When we recently drove the new 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro for the first time, we highlighted the fact that the Pro model took the new TRD Off-Road package to the next level with a suspension lift, upgraded Fox shocks, and a handful of other key upgrades. Toyota just unveiled a new race truck version of the Tacoma TRD Pro here at SEMA today, and this new truck is pushing its off-road performance to yet another level – the race-ready performance level.
The build up of the new Tacoma TRD Pro race truck was led by Jason Campbell of Camburg Racing, who looked to upgrade and enhance the Tacoma’s off-road prowess for its first big test – the 2017 Mint 400 in March. Campbell started off with the base body and chassis of the Tacoma and added a host of upgrades for the “Great American Off-Road Race,” such as a Camburg KINETIK roll cage and a rear-mounted fuel cell and quick fill for fast pit stops.
For the front suspension, Camburg KINETIK Series billet uniball upper control arms are added for additional suspension travel along with 2.5-inch Fox DSC coilovers that features adjustable tuning via an exterior billet knob (Camburg sells the shocks and UCAs in its Camburg Extreme Performance kit). Along with the coilover, a Fox 3.0-inch bypass shock is also added to take on the pounding of the racecourse.
Out back, the suspension is upgraded from the 2.5-inch Fox shocks found on the TRD Pro to a larger 3.0-inch shock with piggyback reservoirs. Camburg actually fabricated custom mounts and shock towers in the bed of the truck to accommodate the much larger rear. Stiffer Deaver leaf springs are featured out back as well to complement the changes. For added bite on the racecourse, 285/70R17 General Tire Grabber X3 mud-terrain tires are fitted on KMC’s Bully wheel.
The Tacoma TRD Pro race truck gets a few performance upgrades as well, including a TRD Performance Air Intake System, and the TRD exhaust found on the stock TRD Pro model is swapped out for a more aggressive Magnaflow exhaust.
Inside the race truck, the stock seats are yanked out and replaced with three Sparco Evo Series race seats. A smaller Sparco steering wheel is added as well to replace the larger stock unit. Rugged Radios intercom and race radios are installed inside the truck for race day communcation, and a LeadNav GPS navigation system will be used to the keep the team on course. Although the stock Tacoma TRD Pro does feature some nice Rigid Industries LED fog lamps, the race truck gets even more LED lighting up front to make sure the driver and co-dog can see every inch of racecourse in front of them. To compensate for the additional draw on the battery, a Odyssey battery is installed along with an upgraded Toyota OEM 130-amp alternator.
Toyota revealed that Camburg’s Jerry Zaiden will be driving the 7301 truck for the upcoming race, and there will be a another very well-known celebrity driver also piloting the truck (though he has not yet formally been announced… but he’s a huge car guy). We expect to have even more information on the truck and its team leading up to next year’s race. Stay tuned.
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