THE ALL NEW LAND CRUISER....

[brasskey]

I would hope that if Toyota decides to make a TRD Pro version of the Cruiser that they do better than this. All I see on that truck is for show, no real function. That flimsy jungle gym on the nose and those fragile sliders. That rocket box on the roof is so small it's not even worth carrying.

And what's that box on the floor by the LF tire?

They do, but just not in US. Looks at Australia's Toyota site. This is where I got my push bar from for my mall cruiser. It comes with proper 4 point support bolted into frame.
View attachment 1773921

Yep, it’s just for the Middle Eastern market.

LC200 | TRD

 

[Markuson]

I don’t see anything on those TRD versions I’d want to swap to from my own upgrades.

TRD seems to be more and more marketing related vs. performance. I do love Rock Warrior wheels, but everything else seems to be basically minor upgrades you can easily do...and out-do after market.

 

[OGBeno]

Agreed.

TRD is marketing 101 expertly executed by Toyota and its American bobble-head evangelists.

 

[Markuson]

TRD (except for Rock Warriors)...

Totally
Random
Doodads

 

[MikeVpdx503]

At least on the Tacoma and T4R the TRD adds a rear locker, MTS and Crawl. That is a decent step up from the other trims.

 

[Markuson]

At least on the Tacoma and T4R the TRD adds a rear locker, MTS and Crawl. That is a decent step up from the other trims.

Ya, those are legit upgrades.

On the other hand...my ‘99 100 series came with a factory rear locker...and the 200 has crawl...just no TRD stickers.

But yes.
If legit level upgrades like lockers became synonymous with TRD...I would change my TRD acronym...

 

[studawg]

I would hope that if Toyota decides to make a TRD Pro version of the Cruiser that they do better than this. All I see on that truck is for show, no real function. That flimsy jungle gym on the nose and those fragile sliders. That rocket box on the roof is so small it's not even worth carrying.

And what's that box on the floor by the LF tire?

I actually dont think the LC needs a TRD Pro version for any reason other than looks. Just something fancy or extra tough looking to get people in the door to look at them. They ought to just do what they did with the 80 Series in the 40th Anny and Collectors edition, special colors and badges. Offer one in Super White with black wheels and grill or something and maybe another special color. Maybe a Desert Tan on black leather?? With blacked out chrome.

 

[TeCKis300]

I would hope that if Toyota decides to make a TRD Pro version of the Cruiser that they do better than this. All I see on that truck is for show, no real function. That flimsy jungle gym on the nose and those fragile sliders. That rocket box on the roof is so small it's not even worth carrying.

I'm guessing but I'm pretty sure that TRD is localized to regions. They are somewhat independent TRD groups that cater to specific markets. From what I've seen, they leverage 3rd party suppliers in their respective regions and with manufacturer support, create specialized gear with OEM levels of integration for their respective markets.

 

[Markuson]

I frankly wish Toyota would make a big deal of re-vamping the entire concept of what TRD is...and is not.

They need to either legitimize the acronym...or get rid of it.

Unfortunately, the marketing department LOVES “TRD” just like GM loves the silly advertising term “Professional Grade” ...and Jeep loves putting “Trail Rated” stickers on even their littlest economy cars.

All three badges have become virtually meaningless.

 

[TeCKis300]

I actually dont think the LC needs a TRD Pro version for any reason other than looks. Just something fancy or extra tough looking to get people in the door to look at them. They ought to just do what they did with the 80 Series in the 40th Anny and Collectors edition, special colors and badges. Offer one in Super White with black wheels and grill or something and maybe another special color. Maybe a Desert Tan on black leather?? With blacked out chrome.

I actually think it does.

What TRD brings to the table is a tailoring of the product for enthusiast use. With OEM levels of development, integration, and reliability. That also means their upgrades have minimal impact to the rest of the product. Which is why hardcore enthusiasts might think their products are lukewarm.

For the way some of us modify our vehicles, we're willing to accept some pretty serious compromises. TRD upgrades can't.

The one thing I think would be most beneficial for the LC is TRD suspension. With how lacking the OE suspension is for enthusiast use, having a high performance and high reliability suspension would be pretty awesome. There are those that even TRD suspension won't make happy. But it'll be a better suspension for 80% of the enthusiast population. So that the first thing people don't have to do is rip out the stock suspension.

 

[Markuson]

I actually think it does.

What TRD brings to the table is a tailoring of the product for enthusiast use. With OEM levels of development, integration, and reliability. That also means their upgrades have minimal impact to the rest of the product. Which is why hardcore enthusiasts might think their products are lukewarm.

For the way some of us modify our vehicles, we're willing to accept some pretty serious compromises. TRD upgrades can't.

The one thing I think would be most beneficial for the LC is TRD suspension. With how lacking the OE suspension is for enthusiast use, having a high performance and high reliability suspension would be pretty awesome. There are those that even TRD suspension won't make happy. But it'll be a better suspension for 80% of the enthusiast population. So that the first thing people don't have to do is rip out the stock suspension.

Ore-post disclaimer:
Not sure why I’m so poopy lately...maybe because I’m worried about losing my sight. Sorry...!

I shall try to de-poopify myself...

Meanwhile...

What is “TRD Suspension”?

Toyota doesn’t make the TRD Pro suspension as far as I know. Is it Fox? Can’t remember...

The only benefit I can see to Toyota installed anything is inclusion in factory warranty. Beyond that, TRD Pro suspensions are mid-grade at best in my exceedingly poopy opinion.

 

[TeCKis300]

Ore-post disclaimer:
Not sure why I’m so poopy lately...maybe because I’m worried about losing my sight. Sorry...!

I shall try to de-poopify myself...

Meanwhile...

What is “TRD Suspension”?

Toyota doesn’t make the TRD Pro suspension as far as I know. Is it Fox? Can’t remember...

The only benefit I can see to Toyota installed anything is inclusion in factory warranty. Beyond that, TRD Pro suspensions are mid-grade at best in my exceedingly poopy opinion.

Wishing for the best Mark! They'll have cyborg parts for us old farts soon.

Good question on What is “TRD Suspension”?

It's a branding thing. For most people, it means a premium performance part. Targeted for the discerning enthusiast crowd. You can count on it to have OEM levels of engineering, development, integration, support, etc. None of this half baked, clunking when cold, no quality control, poorly tuned stuff that you see from the 3rd parties. For that, one pays a premium.

Like all OEM parts, it doesn't mean that Toyota necessarily manufactures it. There's tons of 3rd party OEM suppliers for normal and performance parts. Toyota is the main designer and integrator. They may collaborate with 3rd parties on the design. Parts supplied to Toyota must meet meet their specs in the end. So Fox may manufacture it, but to Toyota and TRD's specifications in this case.

 

[Markuson]

Wishing for the best Mark! They'll have cyborg parts for us old farts soon.

Good question on What is “TRD Suspension”?

It's a branding thing. For most people, it means a premium performance part. Targeted for the discerning enthusiast crowd. You can count on it to have OEM levels of engineering, development, integration, support, etc.

Man I just don’t see much of that.

Instead I see

-TRD shift knobs...
-TRD Start Buttons...
-TRD “skids” that are like tin foil, and torn up with huge holes that spell “TRD.”

And... Stickers stickers stickers...

But anyway... I'll shut up now.

Just wish Toyota reserves it for serious performance enhancements rather than aesthetic embellishments.

 

[OGBeno]

Wishing for the best Mark! They'll have cyborg parts for us old farts soon.

Good question on What is “TRD Suspension”?

It's a branding thing. For most people, it means a premium performance part. Targeted for the discerning enthusiast crowd. You can count on it to have OEM levels of engineering, development, integration, support, etc. None of this half baked, clunking when cold, no quality control, poorly tuned stuff that you see from the 3rd parties. For that, one pays a premium.

Like all OEM parts, it doesn't mean that Toyota necessarily manufactures it. There's tons of 3rd party OEM suppliers for normal and performance parts. Toyota is the main designer and integrator. They may collaborate with 3rd parties on the design. Parts supplied to Toyota must meet meet their specs in the end. So Fox may manufacture it, but to Toyota and TRD's specifications in this case.

Spoken like a true Toyota employee.

 

[TeCKis300]

^Hah, they won't like my kind. I would indulgently engineer things for myself. Too fast, too loud, and a liking to burning dead dinosaurs.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wishing for the best Mark! They'll have cyborg parts for us old farts soon.

Good question on What is “TRD Suspension”?

It's a branding thing. For most people, it means a premium performance part. Targeted for the discerning enthusiast crowd. You can count on it to have OEM levels of engineering, development, integration, support, etc. None of this half baked, clunking when cold, no quality control, poorly tuned stuff that you see from the 3rd parties. For that, one pays a premium.

Like all OEM parts, it doesn't mean that Toyota necessarily manufactures it. There's tons of 3rd party OEM suppliers for normal and performance parts. Toyota is the main designer and integrator. They may collaborate with 3rd parties on the design. Parts supplied to Toyota must meet meet their specs in the end. So Fox may manufacture it, but to Toyota and TRD's specifications in this case.

Bingo. The TRD Pro suspension is no slouch imo and very dialed for the truck they deliver. While they admittedly struggle when loaded i.e. "built" by enthusiasts, that market is small compared to their core buyer and if a customer is happy buying brand new TRD Pro and immediately pulling the suspension and replacing it with something to accommodate their weight, Toyota still sold a TRD Pro and they will sell every TRD Pro the build this year.

 

[Markuson]

Bingo. The TRD Pro suspension is no slouch imo and very dialed for the truck they deliver. While they admittedly struggle when loaded i.e. "built" by enthusiasts, that market is small compared to their core buyer and if a customer is happy buying brand new TRD Pro and immediately pulling the suspension and replacing it with something to accommodate their weight, Toyota still sold a TRD Pro and they will sell every TRD Pro the build this year.

I have to admit the the TRD Pro examples are really what I wish they’d stick to. In that sense, the Pros are a move in the right direction and worthy of credit.

Here’s hoping there is renewed/continued focus on that and less focus on doodads.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I have to admit the the TRD Pro examples are really what I wish they’d stick to. In that sense, the Pros are a move in the right direction and worthy of credit.

Here’s hoping there is renewed/continued focus on that and less focus on doodads.

Love it or hate it doodads sell and have created a full-on lifestyle around the brand. A brand that is selling really well despite minimal change over the last decade, it just works and is Toyota predictable. Really it's no different than the Land Cruiser "lifestyle" yet on a totally different level.

 

[TonyP]

TRD is almost as muddled as BMW's ///M division... almost.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Personally I hope the TRD 200 does come to fruition in volume numbers and that it sells well. Used supply on 200's is absolutely troubling and I think a TRD model would invigorate the LC and spur sales of even non-TRD if volume were available.

I know plenty of new 200 buyers that would pay $5-8k more for this: