2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Suspension Walkaround - See What Makes it Off-Road Ready

The 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has a very interesting factory suspension setup. In this video I walk you through the main components and point out engineering details that make this a good off-road truck. We'll also get a look at the Tundra TRD Pro pickup truck's specially tuned TRD Springs and Fox Shocks that are optimized to make the TRD Pro more capable than the TRD Off-Road and SR5 versions of the truck when it comes to running at high speed on desert dirt roads. The 2.5-inch Fox shocks are quite sophisticated because they have remote reservoirs and an internal bypass feature.
Why am I doing this? I love this stuff. I'm a former suspension development engineer that got into auto journalism, and for several years I created a very popular photo essay feature called a Suspension Walkaround for Inside Line, a now-defunct offshoot of Edmunds.com (no relation). Today I have resumed writing these features under the name Suspension Deep Dive for Autoblog. Between the two, I have written at least 90 of them. Throughout, numerous fans have asked me to make video versions.
I never seemed to have the time, the equipment, or the confidence to get in front of the camera, but I got over that by hosting at least 80 professionally-produced videos over the last three years on the Edmunds You Tube channel. But Edmunds.com wasn't interested in making one of these for their channel. That's why this is my first attempt at a video Suspension Walkaround/Deep Dive, and I decided to make it for my own channel. If you like it, tell your friends, click subscribe, share links, and all of that. I'll do many more if the response is good. And I take requests. I can't promise that I can get my hands on any car or truck, but the odds are good. And the more views I get, the more horsepower I'll have when asking for cars to examine.

[@onealaska]

I didn't expect the quality of video you presented on such a topic. Thank you. Ill be back.

[@Pickuptrucktalk]

Good job! I’d like to see follow ups talking about differences in shocks, difference between off-road vs stock trucks, and other off-road suspension topics.

[@DanEdmunds]

I have ideas around that.

[@tgsimmons]

Nice job Dan, I look forward to watching more and learning about suspension systems.

[@Millirawk]

Really enjoyed the depth and explanation of the workings of the trucks suspension! Great video!

[@codyroberts8593]

Ive always been fascinated by suspension systems. These are the best videos out there. Keep them coming!

[@billingscraigslist2996]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your Tundra TRD Pro suspension. I appreciate the deep dive and 'geeking out' on the specifics! Look forward to the next one!

[@ChrisZBr0wn]

So glad you decided to make a video Deep Dive. Really enjoy the written deep dives, but these videos are really clear and concise. Thank you!

[@DanEdmunds]

I'm going to keep doing the written ones. Frankly, going through the process of putting one of those together helps me prepare for the video version.

[@robinperronjones5024]

Well done, great video on this subject, I certainly learnt a lot from this detail for my TRD PRO, thanks

[@slbpv1164]

Awesome information and well explained. Thank you very much for this information.

[@sk8sn0surf]

Thanks Dan! You just schooled me on my 2020 PRO ! The suspension, TRD exhaust, and the rear window sold me on my Tundra. I test drove many F150's and RAMS, and once I felt this suspension over a dropped bridge span on the test drive..... I went back and dropped a deposit!

[@Jaikool001]

I don't know how I came across your video, but I am glad I did. Thank you so much for great and useful information! Really! Keep them coming, please. Subscribed!

[@terrymcintyre3587]

Thanks Dan - I love the details, please keep the videos coming. Very informative.

[@sparkym9855]

Very legit review man you know your stuff much appreciated!

[@DanEdmunds]

I appreciate that!

[@Curryolla]

Super excited to see these in video form. I always enjoyed the write ups, but it's nice to see things on KZbin.

[@DanEdmunds]

More to come!

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Thank you so much for making these educational videos, they're helping a lot of people!

[@ChrisONeillUSA]

Really enjoy these, I learn a lot every time.

[@jimmielittle877]

Thx for letting me know this is for show and go !

[@dougkreutzer8440]

Lots of useful information. Thanks

[@Cruz0604]

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

[@kpgarrity]

Great job. Clear and concise. Keep it up!

[@trdsupercharger8089]

Great video! Learned a lot,plus it helps cause I have a tundra too. Thank you very much. Looking forward to more videos

[@selderick5832]

Yhs

[@KA-pq3yz]

Thanks a lot for your explanation. Excellent

[@Ruslanick]

Interesting content, great narrator also! More cars to show!

[@amandamcgruder5074]

Very informative!!! Thanks!!! I have a 2021!!

[@mayyaah]

Thank you so much for the info. Dan, thanks for being a nerd!! 👍

[@frankmaluwa5120]

Thanks Dan I really like and enjoy your video's

[@briankuhn9607]

Excellent video. I would love to see more about the Pro drivetrain and suspension.

[@Garren.B]

Great video!

[@brianhawk1854]

Great insight into this

[@milagrosambrose3717]

Just got mine, I'm in Love 🥰🥰

[@Dansk55]

Lucky

[@adrianaldaz2414]

Great video dan...

[@mc3films]

I love it, Dan!

[@shadabarifshaikh5604]

Good Information, Good Audio and Video quality

[@victorhidalgo475]

Great video. Thanks

[@nickp8373]

Hey man that was fun and insightful. Thank you. Not all "nerds" are lame. Haha. Cool truck!

[@DanEdmunds]

Thanks. More to come.

[@ironmaiden8625]

Very nice! Super com prehensile and I learned a lot.

[@lbljlionel4862]

Wonderful tutorial for a newbie like me. Thanks a lot :-)

[@bmt973]

I like that you use a wheel spanner. I always fight with the dealer for damaging my tyre treads with the impact wrench. Worse they never tell me when they damage them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@DanEdmunds]

I hate impact wrenches -- even for removing wheels.

[@rfreitas3298]

Great quality video. Subscribed today

[@DanEdmunds]

Thank you! I'm having editing problems right now, and am waiting for an upgraded computer. New stuff is on the way!

[@Being-Alpha.]

Good video 👍🏻

[@Robert-rb5bs]

very detailed! keep it up dan

[@DanEdmunds]

Thanks, will do!

[@AHMx1995]

Hope these videos continue!

[@DanEdmunds]

Me too. This lockdown helped me get the ball rolling. A post-COVID full-time gig could throw a wrench in the works.

[@scubbarookie]

Nice detailed walkthrough! I had to subscribe after watching! What are your favorite shock producing companies? Also what spring companies do you like? Thank you in advance. 👍👍

[@cliffsilverman8344]

Great truck

[@joseluisrojas5642]

Good job

[@maxospreys2964]

1:22 That Engine is a Beast.

[@986C]

Excellent information. Do this for a land cruiser please.

[@MoeMoe-nu7vt]

Best truck you can ever buy

[@CarnutMM]

Cant wait to see the 4Runner kdss vs TRD Pro RTI score

[@TobyCostaRica]

One thing I like about factory Fox from the TRD PRO is the lack of an exposed shaft closer to the ground. All aftermarket has their shafts at the ground and one rock that damages the plating, will damage the seals. Plus people don’t like wrapping their shocks cause…well it doesn’t look cool 😀

[@Matt56258]

Great video! I picked up some Fox shocks for my 21 Tundra. Curious - what kind of speed wrench is that? I’ve been looking everywhere for something like that. Thanks again!

[@CarlosLago]

Nice!

[@on-site4094]

Thanks for sharing a detailed review on Trd. Suspension. Toyota quality dependable and reliable too bad there killing the v8

[@georgioantoine4194]

Smashed the sub button. I have a 21 SR5 with a 2.5 levelling kit in the front with 33 12.5 20” tires. What would you recommend to eliminate the spacer kit in terms of suspension kit front and back. I’ll also be installing an air bag kit for the rear. I love the green colour.

[@TheSlugger76]

How often should you replace the shock and spring? Thanks never knew about the shocks and front end thanks for the class

[@lukerasmussen9350]

Can you please tell me your thoughts on how firestone airbags would effect the function of the rear suspension.

[@davidbarfield3489]

Who makes the best rear shocks for a 2020 Sequoia? King, Fox or Icon???

[@johnsenkiw430]

Great vid ...just got my 2020 Tundra Trd Pro love the truck but it has a nasty bed bounce felt at highway speeds on roads that have concrete expansion joints that is something I need to resolve , it is fairly severe. Any thoughts on how I should proceed ? Thank You John in Denver

[@gabm3187]

Fantastic video Dan. Can you do the flex index for the stock Tundra vs. the TRD offroad/PRO? I'm interested in how different the suspension really is

[@DanEdmunds]

I didn't have the ramp here when I shot this. I'll try to get a Tundra in again some time. I think the difference between the two has more to do with having shocks that survive continuous pounding on whoops and washboard. Without testing, I might guess that flex might be similar. But that's a guess.

[@esteemedenergy]

Awesome

[@thelittlepoj]

Really great video! Do you accept requests? Since you are a suspension engineer, how about a video for performing home alignments with strings or the like...

[@turdferguson5300]

It's good to discover your videos. In your opinion is there a need for a TRD rear sway bar? The only thing I would change on the 2021 TRD Pro is the P275 tires. They allow room for more travel but too small to look good. That being said, my truck has new BF Goodrich P275s on it when I bought it so that will do for now. I'll get better economy with smaller tires but I didn't buy a 4x4 to get economy. I do get better mileage with a 5.7 Tundra (16+) than I got with my 3.5 Tacoma (14.5 - 15). That is seriously messed up.

[@androc]

I just watched your KDSS video. Which suspension is better? I just traded in my Taco TRD PRO for a 4 Runner TRD Off Road Venture. What shocks would recommend over the stock shocks. I thought we would be getting Bilstein shocks. Great videos for sure.

[@acthilina]

@Dan Edmunds, What are your thoughts on 4runner TRD Pro Fox Shocks set up vs TRD OffRoad KDSS? Which set up is better? TIA

[@abhishekbanerjee3486]

Thanks for the thorough walk through Dan. Would like to know more about motion ratios and how that affects the ride and handling of the vehicle

[@DanEdmunds]

I talk about them regularly, and the differences become more apparent as you see more layouts. Generally, the reaction at the wheel is what matters - the wheel rate, the damping and stabilizer effects as seen from the tire contact patch. The motion ratios don't affect handling directly, but it affects your spring rate, damping force and stabilizer bar choices. If you want a wheel rate of 250 pounds per inch (example, that's not a specific target) and the spring's motion ratio is 0.5-to-1, then you'll need a 500 lb/in spring. The same principle carries over to stabilizer bar sizes and damping forces.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

Dan Edmunds that’s pretty interesting stuff Dan. The Toyotas seem to ride so much better than the competition. Why is that? I have a Toyota a Chevy and a Ford and the Toyota rides far better than all of them. I did test drive the Dodge with the air suspension and that rides pretty good. I was just very concerned with the air suspension with New England weather and I heard a lot of people having problems with it in New England conditions not so much if they were in dry climates.

[@ferrari250lm]

@@stevenlefebvre2991 Yeah, the air suspension on the Ram is junk. Very problematic.

[@DirtE30]

First let me say well done! Straight to the content, very good technical content without being over baked! To your comment on why TOYOTA doesn’t use an LT tire... if you’ll look at all the cost and engineering that went into the suspension development on this truck, and you understand that unsprung weight is the nemesis of suspension/brake performance, then you look at the same size tire in a D load range, you’ll see that you would be adding 10-15 lbs per corner in suspension fatiguing unsprung mass! Also, a little known nugget, a P rated tire in any given size has a higher load rating at 32psi (or whatever the Mfg’s recommenced pressure is on your half ton) than any LT tire will at the same pressure! The P rated tire far exceeds the load rating needed to meet max GVWR of the vehicle at the given inflation pressure. The LT is capable of using a much higher pressure rating (60 psi) and thusly can achieve a higher load rating but only at the cost of ride quality and suspension longevity and performance. In other words, LT tires would only serve as a detriment.

[@DanEdmunds]

Yes. Those reasons are the reality behind it all. They could choose to do it, as Jeep and others have. The argument makes perfect sense from the POV of the standard Tundra. The TRD Pro would have had to be included in the initial design concept of the truck, but I think it came later and was independently developed by TRD with certain design restrictions imposed by TMC.

[@cisko213]

Their cost of engineering and development of these Pro Tundras have been paid for years ago.

[@DirtE30]

And the BBS forged wheels save about 3lbs per corner... so at roughly double the cost vs the cast wheels, you can see how much toyota valued even 3lbs per corner in un sprung weigh shaving! The 2019 Pro I have personally is now sporting 295/70-18 Nitto G2’s in a P metric load rating. These were the ONLY P rated AT tires in that size (which is the largest you can run without modifying the ride height)! I searched long and hard to find these as I did want a larger tire but didn’t want to sacrifice any more than necessary in performance to get there. These tires weigh 50lbs ea in the P rated vs 63.5lbs ea for the LT! 13lbs per corner!!! The factory Michelin LTX’s weigh in at only 40lbs, so I gained 10lbs per corner vs 23 lbs. the difference was still noticeable although very much acceptable as a compromise.

[@lubindalihune967]

Wat cargo we're u carrying in the back the springs look loaded

[@SuperAbooboo]

best video on tundra. I''ve learned most. I have a tundra since12. lots of talk over the web to keep front sway or remove it? what would you say? keep them videos coming. thanks

[@DanEdmunds]

I would never fully remove a front stabilizer bar. Way too dangerous on paved roads. A front disconnect kit for use when you hit a gnarly trail? Sure.

[@_Username__]

Respect Sir

[@victorhidalgo475]

Hi There. Would you recommend rear air bags for towing ? Thanks

[@marcelochacon4581]

Me gusta como esplica de la troca ,pero me gustaria en español para entender muy bien ,pienso comprar una de ese tipo de troca, muchas gracias

[@MY2NDM3]

Awesome job, Dan!! You really know your stuff about suspensions. Now I know in detail what a superior suspension system I have on my 2019 TRD Pro. I had a 2017 TRD Pro which came with the TRD shocks, and the ride quality between the two is so different. The lighter rims on the 2019 makes a big difference in ride quality.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

MY2NDM3 Thanks for the information I was thinking about adding just the TRD pro suspension to my truck but if I do that I guess I will have to add some rims also.

[@DanEdmunds]

The wheels don't hurt, but the shocks are the bigger difference, I think. The 2017 TRD Pro had Bilstein shocks, which are great but don't have the remote reservoirs and internal bypass. Bilstein makes remote reservoir shocks, but Toyota didn't opt to go that route with the earlier TRD Pro. The Bilsteins did have a device that increased damping just before bottoming, and it was effective in the desert, but the Fox shocks have much more elaborate internal bypass circuits, which makes them position sensitive over a much wider range to allow better comfort near the middle of travel while being able to hugely amp up the damping as you get closer and closer to the end stops. The remote reservoirs only come into play when hammering along on deep washboard, so you may not notice that unless you're bombing around in the Mojave.

[@DanEdmunds]

See below. If you can find a set of take-offs that someone is selling off, the Fox TRD Pro suspension will do a lot for you. You can deal with the wheels later. The main thing there is try not to install tires and wheels that are heavier than what you have.

[@paulramsay6589]

Actually the 17 pros do have a remote reservoir also have a 60 mm piston, which the Fox do not,only 46 mm Due to the internal bypass taking up so much room. My experience was the fox fade quicker than the Bilstiens

[@upshifter5316]

Wishbones? Stabilizer bar?? You must have been an engineer for an OEM in a past life. 😉 I feel like everyone else outside of industry uses language like control arms, sway bar, etc. I appreciate your knowledge & detail Dan!

[@DanEdmunds]

You are correct. I worked at two different proving grounds over a period of 16 years. I'm starting a new gig selling test equipment, so I'll be back on that side and back at the proving grounds in a support role. Meanwhile, I can still do this.

[@upshifter5316]

Haha I knew it! Well, I wish you much luck in your new endeavor Dan!!

[@alberthuynh]

Thanks for the entertaining and informative video!

[@telemarktumalo6978]

Great video Dan. Do you know if these Fox shocks can be purchased and put on my '18 TRD SR5 TRD? Considering the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo, but these look great.

[@DanEdmunds]

I installed a set of 6112/5160 on a Tacoma TRD Off-Road long-term test vehicle. For the money, I really liked them. The fronts come with springs, if I remember correctly. A bit firmer than stock on the road, but really nicely buttoned down in the desert and on severe washboard. The TRD-tuned Fox Shocks are probably more expensive to buy new, but you might be able to find TRD Pro take-offs. Do you know about Vilmont Market on Instagram? Free Toyota-related postings there. A fair number of take-offs show up there. You'd have to get the TRD front springs to go with them, though. They would have been tuned together.

[@paullamont8297]

is that rear shock mount or a dixie cup? on a c channel frame

[@carmanah11]

I'm confused about the anti-dive effect from upper arms pivot angled down to the rear. You've mentioned that before and it seems backward to me. That angle means rearward wheel motion on compression, which would seem to encourage dive on braking, not resist it (?). Maybe you can get into that a bit more in a future vid! Thanks!

[@DanEdmunds]

I'll work on that.

[@teller121]

How different is Pro suspension set-up from TRD Sport with standard Sport Bilstein shocks, sway bar?

[@eminye1]

It is good to hear lb ft instead of ft lbs, just nerding out a bit.

[@jackmcclure6354]

eminye1 lb ft is correct for measuring power output, but in the case of tightening a bolt the correct measurement is ft lb...just a little something I picked up in my 40 year career as a design engineer for a major truck manufacturer

[@brettharsanye1981]

My wife loves her trd pro army green tundra. Mine is a 2017 Barcelona red trd pro tundra with the bilstein shock.can you do a video on the bilsteins shock

[@DanEdmunds]

I might do an entire video on shocks alone. go through that in more detail.

[@channelnamehere4065]

The beefy, robust components here make other half-ton trucks look like toys.

[@millenniumzeek]

You mean how Ford raptor has forged aluminum lca that make this Toyota look like a die cast toy?

[@alierrtrillo9368]

@pete smyth durable stamped mild steel? You are the joke

[@HDA_III]

The raptor is in a league of its own. With a price tag to match.

[@flight2k5]

@@millenniumzeek 🤣 ford fan boy

[@kevinjustkevin7627]

2021 tundra here. If I added a Trd suspension would I have issues with CV joints and CV boots on the front?

[@Trd2020]

How about the regular trd? What’s the difference in suspension?

[@joejr9653]

Will 17" wheels fit on this truck. I'd like to change mine from 18" to 17". I like the less wheel more tire look.

[@amazingmazur6752]

So, if I wanted to buy a "regular" or upgraded Tundra I could simply make these mods to make it more trail worthy?

[@mrbugsp]

Thanks for the info, very informative. How would you compare the TRD Sport sport-tuned Bilstein shocks vs. the stock Tundra suspension. I'm looking for the better/softer pavement ride since I don't do any off-roading. I have a choice between a Tundra Ltd (Std stock shocks) vs. TRD Sport Premium (with sport-tuned Bilsten shocks).

[@DanEdmunds]

How committed to you to buying a new Tundra now? The all-new model is coming out in about a year or so, and the spy photos I have seen tell me they are most likely going to coil spring rear suspension like the Ram. That will be fantastic. The Ram is the smoothest-riding truck for pavement goers that never go off road. If you're not into that (or the wait) the TRD Sport is probably firmer than you'd want. I might go with he standard tuning.

[@jasonmann8791]

Whats the biggest aftermarket tire that I can put on their with that suspension

[@joshtweed9042]

Thanks for the advice just got a 2020 magnetic gray Pro and I love to see all of the features and tech that Toyota puts in to these beautiful trucks

[@haystephen]

Would I be able to put these shocks on a 2020 tundra limited without any modifications?

[@JI-sg5uy]

Toyota is the best. My 2006 has 453,093 miles. My 2012 work truck has 257,000. I drive them hard.

[@mikeikethegambinoo3010]

I have a question do you lubricant all those places

[@fansupra4859]

I HAVE A QUESTION IF I WOULD LIKE TO BUY THOSE SHOCKS FROM THE TRD FOX SUSPENSION FROM EBAY , TO INSTALLED IT ON MY 18 TUNDRA I DON’T NEED TO CHANGE THE CONTROLS ARMS OF THE TRUCK DO I.?

[@martinshahim8073]

Does Tundra Trd Pro have drop Dif kit?

[@dmitriyplaksin5272]

They say TRD PRO exhaust does not allow you to use lift shackles. Is it true?

[@tommynhinho]

Why did the 07 tundra and up use 5 lugs? My 96 have 6lugs

[@tpj1959]

Thanks. I have the Trd Off Road package. I would like to know if there is any difference in the suspension from base model.

[@DirtE30]

Tim Johnson The TRD OR package adds the BILSTEIN 4200 series mono tube shocks and slightly different coils vs the SR5/Sport/or Limited/platinum trims... these shocks are still quite capable and arguably more durable than the standard equipment, they’re also tuned slightly softer as an assembly than the Sport or standard models. Keep in mind in comparing them to the Pro suspension system that you’re looking at a 40mm digressively dampened monotube shock vs a 65mm bodied, remote reservoir, internal bypass system. So right off the bat, we’re talking more than 300% more fluid volume and piston surface area if you don’t even account for the remotes... also, 2” less travel capability and only a few damping/rebound zones vs something like 7 dampin, 10 rebound zones in the Pro.

[@stevenlefebvre2991]

DirtE30 Thank you so much for explaining the difference in the shocks I have a 1794 with the TRD off-road package and I have been considering upgrading the suspension to the pro shocks and it is nice to know the exact differences thank you. But maybe you could help me if you install the TRD front shocks it is supposed to lift the front end 2 inches and I would like to keep the same Rake that the truck has now that means I would have to lift the rear of the truck besides just putting on the rear shocks if I wanted to keep the same rake. And what is the best way to lift the truck in the rear I don’t like lift blocks and I don’t really like changing the shackles. What do you think about adding a leaf to the spring pack this would also give me a little bit more capacity in the bed of the truck? But I am also worried if those shocks would work with that slight lift in the rear? I know we are only talking 2 inches but I don’t like that flat look when the truck is going down the road. Plus my truck only has 2 inches of rake in it right now and if you add the 2 inches in the front the truck will become flat. Thank you for any advice you may have. There is a cap on the back of the truck at all times and about 200 pounds of tools. I also installed a TRD rear swaybar.

[@highvoltageclimber]

Great video on the suspension of the tundra. I learned a lot. Is the TRD Pro your personal truck ? if it is, great choice. I have a 2020 platinum tundra and would like to level and upgrade the suspension, what do you recommend? I hope you make more videos on the tundra. 👍

[@carvinroads9032]

I would recommend for you to just purchase the actual TRD Pro Fox suspension for a few reasons. It is specifically designed for the Tundra so that’s gives you the best results off road and daily driving. I will retail some of the monetary value as it is a Toyota product, if you put after market and decide to sell your truck in the future then it doesn’t carry any of that value. Also, the suspension will have a solid factory Toyota warranty as I mentioned it’s their product. Anyways I have a video on this, about purchasing the TRD Pro Fox suspensión and the BBS forged wheels.

[@highvoltageclimber]

Carvin Roads Thank you for the response and I will definitely look into it👍

[@DanEdmunds]

One thing you might be able to do is buy TRD Pro take-off parts. Check instagram by following @vilmontmarket. People post a lot of Toyota take-offs there Some people take the stock stuff off and spend huge money on ICON or other popular aftermarket upgrades, not knowing what they've already got.

[@carvinroads9032]

@@DanEdmunds Thank you, I just added them on IG. I'm check everything out.

[@thebigempty_5792]

Is this lifted compared to the TRD Off road version?

[@don-uv2zj]

Thanks for your video , 👍 Do u think that suspensions for daily driving and how soft and feeling when u driving it ( not off road ) Thinking about upgrade it to my 2018 tundra Thanks

[@DanEdmunds]

The newer TRD Pro suspensions ride very well on the street. The internal bypass feature that makes them ride the bumps off road so well also allows them to be a little softer in the middle of the stroke where you ride around town. Win-win.

[@don-uv2zj]

@@DanEdmunds thank you very much for replying, will upgrade mine 2018 sr5 tundra suspension to trd pro suspension soon 😉