An Arkansas electrician has gone viral after showing a Toyota pickup starting cleanly with 635,000 miles on the clock, claiming its major drivetrain components are still original.
The clip, posted by Ben Butler on Facebook as a short Reel, taps into a well-worn idea in the used-truck market: Toyota’s reputation for longevity is earned rather than marketed. We all saw the Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson put a Hilux through its paces. High-mileage examples have long been passed around online as proof, as well, particularly among owners who treat servicing as non-negotiable rather than optional.
In the video, Butler tests the truck’s durability after a long life of work.
“Y’all want to see what 635,000 miles does to a Toyota?” he asks, before listing what he says is still in place from the factory: “Original motor, original transmission, original rear end.” He then turns the key and the truck fires immediately. “Touch of the key. Six hundred and thirty-five thousand miles,” he confirmed.
Look to the comments and there is plenty of support for the brand.
“Hadn’t had a bath since 5k miles,” a commenter joked as another added: “Can you at least clean the inside that is absolutely disgusting.”
A third confirmed their own Toyota’s reliability: “330,000 on mine. 2011. Still all original. Going strong.”
The counterpoint arrived just as fast. Several viewers focused on the cabin condition rather than the mechanical health, with one remarking, “Dear lord. Give that truck a little bit of love for taking care of you all these years.”
The post received almost 50,000 likes at the time of writing and over 2,400 comments.
For Butler, the next update will matter more than the first crank: whether he shows the service history that got it there, or whether the internet keeps arguing about the state of the seats.
Consumer Reports has ranked Toyota, once again, as the top brand for reliability, with Lexus – it’s luxury off shoot – also joining it in the top three.
