Why The New Tundra is LESS CAPABLE Off-Road, But A "Better Tundra"

A technical review of the 3rd gen Tundra suspension design vs that of the 2nd gen.
Thank you Nick Fisher and Greg Mohrman from ‪@koch33toyota94‬ for lending me all the parts. www.koch33toyota.com/
Thank you Cong from ‪@4WDisLife‬ for contributing his 2nd gen for testing.
Thank you Josh ‪@Everything.offroad‬ and James (instagram @overlanding_warrior) for wheeling with me. Join Northeast Off-Road Club to see Josh sends his Tundra. / neoffroad
Support me by checking out products I designed tinkererdesign.com/

[@johnd830]

This channel is criminally underrated. The content is so detailed and informative.

[@Community-Action]

It’s shocking!!

[@SimplerTrades]

100%, I love this channel. Kai is spectacularly spot, every episode. I wish him the best, hope he blows up. And never changes his focus....one of three truck channels worth watching

[@MrJEEPJT]

Excellent presentation 🧐👍

[@KevinLin145]

Every day I wake up waiting for a Tinkerer's Adventure video. Despite not owning a toyota 4x4.

[@rotorhead5000]

As someone who did use a full size truck for quite a while for some pretty hard-core off road adventures, it is an exercise in masochism. With a real short chassis version it isn't too bad, but you are still wide enough where everything is a tight squeeze, turning radius sucks so every tight bend is a 3 point turn, breakover angle means a lot of rocks and drop ins are anxiety inducing. About the only place they really do well is out in wide open spaces at speed where the increased dimensions and weight improve stability. I went to the darkside recently and got a 2 door jeep, and all these places around home that were always anxiety inducing, needing to think thin just to squeeze between two trees, not drag my gastank on a rock, and the like, are now a breeze, easy, relaxing even. I've learned my lesson, and I kind of feel like toyota has as well, and chosen to focus on what that full size truck is going to be doing 95% of the time, vs trying to optimize what it will be doing that other 5%.

[@svnfall11]

Loved how you compared your two friends in their preferences, that really explains things out simplier for people to understand

[@MrSweetHart6976]

As a 2nd gen Tundra owner who does off road his Tundra, I fully approve this video 😃

[@jasontf2947]

When someone talks to me while YouTubing it, Kai is one of the few content creators I pause the video for…hell I even hit the like button before I even watch it.

[@AndyLights]

The only channel I turn on notifications for.

[@AaronBlankenship]

Manufacturers should take note of the quality of this video and the relevance of the information presented. Treating us like educated buyers enstills loyalty. Great job on the layout and structure of as well.

[@origamihawk]

I would love to see a comparison of the different TNGAF platforms (tundra, sequoia, lx600). As a land cruiser guy I kinda feel like the 300 series is not really the major upgrade in durability that it used to be in the older generations and would be interested to see if there is still a difference.

[@beeoracle8254]

Please compare the LX570 to the LX600. I love this detailed content and am tired of other KZbinrs making blank statements without providing detailed evidence.

[@jakemaughan3818]

We 100% need the same kind of video for the 2nd and 3rd gen Sequoia, especially since they went from an independent rear suspension to the solid axle!

[@JaimeCarlosCamacho]

This should be higher! It will give us a big insight in full independent suspension total articulation.

[@mightymite7711]

Now I want to see a comparison of the 2nd Gen and 1st Gen tundra (double Cab)

[@donnlongstreet5110]

I LOVE technical reality! Go Kai!

[@IdExplorMor]

I absolutely love watching your comparisons. You seem to do a fantastic job of covering all the info, options, and reasoning.

[@zxx9554]

It’s so nice to see all support from this community. Nerdy but solid research as always, great work!!!

[@Trucks_Wranglers]

Thanks for making this video Kai. As a Tundra owner, I've been waiting for this one! Keep up the great work, truly one of the best channels out there for off-road enthusiasts to learn about their vehicles.

[@boostbogan]

As always, unbelievable content and the best editing in the game. Also a few laughs included. Love your work Tinkerer

[@roy326]

Even more reason why I'm keeping my 2nd Gen Tundra!!! I was so close to going for a 3rd Gen Tundra

[@flight2k5]

😂🤣ok

[@Sam-dq7ws]

@@flight2k5 I thought the same way but realize how wrong I was because besides price my 24 Terra Pro is hands down nicer/fun to drive than my previous 2016 (modded) Platinum

[@CivilAeronautics]

I learn so much from your videos. I sincerely appreciate your time, effort, and sharing!

[@whereisjohnnow]

most of your technical explanation went over my head but the comparison between your two friends made it all clear and everything made sense.

[@tj_offroad]

As always an awesome well thought out and enlightening video. I really appreciate your technical analysis of things and not relying on gut feeling or subjective values only. Looking forward to the next video!

[@CivilAeronautics]

Totally agree. I would like to add the presentation and video production quality is fantastic! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

[@benbernhard9374]

Thanks for another super informative video! I love learning more about my 2nd gen Tundra!

[@drewwagner7985]

Great info. I like the engineering spin you have in your videos. Having wheeled a modified 2nd gen and a stock 2.5 gen they are no slouches offroad. Cheers

[@ryanscott4237]

Awesome technical content as usual. Keep up the great work.

[@russellbaker7026]

The content on this channel is highly factual and objective, which is saying a lot for a KZbin channel. I love your content. Please keep it up. And I'd love to see a video with your thoughts about the LC 200 vs LX 570 suspension setups for off road use. Cheers!

[@CoorsLightyear]

Definitely missed your videos and glad you’re back! Looking forward to the next one!

[@Minjoeman]

Very good explanation and for me further brings home why I wanted this 3rd Gen Tundra, selling my 2 Gen. I wanted ride quality! Yes I need Truck like features for Hauling dirt bikes and towing my Travel Tailer. I do my off road’ing on my YZF250! But when I am on a wide open fire road…. Let’s have some fun!

[@angrychilimango630]

I own a 2nd gen 2wd tundra and I’m truly impressed of the places that truck can go ! It off-roads real well, I do have a lifted jeep for the other harder stuff .

[@angrychilimango630]

@@iridium8341that’s true most are used for daily drivers and work trucks ….

[@GregsBlueTacoma]

Excellent review! I loved the cross examination you did. I'm really curious if you could do one with sways bars removed front, back and every which way to compare both trucks in every sway bar configuration. Love the channel!

[@vpa956]

As a Gen.2 owner I end up at some very different conclusions, mostly spinning all around the notion we once again being sold less for more, but I have liked the video and the course of thinking. And yeah, I am the guy who needs the stuff they took away to give us what most people want.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Awesome stuff. Can't wait for your technical videos about the 4th Gen Tacoma!

[@michaelhanna1273]

Always the best details and accurate information from THE Tinker!. Thank you.

[@chuckr7871]

Thank you for the Tudra content. I have a 3rd generation sr5 off road long wheel base and use it primarily on raods and back woods trails. I really enjoy the ride quality of it.

[@cowelk]

I am a Jeep Wrangler guy but I love your channel. So much information that is useful to all vehicle owners. Of course, I am a subscriber. I look forward to your next adventure.

[@nmda9578]

You're the man, Kai! Thank you breaking it all down, as always.

[@mohamedalmutawaa5221]

Love your content! Would be very interesting to see a comparison of stock multi-links vs an upgraded multi-link setup 😎 looking forward to the next videos

[@ericeiber4911]

Man , as a fellow engineer I love watching your breakdowns and explanations! great work!

[@ALMX5DP]

Very thorough and informative. Great video!

[@trentgriswold]

Great video! I’m falling in love with my 2nd gen more and more every day.

[@julianguerrero6964]

Congrats to you and you team, awesome explanation in regards to old gen vs new gen.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Kai, your videos are always my favorite! I always learn something, thank you! Can’t wait to see you get your hands on the Tacoma and Land Cruiser!

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Thank you man. Same to you!

[@ChickenKing55]

Your channel is a gem. Keep it up!

[@JustinMock1]

Just happened upon your channel looking at AT tires. While I'm not specifically looking for all the info you have here on your channel, I've watched a few of your videos simply because they're informative, well thought-out, and I love the scientific perspective you take. Very cool!

[@brettperkins4643]

Awsome video, as always, love the way you look at things as an engineer

[@dixonbuttes6564]

Another winner by Kai … nice work, sir! I don’t even own a Tundra and likely won’t, but the principles here are super valuable to anyone wanting to understand the dynamics of IFS trucks. Yep, I think this video is even useful for understanding other vehicles, like the Tacoma, Bronco, Frontier, and so on … 👏👏👏

[@HAHA.GoodMeme]

those side-by-side part comparisons are nuts. would love to see this for the new tacoma vs 3rd gen.

[@offroadwarfare9526]

I may not have a toyota but i love the fact your in PA, and the info from your videos is helpful for my application.

[@overlandPNWGX]

Best reviewer and technical videos in the buisness. GJ Tinker!

[@UrbanOpsOffRoad]

Hell yeah my dude! The video the real ones have been waiting for. Sit down and or serve the facts.

[@kkavanagh]

This is excellent content. I’ve been wheeling and talking about Tundras for ten years (even started an event dedicated to the called Tundras to Sedona), and this was a great watch. Educational with clear distinction in the varied purposes people build Tundras for. I’m in the more hardcore side myself, but we welcome every kind of off road build at the event. Even stock.🤘

[@DB-ks6mp]

Awesome content as always!

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

Yeah I did the same ramp test on my friends 2nd gen tundra and it flexed way more than my Cherokee trailhawk. I was impressed!

[@samzheng7880]

Great vid! On my 2nd gen, I ran a king 2.5 with the no swaybar setup over 2 years for maximum travel. Recently I had to buy all of the accessories and reinstall a TRD sport front swaybar to improve my towing and onroad handing. Hate to say this but I’m loving the truck more than ever. I still hit some trails some time but size and break over is mostly my limiting factor over suspension travel. I think Toyota did a right thing here on the 3rd gen.

[@Sam-dq7ws]

Agree ! Absolutely knocked it outta the park with new Pro ..more goodies than my 2nd gen Platinum and more nimble. Turning radius is worse but not a huge factor for my use. Loved my 2nd gen but this is better and (for now anyway) don't even miss the 5.7

[@anorakadventures]

I love this video so much. The part comparisons are awesome too.

[@jankydriveway4694]

As a second gen owner I really enjoyed this video. Even if I wasn’t an owner though I would still watch because the insight and comparison information you offer is unmatched on KZbin. Great work!

[@gringolatino97]

Just commenting so your videos get more views and attention more people need to see them! Excellent quality explanation and demonstrations

[@AndrewGroat7]

Wow, thank you so much for this in depth video. Looking forward to the next. I hope you do a similar series with the new Tacoma! Also, maybe one for the new Land Cruiser!!

[@ClimbAClassic]

Solid research man 👍. Would love to see your take on 1st gen tundra vs 2nd.

[@andrewcowell7673]

Great job on this and all of your videos!

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Great info as always! One thing you didn’t mention is how those new rear shock hangers are really going to get hung up off-road. But you’re right, these trucks spend most of their time on road and far more owners care about ride and handling. It is a shame they didn’t make a TRD Sport with that setup and a Pro for those who do want to off-road.

[@painofanunamedsoul]

looking forward to your videos about next gen 4runner when it comes out. that and if decide to do a series for the new land cruiser too.

[@tywat9797]

Thank you for another amazing video! Can’t wait to see a video coming the 4th to 3rd gen tacoma’s.

[@scotthsiang563]

Would be awesome to include Gen 1 tundra to the comparison as well! Great work Kai

[@philipgauthier3570]

Great comparisons and articulation of the facts. Thank you!

[@stephanematis]

Excellent analysis. Thank you.

[@johnb-ke9xi]

Another great video as always Kai! surprised you didn't flex the 3rd gen Tundra w/o the front sway connected, just to capture the difference in travel 🤔

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Thanks! I wished man. I asked Toyota for that, but they couldn’t let me do that on the press vehicle for safety reasons.

[@xCaldazar]

@@TinkerersAdventure That's unfortunate

[@mrgylex123]

absolutely amazing break down. thank you

[@imblackmagic1209]

as always, your videos are super high quality

[@kylebrown2035]

Awesome comparison!

[@patrickm8877]

This is a great channel! Love it!

[@Everything.offroad]

Great video!!! You explained everything so well!!! 10/10!!

[@aiztoh]

haven't seen some of yo videos in a while, time to binge watch 🍿

[@keithgallagher2810]

I'd like to add a point to the 2ed gen swaybar, I added one to the rear of my 2012 and it made a big difference with pulling a trailer as well as normal road handling. Yes I noticed the difference in suspension travel offroad but the trade off was well worth it to me.

[@franz7671]

Man you make the best technical videos clear and cocise!!!

[@PowerTankOfficial]

Can't wait until you get your hands on the new Taco & LC! Keep it up!

[@Clintshandpainted]

Another awesome video! Thanks

[@enjoytheridedude]

I took my front way bar off my TRD off road 3rd Gen and I have king 2.5 suspension as well as +1 TRD axles from their TRD lift kit and I get tons of articulation, likely match the second Gen. going for the new Camburg long travel that’s coming out soon which moves the front sway bar connection back inboard again and completely deletes the rear sway bar and converts the rear to a coilover with a 12 inch stroke rear shock.

[@dlansburg2673]

Excellent job, thanks

[@valdius85]

Great content. Your videos are very educational. thx

[@Kung.Pao.Kitty.]

Another awesome video. Super impressive. Thank you.

[@Mr_SynergyPerformance]

Awesome info! Someday I WILL have an off road rig to take a road trip with. Just hope I’m still young and healthy enough to do it by then.

[@zapadoswayne]

Great Video! Always well presented info.

[@giladbo101]

Great video as always. Now, as 2nd gen owner who does alot of off rosd and actually removed the front sway bar. I am wondering how much more/less travel it will gain without front sway bar. Like the video you did with the fj where you deleted the sway bar fkr the comparison. I removed the front and installed the rear trd solid seay bar for higher speed. But also i installed it while i changed the rear shocks to 5100 which is stiffer then stock. So not sure what helped more for the ride in higher speeds but im sure wondering how much articulation i lost/gain with rear only.

[@ryansearlybronco]

Love your videos. Wish you did more than just Toyota thoughts!

[@PeakDecline]

I think this design decision makes sense for the Tundra. However, will it influence the Tacoma, new Land Cruiser, and future 4Runner in the same way? Those models need to be more focused to slow speed, technical trail which demand maximum articulation.

[@SPARTAN-107]

Great work as always! Doing the lords work.

[@redman2751]

Im like your buddy Josh and sitting on 37s currently on my 2nd gen. Though I think Im going to end up like James since most of my "wheeling" is gravel roads and I more prefer the Tundra to be a pack mule and carry all my camping gear up the mountain on the groomed gravel road to a lookout somewhere overlooking a Vally. Currently if I see a rock garden I tend to avoid it because I dont want to risk damage due to a very heavy vehicle trying to get max articulation just for some bragging rights. Just not worth it to me.

[@RDSAlphard]

I love your video explained why Toyota choose to do what they did for Tundra G3, because a lot of other videos wouldn't explain it this way. I bet people who are serious about going off-road would either buy Tundra G2, or just buy Tundra G3 & gone insane with the mods.

[@MegaEmmanuel55]

We need to see more of Joshs tundra

[@Rottingboards]

Great review of changes.

[@thechamberofchillz9705]

That’s great, still keeping my 2018.

[@mack86523]

Amazing work! Subscribed.

[@skye1355]

Awesome video as always

[@KailerSato]

Great info! Great name!

[@raullasvegas]

Love your videos. Thank you so much.

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Great video!. I own a 2021 tundra Trd pro and I bought it because I didn’t want the new truck I think it’s ugly and I wanted a V-8. For me this is the best truck ever made and I hope I have it forever because it’s just that good.

[@psguardian]

I would love to see the TRD OffRoad added to this lineup. Or did they do the same 'oem upgrades' to the O.R. ?

[@marcustomz]

Another Excellent Informative Video 💯

[@vangcha7562]

Great video, a lot of details.

[@jamesvo3709]

All the content you make is god tier.

[@mmimoman]

It would be interesting if you could do do a deep dive on disconnecting sway bar links, what are the pros/cons, when it makes sense, why they are not common etc. It seems most IFS offroad vehicles would benefit from a very beefy sway bar for road use and then disconnect it for everything offroad.