Beginning this fall, you will be able to purchase an off-road beast of a truck or SUV directly from the dealership. We aren’t talking about the Ford Raptor, we are talking about a trio of TRD PRO vehicles from Toyota. Here’s what you need to know.
This trio of TRD PRO models is attracting a LOT of attention.
At the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled a collection of Baja inspired off-road vehicles. Using the knowledge gained from various off-road events and years of research, the off-road gurus at TRD specially crafted each vehicle. The result? Some of the best stock off-road machines on the market.
Specifications for all TRD Pro Series
Each Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner with this package will come with:
- TRD Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs
- TRD-tuned front and rear springs (different from stock)
- TRD front skid plate
- Unique front grille with “TOYOTA” badging (pays tribute to early iconic Toyota models)
- TRD floor mats
- TRD shift knobs
- Black wheels
Also, there is a new Inferno color for the TRD PRO models along with black and super white.
Tundra TRD Pro
Toyota’s TRD PRO Tundra is the more reasonable Raptor alternative. It is also a TON of fun!
The Tundra TRD Pro will get some other features as well including:
- TRD-tuned springs that lift the front of the Tundra 2″ over stock AND increase travel
- Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain
- All-black 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin ORP tires
- TRD dual exhaust system
- TRD PRO quarter panel bed stamping
- New TRD Front Skid Plate – 1/4” thick aluminum with oil pan access panel
- Unique interior seat color with red stitching
- Unique instrument panel ornament insert
Taco Supreme
The TRD PRO Tacoma replaces the Baja and improves on it at the same time.
The Tacoma will get the standard features, plus what Toyota calls a “little hot sauce:”
- TRD-tuned springs that lift the front of the Tacoma AND increase travel
- Decreased spring rate
- 16-inch black beadlock-style wheels
- BFGoodrich® All-Terrain LT265/75R16 tires
- TRD Exhaust
- Black TRD PRO badge
TRD Pro 4Runner
The new TRD PRO 4Runner is one of the mos t capable stock 4Runners we have seen in a long while.
Last but not least, the 4Runner will be equipped with:
- 1.5” lift for the front of the vehicle
- 1” of additional wheel travel
- All-new 17-inch TRD all-black alloy wheels
- Black TRD Pro badges
- Black front and rear lower bumper accents
While, there are plenty of features that stands out on these vehicles, there are a few in particular that really shine. Chief among them are:
1. Increased Wheel Travel – It is pretty expensive to add a lift AND get increased wheel travel, yet that is exactly what each of these vehicles has. The Tundra has 2”, the others have 1”. If that doesn’t seem like a big deal, you might want to look into the cost of a long-travel suspension system. Most of them cost thousands of dollars and only add a little bit more than 1-2″.
2. TRD Tuned Shocks – Shocks are shocks, right? Nope. Specially tuned TRD shocks setup the vehicle for a factory ride with better performance. Normally, after market shocks that come close to doing the same are several hundreds of dollars. Remember, they are close to the same.
3. External Shock Reservoirs – External reservoirs boost shock performance at times when you’re really hammering your truck – instead of heating up and losing their effectiveness, shocks with external reservoirs stay cool and keep on damping. Again, a really nice addition.
4. Easier Oil Changes – The Tundra PRO TRD has an oil filter access panel. This is great news for Tundra fans who had been dealing with skid plate that blocked access.
Here is the full list of specs:
| Tundra TRD Pro | Tacoma TRD Pro | 4Runner TRD Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 18” black alloy w/ TRD logo | 16” black beadlock style TRD alloy | New 17” black TRD alloy |
| Tires | Michelin ORP | BFGoodrich All Terrain KO | - TBD |
| Shocks | TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 2” of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 46mm OE - 12mm shafts > 12mm OE Speed & Position Valving - Bilstein progressive piston and valve design - 3 stage position sensitive valving REAR: - 1.25” of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 46mm OE Remote Reservoirs - Increased oil capacity for heat management - Increased control of cavitation | TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 1” of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 36/32mm OE - 18mm shafts > 12mm OE REAR: - 1.5” of additional wheel travel - 46mm pistons > 36/30mm OE - Remote reservoir | TRD Bilstein High Performance FRONT: - 1” of additional wheel travel - 60mm pistons > 32mm OE - 18mm shafts > 12mm OE REAR: - 1” of additional wheel travel - 46mm pistons > |
| Springs | Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 2” lift for the front of the vehicle - Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain | Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 2” lift for the front of the vehicle - Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain | Unique TRD-Tuned Front Springs - 1.5” lift for the front of the vehicle |
| Exhaust | TRD Dual Exhaust - Stainless steel system - Polished steel dual wall tips - Reduced back pressure - Throaty rumble sound | TRD Cat Back Exhaust - Stainless steel system - Polished steel dual wall tips - Reduced back pressure - Throaty rumble sound | No Change from OE |
| Skid Plate | New TRD Front Skid Plate - 1/4” thick aluminum with oil pan access panel | TRD Front Skid Plate - 1/8” thick stamped silver powder-coated | TRD Stamped Front Skid Plate - 1/4” thick aluminum with venting for front differential |
| Exterior | - Unique “TOYOTA” front grille - “TRD Pro” quarter bed panel stamping - Black “TUNDRA” badging on doors | - Unique “TOYOTA” front grille - Black “TRD PRO” external hard badge - Black “TACOMA” badging on doors | - Unique “TOYOTA” front grille - Black “TRD PRO” external hard badges - Black front and rear lower bumper accent |
| Exterior Colors | Black, Super White, and Inferno (all-new exclusive color) | Black, Super White, and Inferno (all-new exclusive color) | Black, Super White, and Inferno (all-new exclusive color) |
| Interior | - TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats - Unique seat color with red stitching - Unique IP ornament insert | - TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats | - TRD Shift Knob - TRD Floor Mats |
While, the Ford Raptor may still be the top dog here (the Raptor is truly on a different plane than all the other trucks on the market), these TRD PRO offerings are great for those not wanting to spend a fortune while getting similar performance.
What do you think? Are you ready to hit the trail in one of these?
