Taco Tuesday: How Far Has the TRD Pro Trim Come since 2015?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Tacoma is a great stock truck ready for modifications, lifts, accessories, and chunky tire upgrades. But for those that want a factory off-roader, Toyota has offered the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro model since 2015. It used the basics provided by the TRD Off-Road trim and added more off-road goodies. 

2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro in Electric Lime | Toyota

But how much has the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro or “Taco Supreme” improved since 2015? Has it even changed at all? The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has been revealed with a new lift and a brilliant Electric LIme color. 

Let’s go back to that original TRD Pro taco, though. What was that first Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro like? Here’s a brief history of Toyota’s TRD Pro trim Tacoma pickup truck and how it’s evolved since arriving in the North American auto market in 2015. 

The 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro pickup truck 

a bright red 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro off-road pickup truck driving on a sandy trail
2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Series

Before the 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, its most recent predecessors were the T|X and T|X Pro Off-Road packages. Then, in 2015 the Taco hit the market with an all-new TRD Pro Series. The older Tacos are still revered rough-and-tumble pickups respected by Tacoma fans across the country. 

However, the 2015 model year brought us the TRD Pro trim that sits at the pinnacle of the Toyota Tacoma lineup. It’s the most expensive version of this midsize Toyota pickup truck. But it comes as an off-road ready rig with numerous goodies straight from the factory. 

What comes standard on a TRD Pro Tacoma model? 

In 2015, the standard features on a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro model included everything one would find on a Taco equipped with the TRD Off-Road Package. That means off-road enhancements such as an electronically locking rear differential, plus downhill-assist control and hill-start assist. According to Car and Driver, the 2015 TRD Pro Tacoma lifted the front suspension 1.75 inches. 

Additionally, the first TRD Pro Tacoma truck boasted big 2.5 inch Bilstein shocks up front a 2.0 inch rear shocks with remote reservoirs. This new model added 1.5 inches and 1 inch of wheel travel in the front and rear, respectively. We also saw the red Eibach springs that brought a softer spring rate, making off-road travel all the more inviting to adventurers lining up to get behind the wheel of this new factory off-roader from Toyota. 

Of course, there were also the bead-lock wheels in black and silver cozied up inside all-terrains from BFGoodrich. The TRD cat-back exhaust system provided some extra low-end torque and some more horses (about 8, to be exact) to the 4.0 liter V6 engine rated for 236 hp. This model also brought about the TRD Pro badging on both the interior and exterior. At the time, the tech upgrades from the second generation were welcome, but today drivers used to a newer car might miss the standard safety and tech features that equip a more contemporary model. 

How far has the 2022 version advanced since the first model?

For the 2022 model year, Toyota offers new upgrades on the TRD Pro Tacoma. The more modern Taco offers a standard safety suite of advanced tech and driver-assist features. The TRD Pro’s standard engine is now the 3.5 liter V6 that was introduced to the lineup in 2016. 

This powerplant generates 278 hp with 265 pound feet of torque. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro model is even taller now with a 1.5 inch and 0.5 inch lift for the front and rear, respectively. We see the same Fox internal bypass dampers with rear remote reservoirs as the 2021 model. 

But now there is a reconfigured ball-joint mount with what Car and Driver calls a “revised angle” on the “new forged aluminum upper control arm.” This allows the new midsize TRD Pro truck to take full advantage of its new height. 

The 2015 and 2022 Tacoma models can pull the same tow weight of 6,400 pounds. The 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro model has a ground clearance of 9.3 inches. The approach, breakover, and departure angles are 35, 25, and 20 degrees respectively––according to MotorTrend. The 2022 model approach, breakover, and departure angles are 36.4, 26.6, and 24.7 degrees respectively. This is an all around improvement. 

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is true to its roots, but it’s a new truck

While buyers can opt for a 2015 TRD Pro Taco and get a great off-road truck, the 2022 features a completely remastered front upper control arm that should improve the driving experience. It also comes equipped standard with features that weren’t even an option back then. It’s safe to say that the Taco has come a long way with its range-topping TRD Pro trim.

RELATED: Top 3 New Toyota SUV Models According to Consumer Reports

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Indian Motorcycle Invented the V-Twin, Not Harley

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While Harley-Davidson is well-known for their V-twin engines, they were not the first American motorcycle company to produce them. That honor belongs to America’s first motorcycle company, Indian. The evolution of Indian motorcycles, the longstanding heated rivalry between the motorcycle giants of Harley-Davidson and Indian, and the cool history of the V-twin engine are fascinating. 

America’s first motorcycle company 

America’s first motorcycle company was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1901. The company was originally called Hendee Manufacturing Company and was created by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom. After spending two decades in business and becoming the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world during the 1910s, Hendee Manufacturing Company went through a rebranding phase. 

According to Indian Motorcycle, the company changed its name in 1923 from Hendee Manufacturing Company to The Indian Motocycle Company, with no “r.” Meanwhile, Indian Motorcycle gets to claim the title of the “first American motorcycle company,” Harley-Davidson was never too far behind. Over 100 years later, the two giants of American motorcycles are still battling who America’s favorite motorcycle manufacturer is today.

The heated rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle 

Founded just two years after Indian Motorcycle, William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, and William A. Davidson got together to create Harley-Davidson. Mr. Harley and the Davidson brothers officially launched Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1903.

According to Cruiser, Harley-Davidson and Indian were the only two early American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression. Thus, a heated rivalry was built between America’s two motorcycle giants.  

One rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian has been over the V-twin engine. While the V-twin engine was first invented in Europe, Indian was the first American motorcycle manufacturer to mass manufacture bikes with the V-twin engine.

According to Touring Roads, Oscar Hedstrom debuted the first V-twin Indian prototype at Newport Beach, Rhode Island, in 1904. However, Indian wouldn’t release its first V-twin motorcycles to the public until 1906. Harley-Davidson wouldn’t get its first V-twin engine out to the public until 1909. However, once they did, the battle was on between the two motorcycle companies to prove dominant as America’s favorite motorcycle.

Indian Motorcycle Company and the V-twin engine 

While the V-twin engine wasn’t invented in the United States, both Indian and Harley-Davidson worked diligently to have the V-twin engine become synonymous with the American motorcycle. After its 1906 release to the public, the Indian V-twin bikes boomed. In 1913, 32,000 Indian motorcycles were sold, and production only seemed to grow from there. According to The Drive, a rare piece of this period of Indian Motorcycle history was recently uncovered in South America. 

In 2019, an Indian motorbike from 1914 was discovered in a barn in Uruguay. This 1914 Indian motorbike was one of the first racing bikes ever created by Indian and helped to develop the V-twin engine further. With nearly 70 percent of its original paint left when it was uncovered, the bike is estimated to be worth between $75,000 and $85,000 today.

From early 1904 prototypes to 1914 race bikes to the 2021 Indian Scout, the Indian V-twin engine has gone through quite an evolution over the last 120 years. The 2021 Indian Scout Motorcycle sports a liquid-cooled V-twin engine with 100 hp, six-speed transmission and starts at $11,999. In the end, the V-twin Indian motorcycles available today are definitely a far cry from what consumers could get their hands on back in 1906.   

Related: This Is Why the Original Indian Scout Is a Classic Motorcycle Icon

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Barn Find 1967 AMC Rebel SST Still Runs and Drives 40 Years Later

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Barn finds cars doesn’t exactly mean it was found in an actual barn — sometimes, like in the case of this abandoned 1967 AMC Rebel SST, it just means that you found the car outside. Barn finds cars carn be exciting and terrifying. They haven’t been moved or turned over in years, they could have ceased motors, structural rust, and a number of other serious problems that prevent them from being safe, roadworthy, or even worth buying. That isn’t always the case, however, and for this abandoned piece of automotive history, things weren’t as bad as they may have initially seemed.

What to expect from a car abandoned for 40 years

1968 Annual AHRA Winter Nationals; Grant Rebel’s AMC SST pulls hard off the line | Bob Swaim, The Enthusiast Network, Getty Images

Your expectations of any care after being abandoned for 40 years should be abysmally low — and, when things turn out better than you expected, you can always be excited about it rather than disappointed and out thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, which can, unfortunately, happen anytime you are rebuilding a wrecked or discarded vehicle — yep, even YouTubers aren’t immune to that misfortune. When you find a car that has been abandoned for decades, there is a lot of potentials, and well, probable, issues you will face, but surprisingly, this 1967 AMC Rebel SST was able to overcome the biggest hurdle of all when the V8 engine was able to turn over and run.

Although it has long been forgotten and overshadowed by more modern-day sports cars and popular classics, the AMC Rebel SST was once a true American muscle car. It wasn’t uncommon to see them cruising the roads, street racing, or even modified and hitting the drag strip, and the powerful V8 seems to have aged well, as proven by this abandoned example.

Why engines can’t sit over long periods of time without running

Allowing your car to sit without being turned on for extended periods of time can cause problems, the most minor and annoying being dead batteries and dry-rotted tires or even brake stiction. The more severe issues come in the mechanical components that require lubrication from oil like motor oil and grease to keep the components from rusting. In most cases, an engine that has been left for years is likely to seize due to the lack of oil being circulated through the engine. This is a very serious issue that can cost thousands of dollars to fix, usually requiring a new engine — and, in a car from 1967, it can be excruciatingly time-consuming and expensive to find parts. Luckily for the automotive enthusiasts who saved this abandoned vehicle, the engine was able to turn over — making it quite a rare gem indeed.

The 1967 AMC Rebel SST

Most car owners today don’t remember the AMC Rebel SST or the AMC (American Motors Corporation) brand itself as it merged with Chrysler in 1988 before the brand died out altogether. The vehicle itself isn’t particularly notable or collectible, and many of the ones remaining are likely rotting away in junkyards rather than in large privately owned collections like the American Muscle Car Museum.

Even with a running V8 engine, the car is still far from road-worthy, but with a working engine, it’s definitely worth salvaging. Classic car fanatics can breathe a sigh of relief seeing a YouTuber rebuilding a classic muscle car rather than yet another wrecked supercar, and we are all excited to see this forgotten piece of automotive history back on the road.

RELATED: The Dodge Viper is the Supercar Designed for Muscle Car Fanatics

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Can You Drift a 2022 Subaru BRZ?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Subaru BRZ made its debut back in 2012 and was a great success with driving enthusiasts. While it’s not known for having copious amounts of power, it is well-known for its tossable nature and driver-friendly drift-ability. The Subaru BRZ was redesigned for the 2022 model, but is it just as drift-friendly as its predecessor?

Subaru went for stability with the 2022 BRZ

2022 Subaru BRZ | Subaru

For 2022, the Subaru BRZ still embodies the high-revving, lightweight formula that it did in its previous iteration. While many enthusiasts complained about the car not having enough horsepower, Subaru decided to stick with a non-turbo or supercharger set up in order to reduce weight and costs. Instead, under the hood of the car is a 2.4-liter, naturally aspirated Boxer engine that produces 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.

That engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, both of which route power to the rear wheels. According to Car and Driver, the BRZ now has a lower center of gravity and a light curb weight of 2,800 pounds. The publication also noted that those specs, along with a stiffer chassis, make for a stable, but tail-happy experience. Also, its ride quality is on the firm side, but Subaru’s intention for this new model was to make it stable and precise, which seems to be a success.  

Redline Reviews was able to swing the tail out

The 2022 BRZ also comes standard with a limited-slip differential in both of its trim levels. As you can imagine, everything in the setup works well in conjunction with one another, which in turn makes for a tail-happy car on the track. Redline Reviews was able to take it out on the street and the track to get some driving impressions.

“It feels chuckable, it feels light. It feels so controllable as well,” said Sofyan Bey, the host of Redline Reviews. The BRZ didn’t fail to impress him while driving normally on the road. But when he turned up the heat in the tires while driving the car on the racetrack, the BRZ did its job well as far as getting (slightly) sideways in the corners.

It seemed like every turn he took produced a lot of tire squeal with the occasional sideways drift. “I went a little too hard and it slid out from under me, but it’s easy to catch,” Bey said. Apparently, the BRZ is controllable on the track as well. That’s a good sign considering it’s still equipped from the factory with pretty skinny tires. The base Premium model is fitted with 215/45 R17 tires while the upper-trim Limited wears 215/40 R18-sized tires.

It makes for a good daily driver

2022 Subaru BRZ
2022 Subaru BRZ | Subaru

Despite the 2022 Subaru BRZ’s power-sliding nature, it makes a great daily driver just like it also has. Car and Driver noted an EPA-estimated 22 city/30 highway mpg ratings, which is efficient enough for a small sports car. Additionally, there are even two rear seats, but it doesn’t look like anyone adult-sized can fit back there.

The 2022 BRZ looks like a lot of drifting fun even in moderate driving. We have yet to drive one, but you can expect a full report when we do. Stay tuned!

RELATED: 2022 Subaru BRZ Arrives With Extra Power but No Turbo

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