TRD “Trail Tuned”?

Question:

Is the TRD Trail Tuned suspension actually softer over bumpy dirt roads, compared to the non TRD trail tuned suspension?

 

TRD “Tail Tuned”?


Last time i saw something that was Tail Tuned it was sliding down the pole at Silky's.

 

I don’t know the answer to the difference in shocks question, but letting some air out of your tires when you do hit dirt makes a world of difference.

 

Thanks for the correction.


Just fixed it.

 

Oh yea. You bet.

Been airing down since Reagan was in office.

And still don’t have on board air. Used a bicycle pump to get me back up to the low 20’s then limp to the nearest gas station.

 

Damn bro, you drive a new tundra.
Treat yourself to the portable 12volt tire inflator.
That's roughing it, with a bike pump.lol

 

Yes, I will, now that I have more room for extra storage containers.

Drunk, with full size glory.

And I’m getting older…..

 

It’s TRD Trail Edition. Nothing to do with any different “trail tuned” suspension. It’s just an appearance package that comes with a storage cooler in the bed.

 

@Lug Nut, I think the trail/off-road tuned shocks are on the TRD off-road. Fully admit I have not done more than a cursory search, but the Trail Edition announcement stuff is below. I highlighted the stuff that puts it above a basic SR5, and it doesn't mention anything for the shocks.

Can you look at your shocks and report back what color they are? If they aren't Bilstein blue and yellow then they are likely the standard black Tundra shocks that are on all the non TRD Off-road/Sport/Pro trucks.

 

Here you go OP, the "Trail Tuned" shocks are in the TRD Off-Road package.




Good news is, if you want to swap to them there are usually plentiful take offs available from people who have gone with aftermarket suspensions.

 

Indeed,


I have the limited Premium Package with Options.


The website says “trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers”


The shocks on the truck are yellow body with blue boots. From what I understand, they are special built by Bilstien for the Toyota Tundra.


Asking about bumpy road performance, compared to the standard shocks, because this truck feels stiff and bumpy. I only have 900 miles on the truck, all pavement and have yet to place a load in the bed. I have no standard truck to compare.

I assumed that Trail-Tuned would mean softer. Coming out of a bumpy, light 97 Taco, I was looking for a heavy, smooth truck.

I planned to replace the suspension in a few years anyway, but was hoping to at least enjoy and wear out the stock shocks before upgrading the tires and suspension.

 

I’ll find out soon enough, but was wondering if somehow these shocks, that feel stiff and bumpy on pavement, will somehow become soft and compliant when driving bumpy dirt roads.

Pretty sure I’ll be contacting AccuTune Offroad for advise and credit card warming sooner than later.

 

Just buzz words to make a mediocre product sound more interesting. Trail tuned probably just means they took it down a dirt road once to see if they blew. Won’t sell well with honesty.

“These shocks are terrible on and off road. You’ll most likely take them off in under 300 miles and put on Kings.”

 

Ah, i see. I misread. I thought you said you had the Trail Edition truck.

It will undoubtedly ride better if you put some weight in the bet, as all trucks do. It's a heavy truck, but the ass end is still light and will bounce a bit. The TRD Off Road shocks are softer than the stock black ones from what I've hear, but they aren't going to compete with any reasonable aftermarket shocks. Manage expectations, though. It's still going to ride like a truck no matter what shocks you put on it.

Final thought, what wheels come on the Limited? If they are 20 inch, then that is part of where you are negating the shocks. More sidewall means more cushion. Lots of members have ditched 20" wheels for 18s and said it was a solid improvement in ride comfort.

 

Thank you for the replies .


I forgot to write I have the TRD option, with the limited Premium Package with Options.

The TRD package comes with 18” wheels.

 

Yeah, I wasn't sure if they still did the TRD 18s on the Limited trim. Honestly, I would guess that you should shop for some TRD Pro take offs if you want to stay OEM, or look into the aftermarket options. You don't have to go nuts on them to get a good ride. The Falcon Shocks I have tucked under a bed waiting for install are supposedly better than the Fox TRD Pro stuff and are only $1500 new. See this thread where there was a group buy for details. I think there's a member in there who can get them discounted as well, but not to the group buy levels. https://www.tundras.com/threads/now...port-tow-haul-2-25-leveling-kit-tundra.86448/

 

On a side note,

When I upgrade the suspension, I may also replace 18” wheels with 16” wheels if the 16” wheels will provide a lighter overall package.

 

Yeah, those are the TRD off-road shocks. Nothing special but I would say a step above the standard black shocks. They seem to do a little better if you go faster LOL I had those before I switched out to some takeoff Bilstein pro suspension. Which to me acts somewhat similar. A little stiff on the road which is nice, and then seem to perform better with a little speed off road. From my understanding these are digressive shocks which will tend to get softer when you go faster as opposed to progressive.

 

17 inch only and not all of them will fit over the calipers. So be careful on your choices.

 

16" won't fit over the brakes. 17" is as small as you can go, and it's tight. You have to be sure they put the balance weights where they can't get knocked off by the calipers.

 

Thanks for the link.

Looks like some good reading for tonight.

 

Thanks for another informative reply.

Good to know.

Sounds like I’ll be sticking with the 18” wheels for a long time.

 

And thank you too.

You seem to be another one of the more helpful members here.

 

If I can help, I will, or at least try to point you in the right direction. This place is definitely a plethora of information. Digging it out and weeding through it can be very time consuming. I would start by checking out some of the nice builds around here and the suspension threads. I’ve learned, and forgotten just as much, about suspension and just about anything on these trucks you can think of.

 

Good call... Treating yourself and that $40+ Tundra deserves it...Good luck.

 

Indeed, reading the threads can be half the fun.


I just read all 14 pages of the Falcon thread and think I want that set up.


Falcon shocks are coming! | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

The TRD off road shocks are bilsteins 4600 series. They are basically valved the same as the 5100 series, but the 5100’s can be used for lifts. This from Bilsteins website & their tech’s. As for ride, they are better than the stock shocks on the non TRD off road Sr5’s, 1794, & Platinum’s. I had a 17 SR5 TRD Off Road and 18 Platinum & now 21 1794. The 17 handled all around better.

 

God info.


Just what I was looking for.

Thanks Fireman