TRD Pro is Toyota's Answer to Ford Raptors

Did you think that one of the most reputable 4x4 manufacturers on the planet was going to sit idly by the success of the Ford F-150 Raptor and the arrival of the new Ranger Raptor?

Ford is taking center stage when it comes to off-road vehicles with the new Ranger Raptor (launch info), a radical variant of the Ford Ranger that is nothing more than a scale version of the spectacular Ford F-150 Raptor (test). To divert that focus of attention to its products, one of the most reputable 4x4 manufacturers on the planet presents its answer to the Ford Raptors: the new Toyota TRD Pro range.

They are, specifically, a total of three vehicles: the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. All three already existed previously, as they have been on the market for a few years. 2nd Gen Tacoma Fog Lights are compatible for 2015-2015 version. What happens is that now Toyota has wanted to give one more twist to its already brilliant off-road capabilities so that American customers do not have it so easy when choosing a vehicle.

First of all, confirm what you probably already know: none of these three models is sold in Europe or will be sold in the future. The closest thing you can get here are the Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux, which are already excellent bases for exploring remote locations or having fun in the countryside. But unfortunately, the Toyota TRD Pro range plays in another league, literally, when it comes to off-road capabilities.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) engineers have raised the bar by equipping these three vehicles with FOX Racing shocks tuned for each one (yes, Ford Raptors have FOX shocks too). Not only do they have a very attractive ‘racing’ aesthetic, they also have thick 46 mm diameter stems and are capable, depending on the brand, of adapting to any kind of circumstance.

From full speed excursions through the desert in true Baja style to overcoming difficult obstacles with the gearbox in gear. These shock absorbers are combined with TRD springs in the front of the three vehicles with which Toyota has managed to increase the ground clearance by around 2.54 to 5.08 cm.

In the case of the 4Runner TRD Pro, it also mounts a set of TRD springs behind, while both the Tundra TRD Pro and the Tacoma TRD Pro use leaf springs as an elastic element in the rear axle. The latter, however, does not happen on the new Ranger Raptor (which is sprung behind), but does on the F-150 Raptor.

New in Toyota's TRD Pro range also include new BBS forged wheels up to 18 inches, new sets of led fog lights, underbody guards or even a raised intake intake, popularly known as a 'snorkel'. The latter is only offered for the Tacoma TRD Pro and allows the air reaching the engine to be cleaner thanks to its greater height.