2019 Toyota TRD Pro Models: An Up-Close Look!
New air intake, wheels, exhaust tips head off list of new features.
Adding to their off-road heritage, Toyota has unveiled three new TRD Pro models to its lineup with a new 2019 Toyota Tacoma, 2019 Toyota 4Runner and 2019 Toyota Tundra. These new trucks and SUV get new Fox shocks and each one gets its own unique feature.
One of the big changes on these models is the use of Fox shocks all around expanding on their use on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.
Starting on the front, the new Fox shocks are 2.5-inch TRD Pro-exclusive Fox Internal Bypass shocks. The aluminum-bodied are tuned specifically to the vehicles and feature multiple bypass zones which should result in plush ride off-road.
On the rear, every TRD Pro will come with 2.5-inch Fox shocks with a piggyback reservoir housing additional oil to decrease shock fade during a long day on the trail.
The springs are the same for the Tundra with its rear leaf springs and the 4Runner running rear coil springs. For the Tacoma, it will feature progressive-rate, off-road leaf springs with more compression travel.
All models will have dust boots to help keep the dust and dirt out while the 4Runner has a unique “roost” shield to prevent dust on its inverted rear shock.
Each vehicle has a different bypass zone configuration based on the vehicle’s specific needs.
For example, the 4Runner features 7 bypass zones (4 compression, 3 rebound). On the read, the shocks have 11 bypass zones (7 compression, 4 rebound) to help with the low- and high-speed compression needs.
On the Tacoma, the front shocks are setup with 8 bypass zones (5 compression, 3 rebound). With the TRD-tuned springs provide an additional 1 inch with front lift. On the rear, the shocks are setup with 11 bypass zones (7 compression, 4 rebound).
For the Tundra, the 46 mm pistons add 2 inches of front lift and 1.5 inches of wheel travel on the front and 2 inches of travel in the rear. The shocks feature 11 bypass zones (7 compression, 4 bypass) on the front and the rear has 12 bypass zones (8 compression, 4 bypass).
All of the models have 2.5 inch piggyback reservoirs.
Leading off with the most unique feature has to be the “Desert Air Intake” found on the 2019 Toyota Tacoma. This special air intake is designed to not be a snorkel capable of keeping water out of the engine bay rather it is meant to be a better air intake in off-road driving.
Essentially, the traditional air intake behind the wheel well is rerouted to the air intake above the cabin. It is meant to get “above the dirty air” as Toyota’s Jack Hollis explained during the press conference.
There isn’t a real performance boost to rerouting this air since it doesn’t work like a cold-air intake meant to force more air into the engine, but rather it is likely Tacoma TRD Pro owners will better protect their engine as well as reduces the amount of maintenance needing in replacing air filters after extensive dirt driving.
This Desert Air Intake is an option on all new Tacoma pickups and the installation has been hammered out as of yet as to whether it will be a dealer install or a factory install. The current thinking is it will be a combination of both.
For the 4Runner, it gets a roof rack from the Toyota accessory catalog and a new red, 1/4-inch thick skid plate. It will also come with a standard Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite.
Also on the 4Runner, the Fox shocks improve the performance of the TRD model over other trim levels with an additional 1-inch lift and 1-inch of wheel travel.
The Tundra gets both new Rigid Industries LED fog lights, new TOYOTA grille (similar to other trim grills except with words spelled out), 18-inch BBS forged-aluminum, five-spoke satin black wheels. Toyota says the wheels help reduce the “un-sprung mass 3.35 lbs. per wheel (13.4 lbs. total) to improve cornering response and overall ride quality.” Toyota continues to use the Michelin P275/65/R18 wheels found on older Tundra TRD Pro models.
Pricing hasn’t been announced and Toyota expects the new models to be on dealer lots later in the Fall of 2018.