Which 2014 to buy to build?

Okay. I'm looking to get back into 4 wheelin. I am a jeep guy normally but I am looking to make the switch. I want a Toyota cause I want a truck that is reliable and will go for 300,000 miles unlike a jeep.
I had a 2001 Jeep TJ that I put $20,000 into before. Had a Teraflex long arm kit, 4.56 gears and 35 inch tires, ARBs front and rear and a winch. I want to do the same with my new Tacoma I am looking to buy.
I know the TRD off road already has a rear locker. Should I get that package then add a front locker? Or should I just get the base sr5 and go ARB front and rear? Any advice on how the Tacoma's rear locker is compared to the ARB? How are the Tacoma axles compared to the Rubicon? I'm trying to find info on them. Are they similar to a dana 44? I want to get 35-37 inch tires and know I need to re gear. 4.56 gears sound right? The baja looked nice but if I'm going to replace the whole suspension it looks like a waste of money. I know my jeeps up and down and trying to make the switch. Sorry to sound like such a newbie but I am headed back to the Toyota dealership next week and want to make sure I get the right one. Going to call high country 4x4 here in Denver(the ones who built my TJ and get some advice) but any advice from you guys would be great.
Sounds like a 6 inch lift and 35's is a heck of a lot cheaper for a Tacoma compared to a Rubicon.

 

SR5

 

You're not going to get any more clearance with a 6" lift than you will with a 3" lift because of the drop bracket. SR5 will be what you want. For the most clearance you'll want to go solid axle swap.

 

Thanks. So go SR5 and get ARBs front and rear?

 

SR5 DCLB locked front and rear FTW

 

Sorry, not sure what DCLB front and rear FTW means.
Isn't the TRD off road a sr5 with options anyway? Thanks for your help

 

DCLB is a double cab long bed

and I was suggesting adding lockers front and rear

An Offroad is a TRD

 

Ya. No long beds left. I definitely want lockers front and rear. My whole point is do I go with the TRD off road then add the front locker or go with the sr5 and add ARBs front and rear? My salesman at Mountain States Toyota isn't much help

 

SR5

 

I'm own a tacoma and have owned jeeps but if your intentions are to create a rock crawler your going to have to do extensive mods to the tacoma. With that being said the arb lockers are a lot stronger then the toyota e lockers. I would go with the sr5 since in order to do what you're talking about you're going to throw away most items that make up the off-road package

 

SR5 gets you the stronger rear axle which you can then toss an ARB in.

You'll need SAS obviously since the front diff in these trucks are laughable.

 

Stronger rear axle? Please elaborate...

 

Even though the DCLB is the most attractive and useful body style of Tacomas, a short bed would be better for the trails.

 

SR5 and do a SAS. I believe Rock Solid Toys is about to launch their SAS conversion kit that has all the parts necessary to do the swap. Might want to take a look at that

 

since you had a TJ before did you buy the rubi or the standard TJ in my opinion the TRD Offroad is the rubicon of the Toyota because its optioned out and has the lockers and all of that, to save money you may want to go SR5 because your ripping everything out any way, but if you go TRD you can recoupe some monies when ripping the stuff out by re-selling it if your into that kind of thing also the price difference between SR5 and TRD here are not that big I would test drive them both also TRD's have different seats then SR5's and little details that may or may not matter to you since this will be a 4x4 rig anyways

 

If you are going to re-gear it and throw in a new suspension then don't bother with the TRD. You will just be paying for extras that you will be replacing with better parts. Get the SR5 and call it a day. If you want to keep the somewhat close to the maneuverability of the jeep then don't get the DCLB. I don't even know if the reg cab can compare to a jeep in maneuverability.

 

The TRD Offroad runs and 8" rear end while the others all have an 8.4" rear end. The 8.4 has a beefier ring gear.

ETA: Not sure about the ring being beefier, but the 8.4 is stronger.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/333157-rear-end-questions.html

 

I got a trd offroad package on my 2014. The Atrac feature works kinda like a locker on the front. It definitly helps on the climbs. Not as much as a true locker but I like that I can still turn the wheel.

 

If your to crawl with it do not get a long bed. I used to rock crawl quite a bit in my previous truck that was a 06 Tacoma w/TRD package.

The TRD locker is really strong and anyone telling you they are not has probably never seen or broken one anyway. I wouldn't expect your drivetrain to last if you throttle down 35-37" inch tires. That's true if you buy a Rubicon or a Tacoma now.

These pictures are open front differential with stock gears, 33s, and the stock e-locker.

 

Appreciate all your input. I'm going with the short bed for sure.
Guess I need to do a little more research. So the SR5 has a bigger rear axle? The front axle on a Tacoma is kind of worthless? I really want to run 35's. I'm planning on doing the 6 inch BDS lift. I'll do a axle swap in the front and run ARBs front and rear. Anyone else have the same set up?
Think I will be close to a Rubicon now but can say I have a truck instead!