2021 Tacoma TRD Pro vs. TRD Off-Road Departure Angle

I'm looking at the different options for a new Tacoma and the TRD Pro is supposed to be the top-of-the-line with Fox shocks instead of Bilstein shocks plus a 1" lift. The approach as well as breakover angle is also higher on the TRD Pro but I'm wondering what happened with the departure angle? The TRD Off-Road is listed as having a departure angle of 23.5 and so does the base model. However, the TRD Pro is listed as having a departure angle of 19.1; that's a pretty poor departure angle. Why is the departure angle so bad on the supposed top-of-the-line trim?

 

It’s designed to be more of a desert runner. If you’re not interested in all of the fancy stuff save your money and get an SR or SR5 and lift it to your specifications or try this:
https://pressroom.toyota.com/step-up-new-tacoma-trd-lift-kit-now-available/

 

The thing is that even without the lift the TRD Pro has a better breakover angle that the SR, SR5, or even the TRD Off-road, but I don't know why the departure angle is so ridiculous. Shouldn't it be higher than even the TRD Off-road?

 

The Pro shocks are not necessarily a lift, they are just more resilient. The ground clearance is still the same. It’s basically a glorified leveling kit. The Pro also has less of a payload. It’s all a gimmick which it sounds like you’re starting to realize.

 

So the Fox shocks don't give it more wheel travel or articulation?

 

No not at all. Like I said they’re designed for high speed desert running akin to the Raptor.

 

There shouldn’t be that much of a difference in the angle. Maybe the Pro you’re looking at has the tow package and the other doesn’t. That’s the only thing I can think of

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Pro is only lifted 1" in the front. So without any rear lift, wouldn't that mean it decreases rear departure angle? I don't think it would decrease it that much compared to a stock TRD OR, but that might account for some of it.

 

Maybe the difference is because 1 has a tow hitch?

 

I believe that both of them come with the hitch already included.

 

Even when compared to a base Tacoma the TRD Pro has a significantly smaller departure angle.

 

This. Lifting the front 1” pivots the rear of the Pro downward behind the rear axle.

 

But installing the factory leveling kit at the dealership actually increases the departure angle by 0.4, it doesn't decrease it.

 

Wouldn't the hitch be the extra factor?

 

If you are referring to the new OEM lift kit, it lifts both the front and the back.

 

Either way, Toyota is measuring all trims with the hitch or all trims without the hitch.

 

I'm thinking that it is because the tow package is standard on the Pro. The Pro is just an inch higher in the front, everything else the same.

 

I think now that the factory lift is available, a TRD Off Road or below is the way to go. It’s perfect for someone who isn’t comfortable bastardizing their brand new truck with an aftermarket lift and risking voiding the warranty on its components. I wish it was available last year when I purchased.

 

Is it not standard on the TRD Off-road?

 

They’re all gonna clear the same. That 3 degrees makes zero difference in real life.

get the truck you want based on the price/package/accessories you want not the departure angles spec’d on the website

end of the day pickup trucks all have terrible departure angles because of the bed. If that’s super important to you either plan on a high clearance bumper or get a 4Runner or jeep.