Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/506694
pro pickup | by Bruce W. Smith EquipmentWorld.com | May 2015 75 T oyota's Tundra has been a staple in the company's line-up for more than a decade and it only gets better with age. Last year the Texas-built Tundra re- ceived a much-needed facelift inside and out. This year the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) model, a popu- lar trim package among the work/ outdoor/off-road crowd for years, received an upgraded suspension and exhaust to go along with some distinctive body, badging and interior trim that's exclusive to what is called the TRD PRO edition. Driving the 2015 Tundra TRD PRO CrewMax is an enjoyable ex- perience: It's the roomiest, toughest sounding, most distinctive and best handling of all Tundras. What makes the biggest difference between the stock Tundras and the TRD PRO is the latter is equipped with some performance goodies from Toyota's racing division, TRD. TRD's suspension parts include remote-reservoir Bilstein shocks for added suspension control, a two-inch front lift from special TRD-tuned front coils and their softer rear leaf springs. The special springs provide a softer suspension with about two inches more travel than a standard Tundra, which helps keep the truck's tires on the ground better in off-road driving. The TRD PRO model also gets 32-inch BFG A/Ts on 18-inch TRD wheels, a full complement of skid plates to protect the vitals and a TRD cat-back dual exhaust system that adds both a throaty road along with an estimated 10 to 15 horsepower to the 5.7-liter iForce V8. When it comes to looks and com- fort, the 2015 TRD PRO CrewMax is tough to beat. These models sport deeply embossed lettering on the bedsides, a big Toyota front grill badge, and special cloth interior trim with TRD PRO embossed on the high-back front bucket seats. Ride quality and handling, both off and on pavement are noticeably better than the typical CrewMax 4x4. Interior roominess is stellar, too. The cab is one of the largest in the market, with more head, shoulder and legroom in the front and the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO CrewMax 4X4 Toyota Racing Development's suspension and exhaust package adds attitude with performance ROAD TEST