Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Bronson
We installed the TRD Pro exhaust on my wife's 2020 TRD Off Road that we recently bought. The exhaust has been on for a bit over 6 weeks. I'd say the sound has mellowed out quite a bit during normal driving and isn't bothersome. However, going up a steady hill and the truck downshifts to 4th results in a significant increase in cabin exhaust volume when the rpms are in the 2500-3500rpm range. I'm shocked that Toyota would put this exhaust on a stock vehicle as it is surprisingly loud under certain load conditions. My tuned BMW M235 with downpipe and performance exhaust isn't as loud on the inside as the TRD Pro exhaust is.
My wife loves it so it stays. If it were my truck, I would have stayed with the stock system. I've learned over the years that it is very difficult to make a V6 sound good unless at full throttle and the rpms over 4,000. I told her we need to keep the stock exhaust just in case she changes her mind. I feel bad for the TRD Pro owners that don't have this option.
I think a lot of sound from the TRD exhaust is a resonating/amplifying effect caused by rear luggage area. I do wonder if the sound could be reduced by sound deadening and/or the back loaded with gear.
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An update to my early September post above. The TRD exhaust now has around 6,500 miles on it. About a month ago, I installed about 9 square feet of 1/8" thick of mass loaded vinyl (MLV) on the cargo area floor.
Luxury Liner: Mass Loaded Vinyl Sheets - Second Skin Audio
For the install, I removed the plastic trim piece on the floor near the rear door, lifted the carpet, floor panel, and styrofoam panel and then cut the MLV to fit the bare metal floor. I used spray adhesive to secure the MLV.
I have to say, either the exhaust continues to quiet down and/or the MLV took the edge off the exhaust. It is now quite acceptable during driving, even up hills on a downshift. The worst audible range of the TRD exhaust was 2500-3000rpms under load while going up a hill. It would resonant and boom the cabin if the rpms stayed within this range. This is still the loudest operating range of the exhaust, but it doesn't resonant and boom the cabin.
It's a relief because I was a bit worried taking the family on longer trips with a loud exhaust. That's no longer a worry. I actually somewhat like the sound now.