Benifits of TRD???

Owyhee tundra · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 07:29 AM

What are the benifits of the TRD package on the Tundra? I know the springs, coils and shocks are stiffer. Does this provide a more controled on-road as well as off-road ride? Does it provide better cornering ability?

Thanks

Bones · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 08:25 AM

Hi. New to the forum.

I'm in the same boat here...is the TRD off road suspension of much value to someone whose "off road" driving is the three dirt roads it takes to get to the lake house? Will it sacrifice the on-road ride where I do the vast majority of my driving?

Thanks.

UsE_To_RoCk · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott williams

Hi. New to the forum.

I'm in the same boat here...is the TRD off road suspension of much value to someone whose "off road" driving is the three dirt roads it takes to get to the lake house? Will it sacrifice the on-road ride where I do the vast majority of my driving?

Thanks.

The TRD package includes...if just the suspension pieces...you get Toyota Bilstein shocks and struts and progressive rate springs.
The TRD package will give you a "sportier" ride..which has been described as Harsh by more than one magazine.
As far as helping you off road? no...it won't they're just shocks and struts. I noticed the dampening is better on rough roads than the factory Tokico I had before...but if you reall want a better setup save the money you're getting ripped off by toyota and get some decent, adjustable coilovers....

Owyhee tundra · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 12:42 PM

Use to rock, so TRDs main purpose is too provide more control while cornering and stopping and perhaps some additional stability over rough surfaces at higher speeds. I got the TRD and now wished I had not. I would have to describe the ride as HARSH!!! My 93 Toyota pickup had a better ride. I guess it would be a fairly expensive endevor to de-TRD my truck.

How do you like the Toyo ATs? Thinking about a set for my Tundra.

rcjunkie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 01:42 PM

I have the TRD Off-Road package with mine and I don't see the ride as being harsh but I don't have a non-TRD package to prove otherwise. It has more of a smooth ride that I like on the street and it suite me fine especially going over bumps and pot holes. Before I installed my Hellwig AntiSway bar there was a noticeable amount of body roll and you get that tipsy feeling when taking corners. With the Hellwig, I can confidently take corners and it stays planted better; still not a sports car.

This is not a truck to truck comparison but I had to throw a car in the mix; Toyota of course. Now if we're talking harsh, with the Lexus IS300, I can feel every bump on the road but the ride is sporty. The Tundra does have a quiet interior a feels smooth over normal street surfaces.

Now for off-road use, that is another story. I personally have not taken it off-road so I would assume that the harsh ride in this discussion would be apparent here. There's only one way for me to find out...

mustang67408 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcjunkie

I have the TRD Off-Road package with mine and I don't see the ride as being harsh but I don't have a non-TRD package to prove otherwise. It has more of a smooth ride that I like on the street and it suite me fine especially going over bumps and pot holes. Before I installed my Hellwig AntiSway bar there was a noticeable amount of body roll and you get that tipsy feeling when taking corners. With the Hellwig, I can confidently take corners and it stays planted better; still not a sports car.

I'd have to agree with you. When stock my truck was MUSHY. I added the TRD SHOCKS and springs and now it rides like it should have. To me its not harsh and I have a broken back. The rear sway bar rules

The TRD Off Road Package is: TRD/OR has Bilstein shocks, 16" alloy wheels w 265/70-16 w BFG tires, colores fender flares w mudgaurds
and fog lights, stickers.

Owyhee tundra · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 09:04 PM

I spent a fair amount of time in my truck today and thought about the ride. It is not so much harsh as it is that the truck seems to "jiggle" when going over pot holes, man-hole covers, or other pavement inperfections. The result of this is that anything that is loose in the enterior, including the empty passanger seat shakes and makes some kind of noise. When I test drove the truck, it had nothing in it. Now as I have filled it up with my Sh** it makes more noise. Don't get me wrong, I do like my truck, it is my 5th Toyota truck. We are just geting to know one another and it is taking a little longer than usual. I will intall the rear sway bar and see what that does for it.
Thanks

freddie · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 11:14 PM

My real world experience with a TRD vs a non TRD is that you can take speed bumps quicker with the TRD

KvHagedorn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 12:50 AM

Well, I have been driving my TRD Sport Access Cab for about 3 weeks now, and finally took it on a longish drive (1 hr each way on an interstate.) I must say that what I had heard about the stiffness causing fatigue on long trips is true. Those shocks are stiff, and long cruises are not their forte. However, the trade-off is in handling. The thing DOES handle well.. extremely well for a truck. I test drove the standard AC before ordering mine, and taking a hard corner made it lean over an awful lot, and made me feel less in control than I do with the TRD truck. I can power into a curve or turn and feel totally in control. The compromise between ride and handling is simply more difficult to make in a truck or SUV because of the high center of gravity, I think. I read a good article on the Tokico website about this.

I know it is safer and handles better, but on the trip back, the whole way I was wishing for a softer ride.. oh well.

IStan · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 03:06 AM

I replaced my non-trd 4x2 coils and shocks with a trd 4x4 shocks(Bilstein blue/yellow) and coils. I felt SO MUCH more comfortable driving. It just always felt like I was driving on a cloud (which I can see the good parts in) but if felt so much more dangerous..'i'm going to take a dip and float into the median'. I'm a fan of TRD 4x4 stuff.

Owyhee tundra · #11 (**permalink**) 03-16-2006, 07:44 AM

OK so the TRD has shocks and stiffer springs and coils. I am assuming the added control (rough ride) is provided mostly from the stiffer springs and coils? Will the springs and coils soften up some what over time?
Thanks

labountyphoto · #12 (**permalink**) 03-16-2006, 08:08 AM

I PUT OVER 100k MILES ON A 2000 NO-TRD ACCESS CAB TUNDRA, AND THOUGH I LOVED THE TRUCK, THE RIDE WAS TO SOFT, WITH EXCESSIVE SWAY ON CORNERING. IT ALSO DIDN'T CARRY HEAVY LOADS VERY WELL. I HAVE SINCE TRADED IT FOR A '04 DOUBLECAB TRD TUNDRA THAT HAS SOLVED ALL THOSE PROBLEMS. THE HIGHWAY RIDE IS ACTUALLY SMOOTHER THAN THE NON-TRD PACKAGE, THOUGH THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE LONGER WHEELBASE. I DON'T OFF-ROAD FOR THE SPORT OF IT, BUT I DO USE IT TO GET WHERE I NEED TO BE. I HAVE TAKEN IT ACROSS SOME EXTREMELY HARSH ROADS IN BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK AND IT HANDLED THEM LIKE A DREAM. I'M SURE YOU CAN SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON AFTER MARKET PRODUCTS THAT WILL PERFORM BETTER FOR SERIOUS OFF-ROADING, BUT YOU WILL SACRIFICE COMFORTABLE RIDE. THE OEM TRD PACKAGE IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE AS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN COMFORT AND MODERATE OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE...AND IS WARRANTED BY TOYOTA.

denverbikeguy · #13 (**permalink**) 03-16-2006, 12:48 PM

I don't find the TRD package to be harsh at all, in fact it's a little too "boaty" for me. I've taken it on 18-hour (round trip) drives with no fatigue, but I find the handling and load capability of the stock TRD package to be less than what I really want. I have a package coming from Wheeler Off-Road with an add-a-leaf kit, new front coils, and the HD shocks, as well as the front sway bushing kit. I think this will firm it up to the level I want, and give me added weight control for the back when towing. I'll also get some added height, which should put my trailer tongue right where it needs to be (it hangs a little low right now).

Colorado4wheeler · #14 (**permalink**) 03-17-2006, 11:25 PM

Drive them both and decide for yourself. The Non-TRD is softer, thats better and worse depending on the road. I thought the Non-TRD was a little too soft and felt too much like a Lexus. Just did not feel like it would handle any rough stuff well. The TRD does great off road. It's very comfortable on rough washboard roads and well controlled in the rocks (for a stock truck). If you are not doing any real off road driving I would probably get the non-trd. Add a rear swaybar if you want to flatten it out in the turns.

Mxlion11 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2006, 02:40 PM

TRD is worth it as long as you dont do any serious offroading(otherwise upgrade after the sale). I have a 2WD TRD AC and I have even put the Cornfed spacers and wheeler AAL in the back and think it rides great. The non TRD is just too soft IMHO. I also think the TRD offers a little more control on road b/c it isnt so bouncy. But it always boils down to what you like. I vote TRD!