JenningsESQ

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2020 Tacoma TRD OR Premium
Tested on the Tacoma, but relevant to the 2025 4Runner TRD Pro and Trailhunter as well. The 6th gen 4Runner should have similar (if not identical) RTI flex score.

Video / test description:

But now there’s more to it. The fourth generation Tacoma TRD Pro still has
trick shocks, but it also has 33-inch tires and a wider track width to the
point where it needs wider fender flares. There’s also something going on at
the rear end with Fox bump stops, and it has a standard stabilizer bar
disconnect mechanism. It comes with the hybrid version of the 2.4-liter
inline-four engine and don’t get me started on those IsoDynamic seats. Point
is, there’s more real differences in the mix, more that might play a role in
the RTI score of the beast.

In addition to the TRD Pro, this year there’s a new model at the top end
called the Trailhunter. It has the big 33-inch tires and meatier flares of the
Pro, but instead of trick Fox shocks it has trick Old Man Emu shocks. The
point of these shocks is not the wide-open desert running of TRD Pro, its
more of an Overlanding play. These shocks are made for technical rock
crawling, simple washboard roads and load carrying. If fact the Trailhunter
is available as a crew-cab short box or the long box. It does away with the
IsoDynamic seats and replaces them with a snorkel and a Sport Bar. Point
is, we could not ignore this truck either, and its revised shock gave us a
reason the measure its RTI score, as well.

In this video, I’ll show the similarities and differences between the two
trucks’ suspension, and I’ll also drive both of them up the ramp for a close
look at their RTI performance. Which one will do better? Will it be a tie?
Inquiring minds want to know


 
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JenningsESQ

JenningsESQ

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For anyone who prefers reading, here's an AI generated summary of the video. But it's worth a watch IMO. So the Trailhunter has a slightly higher RTI flex score (532 vs. 520 on TRD Pro), which makes sense since it's supposed to excel at rock crawling.

Key Highlights:
  1. Introduction to Vehicles:
    • Featured the Toyota TRD Pro and Toyota Trail Hunter.
    • Both models include 33-inch tires and fender flares but differ in purpose:
      • TRD Pro: Optimized for desert running and high-speed off-road driving.
      • Trail Hunter: Designed for overlanding and low-speed rock crawling.
  2. Suspension Systems:
    • Both trucks share components like aluminum knuckles and upper control arms.
    • Key difference:
      • TRD Pro: Equipped with 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve shocks, optimized for high-speed terrain.
      • Trail Hunter: Features Old Man Emu shocks for low-speed and weight-bearing operations.
  3. Vehicle Features:
    • TRD Pro: Adjustable shock compression; ideal for rugged off-road environments.
    • Trail Hunter: Non-adjustable shocks but focuses on stability and gradual terrain handling.
    • Both trucks have comparable control arms and brakes but differ in spring and exhaust designs.
  4. Performance Testing:
    • Both vehicles were tested on an RTI (Ramp Travel Index) ramp to measure suspension flexibility.
    • Scores:
      • Trail Hunter: 532.
      • TRD Pro: 520.
    • These scores place them competitively within their segment, especially compared to vehicles with independent front suspensions.
  5. Comparison:
    • Both vehicles performed well against industry benchmarks, with differences stemming from their specialized designs (high-speed vs. overlanding).
 

kayasaman

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I actually saw this video from Canada:



in which they did a test with TRD Pro shocks set to level 1? (softest) vs the TrailHunter which is sprung a lot more stiffly.

Over the woops they got airborne at the back of the Trailhunter while the TRD Pro soaked them up and was able to continue at high speed 60km/h or 40mph

From what I can tell there isn't much difference in generic off-road capability between both trucks (4Runner should be similar I guess) but I guess the details are the important part where you wouldn't wana go Baja style in the TH but then you wouldn't want to really bash the TRD Pro over tough obstacles either
 

kayasaman

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Just going through the video right now.... apologies... I got over excited and my ADHD kicked in before I check the video haha... uh this happens all the time <sigh>

Nice attention to detail!! Love the in-depth shock descriptions.


I think there are subtle differences between the 4Runner and Taco. To start with I don't think the 4Runner tucks the exhaust away on TH model at least from the prototypes being shown on YT. Also TRD Pro doesn't have twin pipes from what I saw.... unless my ADHD kicked in again during that time....
For the Taco that means potentially "more"? ground clearance at the rear? At least less chance of pipes being scraped would be my guess....

You also go into the under body armor. From what I have seen on the 4Runner, I think the TH is quite substantial with everything being armor plated and the steel guard runs all the way down the chassis. TRD Pro uses an aluminum plate that is much thinner but doesn't cover as much, while TH has steel that is thicker - again signifies different use cases for each model: high speed vs. tougher off-roading.

That's all I know for now ;-)
 
 
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