Does the TRD Pro really ride that much better on-road?

[cb1111]

While I've heard that there are significant differences in on-road ride quality (and off-road prowess) between the trim levels, I find it a bit difficult that the Pro really improves ride quality that much like the author discusses here.

I've previously driven a Limited and wasn't impressed with brake dive and a pretty bouncy ride on the 10 minute test drive.

Is the TRD Pro really that different? Discuss.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Are you driving a 4R now? What’s your impression of that trim package?
I have a 2018 ORP stock with KDSS and I’m pretty happy with it. 99.5% on the pavement, but it’s a huge improvement in ride comfort and cornering over my 3rd Gen. I don’t abuse it off-road so I can’t comment on that. I take it pretty easy and slow. I don’t do high speed washboards like some.
I’d also be interested in others’ responses to your question.

 

[jay35]

I recently test drove an Off-Road Premium and a Pro. The nose-dive on the ORP is significant and the overall ride quality is a little bouncy. The Pro significantly reduces the dive and generally felt less bouncy as well.

I'm not sure how the popular Bilstein 5100 suspension upgrade compares to the Fox Pro suspension. Perhaps that offers similar improvement over stock non-Pro suspension?

 

[AMLOR]

I am a skeptic of sorts...with a fairly active BS meter. When it came time to get a truck, I knew I didn't want a pickup, been there, done that...several times.
During my search, (a Jeep Rubicon was high on the initial list) my daughter and son in law announced that the first gandson was on the way, and showed off her new 2019 4 runner SR5 with the 3rd row package.
Dad, being a car nut needed to drive it because it was so different from what my daughter had been driving for the last 10 or so years. I liked it. A lot.
Body on frame construction, 4 wheel drive anytime, and it was an order of magnitude quieter and rode better than a Jeep Wrangler 4 door which I had already test driven several times.
Perfect...no, but given the amount of aftermarket goodies and what really is a great base platform, I needed more info.
Long story short, I drove a 2019 Pro and took it home the same afternoon.
The Pro test drive sold me. The author of the article probably gushes more than necessary, but he pretty well nails the feeling of driving ti on a crappy road.
The difference between the Pro and my daughter's SR5 is substantial. The truck (suspension is more planted in the pro), the nose dive on braking is less in the Pro, and there is less overall body roll (some).
Offroad, it shines on washboard, dips, potholes, loose rock etc. I love the setup and even my wife noticed, something she rarely does.
Buy it again, rebuild and keep the FOX when the time comes? Absolutely!

 

[Bugser]

I have heard that same thought many times here on this board.

Currently have an 18 ORP and it’s ride comfort is head and shoulders above my previous 2011 SR5 and 2002 Trail.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MAST4R]

The author is actually very specific when it comes to ride quality:

"There’s a road near my house I regularly use to assess ride quality ... Like many in my locale, this particular road is covered in heaves, dips, potholes, craters...."

He is talking specifically about potholes and the like. And in this respect, it is totally believable. Plus, those are bypass shocks so they probably do well over small chop as well.

I have gone through 4 sets of front springs and 2 of rear springs and my current setup, while neither fancy, nor expensive will obliterate a stock non-Pro 4R on any offroad terrain or on any rough patches on paved roads. The bigger the bump or the deeper the hole, the bigger the difference. It is absolutely true that some of the things you notice stock, do not exist after an upgrade. Caveat: I did need the 650lb springs to achieve this, the 600lb were fantastic on road but too soft with the 6112 off road. But I have forgotten to notice, for example, coming off a curb. I realized that when I went down a sharp curb in a forum member's Eibach equipped 4R and it reminded me that curbs are a thing with a less stiff suspension. In addition, I no longer notice the lack of KDSS. There is no body roll in corners, there is no being pushed around like a toy by the wind on interstates, and I am not sure what more I can ask from a high center of gravity 4x4 on road. Small chop is noticed, yes, but that's a small price to pay since airing down solves that offroad and it is rarely an issue on road.

Since the Fox setup is internal bypass, it may be able to do very well over a variety of terrains, even small chop where mine is on the firm side. I will venture a guess that it is probably softer offroad than an aftermarket performance setup would be, but that's just a guess.

EDIT: and offroad, the stock non-Pro 4R is laughable compared to an upgraded one. I came from Subarus so initially did not notice but now I cannot believe I drove as much as I did stock. There is no comparison in the speeds and I am not talking racing but simply driving easy trails at twice the speed I could do stock due to bottoming out or even hitting skid plates and bumpers. Speeds over moderate rated trails in guides like those of Charlie Wells have improved a great deal as well. Rarely using the brakes and not taking forever on typical desert trails makes a HUGE difference.

 

[honda250xtitan]

ride quality is subjective. do you like soft plush ride that takes bumps and then the vehicle takes a bit to settle down? or do you want it to immediately recover like its planted to the ground? i prefer the one that doesn't take half a mile to stop bouncing after the initial bump. but that can be seen as a "harsh" ride.

more sidewall and appropriate PSI will make a huge difference in small bump compliance from road irregularities.

 

[spartacus]

The kdss + the fox shocks and springs specifically tuned to the TRD pro is what it is. The article seems a bit long winded but generally true.

 

[cb1111]

Interesting viewpoints.

I've been waffling between the 4R, a Grand Cherokee and a GX460 for a few months now. Since I'm planning on keeping this for at least 10 years or so, so I'm looking for new. This won't be my only car but it will do multiple trips a year from the east coast to New Mexico each year and will be my "go to" vehicle on my 50 mile daily commute when the weather gets iffy.

Because of the longer commute and - probably 4 round trips to NM each year (3 people, one German Shepherd). On the east coast, the car will stay on paved roads (but in all weather conditions and perhaps before the plows get there), but NM will also be off the beaten tracks.

When I drove the three cars (almost back to back), I tried to get the trims as similar as possible - 4R Limited, GX Lux with the offroad package, GC Trailhawk.

The Trailhawk was the most refined around town with the most creature comforts and features - let down by an awful dealer network and iffy reliability. While the reliability might not be as awful as people think it is, any failure (often minor annoying issues) requires a trip to a dealer - and they live up to their reputation of being completely incompetent. An extended warranty is a must unless you want to be nickeled and dimed to death.

The GX was a nice drive with pleasant on-road manners. Good headlights, good power but far too expensive. Awkward rear door, ancient electronics, scary ugly front end, best dealer experience of the lot. Toyota reliability.

The 4R was comfy enough, but had nose dive and a bouncy ride. Driving it like any other car made it seem a bit gutless, so you need to step on it to get it motivated. The headlights are far better than their reputation. Slightly more modern electronics. Interior looks less upscale but more modern than the GX. Toyota reliability.

All things (except reliability) considered, the GC would win hands down - even for 99% of the driving done by people on this board - but the dealer network is scary - failures seem to take ages to diagnose and even longer to fix. Cars often require multiple trips to resolve an issue.

While Toyota dealers don't have a stellar reputation either, the cars don't have as many failures.

If the Pro resolves the nose dive and ride issues, then that might be the perfect resolution.

 

[Mudhorn]

The kdss + the fox shocks and springs specifically tuned to the TRD pro is what it is. The article seems a bit long winded but generally true.

Agree. Any aftermarket suspension that is tuned for the road will feel a lot nicer regardless of trim. The Pro having these features stock makes it smoother off the lot.

 

[ElectroBoy]

The kdss + the fox shocks and springs specifically tuned to the TRD pro is what it is. The article seems a bit long winded but generally true.

There’s no KDSS available on the Pro, so it’s all attributed to the Fox setup?

 

[cb1111]

There’s no KDSS available on the Pro, so it’s all attributed to the Fox setup?

Apparently...

 

[spartacus]

There’s no KDSS available on the Pro, so it’s all attributed to the Fox setup?

Thanks for correcting me.

 

[Space King]

...
If the Pro resolves the nose dive and ride issues, then that might be the perfect resolution.

It doesn't.
Nose dive is a product of the relationship between the control arms' pivot points and the wheel center. Since the suspension geometry is the same between all models of the T4R, so is the nose dive. The varying spring/strut setups change the rate at which the nose dives, but not the overall amount.

 

[DallasTRDPro]

Ive driven the GC after many Wranglers. I thought it was really a really nice drive especially with the Hemi. It handled nice, but off road doesn't really compare with the Pro. I needed more rugged inside and out and the GC is a car dressed as an SUV. Another thing that you already know is the GC will require more to keep running 10 years down the road.

 

[cb1111]

It doesn't.
Nose dive is a product of the relationship between the control arms' pivot points and the wheel center. Since the suspension geometry is the same between all models of the T4R, so is the nose dive. The varying spring/strut setups change the rate at which the nose dives, but not the overall amount.

Interesting point. Perhaps the proper thing to say is that the nose dive doesn't appear so prevalent - would that be an accurate statement?

 

[cb1111]

Ive driven the GC after many Wranglers. I thought it was really a really nice drive especially with the Hemi. It handled nice, but off road doesn't really compare with the Pro. I needed more rugged inside and out and the GC is a car dressed as an SUV. Another thing that you already know is the GC will require more to keep running 10 years down the road.

I think as far as my off-road needs are concerned, the GC would probably be fine, but I've been spoiled by my current Acura (a 2013 TSX) that has needed nothing other than routine maintenance in the past 100k miles (with the exception of a failed lighter outlet and a misbehaving BT module).

Even if the GC doesn't have any catastrophic failures, it sounds like every dealer visit is a headache. The Jeep forums all talk about how the GC is reliable but then there are reports of things that shouldn't happen on non-modded cars - suspension failures, recurring headlight failures, radio issues and so forth. Most won't leave you stranded, but all require a visit to the dealer very soon.

 

[CMTAZ]

"I've been waffling between the 4R, a Grand Cherokee..."

One of each here:

2017 JGC limited 2wd. This used to be mine and the wife took it over when i retired. Possibly the one of best commuting vehicles out there. Comfy, quick, 29+ mpg (3.6 pentastar V6), can take 5 out to lunch, great home depot / costco hauler. all around great vehicle. Jeep dealers have been pretty easy to deal with, I have the lifetime warranty, and have not had many issues (a sensor failed - twice, replaced with no problems.)


2018 T4R SR5 premium. I got this when she took the JGC. Not as great for commuting (came out of retirement for two months), not as responsive. Similar ride to a Tacoma, a lot more rugged / aggressive looking. Again, great home depot / costco hauler (more room than the JGC). Ride was a little bit bouncy too much break dive / cornering lean. mileage is 19 - 20 at best on a road trip.


2018 T4R SR5 premium AFTER HAVING THE EIBACH PRO TRUCK KIT INSTALLED. ride is MUCH BETTER !!! no bouncing or noticeable break dive / cornering lean. Perfect for a road trip with 4 adult passengers. mileage is still 19 - 20 at best on a road trip. Great for around town driving. Toyota dealers have been fine to deal with, but i never go to them (got the free 10k mile oil change), will get the 2 year oil change (thanks to COVID it will probably be only 5k miles and not needed).



If i had to commute 80+ miles every day, I'd probably want the JGC, BUT driving the T4R mostly around town and on the occasional road trip / vacation I'll take the 4Runner.

 

[DallasTRDPro]

I think as far as my off-road needs are concerned, the GC would probably be fine, but I've been spoiled by my current Acura (a 2013 TSX) that has needed nothing other than routine maintenance in the past 100k miles (with the exception of a failed lighter outlet and a misbehaving BT module).

Even if the GC doesn't have any catastrophic failures, it sounds like every dealer visit is a headache. The Jeep forums all talk about how the GC is reliable but then there are reports of things that shouldn't happen on non-modded cars - suspension failures, recurring headlight failures, radio issues and so forth. Most won't leave you stranded, but all require a visit to the dealer very soon.

Anything Fiat touches turns to a piece of crap.

 

[ForRun]

Had 3 runners this past year. Orp with toytec, pro- stock and now orp with Eibachs.
Pro had better on road handling and ride than any of them. The stock orp is terrible in comparison