Hi, new here and was looking for tips for buying my first truck

Yeah I meant to say with the Limited package on the TRD. Is it only the Limited package that has the navigation? Also, what do you mean by rear locker. You talking about the electronic diff lock? I dont plan on upgrading aftermarket suspensions or diff locks etc, so perhaps the TRD is better. BUT, the actual 4x4 use will be very very limited. Snow 5-10 times a year, beach on weekends during the summer (maybe 5 weekends), boat ramp down the road (I'm guessing every weekend when the time comes haha) etc. An upgraded suspension is a nice to have but not a dealbreaker for how much I will actually be using it. I also dont mind locking the diffs manually (always did it as a kid). Are there any other "no debate" reasons to take the TRD over the SR5? Thanks.

 

No the actual radio/CD player LCD. Can I pop that out and put in an after market navigation LCD? Scan gauge seems like a solution to the MPG questions I had. But an after market, in-dash nav with radio/CD player etc that can replace the factory LCD would be great, if it exists. Do you have some names?

 

Yes, rear locker is the diff lock.

 

The SR5 does not have a diff locker, it only comes with the TRD off road package. You can add one to any truck but they do not com stock on the SR5

 

What does it cost to do an after market suspension upgrade (on average). Cause like I said, I can engage the diff manually. Did it all my life as a kid. Its not a big deal, takes 2 seconds. So with the remaining $1700, how much can I save by getting an aftermarket suspension upgrade (if I really need it).

Also, where would I benefit the most from the suspension upgrade. Will it improve, riding in the snow, boat towing, or beach driving that much?

 

Hmmm ok. Yeah this sucks. Diff lock is a must for beach driving. I thought OP said you can manually engage it (get out car, go to back wheels, turn the knobs). They dont have these? If that's the case, then the TRD it is.

 

The height is the same between TRD OR, Sport and 4x4 SR5. Baja has more clearance.

Biggest differences between SR5 and TRD OR is elec locking diff, sport seats, Atrac and bigger tires, leaf pack and Billstein shocks.

TRD Sport does not have the locking diff. Has 17 inch wheels and tires. Still has sport seats and different shocks than either of the other two. Color matched grill and rear bumper and light signals on turn mirrors. And the skewp.

 

Yeah I dont care much for aesthetics. More about capabilities. It seems like the TRD is the way to go, because for beach driving, diffs locks make a big difference. Plus I like the power outlet at the back because you can hookup a fridge there for longer camping trips (although I still need to research battery storage capacity etc).

 

Whats the Atrac and leaf pack?

Nevermind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1MOEZYAv5Q

 

BTW, this forum is great. So many immediate responses and helpful info. I really appreciate it. Any other tips if I do get the TRD? Anything I should think about doing after the purchase?

 

Upgraded leaf springs. Atrac is for traction control. There are pros and cons to it. The atrac can be your worst friend when offroading.

Depends on how much you want to spend on a suspension.

The ac outlet in the bed is great, but is not meant to be on to keep a fridge running over the weekend. It will drain your battery. You might as well get a generator for that. I have used the outlet for using my Sawzall, electric chainsaw, charging my air mattress pump on my way to go camping because I forgot to charge it at home. Fog machine for Halloween a couple of times. The SR5 comes with the outlet as well.

 

Just a quick bump to see if anyone knows the remaining answers:

2) The LCD dash wasnt working. I dont know why....... Dealership guy didnt know how to turn it on. Does it have navigation or is that just with the Limited package on the TRD (not the off road package)?

5) The drivers window didnt have that automatic open and close option (you know, when you push the knob down to open the window and hold it for a second, you can release it and the window opens). Is this a setting or just how it is.

6) I didnt like the backup camera. In our Sienna its got its own little LCD. Ive read about hacks to get it running through the main LCD. Is this difficult or something Toyota is working on fixing?

8) What the biggest surprise that you had after you bought the car that you were unaware of (good and bad).

11) Are there any after market options for an LCD to put in navigation? If the limited is the only one with navigation, it seems like a rip off to pay ~$3K just for that feature.

12) What do you guys do with your 11' surf rods haha! Just put them on the back with top pointing to the rear? Put a flag on it or what?

 

HERE IS WHAT I CAN ANSWER:

 

This is very helpful. Thank you! Talking about the 2014 model, seeing as though its already out, what are the major differences between the 2013 & 2014 models? The integrated backup cam in the head unit is a nice plus. What else?

 

Make a list of options you would like to throw in at the end of the deal. They will toss in extras (such a as bed mat) to put you over the top. Wish I had thought of this...

 

Some threads have already been posted on the topic, but to give you some quick answers, in a nutshell the new headunits are ALL entune, however there is a base entune unit, and an upgraded entune/stereo system/navigation unit by what someone else posted. The new headunits have a different appearance...just search for pics. Not sure if satellite is back to being standard again. Steering wheel controls have changed to look like the 5th gen 4Runners, and that is about all I know. Everything else should be the exactly the same.

The addition of the SR package is new however, mostly a cosmetic package...color matched bumpers minus hood scoop like the Sport, etc., plus black accented headlights AKA the Black Headlight Mod. That is about it.

 

the sr5 comes with the bed outlet as well for 2014... is this true?

 

I don't think that is true. SR5's have never had the bed outlet...only TRD models. I just looked at this 2014 SR5 on autotrader and it doesnt have a bed outlet either.

COPY THE WHOLE LINK AND PASTE, HYPERLINK DOESNT WORK.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30144&endYear=2014&inGalleryView=true&modelCode1=TACOMA&sortBy=bestmatcha&showcaseOwnerId=652231&startYear=2014&makeCode1=TOYOTA&searchRadius=0&showcaseListingId=355261817&mmt=[TOYOTA[TACOMA[]][]]&listingId=354846459&Log=0

 

Just a quick note on the fuel low light. I have approximately 80 mile range after it comes on. Not sure if others have experienced the same.

 

its 4 gallons so depends on how your driving is for your mileage