Pros and cons about TRD supercharger

Thanks guys. I am going to turn 50 this year, can't believe it. In SO many ways I am still just like I was at 18 or 20. Only problem is my mind/mouth keeps making promises my body can't keep.
Ken

 

Quick question on the S/C. What does it do to the longevity of the truck. Im coming from a long line of Land Cruisers. My last one, and fj100, i bought with 30k and sold with 260k. The one before that, FJ80, I sold with 430k (toyota sent me some pens and a flashlight at 400k). I doubt i will sell my tacoma and want it to last, mileage wise, the same as my cruisers.

 

It's a VERY mild tune and boost. I doubt it would have much affect on longevity. Unless you went in and changed the tune and/or increased boost by more than 5 psi. Even then I doubt you'd have too much trouble. These engines seem to be very stout. It's approved by Toyota. Boost can also help 'cushion' the piston as it comes to TDC.

 

I had the same exact question for my buddy that is a Master Tech at Toyota. He said (and so have many other people) that it really depends on how you drive the truck. If you stomp on it all the time, it does put extra pressure on parts, but if you drive fairly normally, just jumping on it once in a while it really should be fine. In other words, take care of the truck and it will take care of you.
Just my two cents.
Ken

 

I'll check back with you 90,000 miles in the future.

My truck has been under boost since around 3300 miles on the odometer and it's been on full synthetic oil since 5000k miles.

I don't beat on it---hell it's not even driven daily for that matter, but I have no worries about the sc in the long term.

When you're a stickler about regular maintenance and don't abuse the living crap out of the motor, you should be just fine in the long run.

I'm running a boost gauge and an AFR gauge as well as a URD cooler thermostat to go with all my mods. Better to be safe than sorry is my motto for any forced induction.

I'm always pulling the dipstick subconsciously it seems, checking the coolant, running a bottle of Techron through it monthly, and always running the best gas I can(76/Chevron/Shell premium only for me). I do this with all my vehicles. With any forced induction, you should AT THE VERY LEAST be checking your oil, even for the laziest of owners this should apply to. Sadly, I actually know people with TRD SC's who act like their hoods are welded shut, but beat on them like they're gonna last forever.

 

Matt you are right, that is exactly what I was talking about, if you take care of the truck it will take care of you.

BTW My SC is SUPPOSED to be getting installed right now, but when I went to the local dealership they asked to see a receipt for the parts. I told them I bought it from a Lexus dealership through eBay so the only receipt I had was via PayPal. Then they told me that the parts had to be purchased through a Toyota dealership NOT Lexus.
So, I had to come home, call the dealership to confirm that they are a dual dealership (Toyota and Lexus) and forward the receipt via email to the local service manager with the number to the dealership I bought the parts from. So I am waiting for a return call from the dealership to tell me whether or not they will perform the install. I am getting the feeling they just don't want to do the install after all.
I know this thread is "Pros and Cons" of the SC, but just want to share my experiences with the dealerships with other Taco owners so they have some idea of what to expect from dealerships (some dealerships anyway).
Ken

 

Holy crap! What a pain in the ass!!!

My Toyota dealer didn't even care where the hell I bought my SC kit from(I bought from TRDParts4u at the "older"[cheaper] price last year), much less ask to see a receipt!

My friend got his SC installed at the same dealership about 4 months ago, and he also got his kit from TRDParts4u---no questions asked. Made an appointment, dropped the truck off with the SC kit boxed up inside, and picked it up 2 days later without any hassles.

If the stuff you dropped off is all brand new, packaged up in the proper OEM TRD boxes(maybe even unopened for that matter), I really don't see the point in putting another burden on the customer who is PAYING to have it installed.

 

Yep, welcome to my life
All parts are still in the original packaging, but I did open the boxes to make sure all the parts were there. Pulleys, belts, hoses, brackets, etc. are still sealed in the plastic bags they came in. The boxes have the Toyota part numbers on the side. I asked them about it too, I said "If you know that they are genuine Toyota parts and that they are brand new, then what is the problem?". They told me that they had to "confirm" that the parts CAME FROM TOYOTA. WTF? So here I sit with my thumb up my hind side waiting for the SERVICE MANAGER to forward my receipt to her district manager or some crap. They tried to tell me it was for "my own good", in case I had problems with my truck out of state or at another dealership, they didn't want me getting hassled. What a total PITA.
Ken

 

I mean I get it, the "C.Y.A." policy on your dealership's end....but I would only hassle a customer if they brought it to me in an old baby stroller cardboard box or some random old TV box and itemized in ziploc freezer bags. When you show up with all the factory boxes WITH the factory part # stickers still on them, what's there to question?!?! Sheesh....

Keep us updated.

 

You got me. Who knows. Just a PITA.
Ken

 

Well this just keeps getting better and better. I finally got a call back from the local dealership that is now telling me that if THEY install the SC that it is not a "Factory Part" therefore would only be covered for 12 months. Amazing. I have HAD IT with this local dealership and am going elsewhere. What a tremendous waste of time.
Ken

 

Holy CRAP!!!! I made an appointment with the dealership 50 miles away because they told me the install would not affect my warranty. Half hour later the local dealership calls me, "Ooops, we made a mistake, the TRD Super Charger IS covered for the duration of your powertrain warranty as long as it is installed by a Toyota dealership". No shit!?!?!? Isn't that what I have been telling you all along?
So to save other members considering adding the super charger from going through the same hassle I did, HERE it is STRAIGHT from TRD USA.
The TRD super charger when installed by a dealer is warrantied for 12 months or 12k miles OR the remainder of the powertrain warranty WHICHEVER IS GREATER. If it is installed by someone OTHER than a dealer, or if the powertrain warranty is up on the car, the SC is warrantied for 12 months or 12k miles, whichever comes first.
I hope to God this helps someone else because it has been a ROYAL PITA for me!!!!!
Ken

 

Wow.

I've personally never found a happy medium with service people(excluding the techs) at dealerships...

They either really know their stuff or they are complete dipshits lacking any sort of common sense. Looks like you experienced the latter.

 

Matt, you are one of the lucky ones. The local dealership used to be family owned and I knew most people on a first name basis. When I went in to get my truck or a family members car taken care of they gave me the "Ken price" which was substantially discounted. Hell, they even asked me to be a cop in one of their dopey commercials! But when the dealership was bought out by an Los Angeles dealership that already had three other Toyota Dealerships, they cleaned house and let most of my friends go (the ones that could not get on board with the "new way of doing things.
Anyway, I think you are right, I was dealing with the latter in your example.
Ken

 

So about a half hour after I made the appointment with the out of town dealership, I get yet another call from the local service manager. She said that after they had "researched" the issue, it turns out that they CAN install the super charger and it will follow the remainder of the powertrain warranty (which is a BIG deal for me because my truck has the certified warranty as it was a "demo", so the warranty is either 70k or 100k, can't remember which).
So, my SC is being installed at the local dealership for the lower price. I just got a call from a buddy of mine that is a service writer and he said all is going well and that they think that they can even keep my behind the grill lights in place!
I think this was a matter of the local dealership NOT knowing Toyota policy. It was a frustrating ordeal, but as long as the install is done properly, I will be a happy camper.
I hope this experience helps other considering the SC install. If you are, I would:
Try to buy from a "legitimate" Toyota source that can provide you a receipt on their letterhead.
Keep all the parts sealed up in their plastic bags.
Print out a copy of the TRD (Toyota) warranty and bring it and the receipt with you.
And shop around, get the best deal, don't let them ream you.
Last of all, try to be civil (it was REALLY hard for me) with the local dealership unless you are willing to drive to a neighboring dealership. You know the old saying, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar".
Again, I am sorry if this is a thread hijack, but I think my experience falls under the "cons" column.
Ken

 

^hopefully it all works out for you! Man I would've been out of there and at a dealer who knows WTF they are doing. Good Luck

 

Thanks HB. It was a tough decision for me to let them work on my truck. I have some very serious spinal problems (back and neck mainly) that make it hard to travel much, so I wasn't looking forward to a 2 hour drive. Fortunately, they let me pick the service writer and mechanic that I would deal with. I have known the service writer for like 15 years and he is a good guy. The mechanic is a Master Mechanic and I have known him since high school, he is very good at his job. My problem was with the higher-ups pulling all the strings and calling the shots.
Anyway, they called me yesterday about five to let me know that everything was going smoothly and they should even be able to leave my behind the grill lights in place. I thought for sure they were going to pull them to make room for the heat exchanger (or whatever that mini radiator thingy is called).
I will let you guys know how it turns out.
Ken

 

Well, I got the truck back yesterday and I have to give Kudos to the dealership. They quoted me $950 + parts (fluids) for the install and it ended up costing $953! They rented me a Scion XB for $28/day. Matt (the service writer) called me once a day to give me the heads up on the install. Tim (the mechanic that performed the install) did an AWESOME job. Apparently they had a "closed door meeting" with several service writers and the service manager and picked Tim to do the install because he is their top tech. The install looked like it came straight from the factory that way. He also told me that there were a couple of things on the instruction that he did not perform, like cutting 2" off of a hose, etc. The way he installed it looks MUCH better than the instructions. He even use the extra wire loom to cover other hose so that it looked symmetrical.
I have to say, Hai Le (one of the service writers) set everything up for me including the rental car and Kristi (the service manager) followed through on EVERYTHING she said that she would do, and told me that they do not want to lose me as a customer. I am VERY happy with the way things turned out and they really treated me right.
I think we all (the people at the dealership and me) learned a lot from this experience and hopefully it will help all involved out in the future.
BTW, one of their finance/customer service guys named Chris met up with me complimenting me on my truck. He took some pics to put on their site and after the SC install he asked if he could video me giving them the tour of my ride and the mods to put on their site as well.
Anyway, I think it was a win/win after all.
Ken

 

So how do you like it?

 

Good to hear Ken. You thoughts on the SC when you drove it home?