Toyota's 4Runner TRD shows off its new logoed skid plate at the Chicago Auto Show.
With many truck makers arguing about which one has the toughest this or most rugged that, Toyota’s offers up its new TRD Pro Series line-up to remind folks that there are more than just two or three tough options.
For 2019, the company’s Tundra and Tacoma pickups as well as its 4Runner sport-ute get the updated TRD treatment, which mean a nice surprise for many buyers. According to Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division at Toyota Motor North America, plenty of folks have decided that Toyota’s vehicles are plenty tough.
He noted that more than 40% of Tundra and 4Runner buyers upgrade to the TRD Pro Series package and that number soars to 56% for Tacoma.
“Our people are actually using our vehicles to get out and explore,” he said.
The new models will feature 2.5-inch TRD Pro-exclusive Fox Internal Bypass shocks and a host of impressive off-road equipment tuned and designed by the engineers at Toyota Racing Development.
The Tundra as well as the Tacoma and 4Runner are eligible for the TRD Pro Series off-road package.
(Toyota’s flagship Avalon gets a makeover. Click Here for the story.)
The shocks are tuned specifically for each vehicle by the engineers at TRD, the aluminum-bodied Fox shocks offer impressive performance and supreme damping for a wide variety of driving situations, Toyota brags. High-speed desert running, slow-speed rock crawling, or simply driving to and from work – drivers and passengers will be as comfortable as they are confident.
In addition to all of the vehicles getting the new shocks, each will be able to be had in three colors that include Super White, Midnight Black Metallic or Voodoo Blue, which is exclusive to TRD Pro Series. The new models will be available this fall.
The Tacoma gets a few additional upgrades, based on the very trail-capable TRD Off-Road grade, Tacoma TRD Pro gets enhanced 2.5-inch Fox front shocks that use large 46mm pistons and feature eight bypass zones (five compression, three rebound).
They are paired with TRD-tuned springs that provide an additional 1 inch of front lift. A larger front sway bar is used to keep steering true and the ride comfortable on and off road. The Tacoma also features 2.5-inch rear shocks that use 11 bypass zones (seven compression, four rebound) and are paired with 2-inch piggyback reservoirs.
(Click Here for more about Toyota’s Q3 financial earnings results.)
In addition to the improved shots, Tacoma gets an updated front skid plate with TRD red lettering, while the cat-back TRD exhaust is accented with a new Black Chrome tip. Additionally, the Tacoma can be equipped with the all-new TRD Desert Air Intake.
Designed to sustain consistent off-road performance no matter how silty or dirty the terrain gets, the TRD Desert Air Intake takes the 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine’s air intake away from dust that hovers inside the wheel well (where traditional air intakes are located) during off-road operation. This allows for air ingestion to occur in a cleaner space above the windshield, therefore, helping to benefit filter longevity and, ultimately, engine health, Toyota notes.
Meanwhile, Tundra also gets a similar shock set up to the Tacoma, but it also gets new Rigid Industries LED fog lights for improved visibility on and off the highway. Tundra also features LED headlights with LED accent lights and a unique black treatment. The Tundra’s new grille also gets a new hood scoop.
New 18-inch BBS forged-aluminum, five-spoke satin black wheels are featured on Tundra, which reduce un-sprung mass 3.35 pounds per wheel (13.4 pounds total) to improve cornering response and overall ride quality. The new wheels are wrapped in Michelin P275/65R18 all-terrain tires to provide a sure footing in dirt and on pavement, Toyota notes.
4Runner’s Fox shocks not only enhance its off-road performance but, paired with the TRD-tuned front springs, the package lifts its front 1 inch compared to other grades, while also providing nearly 1 inch of additional wheel travel, providing a similar set-up to its pickup truck cousins.
(Toyota’s Hollis expects solid sales in 2018. For the story, Click Here.)
4Runner adds a new roof rack for stashing additional gear. The off-road experience gets a little beter with the 1/4-inch-thick front skid plate that also sports new red TRD lettering. 4Runner features 17-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels with an offset change to provide it with nearly a 1-inch wider track front and rear for added stability. Nitto Terra Grappler P265/70R17 A/T tires provide all-terrain performance for whatever the situation demands.