2nd gen, OR, optional tow package?

Hi guys,

I did a search and could not find the specific answer I was looking for. Perhaps I missed it, and if so I apologize.

I am looking at a 2nd gen 2010 OR with the 6MT. The owner says he installed the tow package. Harness and everything. I thought all the OR's had the tow package as a standard option.

It it become standard for the OR's after a certain year? Or is it supposed to be standard equipment on all OR's?

 

Original owner? Get paperwork. 2nd owner? Ask specifics to them, for sure. Maybe they upgraded something.

 

I thought it was standard too. At least my 2013 was standard in the OR package.

 

I would put it this way. Most TRDs come with the tow package, but it isn't standard. There are some that dont come from the factory with it.

 

I am, I have asked about what they installed and they said the tow package, wire harness and such. It has the oil filter tuna can underneath the oil filter, and it has ATRAC and the diff lock. All the signs of an OR.

Right, that is what he said. That the tow package became standard in 2013, I just wanted to make sure from TW.

Yes I read that in another thread. I ran the carfax and it doesnt say TRD. It doesnt even say sr5. It says base.

 

ah nice, missed that part. Makes sense.

 

Other than a few computer goodies, the main difference between factory tow and port added or aftermarket tow are the factory tow has a class 4 hitch and is rated for 6400#. They add the "Tuna Can" oil cooler at the filter and a small Tranny cooler. Suspension and such is the same regardless. If memory serves me right the OR's come with the oil cooler installed, not sure about the tranny cooler. If you have the hitch and all of the wiring installed and the "Tuna Can", all you really need to add is a good tranny cooler (factory one is pretty small but does help). This would give you the equivalent of factory tow package and all you would be missing would be some computer controlled anti sway and such that was added though I'm not sure what year they started that. If you are going for the full tow rating you might have a hard time finding a true class IV hitch, though maybe an auto wrecker would have one if you really need it.

 

Would you even have a tranny cooler with a MT?

 

The Carfax and even sometimes dealer and Toyota databases call all trucks base except the X-Runner and something else. The SR5 and TRD are weird that way. My truck is a TRD OR but the VIN checkers call it base. I know it's TRD, it's got the correct options for 2008, which were e-locker, yellow Bilstein suspension, tow package, etc. I think tow package became optional with TRD in 2016.

The confusion is actually a problem because an unscrupulous seller can buy a set of TRD decals and potentially pull a fast one. Some even go to the trouble of putting in a dash switch, at least with 80 series that was a problem for their CDL switch. You have to put your eyeballs on the axle and make sure there's an actuator on the side to know there's an e-locker in there.

 

My SR5 did not have a tow package . I have a 3" lift and added the hitch , and a tranny cooler . Next step is oil cooler . I do have a brake controller also for the camper I tow .

 

Don't forget the tow package also will have a beefier alternator and I believe a lower temp fan clutch in addition to what was already mentioned.

 

Heavy duty battery also .

 

I have seen quite a few so called TRDs that are not !

 

So without seeing it (states away) what would be my tells other than I mentioned was installed?

 

The cooler on the lower right under the horns is the OEM transmission cooler (present on automatic transmissions only). Look for that, a larger 27 battery (vs the 24) a 7 pin plug at the hitch, and a larger 130 amp alternator (vs a 90 amp).

 

All this stuff could be added right?

 

Yup, it's all more or less bolt on. Some of it wouldn't be difficult, battery would drop in, the receiver and trailer harness aren't tough. Some of it would be a little involved, A/T and engine oil coolers for example.

 

Yes but if someone is going through the trouble to add a transmission cooler they will likely not be using the small OE cooler.

 

Looking through the 2010 eBrochure (click here) it appears the towing package was optional on all V6 models...

 

Indeed, looks like the tow package wasn't automatic with TRD (OR in this case) in that 2010 brochure.