am getting a pickup, I want more bed than I do cab. Plus, as a single guy with a dog, I don’t really need much of a backseat anyhow; it’s just going to be the Labrador lair. So, I saved a couple bucks and stuck with the Double Cab.

Sure, you can now add the 6.5-foot bed to the CrewMax. But, again, I don’t need backseat space. Plus, adding the 6.5 bed to the CrewMax increases the already long wheelbase even further. I want the shortest possible wheelbase I can get in the Tundra.

For the powertrain, I too stuck with the base twin-turbo engine. The hybrid powertrain, which mimics the torque output of a diesel engine, isn’t available until springtime anyhow. Nevertheless, I’d go non-hybrid anyway — less money and complexity.

The most important features to me in a truck are a rear locker and heated seats. I overland year-round in subfreezing temperatures. Simply put, I am not buying a brand-new truck without heated seats. Ditto a locker. The front and rear differentials in the all-new Tundra are limited-slip. Still, if I am springing for a brand-new rig, I want a rear locker if it is offered. I was delighted to find the TRD Off-Road Premium Package with Options literally ticked all these boxes, giving me everything I’d ask for.

I also added the TRD Convenience Package, too, for the 33-gallon fuel tank. Now I can forget about bringing jerry cans — the Tundra will have more than enough onboard fuel.

I ended up going with Celestial Silver Metallic paint because it’ll hide dirt and scratches better than my first choice, Army Green. Silver isn’t as visually appealing, but it’ll be easier to live with.

Like Rick, I would have also added the Rock Rails. But when I went to the build page to collect data for this write-up, they weren’t on the page. They were there five days ago, but not today. Go figure. I’d also specify the dealer-installed TRD 2.5-inch lift kit, too, but that won’t be around until Summer, 2022.

READ MORE: End of an Epoch: Finally, an All-New Tundra

Anthony Sicola, Director of Sales

Photo by Toyota
  • SR5 4×4
  • Double Cab with 6.5-ft. bed
  • Blueprint Exterior Color
  • Black SofTex interior
  • TRD Off-Road Premium Package with Options
  • TRD Convenience Package
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • All-Weather Floor Liners
  • Console Safe

MSRP: $52,048

My wife and I don’t have kids, so a Double Cab Tundra is plenty big enough for us. We’d probably end up doing a seat delete in the back anyway for extra storage options and a special additional booster seat for our 20-pound terrier and travel companion, Sir Digby. The double cab also cuts down on wheelbase length, making it easier to maneuver on the trails.

The one thing I wouldn’t skimp on is bed length. If I’m buying a truck, I want the option to use a slide-in camper, or to remove said camper and actually use it as a … truck. Novel idea, huh? 

The SR5 comes standard with the 3.5-liter Twin Turbo V6 and their 4WDemand part-time four wheel drive system with electronically controlled transfer case and automatic Limited-Slip Differential. While I love my full-time 4WD Land Cruiser, there are some instances where I want to be the one in charge of when and where to use 4WD.

The TRD Off-Road Premium Package includes a lot of performance products I will probably end up swapping out anyway, but it does include heated seats and a heated steering wheel. You may not need such luxuries, but being from the Pacific Northwest, they are a necessity when it is cold and rainy. The TRD Off-Road Premium Package also includes the TRD Convenience Package, which gets you blind spot monitoring, parking assist (an important addition when you can’t see the front bumper because the hood drops off so drastically) and a larger 32.2-gallon fuel tank.

I also opted for the All-Weather Floor Liners, because Pacific Northwest. I also opted for the locking Console Safe to protect valuables during travel.

While Rick and Nick added factory rock rails, I’m opting to add those on at a later date to hopefully match whichever bumper I end up putting on the front of this beast.

Stephen Nielson, Systems Administrator

Photo by Toyota
  • SR5 4×4
  • Double Cab with 6.5-ft. bed
  • White Exterior Color
  • Black Fabric interior
  • TRD Off-Road Premium Package with Options
  • All-Weather Floor Liners

MSRP: $45,619

I’m the kind of guy who wants to start cheap and modify the vehicle myself to my own exacting standards. Oh, how I long for the halcyon days of the proverbial Toyota “Poverty Package” — cloth seats, crank windows, steel wheels, and a manual transmission. No frills, just thrills!

With that in mind, the logical choice for me was the SR. Sadly though, you can only get the Tow Package in that trim, no off-road goodies. So I acquiesced and went with the SR5 Double Cab and 6.5-foot bed. As has been mentioned, this keeps the length down to the minimum when trying to navigate “tight” trails (remember, this is still a full sized truck).

In an ideal world, one would be able to pick and choose individual options rather than having to select a whole package that includes all sorts of stuff you don’t want or need. In such a world, I’d pick the electric rear locker and 32.2-gallon fuel tank and be happy with my choices. But, that is not an option, so to get those two together I have to spend $3,830 on the TRD Off-Road Package with options.

In addition to the locker and fuel tank, I get useful things like off-road suspension, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and a myriad of terrain controls. Less useful items like decals, aluminum sport pedals and a red TRD start button are thrown in as well. I did splurge on All Weather Floor Liners, because cleaning mud out of carpet sucks.

Where I did not splurge is on the paint and interior. White paint because I use my vehicles and I often come home with plenty of Rocky Mountain Pinstriping and an occasional dent is not unheard of. White paint makes for real easy touch up and repair. And just give me a plain black cloth interior. This is a trail rig; I don’t need to impress anyone.

Finally, I think this iteration of the Tundra is going to see a ton of aftermarket support. So keeping it as basic as I can from the factory will make it easy for me to indulge my DIY ethos when bumpers, rock sliders, bed rack, etc. start hitting the scene. 

READ MORE: The 2022 Tundra Gets Lifted and Trail-Ready

Eva Rupert, Motorcycle Community Ambassador

Photo by Toyota
  • SR5 4×4
  • Double Cab with 6.5-ft. Bed
  • Army Green Exterior Color
  • Black SofTex Interior
  • TRD Off-Road Premium Package with options
  • All Weather Floor Liners
  • Ball Mount
  • Console Safe
  • Spray-On Bedliner

MSRP: $54,686

When I’m not riding motorcycles, I’m a diehard Toyota pickup gal. I’ve adventured in everything from early single cab pickups, to my beloved T100, to the 2nd generation Tacoma that I drive today. When I started pushing around options in the Tundra configurator, I couldn’t help but daydream about having a brand new, full-size pickup parked in my driveway already covered in dirt from my latest overland trip.

Like the rest of the editorial gang, the SR5 4×4 was an easy choice for me and, like Nick, I would be eager to add the factory-installed TRD 2.5-inch lift kit. I mean, isn’t this beast just begging for more rubber around the 18-inch TRD Off Road wheels? Guess I’ll be sitting on my plans for a new Tundra until this summer when that option is available. 

I’ve been sleeping in truck beds under the canopy for decades and the double cab with the 8-foot bed was certainly tempting. But with such a long wheelbase, I was afraid the long bed Tundra would become even more unwieldy off road in tight turns, so I went with the 6.5 foot-bed instead. Besides, with 389 horsepower and an 1,800-pound payload, I’m sure I’ll be in the market for a slide in camper to match the new truck. I added the spray-on bedliner to prepare for my future home-on-wheels. 

The $9,245 Premium Package that I selected includes all sorts of bells and whistles, because if you’re dreaming, might as well dream big. My build is fully stocked with the upgraded audio package, rear-seat and in-bed AC power supplies, and the 32.2 gallon fuel tank for longer trips in the backcountry with fewer gas stops. The package also includes a heated steering wheel and seats, which will only be used on the chilliest of mornings here in Arizona, but I’m sure they’ll be lovely when the time comes.

I selected the Army Green exterior color that harkens back to the early Land Cruisers and I added a couple of useful factory accessories, including the all-weather floor liners, a ball mount for pulling the motorcycle trailer, and the console safe for keeping valuables extra secure when I’m on the road.

The new Tundra is a far cry from the 5-speed 1989 Toyota Pickup I was driving in high school. That said, I’m sure I’ll be just as excited to get my new Tundra dirty on long adventures as I have been in every other Toyota pickup that I’ve ever owned.

Photo by Brett Willhelm

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