'21 OR Manual w/ TRD Lift vs '22 TRD Pro Manual

I know for '22 the Pro will get a slight increase in front suspension height, "Pro" embossed in the rear fenders, and new wheels. I also know the main difference between a Pro and an OR is the Fox suspension vs OR Bilsteins. My OR Manual has all of the options available and the TRD Lift Kit pkg which includes a 2" front and 1" rear lift with (allegedly) TRD tuned Bilstein 5100s and the OEM Pro grill. Either way, I can definitely attest that the Lift Kit suspension takes out some of the drunken sailor feeling of the standard OR Bilsteins.

Aside from some TRD branding, wheel style, and Fox suspension, is there really any difference between the two driving on a daily basis or for light off-roading. Just how much better is the Fox suspension vs the Lift Kit retuned 5100s for 99.9% of driving? I know that the Fox set up would excel during fairly high speed off roading driving, but what about the lighter/slow to moderate stuff?

Other than these differences, the only difference I can see is that you are restricted or gaining color options (depending on your color choice) and the Pro will always command a higher resale value vs any OR just because of the exclusivity and hierarchy of the trim levels. Am I missing something. If both were X dollars (OR with TRD Lift in your color choice vs Pro stock in say gray), which would you choose and why? I should add that both would be manual transmissions.

 

Get the 2022 ridgeline instead

 

I don't think the Ridgeline is a bad vehicle at all, but one of my requirements was a manual when I bought my OR. A Jeep Gladiator is the only other new pickup with a manual and there was no way I wanted one of them.

 

The dealer markup on anything Pro here in California is insane. $10k to $20k on top of MSRP is what they are asking for.

Better to buy Off Road and mod to your own preferences and you still have lots of cash leftover in your pocket compared to the Pro.

I personally would go Pro if a dealership would sell it at least at msrp.

 

A little lost on you post. Are you comparing the trims suspension or overall differences between the two. Your post is going two separate ways of talking about suspension and then saying there’s nothing really else different. Your missing quite a bit of little things that will distinguish between the Off-Road and the Pro. TRD Pro mats, shift knob, rigid fogs, exhaust, skid plate, and TRD Pro stitching. These are usually little things that people will buy anyways to put on their truck. Those are usually gone as soon as they post in the B/S/T which makes me believe they are sought out. Add all that up with suspension and your looking at above Pro MSRP. Before the nay sayers say I can do that and not even be close. I’m not talking about a base model or cloth seats. I’m talking about premium off-road and Premium JBL to get it as close to the Pro as possible.

The 2022 does have the UCA upgrade, the stamped bed and different tires. I’m pretty sure it was Toyota’s way of telling the aftermarket places to try and replicate this badging as you see all the other trims with the name plates below the mirror like the Pro has/had no more for 2022.

Everyone seems to think their trucks trim is superior to one another and honestly as long as your happy with it why does it even matter. Their all the same platform with differences that some like and some don’t, some replicate and some just tear it apart and build it like they want. So whatever you deem fit for your finances is what I would go for. I think they are all superior no matter what trim is out there. They have the reputation, hold value, and get the job done.

Also be careful with the Lift Kit, apparently dealer installed one on a member here and it was supposedly a garbage lift kit and having problems with the dealer. I browsed through that thread but don’t have all the details.

Here’s the thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...mazon-instead-of-trd-on-ordered-truck.730636/

 

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, I am talking about my personal truck - '21 OR Manual with TRD Lift Kit and the usual OEM+ mods - as it sits to how it compares to a '22 Pro Manual. I agree with your point about most people adding the interior bits but those don't really interest me. I'm mainly interested to see how the TRD Lift suspension retuned 5100s compare to the OEM Pro Fox suspension. The TRD Lift should put my OR at almost the same height/stance and also comes with the actual OEM Pro grill. Specifically, what makes the Fox superior. I know resale is set in stone as the Pro will always be at the top.

 

All you're really getting with the Pro over an OR is some cosmetics and a better set of suspension. The suspension can be easily upgraded in a couple hours to be better than the OEM Pro at a cost well under the difference between OR and Pro.

 

I dont think the 2022 Pro is supposed to sit any higher than 2021.

 

"The biggest change for 2022 comes underneath. The suspension has been lifted by 1.5 inches up front and 0.5 inches in the rear, meaning more ground clearance for traversing your favorite trails. The 36.4-degree approach angle, 24.7-degree departure angle, and 26.6-degree breakover angle all represent increases over the outgoing model. There's also TRD-engineered forged aluminum upper control arms that, according to Toyota, allow the Fox Racing 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks to make use of the additional rebound stroke afforded by the lift."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a36596135/2022-toyota-tacoma-trd-pro-trail-edition-details/

 

That is for the Trail Edition not the Pro correct?

 

I believe the Trail Edition loses the fog lights too because of the lift.

 

That lift doesn't increase the clearance of the truck. Only taller tires do that so to quote marketing material about clearance is comical. And if you're going to get tires that add any appreciable clearance you're going to need more than a 1" block spacer in the rear and taller shock in the front...

 

Same article:

"Toyota has also updated the more-tame Tacoma Trail Edition for 2022, giving it a small 1.1-inch lift up front and a 0.5 inch lift in the rear, improving clearance and looks"

Trail gets an almost identical lift but without the better UCAs and Fox suspension.

 

Ok, I really think the only way to tell would to personally go in and take one for a test drive when the time comes. Not sure that would be anytime soon since inventory is so low and the 2022 isn’t close to being out yet. I would assume the TRD Lift Kit would ride a little smoother but I have no experience on this. Hopefully some other members that have had it done can chime in.

 

So at the end of the day I'm curious how much better the Fox suspension is than the TRD Lift Kit Bilstein 5100s.

 

Much better. The TRD kit is essentially just run of the mill 5100s with a new sticker. Better than stock, not comparable to Fox 2.5s. You would've been better off spending the $1200ish you spent on the TRD lift on better suspension instead of a TRD markup on a $400 lift. At that price point you could've installed suspension better than what the Pro comes with.

 

Toyota should offer the Pro with out the moon roof and leather. TRD Pro, & TRD Pro premium. The premium could list at a higher price, and the standard Pro would sell at a higher mark up. I think most people who wanted to upgrade the Pro wouldn't want the moon roof.

 

Thanks! This was the answer I was looking for. I have to admit truck stuff is still relatively new to me and I just went with the TRD Lift as it came with an OEM grill and TSS sensor on top of being livable to drive. At this point I'm just day dreaming on if it would make more sense to trade/sell for a '22 Pro next year or keep modifying mine; I know I can spend another couple grand and add true Fox suspension to my OR. One of the biggest reasons I would want to stay with my truck is that I LOVE Barcelona Red.

 

The first couple years of the Pro it did not have a sunroof but l think they added it since it is the premium trim level.

 

That or start offering the Fox Suspension as an option would do that alone. Financially it would be beneficial as most won’t want to dish out the aftermarket $$. I never use my sunroof and the seats arent too bad. My fiancées Cadillac has heated/cooled, and massaging seats. Now that is something I could use.