2022 TRD Sport Spare Tire Winch Stiffness

TRD JON · 2025-06-18T02:15:34+00:00

Now that the 4th Gen Tacoma is here, a lot of us are deciding between the i-FORCE turbo 4-cylinder and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid setup. Both use the same 2.4L engine, but the MAX adds an electric motor for a combined 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. If you’ve driven both, how do they compare in real-world driving? Is the hybrid worth the extra cost and weight? Any noticeable difference in throttle response, towing, or MPG? I’m leaning toward the i-FORCE MAX for the torque alone — that number beats most full-size trucks. But I also want to know how it feels off-road and if the added complexity is worth it for long-term reliability. The normal i-FORCE still packs a solid punch, but for me personally the hybrid is were it’s at! Let’s hear from those who’ve driven both, especially in TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims.

choyero 23

New member

Yesterday at 8:22 PM

I'm new to the forum and I want to offer my apologies for making my first thread about an issue.

So my ‘22 TRD Sport’s spare tire winch is a pain—super stiff and takes forever to lower at 9k miles. Lubed it with WD-40, helped a bit, but still a workout. Anyone else deal with this?

I’m worried it’ll seize up when I really need it. Saw a YouTube vid about replacing the winch cable for $50—worth it?

Or is there a trick to loosen it? I’m mostly city driving, but trails are in my future. Share your fixes or if you upgraded the winch system. Don’t wanna be stuck roadside.

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