Toyota Tacoma is one of the most popular trucks among those who like to go off-roading in the US. In order to increase this popularity even more, the 2020 Tacoma gets something very useful.
Now, 2020-and-newer Tacoma owners have a suspension lift option available from Toyota Racing Development (TRD). The new Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is now available nationwide as a dealer-installed option, providing up to a 2-inch front and 1-inch rear lift on most V6-powered 4×4 Tacomas. Best of all, this kit was designed and tested by TRD engineers and is the only one validated to be compatible with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system.
At the heart of the kit are new monotube Bilstein shocks that adopt digressive valving to provide improved on- and off-road vehicle dynamics. Specifically designed to complement the additional lift, each Bilstein shock is fitted with new TRD red dust boots and “Tuned by TRD” graphics. Offering more than good looks, the front shocks provide an additional 2 inches of lift thanks to the adjustment of the coil spring position on the shock tube. The front shocks also improve off-road performance thanks to extended rebound stroke that makes use of the additional suspension travel.
The rear Bilstein shocks employed in the kit also enhance off-road performance thanks to their larger shock body compared to the standard Tacoma shock (2 inches vs. 1.5 inches). The larger shock body houses additional oil volume to help dissipate heat and improve damping response on demanding off-road terrain. The larger rear shock bodies also accommodate larger pistons compared to stock and they employ a piston rod that is 4mm larger for increased strength. Cast-iron spacers are included in the kit to lift the Tacoma 1 inch in the rear.
The additional lift provided by the Tacoma TRD Lift Kit gives the truck a taller stance, but the kit offers more than just looks thanks to the improvement to off-road capability it provides. With the kit installed, frame ground clearance increases by 1.7 inches. The kit also improves the approach angle (+3.1 to 32 degrees), breakover angle (+1.6 to 23 degrees), and departure angle (+0.5 to 24 degrees).
The TRD Pro-style front grille, which is highlighted by heritage-inspired TOYOTA lettering across the front. The kit includes a new Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system millimeter-wave sensor (and new camera support bracket) that is designed to precisely fit within the grille to retain the functionality of the TSS system once the kit is installed. This is the only lift kit validated to be completely TSS-compatible. Also included are two matching black bezels that fill in the deleted fog lamps and complement the TRD Pro-style grille.
The Tacoma TRD Lift Kit comes with all the necessary hardware for installation and is only offered as a dealer-installed option. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing for the kit is $1,350 (not including labor, which is estimated at 4-5 hours). The Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is available for all V6-powered 4×4 models, with the exception of Double Cab Long Bed Tacomas and TRD Pro (2WD and 4-cylinder models are also excluded).
