2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Suspension Overview and Flex Test

Years ago, Car and Driver Technical Editor Dan Edmunds helped design the original TRD Off-Road package for the Tacoma. Now entering its fourth generation, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road has many of the features Dan wished he could've offered back then.
In this video, Dan explains all the details of the Tacoma's new suspension, including the larger diameter shocks, disconnecting front anti-roll bar, and its coil-spring rear suspension. He then shows how much it can flex in an RTI test with the anti-roll bar connected and disconnected.
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00:00 Intro
00:49 Big changes for 2024 Tacoma
03:02 Front suspension
03:40 Bigger shocks
04:55 Disconnecting ant-roll bar
06:46 Upper control arm
07:25 Lower control arm
08:17 Lower knuckle
08:57 Brakes
09:38 Wheel and tire weight
10:17 Front suspension wrap-up
11:00 Rear suspension
12:21 Coil spring setup
12:43 Shocks
14:14 Links
14:42 Anti-roll bar
15:02 Panhard bar
15:25 Brakes
16:00 Rear suspension wrap-up
16:34 RTI test intro
17:28 Front anti-roll bar connected
20:01 Disconnecting the front ant-roll bar
21:17 Drive modes and how to disconnect the front anti-roll bar
22:15 Calculating results
23:29 Fitting larger tires
24:04 The results

[@stevensolazzo]

I hope someone at Car and Driver is listening when I say THIS is the sort of content we want to see. A PROPER rundown on the different mechanical differences and how it compares to the outgoing model. 2 minutes in and I hear this guy did suspension design for the previous gen Tacomas? Yep, I'll watch half an hour of whatever he is willing to tell me.

[@dagrwolff6714]

Most satisfying 2024 Tacoma view yet on the internet

[@ppha7665]

One of the best in-depth breakdowns of the new Tacoma's suspension.

[@joetacchino4470]

We need more Dan videos!

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Great,over the top info thanks.

[@jeremygosling363]

Excellent to see real technical details in a KZbin review, which are normally worthless and have no information beyond published marketing materials

[@02PSU]

For such a big company, I like it’s in Dan’s driveway

[@integral9585]

Excellent video. Thanks for the in-depth overview. I was considering the SR5 vs the TRD OR and this gave me a lot more faith that they put in some real effort to developing the OR for better suspension performance.

[@gregnorton3718]

VERY HELPFUl to have someone with Dan's expertise do this video. MORE!!!!

[@ptrd5945]

Best rundown video of the new 24 Tacoma suspension!!!!

[@sahily1562]

Great episode as always. I owe a lot of my limited suspension knowhow to Dan Edmunds' suspension deep dives, not just on KZbin but from the old blogs as well. Thank you for this great geeky content. A few requests if I may. Can we have similar episodes on F-150 Lightning and Ford Maverick because of their unique differences to the usual truck suspensions (I have been awaiting these 2 episodes ever since they were teased in one of the shorts on Dan Edmunds' own KZbin channel.) In any case, thanks Dan and thanks C&D.

[@rudyosorio4434]

Thank you maestro! Toyota Tacoma suspension well explained. Definitely need to see more of your videos

[@M1911jln]

Dan, I love these tests. Great objective information.

[@senrusho]

That's actually a pretty impressive improvement over the 3rd gen. Much better than the new tundra.

[@johnmoua235]

When he pulled out that Sharp calculator I knew he was for real…😅 appreciate the info and awesome video

[@PaulPeralta]

Great video Dan. Thank you for taking the time to discuss the new offroad with us. Just learned that my offroad has left Mexico and is enroute for delivery. Can’t wait!

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Fantastic review! Man I wished to see it do better than the 3rd gen pro

[@nascarniko2244]

This was an awesome review. Cant wait for mine soon

[@thomasmcconnell1114]

Great to 'see' you again, man. Hope you're well. Excellent detail and easy to comprehend. Helps me decide if im upgrading from my '19 TRD OR DCLB. Cheers, my friend.

[@jamiewills8560]

Where has this guy been on the other review videos? Very in depth and informative! Car and Driver needs to use him in all their videos!

[@craigfoy9083]

This is a really good video; he knows what he is talking about big time! I am sticking with the older taco to many changes!

[@shirolee]

Amazing! Thank you so much for doing this Dan!

[@calvinkang1224]

Thanks for sharing your whole KZbin-wise unmatchable knowledge, I enjoyed so much.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Thanks Dan!

[@matticusmac6452]

Awesome review, great depth

[@4xfishhh]

Dan is a gem! more videos from him!

[@paulm6481]

Rubbish he is old

[@4xfishhh]

⁠@@paulm6481who cares? he’s super knowledgeable. don’t be an ageist cuck

[@jamestorregrossa1185]

Great demonstration, my friend, thank you

[@TwoFeetOutdoors]

Very in depth and informative.

[@raphaelmuza9056]

Perfect review of this car, nothing more 👍🏼

[@brochilldude]

This is the stuff we need to see. Would love to see the new zr2 numbers as well as the ranger raptor and compare them all on the RTI leaderboard.

[@TheHerennow1]

Well done video. A rare thing

[@percygildersleeve2181]

Dan’s the man!

[@tshepomathibedi6362]

Great information shared here, I like it.

[@drive-channel1834]

Thanks for sharing this, Yuur info is golden I hope they'll also send you the DKR GR Hilux

[@inferno1770]

Great video I have the 3rd gen same exact truck in video . I'll be keeping my old Tacoma and getting the new 4th gen solar octane

[@ALMX5DP]

Great overview and test. I was expecting a little more after the disconnect given how well the old Pro did but still seems to do very well. Wonder if the larger tire models will have additional travel limitation versus this.

[@snn517]

great content

[@SimekahleManatha]

That's the beast on some beast mode vibes

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

The stabilizer disconnect is the most exciting new feature for me. Can't wait to try that out. But WHY are they still using a single giant bolt for the UCA?? That's a nightmare for those of us who change out the UCA. ☹️

[@John-tz3ii]

Excellent video ! I’d love to see a video for the 5th-Gen 4Runner in anticipation of the 6th-Gen. would also be great to see the differences between the 4Runner & Tacoma, however minimal.

[@trailrunnah8886]

It's a cool feature to offer, glad they're doing it. I'd like to see a Gladiator on your board, I would guess that that would be over 600 disconnected.

[@cue03]

Looking forward to see the flex index ramp findings when the Toyota Land Cruiser (LC250) and Lexus GX550 becomes available.

[@markjmaxwell9819]

The great thing about the Watts link and Panhard bar suspension systems is they can normally be converted from a solid axle leaf spring rear suspension system very easily from the factory. With better suspension articulation and control plus improved ride comfort over leaf springs. With the Watts link the better engineered choice for a couple of reasons. 😎🇦🇺

[@apa7611]

Lots of new repos coming! 😂 If I wanted it I would wait a few years

[@flight2k5]

Repos?

[@demal1010]

​@@flight2k5 Repossessions. Presumably they mean from people who can't afford it down the line.

[@live4mac]

I love these comparisons, I was sad to see that C&D has a ZR2 loaner not too long ago yet you didn't get your hands on it!

[@jmezable]

Really can't believe this is possible!!

[@user-rg6wy4vg5f]

Nice pickup track

[@shitloveaduck]

The wiring harness to the sway bar disconnect isn’t properly snapped in place. It’s really tight against the housing.

[@joemysterio]

Sweet video and super informative! I'm not super familiar with trucks in general so I can't tell and not sure if I missed it, but is this a 5 foot or 6 foot bed?

[@ALMX5DP]

This looks to be the 5’ bed. The 6’ has more body colored area in front of the rear tire.

[@bradcomis1066]

It would be interesting to contextualize this a bit with some consideration to the performance increase in the real world of a vehicle with a higher number on this Flex Index test. I see the obvious advantages of more flex when using open diffs, but this truck has super responsive traction control and a locking diff. It could probably drive right off the end of the ramp. What benefits in offroad does higher flex offer if you have diff locks or super effective traction control?

[@07fsxt67]

Split pin for lower ball joint is missing or not needed for this new model?

[@user-uc5rs7hf9c]

🔥🔥

[@pie5771]

That color is beautiful! I wonder what it would look like in a couple of years when it fade.

[@Jside68]

I ordered one. At home, it will be in the garage, hidden from the sun. I hope it doesn't turn into a washed-out pink!

[@artiebucco9660]

Even better

[@vnohelix]

My question; is the swaybar on the SDM models thicker vs the NON-SDM models therefor offering much better ON-road handling? Much like 4runner KDSS.

[@26parma]

Hi-Lift jack points in the back, but what if you need to change the front tires?

[@paulthompson661]

They did not add any more travel? Sway bar disconnect is nice, but I only know one person with the sway bar still on anyway. Idk if this will be better off-road. Also I heard the hitch is welded on, so no more after market bumpers without voiding warranty?

[@BaconCruiser]

What happened to the old rankings? Now I’m going to have to keep a reference screenshot handy.

[@jasco1776]

We’d love to see how the 2nd & 3rd generation Frontier Pro4X does on your flex ramp!

[@beexiong2995]

Bottom of the list.

[@jasco1776]

@@beexiong2995 sorry man.. you were right. I think I misunderstood your comment. Looks like the frontier is at the bottom of the list with the RTI score.

[@dagrwolff6714]

If you have someone's ear at Toyota can you let them know you can't filter for sway bar disconnect when shopping online, I've been trying for weeks to look at inventory but it's very frustrating if you want that major new feature.

[@chiisai671]

There have been a lot of reviews but no one has mentioned that the new 2024 Tacoma does not give you a real tire for a spare. Instead they give you a convenience tire mounted on a short trip rim. I’m sure glad I bought a 2023 instead as pulling my boat out of the water every week would kill the 4 cylinder.

[@chrisjohnson3912]

I had that calculator in high school... in 1989.

[@jordandoogan7329]

Easily the best truck out there

[@teddonley9594]

I wish you'd run thus test on a Gladiator Rubicon I'd like to see how close IFS has gotten to a solid axle set up

[@teddonley9594]

Nevermind I saw it. Gladiator nearly drove off the end of the ramp. IFS is coming along but not there yet.

[@patr1ckd]

Interested in new 4Runner, Land Cruiser, GX, Bronco, Raptor comparison on this index.

[@carsonfiero4209]

Will my 17” fj cruiser oem 17” steel wheels clear the brakes?

[@A.K.allday]

Please do this with new Colorado ZR2

[@wyootto264]

Maybe I missed it but the boxed frame is another big change that should be mentioned! Awesome review, otherwise! 👍

[@johnsantoro3931]

did anyone notice the plug for the swaybar disconnect wasnt in all the way?

[@dannypinyan3949]

They got a name for what they did on the shocks. I just can't remember what it's called.

[@JoeMoutard]

Get yourself a Thermacell to keep those mosquitos off while you do your thing. I've been using them for years and they're no joke.

[@tikitak1155]

I really want one, since I'm a current owner of a 3rd gen Taco, but the price point for the TRD Pro and Trail Hunter made me jump 3 miles back. I'll have to pass.

[@bradenb]

Really surprised that the 3rd gen stock TRD Pro beats the 4th gen with disconnected sway bar.

[@714integra]

Why didnt my 2023 tundra trd offroad come with similar shocks 😅?

[@TacoXL]

What truck had a 3.5 L V6?

[@BillyBobTup]

No more KDSS on Toyotas?

[@anakinfanini7154]

where window shop at?

[@cs-vf2de]

Wish they would of used KYB shocks over Bilstien

[@kennedyracing7527]

Why did you not test the TRD Pro truck with the Fox suspension

[@murffly]

They aren’t available yet.

[@5aetern]

there is no locking pin front steering knuckle. just thought I would point that out.

[@07fsxt67]

Notice that too.

[@mundoracer]

Let's see the Cybertruck!

[@RedHawkish]

but why is the fuel tank so small but same MPG

[@jeffm737]

Why does Toyota not put in a auto mode in 4by 4

[@wrightnash]

That’s a rugged and tough suspension system there

[@mattg8116]

Great Video! I got about 5 adds for womens soap while watching, so there must be something in the algorithm for folks interested in the Tacoma. I wont Judge

[@Vultite]

I just put a deposit on a TRD Off Road, I hope production is on time...

[@JulyOverland]

Toyota's CEO promise of preventing dealers price gouge was the biggest BS of the century, most if not all of the dealers around my area are asking well above 10k over MSRP, like 65k for a TRD Off road trim 🤬

[@itseric1jzson]

Does it not bother anyone else that the rear lower shock mount is so much lower than the axle ? That is going to be the first thing that you hit if you do hit something...

[@wd8085]

i had so many people tell me they were going to get the new tacoma but the price killed it for them. Sales numbers may be down due to pricing. Excited to see who is willing to have these high payments.

[@Unimportantrichard]

Not me. Not enough bang for the buck now.

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

Toyota will still sell gazillions of these things. If you want bang-for-the-buck then the Frontier is the best option.

[@beexiong2995]

If a guy who isn't a legal citizen and doesn't speak a word of English can get one, so can you

[@rickeycooley9139]

@@DeuceDeuceBravothe frontier is not a Toyota, and the Toyota is not a frontier.

[@Tiger-pu4oz]

Great info! Well done sir! Can you please do one for new Tacoma TRD-PRO. Also, one with Tundra TRD-OFF Road with factory TRD 3” lift kit.

[@TomL2025]

Can we put the 33” tires on this Tacoma ? sound like we can only put 32”

[@masonthomas9671]

You should be able to put 33’s on the 4th gen Tacoma

[@grisa12345]

The sway bar disconnect did more than I expected. Looks to me like you could fit 35s on there without too much drama.

[@RobustArid379]

O man! Does it mean that this is a old man truck

[@Cringer101]

I imagine the trail hunter should be better, the TRD pro isnt meant to be a rock crawler more of a desert runner but we shall see

[@rodgood]

Toyota sure likes using bolts that are alot longer then they need to be , think of the weight loss with shorter bolts as well as the ease of removal in the rust belt .

[@ALMX5DP]

I only saw one that seemed a bit long, on the frame side panhard link. Everything else looked okay.

[@rodgood]

Do you live in the rust belt ? and remove fasteners often ?@@ALMX5DP

[@ALMX5DP]

@@rodgoodno, though I’m not sure what that has to do with my observation..

[@narutonaruto2341]

That calculator came out between 1990 - 92.

[@pzpatrick]

Is this a pre production tacoma?

[@demal1010]

He says so

[@BC_Hunter]

I have a deposit down for this exact model but I’m thinking of passing on it. I just can’t justify the price increase. At that price, I might as well buy a full size truck.

[@beexiong2995]

Checkout fullsize truck prices. A base 4x4 cost the same as this trd offroad. Base means no offroadtech. The offroad has all the technology a pro has minus the suspension

[@BC_Hunter]

@@beexiong2995 I’ve looked at a Chevy Silverado 3.0 Duramax Trailboss with lots of extras and it will only be another $8k. My deposit was for the TRD OR Premium with the hybrid engine. That’s going to be probably another $5k there with that engine. That Toyota will probably be $75k all in. That’s f’n crazy for a mid sized truck.

[@inferno1770]

Subd

[@DrewVerdin]

I wouldn't want any of my driving linkages to be made of aluminum 😵

[@peacemajola3050]

Hahahaha does this mean it’s an old man’s truck?

[@jeffk464]

It seems to me leaf springs would be more rugged.

[@demal1010]

Leafs have less tunability bandwidth