Toyota TRD Pro Chase Trucks are ready to hit the desert at SEMA

Wed, 05 Nov 2014

Toyota marks the 35th anniversary of its Toyota Racing Development performance arm this year, and the division is celebrating at this year's SEMA Show with a quartet of tuned off-roaders based on on the 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra that look more than ready to go just about anywhere.

All four of them will take part in this year's Baja 1000 race, but only the Tundra (far left in the above photo) is actually competing. The other three will be there to act as support vehicles.

Inspired by the production TRD Pro Series trucks, the 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra are prepared by off-road fabricator N-Fab with a mix of TRD and the company's own parts to be able to take whatever the grueling, 1,000-mile can throw at them. The trio is fettled with extra communications equipment, GPS, additional lights and all sorts of body and suspension modifications to help them survive the ordeal.

Scroll down to read more about these tuned trucks, and check out the gallery for a closer look at them.

Performance Takes Center Stage at Toyota's 2014 SEMA Booth

Toyota Celebrates Its Performance Legacy - Past, Present and Future

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2014 - Toyota's 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show presence will be focused on its performance legacy - past, present and future. The Toyota display booth will feature fifteen unique vehicles that boldly underscore the company's commitment to truly push the limit of both man and machine. Whether on the racetrack, out in the desert or on the street, this year's SEMA booth puts an exclamation point on what it means to accessorize.

As Toyota Racing Development (TRD) celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, the renowned engineering and motorsports division will have a prominent role in Toyota's SEMA space. TRD-engineered components add to the sporting intent of almost every vehicle on display.

TRD's Off-Road Past and Future on Display
The 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Desert Race Truck as well as three bona-fide chase trucks equipped with TRD Pro upgrades - a 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra - will be on display at SEMA before heading down to the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The notoriously grueling race will give the vehicles and their TRD accessories a chance to prove their durability over 1,000 miles of unforgiving Baja desert. The multi-championship-winning Toyota Tundra Trophy Truck, once piloted by the legendary Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, will also be on hand. The past and present truly collide, as the Ironman will be serving as mentor to the entire Toyota off-road race team this year.

Sports Cars and Passenger Vehicles
Toyota has a history of racing and performance on the tarmac too, and plenty of other vehicles will be on hand to demonstrate that. Taking center stage will be the Toyota FT-1 sports car concept, labeled the spiritual pace car for the new direction of Toyota Global Design. The bold new 2015 Camry will also be on hand in two distinct interpretations - the 2015 Toyota Camry Cup Car that will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as well as the DUB Edition Camry that has been massaged to take the car to a new level. The DUB Edition Yaris and DUB Edition Sienna feature a host of custom modifications that give both vehicles a radically different look. SiriusXM and West Coast Customs have joined forces to create the Sienna:Remix - the ultimate "Swagger Wagon" that transforms into a fully functional DJ booth replete with enough speakers and power to rock a party hard.

"What better place than SEMA to show the automotive world what our passion for performance looks like," said Steve Appelbaum, Toyota's engagement marketing and motorsports national manager. "Toyota is making cars and trucks that inspire creativity amongst the enthusiasts who live and work in the SEMA industry, and we're so excited to show what that kind of bold imagination can produce with our vehicles."

The entire collection of project vehicles can be seen in the Toyota display booth (#24700) located in the Central Hall at the 2014 SEMA Show from November 4-7.

Toyota Unveils Baja 1000 Chase Trucks at SEMA

TRD 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra Will Provide Race Support

TORRANCE, Calif., October 27, 2014 - The 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Desert Race Truck will not be alone when it heads down to Ensenada, Mexico to compete in the 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Three specially prepared chase trucks built by renowned off-road fabricator N-Fab will support the Tundra race truck in attacking the notoriously difficult desert race. The Baja 1000 is known for its penchant for breaking down both man and machine, making support vehicles all the more crucial for survival let alone victory.

"With over 1,000 miles of harsh terrain, the Baja 1000 is the ultimate proving grounds for research and development; it helps us to continuously improve our trucks," said Mike Sweers, chief engineer of Toyota Pickup Trucks. "This race will not only test the race truck, but the three chase trucks as well. All of the trucks have to be up to the task in order to finish this tough race."

Winning off-road races is not something new for Toyota or Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Toyota's off-road racing heritage is one of utter dominance over the competition - 303 off-road wins, 27 manufacturer's championships and 28 off-road driver's championships. At the helm of his famously indestructible Toyota trophy trucks, Ivan "Ironman" Stewart captured 11 Baja 500 and two Baja 1000 wins. He'll serve as the race team's coach and mentor as they head down to connect past and present in Baja.

The build shop at N-Fab equipped all three trucks to traverse Baja's diverse terrain, carry gear that may be needed in a pinch and facilitate constant radio communication. "It's a big deal for N-Fab and a big deal for TRD," said N-Fab CEO Thomas Fichter. "We're excited to go out there and prove that Toyota and the TRD Pro line of components are worthy for the off-road market."

The TRD chase trucks can be seen alongside the Toyota Tundra Trophy Truck that Ironman Stewart piloted to numerous victories from November 4-7 at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The Toyota display booth (#24700) is located in the Central Hall.

TRD Chase Trucks Specs

2015 TRD 4Runner

TRD Pro suspension
TRD off-road tires and wheels
Undercover hidden winch mount system
DC Safety off-road emergency kit
Small cooler w/holder
Rigid E-series light bars: 40" (roof), 30" (bumper), 10" amber (rear-facing), 10" clear (rear-facing)
Lowrance 5" GPS
RCI chase radio w/antenna
Smittybilt 27046b Beaver step
Smittybilt 97495 XRC 9.5k winch, Gen 2

Smittybilt 40504 Defender rack
Smittybilt 2784 Overlander tint
N-Fab T104RKR4 rockrail with detachable step
N-Fab rear tailgate set
Headrest TRD logo
Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit
ARB shade tent

2015 TRD Tacoma

TRD Pro suspension
TRD off-road tires and wheels
Undercover hidden winch mount system
DC Safety off-road emergency kit
Small cooler w/holder
Coleman large metal cooler
Rigid E-series 40" light bar mounted with N-Fab mount
Rigid E-series 30" (bumper)
Lowrance 7" GPS
Radio chase RCI radios w/antenna
Smittybilt 2747 power air tank
Jegs Pro alum. jack, 2.0 ton w/skid
Smittybilt 97495 XRC 9.5k winch, Gen 2
Smittybilt 2809 aluminum fairlead with misc. 8g/10g connectors
Atlas sling
N-Fab T054BR custom bed bar
N-Fab T0530LD light bar w/hoop
N-Fab T054RKRCC rockrail with detachable step
N-Fab T0540LR roof mount
Full leather two tone interior with TRD logo in headrest
Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit

2015 TRD Tundra

TRD Pro suspension
TRD off-road tires and wheels
Undercover hidden winch mount system
DC Safety off-road emergency kit
Small cooler w/holder
Coleman large metal cooler
Rigid E-series light bars: 40" (roof), 30" (bumper), 10" amber (rear-facing), 10" clear (rear-facing)
Lowrance 7" GPS
RCI chase radio w/antenna
Toff spray-on liner
Smittybilt 2747 power air tank
Smittybilt 27046b Beaver step
Hunsaker 11 gallon fuel jug
Jegs Pro alum. jack, 2.0 ton w/skid
Smittybilt 9797412 XRC 12k winch, Gen 2
Smittybilt 2761 security storage
Atlas sling custom tie-downs and straps
Smittybilt 40504 Defender rack, cut and reconfigured
N-Fab custom bed cage w/tire carriers
N-Fab T0730LD front light bar w/hoop
N-Fab T074RKRQC rock rail with detachable step
Headrest TRD logo
Superior Dash carbon-fiber interior kit

By Chris Bruce