Is it possible to add TRD PRO suspension?

[Boats&Hoes]

If you get the trail, go with bilstien 6112's and 5100 or 5160's. 6112/5160 is pretty much the same thing a trd pro comes with at a fraction of the price.

I have them on my trail and love the setup, and lifetime warranty!!!

I almost got the icon's, but wanted suspension I could install and not worry about rebuilding or noises.



QUOTE=sbsyncro;2161548]Reviving a bit of an old thread here, but I came across this while Google searching the ability to swap out the TRD pro setup into a "Trail" version. Reason? A local guy selling a 2013 did this on his Trail. I'm shopping for a TRD Pro version, but I like the idea of KDSS on the Trail (which is not available on the TRD Pro).

So there's a reason to swap out the Trail suspension for something with more lift and remote reservoirs like the TRD Pro setup. Yup, you could go aftermarket - and here is why I felt compelled to register for this site so I could post...

I've had a 2005 Tundra DC 4x4 since it was new. I've run Bilstein 5100s and am now running Icon 2.5" coilovers on it (along with Camburg UCAs and a variety of other "top quality" stuff).

It has been a royal PITA. I constantly wish I'd just stuck with a factory TRD package and called it good.

The Icon shocks rattle constantly. Ive had them off and on the trucks so many times that I've paid 3x in shop fees what I paid for the shocks and UCAs. They have been replaced under warranty TWICE by Icon (they say they found "quality control problems) and *still* rattle (there is too much clearance in the mounting joint and there is a constant metal-to-metal rattle). FWIW, when I swapped back in the Bilsteins the rattle went away, so it was definitely attributable to the Icons)

Aligning the truck is a pain

Tire wear is a problem - I have to rotate them 2x as often as normal

The truck doesn't track well (it wants to wander) no matter what alignment settings we try (and yes, I have a VERY good shop that actually sponsors an off-road race team). I've even tried airing the front tires WAY down to see if it would help. Nope. I dropped the lift to barely 1" - still didn't resolve the issues (This was Icon's recommendation, btw)

Icon was also a PITA to deal with - I had to start a lawsuit and talk to one of the owners before I could get them to finally replace the shocks - and even then, the rattle started again after about 500 miles of regular on-road travel. I'm tired of throwing good money after bad.

Aftermarket shocks have to be rebuilt about once a year (or every other year in my case) for a cost of about $1,000 (R&R shocks, realign, shipping to Icon, rebuild charges, etc).

I could go on and on...

So, my next truck (hopefully a 4Runner Trail or TRD Pro) will NOT have any aftermarket suspension components - I want to buy it setup the way I want it - which means either getting a Trail and adding the factory TRD Pro lifted shocks, or buying the TRD Pro and going without KDSS.

Sorry, that was pretty long-winded for a first post, but I wanted people to hear from someone with long-term experience using aftermarket suspension products on a Toyota who actually uses his truck to go on 2,000 mile Baja trips but also wants to be able to drive to San Francisco on Highway 5 without "fighting" the lifted suspension the whole way...

[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the issues you have encountered with aftermarket suspensions. However, aftermarket shocks DO NOT have to be rebuilt once a year. There are many coilovers (FOX, KING, Bilstein, RADFLO, ICON, you name it) still performing the way they should after years of use. It is only on race applications where I would suggest to rebuild every season/year.

 

[marshal]

As far as service interval goes, the paperwork that came with these shocks said something like every 5,000 miles for off-road use and 10-15,000 miles for on road use. I remember because I put about 7000 miles a year on my Tundra and it meant about every 2 years. I was frankly shocked (no pun intended) when I read that in the accompanying paperwork.

As to my "inexperience"... Well I've probably traveled more off road terrain than most of the folks on this forum in my 30+ years driving on the planet, and while this is my first modern Toyota vehicle with coil over suspension, I can assure you that "inexperience" had nothing to do with the problems I've had with aftermarket setups on the Tundra. I was running 5100s on this truck before they were even generally available. Maybe my problem is that I'm an "early adopter". But certainly not ignorant or inexperienced, thank you very much.

sure sound inexperienced to me

 

[sbsyncro]

Sorry for the issues you have encountered with aftermarket suspensions. However, aftermarket shocks DO NOT have to be rebuilt once a year. There are many coilovers (FOX, KING, Bilstein, RADFLO, ICON, you name it) still performing the way they should after years of use. It is only on race applications where I would suggest to rebuild every season/year.

That's good to hear. I'm just reporting what Icon says in the product literature.

People who mod their suspension should just know what they are getting into. And to think carefully before using Icon products.

Anyway, ignoring the troll bait from Marshall and getting back to the point of this thread, the main reason I'm suggesting that someone would want to put a TRD Pro setup on their 4Runner would be to avoid the potential hassles of aftermarket equipment. That was really my point.

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

the main reason I'm suggesting that someone would want to put a TRD Pro setup on their 4Runner would be to avoid the potential hassles of aftermarket equipment. That was really my point.

But isn't the TRD Pro suspension aftermarket equipment?
:bash:

 

[wootalien]

Get whatever fits your needs. Unless you're doing some hardcore offroading then get with an engineer.

 

[marshal]

That's good to hear. I'm just reporting what Icon says in the product literature.

People who mod their suspension should just know what they are getting into. And to think carefully before using Icon products.

Anyway, ignoring the troll bait from Marshall and getting back to the point of this thread, the main reason I'm suggesting that someone would want to put a TRD Pro setup on their 4Runner would be to avoid the potential hassles of aftermarket equipment. That was really my point.

not trolling, just point it out what i see. you said this is your first modern toyota suspension, and you also come here with the surefooted knowledge that your Icon coil overs are meant to be rebuilt every 10-15000 miles for on road use. further, you're unable to diagnose where your 'rattle' is coming from on a shock and coil system which is mind numbingly simple, let alone you went out of your way to start a lawsuit with Icon because they didnt want to offer you brand new shocks for what probably was the lower eyelet, which is a commonly replaced wear component.

in your 30+ years of driving on this planet, it doesnt sound like you've had much experience (read: inexperienced) with modern Toyota double wishbone suspensions and high grade shock components like coilover systems.

your "very good" off-road race team sponsoring shop sounds like they don't know their ass from a hole in the ground, if they can't figure out why your alignment specs are out of whack while using the finest upper control arm money can buy, and further to my point, why they're sending Icon shocks back to Icon to be rebuilt, when they should be able to do it in house. like I said, shock mechanics are mind numbingly simple


so like i said before, it sounds like you're inexperienced and being taken for a ride by your shop, because you shouldn't be experiencing the things you are.

sorry, i'll stop trolling now

 

[nathen_s]

SR5 --> TRD Pro?

Very new to this site so pardon me if this answer is already posted somewhere (a lot to sift through), but I just got a SR5 & would like to get the more agressive, off-road look of the TRD Pro. (cosmetic, since I've never done serious off-roading). Can I just replace the tires, or do I need to change suspension as well? Thanks for any assistance!

 

[FattyHunter]

Very new to this site so pardon me if this answer is already posted somewhere (a lot to sift through), but I just got a SR5 & would like to get the more agressive, off-road look of the TRD Pro. (cosmetic, since I've never done serious off-roading). Can I just replace the tires, or do I need to change suspension as well? Thanks for any assistance!

might wanna read this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/176518-trd-pro-parts.html

if you want a complete exterior clone, get those parts, or some parts depending on how much you want to make your SR5 look like a pro. Save your money on the suspension honestly since you want look.

 

[nathen_s]

Thanks! I don't need the mechanical aspects, i just wasnt sure if the suspension sat the trd pro higher than the sr5. Same ride height I'm assuming then. Thanks again!

 

[midnight runner]

But isn't the TRD Pro suspension aftermarket equipment?
:bash:

Sort of. It's spec'd by the accessories department of Toyota/TRD USA.

Everything on the TRD PRO trim level is what they call port install where last options are put on to vehicles.

You can call it OEM since you can get it from the dealer brand new and it has a toyota label. You can also call it aftermarket since it is from the regionalized portion of toyota. When I say regionalized, I mean as in all of North America vs any other part of the world.

I question whether this general forum consensus 'TRD Bilsteins are the same as the Bilstein5100s' is really true. I'm open to believing it, but TRD is fully capable of asking for valving to their specs vs what the 5100s have. I'll believe physical evidence. In the mean time, I would prefer the warranty.

 

[Boats&Hoes]

But isn't the TRD Pro suspension aftermarket equipment?
:bash:

No. The TRD Pro suspension would be considered Original Equipment. :kiss:

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

No. The TRD Pro suspension would be considered Original Equipment. :kiss:

Original Equipment comprised of aftermarket parts.... :lmao:

 

[CharlestonFisher]

I will be selling mine in a couple of weeks if you're interested.

 

[sbsyncro]

Original Equipment comprised of aftermarket parts.... :lmao:

In a sense, most parts on a production car are "aftermarket" if you define "aftermarket" as being produced outside the actual car manufacturers plant(s). Most if not all the shocks, tires, wheels, springs, and even bumpers and light assemblies are manufactured by third parties and then sourced by the brand for a particular car.

The real point is that when Toyota (as a brand) bolts together a bunch of parts (like the TRD Pro) they plan, design, and test it very thoroughly and have a lot more engineering expertise and resources than any of us. They work hard to iron out all the little annoying kinks (and safety issues) that can be problematic with owner-built aftermarket setups. If they don't, they have warranty problems and costs (at the least) or lawsuits from accidents and deaths (at the worst case). They are economically motivated to carefully engineer and test anything they offer to the general public.

So when you buy a TRD Pro (which really is just a bunch of quasi-aftermarket parts bolted together by Toyota), you're supposed to be getting something that has been carefully engineered and tested (and warrantied) by Toyota. Of course, they have also made trade-offs during that process that are driven by economics and safety. Its probably why you can't buy a Tacoma with a 4" body lift and 285 series tires, even though lots of people do that to their own cars.

For a long time, I was in the camp of "I can do it better than the factory using aftermarket parts" but after many years of tinkering, dumping money into cars, and probably just "getting older and not wanting to deal with it". But now I've decided to live with the limitations of something like a factory-built and dealer-purchased TRD Pro, because I simply won't have to worry about it - if something breaks, its covered under warranty. If won't stay aligned, I bring it back to the dealer. If it blows up shocks, I bring it back to the dealer, etc. etc. etc... I'm not saying this is the right choice for everyone - just offering it as an explanation of why someone might want to bolt an exact TRD Pro setup on their non-TRD Pro car.

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

I've decided to live with the limitations of something like a TRD Pro, because I simply won't have to worry about it - if something breaks, its covered under warranty. If won't stay aligned, I bring it back to the dealer. If it blows up shocks, I bring it back to the dealer, etc. etc. etc... I'm not saying this is the right choice for everyone - just offering it as an explanation of why someone might want to bolt an exact TRD Pro setup on their non-TRD Pro car.

If you bolt on that exact TRD Pro suspension, you will not be enjoying that coveted warranty you speak of. Only if it came on the vehicle from Toyota. It would still be better to buy something else, IMHO.

 

[05Rrunner]

I thought I read somewhere hear that we could add the TRD PRO suspension to an SR5 or Trail addition? I'm not seeing this on the TOYOTA Website. Can you order this as a factory option to a trail sr5 premium with KDSS?

You can not get the TRD suspension installed by Toyota on a trail with KDSS for the same reason they do not offer KDSS on the TRD pro . Toyota determined the added lift and additional stroke caused heat and other long term issues. I'm not saying you can not install it , or have it installed by someone and many have done aftermarket without problems but the current KDSS system did not pass Toyota internal testing for durability on the TRD Pro.

 

[Saker]

......... I've decided to live with the limitations of something like a TRD Pro, because I simply won't have to worry about it - if something breaks, its covered under warranty. If won't stay aligned, I bring it back to the dealer. If it blows up shocks, I bring it back to the dealer, etc. etc. etc... I'm not saying this is the right choice for everyone - just offering it as an explanation of why someone might want to bolt an exact TRD Pro setup on their non-TRD Pro car.

If you bolt on that exact TRD Pro suspension, you will not be enjoying that coveted warranty you speak of. Only if it came on the vehicle from Toyota. It would still be better to buy something else, IMHO.

Hello, [MENTION=132414]sbsyncro[/MENTION], [MENTION=122189]BLACK-FL4RUNNER[/MENTION] is correct in his statement...

I thought the same as you until I called the dealership and then called the Toyota 1-800 number only to find out that if you buy the TRD Pro suspension there, have them install it there, and something goes wrong with the shocks, you are only warrantied for 1 Yr, that's it. It is considered and added on accessory item.

Check for yourself, see if you get the same answer...

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

the current KDSS system did not pass Toyota internal testipng for durability on the TRD Pro.

Seriously? Do you have a link to the article?

 

[sbsyncro]

Hello, [MENTION=132414]sbsyncro[/MENTION], [MENTION=122189]BLACK-FL4RUNNER[/MENTION] is correct in his statement...

I thought the same as you until I called the dealership and then called the Toyota 1-800 number only to find out that if you buy the TRD Pro suspension there, have them install it there, and something goes wrong with the shocks, you are only warrantied for 1 Yr, that's it. It is considered and added on accessory item.

Check for yourself, see if you get the same answer...

Yea, makes total sense and I knew this to be true as well from my own personal experience with an older FJ and a Tundra. I never intended to claim otherwise.

But warranty aside, my main point is still true - if you bolt on a TRD Pro parts kit, you're getting the same thing that Toyota designed and engineered to fit and work properly on the 4Runner (setting the KDSS issue aside for a moment). That was really my point.

Its not that I covet the warranty (does anyone??) - its the fact that it was designed, tested, and built by Toyota, and one is essentially duplicating it by adding it back. Therefore it stands to reason that it will be more "trouble free" (whatever that really means) than bolting on after market stuff.

Anyone that has done an engine conversion or two will tell plenty of stories about how straying away from stock setups leads to cascading chains of dependencies that can take a lot of time, money, and effort to resolve properly.

 

[05Rrunner]

Seriously? Do you have a link to the article?

Yes seriously , I can link but I want to keep my job instead.
Ps: it also limits ground clearance and its heavy