SR5 4x4 vs TDR OR

Greetings,

I have seen some very technical discussions on the virtues of the TDR packages, but would appreciate a simple perspective for a family that 1.) does not care at all about aesthetic upgrades and 2.) would like to do some off road adventuring but nothing too crazy. The main use of our vehicle would be for towing our camping trailer, hauling stuff my husband uses for construction and 3.) camping and adventuring in areas which will require a 4 wheel drive. Right now we have a 2 wd sequoia which we manage with due to the nice clearance and strong engine, but are thinking of something 4WD that we can take on more difficult roads. For instance we like to explore in Escalante during the summer, but run into instances in which summer monsoons make us reluctant to explore certain roads, or in which the roads are just too rough, sandy, or muddy for our Sequoia. Assuming we are comparing an SR5 4x4 vs a TRD OR 4x4, how much difference does it make for off road travel to have the Bilstein suspension, locking rear differential, and multi-terrain select? We aren't looking for really extreme adventures per se but would like to do some adventuring in remote areas without worrying about getting stranded.

Thanks for any insights...

 

No offense taken. We are novice off roaders, and also have 2 kids with us, so husband is cautious about taking risks which might result in us being stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere. The main purpose for us is not to off-road exactly, but to get access to beautiful places for camping and exploring. If the OR is really worth it I can see spending the extra $$, but if it is mainly fancy toy stuff then we would pass.

 

SR5 4x4 will be perfect for what you want...

 

Thanks so much for the suggestion. Just two more thoughts. Is there actually any structural difference between the SR5 and the TDR versions, meaning is the construction of the frame different? And would there be any real reason to buy a 2016 or are the previous year models good enough?

 

Offroad for the brake booster.
Don't forget the tow package, whatever you get.

 

It is my understanding the same frame is used on all models of the 2016 Tacoma's.

 

The only time you'll need a locker is when you are twisting through off road situations where the truck is flexed and one front and one rear tire has very little weight on them. You'll sit there and spin these tires with no traction, and curse a bit and call your 4wd truck a 2wd truck. General off road use on back roads you will not likely ever need/use a rear diff lock. My work truck has an electronic locker, and honestly I have never needed it, and I work in the forestry industry and see a lot of muddy/soft/ snowy operations roads.

4x4 even with open differentials (no lockers) will go 10x further than most 2wd vehicles, especially in hilly, slippery off road situations. And you don't need momentum to get through.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

I have the TRD OR 4X4 AUTO, that I specifically bought for the locking differential. I have over 45 years of driving experience in EVERY type of weather and situation from Alaska down to Mexico. I am sometimes off road in tundra areas in the North West Territories at -40F to Flash floods in Texas and Hurricanes in Louisiana.

I think the SR5 4X4 would be an excellent choice if you did NOT want all the bells and whistles. The Sport and Limited offer some nice upgrades for bells and whistles. The TRD OR has also an option for "crawl control" to help drivers in certain tight situations, but it is just another bells and whistles feature. For regular extra assurance to keep your family safe a regular 4x4 should do the trick.

If you are coming from a 2x4 to a 4x4, the SR5 4x4 is a really good choice.

 

I was in the same boat. If your adventuring alone I would say the locker will pay for itself at the first use. However if you plan to with friends or use of aids (such as winch or come alongs) then the SR5 is good enough. I chose the off road due to lockers sunroof climate control and BSM.

Edit: lockers and fancy tech should never be a substitute for common sense and off roading equipment. I just want mean to say if I were to be off roading I would like to have the comfort knowing I could lock the rear for better traction.

 

If you really wanted a locker why not buy a lower trim, get an ARB, on board air and have money left over?

 

This^^

You could do this. I chose the OR because I could afford it, the locker is under warranty and I liked the resale value. But this makes a lot of sense to me if the SR5 was in the running

 

SR5 is more capable off road than 95% of taco owners need. A locking rear diff would only be needed if the "road" you are travelling on has a large washout, even then 95% of the time standard issue 4x4 is enough. I travelled my entire province for work for 2 years, forestry research, and I have been on a lot of un maintained roads, some I wouldn't even call roads, more like atv trails, all with a full size 1/2 ton 4x4 with open differentials.

Yes if I had the choice, and the cost (such as some domestic manufacturers offer, $400) I would go with lockers just because, but it most definitely was never necessary.

The trd off road taco (2016) would be my choice, but not based on needs, rather looks, features, resale. But a double cab is not offered up here north of the border, but that's another topic....

 

I had the same basic needs in a truck and I bought a SR5, no regrets. There both great trucks, just pick a color and buy one. You will be very happy with either one

 

If total cost is the factor and you want the best "bang for the buck" for off-road camping then get the SR5 and spend some of the money saved on better tires. With a totally stock Tacoma the lame factory tires are the most likely thing to get you stuck I think. The various bells and whistles on the TRD OR are certainly nice and helpful but you'd still want better tires on the TRD.

 

SR 4X4 & add all the shit yourself to make it a TRD, & save big $$$

 

I bought the truck on Sept 29 last year and it was literally the ONLY 4x4 Tacoma available within the DFW area at the time. The other one was a 2x4 SR5. ALL the other dealership were SOLD OUT of both the 2015 and 2016 models. I wanted something new with a warranty. Both of my other vehicles had broke down and were in the shop(s), and I needed to have a vehicle that weekend. I had done a ton of research over the past few months, and this just happened to show up for me. The extra features are nice as I do a ton of traveling. As stated I specifically wanted the rear locker, but "I" also wanted some of the nicer features of the TRD. I would have loved the JBL system and maybe the auto lights from the TECH Package, but TOYOTA could NOT even speculate a date within the following 3 months that the JBL system would be available for the Tacoma.

I love my TACO, just the way it is. I have 8350 miles on it already. Runs like a dream. I will be doing the 5000 miles trip this summer to Alaska and back; should be a blast.

 

4x4 is back up for 2wd. Get stuck in 2wd, use 4x4 to get through. A locker is back up for 4x4. Get stuck in 4x4, use the locker to get through. If you are planning trips needing 4x4 get the Offroad model and you have a back up plan. You wouldn't go offroad without a spare tire and extra water would you? Whats the safety of your family worth? A locker and crawl control will relieve the driver of allot of stress in tough situations. Climbing rough stuff with a locker is much easier on the truck climbing up the stuff under control. Powering up over tough terrain in an un locked 4x4 is hard on the drivetrain just like a 2wd powering up a rough trail that needs 4wd. Push stuff hard enough un equipped for the job its going to break or bounce off out of control. A truck out of control is a very bad thing. You can watch allot of videos on the rollovers from trucks out of control.

 

I disagree based on the features of the OR model. MTS is strong enough to lock wheels with the OR's electric brake booster. I little benefit to the 4x4 OR coming with the locker when we cannot use it in 4hi or 2hi. It seems we lose out to the 4x2 OR in not being able to use the locker in 2hi. MTS is strong enough and more sophisticated than a locker. You won't snap and axle with MTS. I own a 4x4 OR so I don't know why I'm saying any of this...

Based on this information, how strong is TRAC, vacuum boosted braking, in every other model? Will it keep a wheel from turning when lifted off the ground?

 

So you are agreeing with me? I am saying what you are trying to say MTS will do (I'm not sure MTS would send power to one wheel with traction, but maybe it is that strong a system, such as Subaru, but I doubt it)

 

Based on this persons needs that she described I doubt their family is that hardcore. I can't say for certain because I do not know their terrain where they travel. But it takes some seriously rocky, off chamber, side hill type terrain to risk flipping a Tacoma. As long as all 4 wheels are on the ground, IMO, a locker really isn't needed.

Once again though I would buy the trd off road version, but in no way is it nessessary.