Vehicle Comparisons: Tacoma vs. The World

The Rugged Trails are terrible. If you're keeping up with a Ranger that has mud tires - that's because its a ranger. The All-Terrains are a different tire completely.

 

I know 09 & newer TRD Off Road has ATRAC w/ locking diff. TRD Sport & Base models only have TRAC in 4 high, is this correct? Does this mean the Sport model doesn't have any advantage over the Base model off road?

 

Sport model has a limited slip in the rear. That could provide you a moderate advantage off road.

 

So this means the Sport & Base model are the same off road.

 

This I did not know. I would probably prefer mechanical for street.

 

I understand the 4wd OR is better. I was just trying to figure out if the Sport was better off road than the Base model. I'm looking to get a long bed that's why I'm asking.

 

Long bed = not good off road

 

If serious about off-roading, why not buy an older stock vehicle that is reliable and has broad aftermarket support then build it up for your specific off-road destinations.

If buying a new 30K (ish) vehicle and heading off to the trails is your thing, it may be best to post what kind of offroading you plan to do and what you have access to --- or even ask a local 4x4 club to let you ride along.

You know how in the sports car world a lot of people run AutoX to avoid swapping paint on their fancy rides? Well offroading sometimes involves swapping paint with mother nature.

 

There is off road driving and then there is rock crawling, expedition builds and long travel builds. Not all people that take their trucks off road are going to get in to rocks like in my avatar, like wise I don't jump my truck 4-5ft in the air or pull a trailer and camp for 5+ days in the middle of no where. A Tacoma can take you and your wallet where ever you want to go.

 

Taco comes in #2 behind the Toyota Land Cruiser in this Top 10 list... seems like a pretty solid endorsement!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/resources/91-guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html

 

Looks like its somewhat old? I'm surprised he mentions the 4Runner and not the FJ.

 

Just for clarification:

The Taco would be a second vehicle... weekend fun, errands, etc. I don't plan on any CRAZY off roading (rock crawling). Mainly the trails here in Socal/San Diego area... may encounter some good sized rocks, hill climbs, but nothing CRAZY.

*I saw that video on pancake rock in San Diego... that trail intrigues me... can a stock Taco OR with lockers handle that trail and climb that rock?

 

This is all you need to know:


















Data: http://autooninfo.net/default.aspx

 

I had to read this one 5 different times to figure out what the hell the title was trying to say.

 

Greater than one million miles is the correct answer.

 

If it helps, I sold my jeep after mild offroading because every time I came home, something was broken and needing welding - I wasn't jumping it, wasn't extreme crawling... some whoops at 30 ish, sand and rock hills, etc. It had 5.5" of proper lift, 33x10.5 BFG A/T (great tire by the way) and lockers front and back (detroit) the thing is that it just kept breaking. I did some research at the local shops and I found out that the border patrol in So Cal is finding the same results... broken link mounts, stress cracks in frame, etc. They just don't take the abuse... That is why I bought a toyota.

Now, it really does depend on your wheeling - I wouldn't recommend a new truck/suv/vehicle for wheeling regardless of your wealth - Practically, it just doesn't make sense because if you're serious about wheelin (fast or slow/climbing or flying) you're going to break stuff, dent stuff.

Like others have said, front lockers or 4wd drive even isn't really necessary if you're flying across the desert in a long travel IFS, but if you want to climb rock faces, then a locked straight axle might be your best bet...

That's my take on it - may have been a bit redundant or overstated...

PS - I own only Toyota because they are quality vehicles... my truck doesn't have a rattle even at 165,000. Niether does my 4runner at 110,000

 

Thanks. I find myself thinking I want a solid/quality vehicle, capable off road (yes, I'll be doing light off road fun stuff in a new truck)... not a vehicle that'll climb Everest, but enough capability to make for a fun outing with my son and have the utility to do chores, get the family around in relative comfort, etc... plus, be an excellent bug-out vehicle for emergencies (fires/earthquakes/zombie invasions in SOCAL). Can throw our gear and 2 pooches in the 5' bed (dogs likely in the passenger compartment of the DC), and head towards the sunset, beach, mountains, what have you.

Never owned a truck or a 4x4... I believe the Taco should work for me just perfectly.

Admittedly, I've considered a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited (4 door)... but its at least a few grand more expensive, and I'm liking the idea of an actual truck. I've owned Mopars, and I've not had bad experiences with them, so quality issues haven't swayed me to Toyota, although the vehicles' reputation for quality sure doesn't hurt!

So, for me, the Taco should fill my needs well. Not as good off road in some situatons as a Rubicon, but not that far behind either... good interior space and build quality... good aftermarket support for accessories/mods... I think I'm totally sold.