Tacoma/Tundra; Trd Pro?

[fifty]

The wife has decided she wants a pick up. I sold my f350 that was 4 linked front and rear with ADS dual rate C/O's, on 37's with lockers. It was an awesome backroads truck. Comfortable at speed down dirt roads, could cross just about anything. Had lockers... was a big long but we liked the extra storage.
After we got s trailer the extra storage was less pertinent.

So she is looking at the tacoma and the tundra now. 4 dr short bed.
We have a gmc Denali xl that we love but it sucks on dirt. The suspension is horrible and we are stuck with it because of the magnetic shocks...

So if we get a pick up, is it worth getting the trd pro versions? Are the shocks that come with it worth it? Or would they need to be changed out to actually be comfortable off road?
Is there anything other than the suspension and seat trim that is different on the trd pro versions?

The only reason she is looking at the tundra is the 5.7. She is afraid the tocoma will be too down on power. Although, I have not looked into superchargers.


What we want is good travel for fast dirt roads, not really too much crawling. Lockers a must, something that can have good reliable power.

(I was going to get a raptor but refuse to pay $10k dealer mark up)

 

[calicamper]

Given your fullsize truck types youll hate the Tacos power especially if your thinking of towing anything beyond a skidoo.

Go Tundra 5.7. Plus the Tacos are crazy high priced and the Tundra no so much. TRD vs not I cant say. Dont the TRDs get more than just slightly upgraded shocks?

 

[fifty]

I appreciate the comment! Thank you!
The one reason we considered the Tacoma is the Denali we use to pull a car trailer. The small 6ft trailer is pretty light. I have no idea how much it weighs with our gear etc (had that big diesel so weight was a
Non issue). I am going to weld up a rack for the trailer this winter so we can run a roof top
Tent on it which will add to its weight.

But yeah, the main question is: are there really any other differences in the trd pro vs none trd pro vehicles?

Like for instance on the subaru sti vs wrx. A lot of people say "it's just brakes and some hp" but actually it's a different trans, rear diff, bigger hubss/bearings, aluminum suspension pieces, different heads,turbo intercooler etc etc etc etc... quite a few differences.
I know that's truck vs car and Toyota vs subaru but I figure you guys would know.

Sometimes it's worth getting the top end even if you are going to replace some things like the dampers etc if it comes with other cool stuff you can't replicate cost effectively aftermarket.

 

[chunko]

We have a gmc Denali xl that we love but it sucks on dirt. The suspension is horrible and we are stuck with it because of the magnetic shocks...

I'm sure you've probably looked into it already but is there no conversion from the Mag-Ride to standard coils and shocks?

I have a Lexus GX470 which I replaced the front shocks for Bilstein 5100's and Toytec springs on, replacing the magnetic shocks with no issues except for the hanging shock connector that I ziptied to the arms. For the rear air suspension, I am planning on converting to a coil spring lift in the next few months although the air bags have held up ok off-road.

 

[montypower]

Don't waste money on the TRD Pro. TRD upgrade is like $50 (shocks, skids, stickers, wheels, tires). Realistically, buy whatever trim/features you want then install ICON suspension under it. It will be better than any factory suspension truck. I loved my 16 Limited TRD.

 

[fifty]

I'm sure you've probably looked into it already but is there no conversion from the Mag-Ride to standard coils and shocks?

I have a Lexus GX470 which I replaced the front shocks for Bilstein 5100's and Toytec springs on, replacing the magnetic shocks with no issues except for the hanging shock connector that I ziptied to the arms. For the rear air suspension, I am planning on converting to a coil spring lift in the next few months although the air bags have held up ok off-road.

I did a little bit of research about 4 months ago and came up with nada. Seems the big lifts just use spacers on stock suspension and then use extensions on the tabs that measure ride height for the computer.

So there isn't really a known way to just replace shocks and not have error codes all over the dash.

At least that I know of. But then again...it's sooooooo long, maybe it's best to keep it the tow vehicle and the vacation freeway vehicle.

 

[fifty]

Don't waste money on the TRD Pro. TRD upgrade is like $50 (shocks, skids, stickers, wheels, tires). Realistically, buy whatever trim/features you want then install ICON suspension under it. It will be better than any factory suspension truck. I loved my 16 Limited TRD.

Ok. So the locking differentials are the same regardless of the trim level?
I want a manual, but the wife is leaning auto. She is currently ok with whichever is stronger.

I'm juggling my 2 year old right now while trying to remember what other difference questions I had.
Ugh. We really need to take the car seat down and see how it fits in a Tacoma vs the tundra.
It's a rear facing recaro. Baby is a skinny thing, so she will be rear facing a while even though the law says we can spin her around at 2. I'm going to wait another 10 lbs or until she just gets too tall.

But rear facing is murder on car fitment.

 

[Trevamos]

Fifty, I was in the same boat as you last week. Ended up going with the Tacoma. Car seats fit fine, however I will say wife and I are under 5-9". Any taller and you would be cramped for leg room to accommodate car seats.

I don't think the pro is worth the coin. Personally I loved the TRD pro grill, so had the dealer throw it in. Bilstein 5100s and tires going on this week. I'm more then happy with my decision.

 

[fifty]

Fifty, I was in the same boat as you last week. Ended up going with the Tacoma. Car seats fit fine, however I will say wife and I are under 5-9". Any taller and you would be cramped for leg room to accommodate car seats.

I don't think the pro is worth the coin. Personally I loved the TRD pro grill, so had the dealer throw it in. Bilstein 5100s and tires going on this week. I'm more then happy with my decision.

Thanks. Yeah, The wife and i are both 5'8... I used to be taller... ah well. lol.

I am trying to see if thre is a 50 state supercharger for the tacoma. I guess they no longer make the rd superchargers.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Magnuson had a teaser promo photo of a third gen Tacoma with the insinuation that it was being used to develop a supercharger. If you're worried about power the Tundra is the safe bet. Skip the TRD Pro packages and go with the TRD Off-Road if you want the electronic locking rear differential. Use the money you save to buy some nice King suspension and have a better setup than the Pro for less.

 

[fifty]

Copy that.
Now I'm curious. What does the sccr stand for?

 

[rickashay]

Hard comparison. I think it comes down to your needs as the trucks are quite different. The Tundra is substantially larger; albeit probably not an issue if you're just after high speed roads and not tight trails. The TRD Pro Tundra does not come with the locking rear diff but the TRD Pro Tacoma does, as well as Crawl Control etc. In short the Tacoma is more "offroad" equipped in that sense and will be more capable out of the box. The new Tacomas are not rocket ships, especially if you start upsizing tires and adding weight or trailers. The 5.7 is a clear winner there and already has Supercharger options available if that isn't enough. The Toyota's are not like the Subaru... your basically getting a factory modified "regular" Tacoma or Tundra with warranty and parts designed for a broad audience, with a touch of exclusivity (is that a thing with Toyotas? lol). There are many dealerships building "fake" TRD Pro's because 90% of the parts on the TRD Pro's can be purchased over the counter. No beefier drivetrain components or anything.

I concur with everyone above. Pick your size (Tacoma or Tundra) and equip a TRD Offroad with your own use-specific parts for much less than the sticker on a TRD Pro. I think you'll have a way nicer setup in the end that is better tailored to your specific uses.

GL!

 

[fifty]

Thank you!!

I was just perusing magnuson's website. There is a 50 state s/c for the 4.0 v6 tacomas. Making about 290 wtq...
maybe I should look into a used one. That opens the research... but the wife...she likes new and shiny...lol...

For some reason I'm drawn to the Tacoma. But the tundra just seems smarter for what it will actually be used for. Fire roads etc etc to ghost towns... rain, mud and snow.

 

[montypower]

I did a little bit of research about 4 months ago and came up with nada. Seems the big lifts just use spacers on stock suspension and then use extensions on the tabs that measure ride height for the computer.

So there isn't really a known way to just replace shocks and not have error codes all over the dash.

At least that I know of. But then again...it's sooooooo long, maybe it's best to keep it the tow vehicle and the vacation freeway vehicle.

No model of the Tundra has a selectable locking differential. However, they all have very functional traction control. You'll find the Tundra will go places better than your 1 Ton beast with massive tires and lockers. Better turning radius, much more nimble, excellent clearance. It won't be a good "trail" vehicle. But there is no legal road, sand, hill etc that it won't take you. Add 2-3" lift and some good traction tires. Done.

I've been off road driving for 15 years. Owned rock crawlers, expedition rigs and most between. I was looking for an excuse to put ARBs in the Tundra but never had a need. Use it. Then decide. Most off road junk just adds weight and more looks than actual need. That said, I do have my trail machine Tacoma on 37s, ARBs, SAS, Dual Cases, etc...

The new Taco is the same as the old cab. It is tight. You'll get worse MPG towing than with the Tundra. Plus, the Tundra is proven. 5.7L + 6 speed have been used since 2007. Many high mileage examples one well over 600k. Tacoma is yet to be proven.

 

[fifty]

Yeah. The superduty was definitely limited by turning. Other than that it was awesome.

However, I am sold sold sold on lockers over TC. Amongst everything else, The final final opinion solidifier my family had an lr4 with the favtory lsd and then converted to selectable lockers, then they bought another one with out lsd, just tha tc. But all else equal
The TC was nice... ice, basic driving etc etc. but once stuck... there was nothing like the lockers...
Man they can fix stupid.

I can see how they can cause stupid too, but I really would only be using them as a tool of
Continence.

My inlaws used to have a steep paved driveway/access road to get to their house. Almost too steep, and it was a sharp turn off the street. If there was rain or even a mist, you would see their neighbors parked out on the Main Street and walk in because cars would just spin their tires trying to get up the hill.
It's hard to imagine, and I'm sure it had as much to do with the type of cement as it did the water.

But anyone who had a quick locking lsd had no problem driving up (as long as there was no trailers) if you had a trailer forget about it. The angle unloaded the rear tires. No one had front lockers back there lol! But It is another reason I was sold on lsd vs TC...