Why The Ridiculous Supercharged Toyota Tundra TRD Does Not Deserve To Be Forgotten

The Japanese muscle truck was the undisputed world's fastest pickup truck giving RAM and Ford a run for their money.

Nearly a decade before the Ford Raptor and Ram TRX took to racetracks, there was the Supercharged Toyota Tundra TRD that burnt rubber. While most folks are contended with their full-size pickup trucks having good hauling capabilities, an adrenaline-fueled minority wants to eat sports cars on the racetrack. Ford and Dodge answered the call with their performance-oriented Ford Raptor R and the Ram 1500 TRX, but Toyota remains silent. But it hasn't always been this way.

Most gearheads either don't know or remember that a supercharged Toyota Tundra existed. Toyota itself ceased offering TRD supercharger kits to Tundra buyers. The stricter emission laws meant that there is no place for a supercharger in the new generation of pickup trucks. But from 2008 to 2013, every new Toyota Tundra had the option to hold the ‘world's fastest truck’ title, which would stay with them for a decade.

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To gain its reputation as a menace, the Toyota Tundra underwent an impressive in-house mechanical makeover, utilizing readily available TRD components. The star of the modifications was, as the same suggests, a supercharger that amped the 5.7-liter V-8 engine output to unprecedented power levels for a Toyota truck. The Supercharged Toyota Tundra TRD produced an impressive 504 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.

Following the supercharger was a long list of modifications that prepared the Toyota Tundra for the tracks. TRD incorporated a dual-exhaust system and a high-performance "big-brake kit" equipped with 16-inch cross-drilled front rotors and six-piston calipers. The remaining enhancements consisted of performance-tuned front and rear shocks, revised front coil and rear leaf springs, and a new rear anti-roll bar. Additionally, the truck sported forged and polished 22-inch TRD wheels enveloped in massive 285/35 performance tires. TRD also lowered the truck's stance by 2.0 inches in the front and 2.5 inches in the rear, adding a touch of ruggedness to its appearance.

The Tundra didn't have its supercharger installed when leaving the factory. Instead, the kit was a dealership option. Upgrading the engine with the TRD supercharger kit did not void the factory warranty.

The second generation of the Toyota Tundra was many steps ahead of its predecessor. It was a bigger, better-looking hauler with an extended towing capacity. What it was not known for was being a muscle truck.

Not every stock 2nd Generation Toyota Tundra was the same underneath the hood; Toyota offered buyers three different engine options. This included a standard 236-horsepower 4.0-liter V6, a 276 hp 4.7-liter V8, and a 381 hp 5.7-liter V8. The first two engine choices came with five-speed automatic transmissions, and the 5.7-liter V8 was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Buying the 5.7-liter V8 is a no-brainer for those with cash to spare. The variable valve timing optimized engine performance in different conditions, and the six-speed automatic transmission featured a low first gear for improved acceleration at low speeds, plus two overdrive gears for highway driving. This meant that the extra 105 hp the 5.7-liter V8 produced did not take away from the standard V6's fuel efficiency.

Long story short, the Tundra's powertrain focused on efficiency instead of quick acceleration. While the engine did produce a considerable amount of horses, it fell short of American trucks such as the Dodge Ram SRT-10. The SRT-10 packed an 8.3L V10 engine, capable of producing up to 503 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. These stats were enough to set the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest production truck.

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On the track, the Supercharged Toyota Tundra TRD did what no other truck has done before, at least until a decade later. It fired up from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The previous record was set by the SRT-10, which managed to do the deed in 4.9 seconds. After breaking the 0 to 60 mph speed record for a pickup truck, the Supercharged Tundra went on to complete the quarter-mile in slightly over 13 seconds.

Setting the record is one thing, but holding the record is a whole different story. Toyota impressively held its title for nearly a decade, despite the Japanese automaker discontinuing supercharger kits after 2013. It was the 2021 Ram TRX that finally beat the Tundra monster, giving SRT first place again. Toyota fell off the competition after that, and TRD didn't build an impressive hot rod version of the standard Tundra again.

The new generation of Toyota Tundra pickup trucks are not feeble by any means, but they are nowhere close to what Dodge and Ford have come up with. The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R has a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine that manages 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. The truck does 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is just 0.1 seconds faster than the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 powered 2023 Ram 1500 TRX.

Yet, neither pickup truck owns the right to be called the quickest in 2023. That honor goes to the 2023 GMC Hummer EV3X. Powered by three electric motors that generate 1000 hp and a mind-boggling 11,626 lb-ft of torque, the GMC Hummer EV clocks 0 to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. That's faster than any gasoline-powered pickup truck in existence, and the vehicle rightfully gets its own class – it's an all-electric supertruck.

For comparison, the hybrid 2023 Tundra produces 437 horses and 583 lb-ft of torque with its V6 and electric motor. The Tundra shed its V8 engine after 2021, offering a V6 with a hybridization as the only option for those seeking performance. The quickest third-generation Tundra accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the lower-end trims struggle for a solid 6 seconds.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra is fairly spacious, offering an 8.1 ft bed if buyers opt for the extended cab. The pickup truck comes with new coil-spring rear suspension for improved ride quality, and an optional 14.0-inch infotainment system. However, it lacks a proper towing capacity, only managing 12,000 pounds. Most American full-sized trucks could tow over 13,000 pounds, with the Ford F-150 pulling 14,000 pounds.

To catch up to its US counterparts, the Tundra may need to bring back its V8 and superchargers. Despite Toyota remaining silent, several tuning companies offer aftermarket superchargers that pump up the stats. For example, the Magnuson's kit is compatible with all V8-powered Tundra trucks spanning from 2007 to 2018. While it doesn't feature an air-to-liquid intercooler, Magnuson assures that you can install their kit within a day.

Magnuson kit's upgraded air intake system provides a remarkable performance boost for your 5.7-liter V8 engine, bringing the stock numbers up to an impressive 550 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. The kit complies with both federal and CARB emissions requirements. But, as custom with aftermarket parts, installing the Magnuson kit will risk your pickup truck's warranty. So please tread with caution if that is something you are worried about.

This is Jason Malshan, a seasoned writer and life-long gearhead. As expected out of someone with an educational background in creative writing and an unwavering love for cars, you'll either find Jason sitting infront of his laptop and keyboard, or testing the limits of an automobile on open roads. Trusting his knowledge about cars as much as he does his 6 year-long experience in writing, Jason has no trouble tinkering under the hoods of his own vehicles.