Wanted - New 4 Door 4x4 Taco, But Which?

Hey! What's with the options on these Tacomas? Everything seems to be priced the same (well ... close), be it an SR5, Sport or Off-Road. Then when I run down the list of installed standards and options, it seems they do end up being mostly the same. My head is spinning from all the choices that lead back to the same place. Should I just shop price and forget the labels SR5, Sport and Off-Road, or should I embrace the labels?

What I want seems to encompass features from both the Sport and Off-Road 4x4. I want the tuned suspension and aggressive treads, but I like the hood scoop and 17" tires too.

And my biggest FEAR is ending up with a wimpy weenie of a stereo with all chrome and weak sound! What ever happened to the JBL option? Is it still there? They don't seem to say much about it if it is. It's not even clear if, when you're paying top dollar for the priciest package, you're getting anything more than just a name for your extra dough, assuming that you are getting the name JBL. What's your experience, dudes and dudettes? If you already own one or the other, what's it like?

Will I even care about all this after the sale?

 

I don't think the JBL is worth it. Just upgrade it with aftermarket. Also for the model you get depends on how much offroading you will be doing or what you will be using it for.

If you are going to be offroading I would get the offroad because it has the rear locker. If you like the scoop and color matched bumper, handles, grill, and it to have a scoop than get a sport which has limited slip. If you don't want those options you can get an SR5, which also comes in 4x4.

 

Well, I don't plan on aggressive off road activities with the Taco, but in the context of exploring, canoeing, 4-wheelin' and dragging around trailers of such, I want to be able to go almost anywhere life's adventure takes me.

So you mean if I go for a Off-Road Special Options Package, I'll end up with black bumpers, fenders and door handles? I don't like the sound of that.

Well, is the JBL better than without JBL? I'm kinda opposed to sullying up my dash with gaudy after market crap, regardless of the sound improvements. I just want full range and volume with limited THD and normal but respectable bass. I'll be listening to iPod 98% of the time with mp3 or AAC compressed tracks. I'm not a purist when it comes to car audio. Too much background noise for that. But, if I'm going to sink $31,000 into a vehicle I want good clear listening quality in the stereo.

 

I got the JBL audio. Now, having the bluetooth in there was great. And it's far better than the stock junker. But no doubt, your dollar is far better spent on an aftermarket system. If you don't need the bluetooth - get stock and upgrade it.

Decide if you want to tow much - tow package is a big deal to some. Other than that, what do you want it to look like/ do you need a rear diff locker?

 

Oh, I'll use the bluetooth. Got it now in the Prius.

EricT

I sorta wanted a white or silver or red one with a bed cover on it. I want it to be all the chosen color; not white with black trim. I want alloy wheels, but not chrome. I want tinted glass and good ground clearance, but I'm not into lift kits while under warranty. I need all-terrain tires and 4x4, because I'm in N. Arkansas. We have small mountains here and unpredictable Winters. The creeks are usually rocky, and the off-roading is usually gravel or two track; generally logging roads. Access, is my main concern. Access to creeks and rivers, trail heads and out of the way places without getting stuck.

So, to answer your question, I guess I don't have to have a locker. I wont be using the Taco for rock crawlin' or mud boggin', and it has some pretty fancy traction control, don't it? I'm already leaning toward the Sport options package based on appearance.

I do have the Jeep, but I plan on selling it and getting a Polaris Ranger RZRs. Anyone want to buy a 92 Wrangler? ... I guess that's a discussion for another thread.

 

You could do one of the following:

Get TRD Sport and change the rear differential.

or

Get TRD Offroad and change the hood for one with a hood scoop and have all the chrome buffed and painted.


Id pick the sport and change diferentials.

You cant have the best of both worlds sadly. I think Toyota didnt think this through and could have made a more user friendly package options.

 

I'll agree with that!

I also would have loved having the option of getting all those features in a std cab as well.

 

With what you are doing the LSD that the sport has would be just fine.

I would get a sport with 4wd. That would be your best option.

 

i opted for the sport ... and will diff swap downstream if the current set-up doesn't serve me well

in the meantime, i plan on modding that scoop to suck cold fresh air

... if i can find any cold fresh air in los angeles

 

It is impossible to suck in cold air from the hood scoop. I wouldn't try. It would just be a waste of time and money.

The scoop is a in a low pressure area of the hood and is to small and facing the wrong direction to be functional without completely changing the dimensions and structure of the hood.

 

dammit ... i thought the dry hot thin Northridge ram air would really boost my torque

seriously, thanks for the heads-up

 

I'd get a SR5, save the $3500-$4k from the TRD packs and use that money for some after market upgrades.

$500-800 for a rear locker that you can use outside of 4 low
$500 for used TRD Sport wheels
$200 for new door speakers
?? For a new hood and painting the grill.

 

Idk if it's still available but my '04 SR5 came with the color match option which made the bumpers, door handles, fender flares, etc the same color as the truck.

 

What!? New door speakers! What's wrong with the door speakers? Do you get the same speakers with or without the JBL option?

 

I have offroad option with JBL. Offroad option come with rear chrome bumper and color match fenders and front bumper. Door handles and side mirrors comes in black. JBL system sound really clear and better than stock. I don't rock crawling and offroad much. Reason I brought this truck because it have rear locker and better options for offroading. I only offroading 5 to 10 percents a year.

For you I think the best option is Sport if you dont want rear locker.

 

I think that's where I'm headin' as well. To the Sport, that is. The scoop? Why that's just a useless affectation, like my beard and mustache.

I probably wont change the diff, either. First thing I'll do is get a Tonneau Cover for the bed. Leer probably. I'll need to be able to toss life jackets, canoe paddles, riding helmets, ice chests and all kinds of accessories in there while towing the light trailer with a canoe or two or 4-weeler on it. Don't want the wind melting my beer ice before I get there.

 

First of all there is a difference in the pricing. A 4x4 vs a 2wd is 4k difference. A sport vs. off road is a difference of around 400$. DO your homeWORK, son.

 

I've got the sport & the only thing I miss is the locker... We'll see how much I need it next winter....
Go with the Sport - their HOT!

 

Read for content ... son.

 

get the SR5 4x4 and call it a day