Ride difference: Platinum & 1794 vs 1794 w/ Off-road package

I know the best option is to drive both and see for myself, but I'm not going to the dealership until the end of the year until I'm ready to buy. I need to save and don't need the temptation of a dealership trying to get me into a car payment.

My question is I want a Platinum or 1794. Part of me prefers the look of the 1794 WITH the TRD Off Road package, with it's 18" wheels and A/T tires. The regular 1794 w/ the chrome clad wheels look weak IMO. The Platinum is nice (better wheels than 1794), but has the non-offroad suspension.

Is the TRD off-road package that much bumpier and busier than the Platinum? My truck will be a daily driver, so I would want some degree of comfort during the drive, but wonder if I should be thinking about the TRD off road package because of when I go off road, or hit a nasty pot hole. Seems like the TRD shocks are just heavier duty and can take more abuse.

Anyone have any comment or can help me compare? I have driven the 1794 TRD-Off Road and the ride was tolerable, but was wondering if I'm really missing out on smoothness if I get the Platinum.

 

The platinum/non-TRD 1794 rides the same as any other non-TRD tundra

The bilsteins on the TRD are marginally better but it's mostly a wash

 

They are the same build except for the interior colors. Black or Brown interiors

 

Marginally better in what way? For off-road? How about ride quality?

 

I’ve found that the stock (black shocks) ride absolutely horrible.

The blue/yellow bilsteins in the Off-Road package ride a bit better. But don’t expect to be taking your tundra on a trophy truck run lol.

 

That's good to know! Looks like I'm sticking to the TRD Off-Road package in either Limited or 1794.

 

You can always upgrade to 6112/5100 or 5160 on the trucks for better performance as well.

 

I replaced my red/blue bilsteins on my 18’ Sport at 4500 miles with the 6112/5100 combo. Huge improvement in ride quality right out the gate. Getting ready to swap to 5160s in the back. If you even plan on upgrading the suspension, get what you want overall and don’t let a stock shock difference make or break your decision.

 

I'd say it really comes down to which wheel design you like best, the shocks are relatively cheap/easy to upgrade. You also get the black housing LED headlights with the TRD package.

I replaced my yellow shocks at around 6k miles with Toytec Radflos which were also a massive improvement

 

They put AT tires on the 1794 off-road?

 

I most certainly wouldn't base your decision on that. I'd go based on looks and upgrade the suspension on your own. If you are budget minded then 5100s all the way around is $350+install and alignment and far better than either of the stock choices.

 

Michelin LTX AT2, same as other TRD OR and Pro

 

My .02. I went from a 17 Sr5 w/ TRD off-road package to my 18 Platinum. I liked the way the 17 handled a little better. The combo of the 4600 bilstein’s and more sidewall on the tires made a difference. I’m adding bilstein 6112 & 5100 combo w/ coachbuilder +1’s next week to remedy that.

 

I had a 2018 Limited with TRD and the 17" wheels, after a while I put a set of Platinum 20" wheels on and the ride quality suffered some due to the lower aspect ratio and the Bridgestone tires are POSs in my opinion. I then put Michelin LTX AT2 265/60-20 on and had the ride quality back plus the tires were a bit taller and the truck looked better.

 

Get the platinum. Get some 18” wheels and at tires of hour choise and get some 6112’s. Will ride better and look better than either of your choices.

 

The TRD off-road 4x4 models have a much firmer, with a smoother ride than the non-4x4 models. That’s about it, though. All the rest are mostly non-mechanical/trim styling stuff. I have both 3rd gen Tundras with and without 4x4, and that’s the only difference that I can see in them at stock.

 

I test drove a plain platinum and then a limited with the off road package. Platinum was smoother on road but had a bit more body roll in turns. I took the limited with off road package.

 

Damn, for a minute I thought they were actually putting an AT tire on now.

 

This ^^^^

 

Wow, I didn't realize buying shocks were that cheap! My money saving for my truck is for the one with the most options I can afford, and if and want to spend the money for the truck for extra stuff later. I can always add shocks, wheels, exhaust, etc., down the road. Looks like I will go with whatever deal I find the best, 1794 or Platinum.

Thank you,

Jay

 

Don't discount a loaded Limited. My Limited came with a long list of options, very close to the Platinum and a lot better priced for some reason.

 

I would get the Platinum over the 1794 just to avoid that weird interior color combo. Plus the Platinum has the color keyed bumper, mirrors, and no chrome. But that's just me. And then install aftermarket suspension like others have mentioned.

 

Unless you like the weird interior. Then it's just a matter of new bumper caps (+center piece if you have an MGM), grille and hood bulge.

 

Yeah I am definitely considering the Limited too. If I have don't have enough money in December to get a new 1794, I may be able to buy a brand new, loaded Limited TRD Off Road. The seats aren't as nice, no ball coolers, and no power mirrors, no driver memory seats, but those aren't things I absolutely need. Plus the upgraded JBL sound system isn't anything special. I just want the TRD off-road package and a sunroof with leather interior. That's it.

If I can't get a new Limited, I'd get a very low mile Platinum or 1794.

 

I traded a Tacoma for mine because I needed more ass for trailer pulling. I figured if I had to trade, why not get what I want? I wanted leather, dual climate (wife) and Off Road package. All the other stuff I got (sunroof etc) just happened to be on the truck I wanted. Good luck and the seats are the same, just different coverings I think. I drove a Limited, a Platinum and a 1794 and to me the seats all felt the same.

 

Yeah that's good to know. People talk about how much more comfortable the Platinum and 1794 seats are, but I'm guessing it's the same seat, just different, higher quality leather. The only Tundra I sat in and drove was an '18 1794 TRD, and the seats were SUPER nice and comfy.

 

I agree with this. The Platinum stock shocks were okay on the road if not a little splashy. Off road they were terrible. Thank goodness for the engine skid plate . I went with the 6112 and 5160 set up and like it much more than the stock shocks. At first it felt a wee bit stiffer. What I noticed though is how quickly the truck recovers with the bilstein shocks. On and off road. There is so much more in the bilstein shocks than the stock shocks have. Double the size almost. Donno if the pics illustrate the size difference, but side by side its huge. The rear 5160's aren't bigger but have an extra Reservoir. The truck is just more stable all around. Now my neighbor has the 2019 TRD Pro. It feels close to the same as my truck, suspension wise. He just doesn't have all the heated and cooled seats like the platinum does.

 

I drove both a standard Tundra and a TRD off Road Tundra. Difference was subtle to me. TRD off road was a slightly more busy ride in the back on the freeway than the non TRD. (More bouncy on the freeway joints in the rear suspension and rear seat) However, on big bumps and dips I liked the TRD better. I did not want 20 inch wheels and tires so I chose the 1794 with the TRD package. TRD upgrade on the 1794 was a no cost upgrade. I have had the truck for 8 months now with no regrets. I have no plans to lift or level the truck as it does what I need. Really like the interior.

 

Yeah 5100s not an upgrade in ride quality over stock but a cheap way to lift front end. Ride quality or feel is pretty subjective. The 6112/5160 will improve handling and maneuvering on the road from my experience. The 6112 surely will soak up bumps better off road I think rear has a lot to do with the springs more so than just shocks (5100 vs stock vs 5160) though shocks are definitely part of the equation. The ride is definitely a firmer more planted feel in the front end with 6112s. Not as plush as the stock offroad shocks but not as spongy either...more sporty on the road? Hard to describe to someone until you drive it for yourself I think.

 

Good choice here. I added the rear sway bar to my Platinum and it got rid of that annoying body sway so you dont need the firmer suspension to get rid of it. Rides great! I will add 6112/5160 later. One thing you should really consider is if you plan on getting rid of the chrome you will add 2k in cost for replacement unless youre a DIY person. Its the only downside to the 1794 and Limited models, but only because I dont like too much chrome