My GF is planning to by a 2016 Taco. We'd appreciate some advice.

Hello,
My girlfriend is a research ecologist and needs a new vehicle for heading out into the wilderness to do her work. Previously she's used company trucks, but will now be doing her own work. Right now we're pretty much decided to go with a 2016 Tacoma but we haven't yet decided on the trim level, as well as some other aftermarket upgrades, given her needs.

She will definitely be following some gnarly, unimproved roads, off graded roads, etc, but she doesn't need to win any races. Additionally, she's an ecologist and generally not interested in destroying landscape. My questions are as follows:

1) Do we really need the V6 engine? She won't be towing anything and is a conservative driver. Is there any advantage to having that extra power when navigating rough terrain? I mean, it's all traction at that point, and the I4 will be just as good, right?

2) A friend suggested that the rear locking diff which comes with the TRD-OR trim would be important in case she gets caught in the mud or something. Would you say this is really critical?

3) Do you think it would be important to upgrade the shocks and springs (especially if she goes with the SR5)? What's the main advantage to upgrading to something like Bilstein 5100s or whatever?

4) Besides AT tires, are there any other upgrades you think would be essential to make an SR5 an effective and safe research vehicle for her?

Thanks, so much. I'm sorry for asking so many questions. This will be our first pick-up truck and we don't really know what's what.

Nick

 

What's her budget?

 

Well if I'm not certain the 2016 Tacoma commercials say you can do all of that. So you're good.
V6 for your considerations? Not necessary but the extra power is something to always consider that the I4 will lack. I would test drive both configs.

Trd OR will have all the off road capabilities, if you're not doing anything too extreme and trying to save dough just settle for a 4x4

Upgrading the suspension is key to how the truck will perform and deliver regarding ride, approach angles, and it's load.

You could go either AT or MT depending on how you want fuel economy to suffer vs off road capability. Any other upgrades I can't really think of right now, considering these trucks can tackle the simplest of things.

 

I have an SR 4x4 and is a very capable vehicle and helped me use the money in other useful upgrades like suspension and tires. Test drive the I4 ice heard nothing but good things and is super reliable

 

1.) You don't need the V6 engine, the 2.7l is arguably the best 4 cylinder motor Toyota has produced...they've used it through 3 generations of Tacomas now and they're bulletproof, though they won't get you anywhere fast. Plenty of people on here have the I4 and love it.

2.) The rear locking diff can indeed be a lifesaver if you're out on your own and are in a potentially dangerous situation, regarding getting stuck. That's not to say it's an end all-be all to getting out of sticky situations, but it definitely helps. If she's going to be traversing terrain where she may very well get stuck from time to time, the locking differential would be a must, in my opinion. Especially if she's on her own/without other vehicles around. That's pretty much exactly why Toyota included it as an option.

3.) I doubt she'd need to worry about upgrading the suspension, though it couldn't hurt. But I'm sure the stock SR5 suspension would do just fine on unpaved roads. If she were looking into off-roading recreationally, then I'd recommend the TRD or aftermarket suspension.

4.) I'm sure the 4x4 SR5 would suit her just fine, but again if she's out there on her own on potentially treacherous roads, any kind of modification to add traction is the best thing she can do. Differential locker (which you can buy aftermarket for an SR5), better tires, and recovery equipment like Maxtrax or a winch would be ideal. It really all depends on the terrain she expects to come up against.

The best thing she's doing though is considering a Toyota 4x4, so the biggest part of the equation is already taken care of

 

This question isn't generation specific. The locker would DEFFINATLY be helpful if she is really in some nasty areas. Seeing as this is your first truck and she will be using it for work, you may or may not want to dabble in the aftermarket world. If you do, the possibilities are endless. If you just want the most capable off road ready Tacoma, go with the TRD Off Road. It comes with more than just the locker. Not 100% on the 3rd gen, but the 2nd gen off road with tow package had a hydraulic brake booster, bigger alternator, transmission cooler (also good off road), locker, ATRAC, etc... 2016 has multi terrain select and crawl co tool also...good for someone who doesn't have a whole lot of experience off road.

Based on your brief explanation of the needs and projected use...TRD Off Road.

 

I would probably just go with an sr5. You can't get the rear end locker without the TRD off-road package. I don't think you can get the TRD packages without a v6 so if you went with the sr5 4x4 you could get it in the i4 with 4x4 and add an air locker and still come out ahead. If money is no object go with a TRD off-road 4x4.

 

A TRD off-road will be better because of the rear locking diff and ATRAC, but anything that is a "road" or otherwise designed for vehicle travel will be passable with any 4x4 Tacoma. Of course, it is 8-9k more than a base SR utility package. Given her line of work, I would guess that is a material amount of money.

If she is out alone she would be much better served with a winch and proper recovery gear than anything else. I would rather be alone with a winch in my base model than with a TRD offroad.

 

This

 

Agreed ^^^ if stuck badly enough and out of comms range, self recovery is essential... And a base model with good tires and a winch will get you unstuck from worse situations than the TRD Offroad without

 

Throw in some winch extender straps, gloves, shackles, a snatch block and a "tree saver strap" and you'd be hard pressed to get accidentally stuck beyond self recovery

 

Don't.

Don't buy first generation vehicles.

 

Has she considered the new Ridgeline? Might fit her needs better

 

If it were me I'd buy the offroad, put good rubber on it and call it a day.

 

I think the Tacoma is her best option and I think the SR 4x4 model is all she would need to be honest. I've taken my SR in pretty ridiculous places and that was before I lifted it and it pretty capable. If anything you can get some recovery equipment but I think the Tacoma is the best vehicle for her job. I've met plenty of archeologists working out in the middle of the desert when I'm working on these solar jobs. They had tacomas with camper shells with some nice all terrain tires and never had a problem. Plus you know it's super reliable

 

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Yup.

 

OP

Tell her to test drive as many 3rd Gen`s as possible and to buy the one she likes the best and don`t believe everything she reads on the internet.

 

I'm a geologist and have owned several Tacomas over the years. Lots of years working in the field. SR5 4x4 is an appropriate trim level. My reasons for suggesting the V6 over the 4 cyl has to do with time spent on the highway more than it does time spent off road. If she's gonna regularly be doing any distance driving on the interstate/highways at all, go with the V6. It's just feels better. Sorta like a boat... My little fishing boat works fine on all the little Minnesota lakes. It'll also work on Lake Superior. But on Superior, you should really have something bigger. Now, if it's just a couple times a year, not a biggie (unless you're going long distance or it's windy). If you're out there every week, you want the right tool for the job.

Just get the right one the first time. I tried a new 4cyl access cab a couple years ago and traded it in for a V6 within 6 months. All that driving on the interstates that I do at 70-80mph... The 4 just felt really underpowered. And it was a bitch driving those speeds if you had any head-wind at all. Trust me on that one. You'll never have a 6 and wish you had a 4. But if you have a 4, there will be times you wish you had a 6.

Locking rear diff and upgraded shocks and springs... Not essential as long as you're smart about what you're getting yourself into. Would I like to have them? Sure. Who wouldn't. But I've never found myself anywhere where I wished I had a locking rear diff and new shocks/springs. Keep in mind- those two items are an easy upgrade any time down the road. These really are capable little trucks in stock configuration.

 

Tire chains > Locking diff.



I'd say only bother with suspension upgrade if you need more clearance. The stock Tacomas are capable enough to do what 90% of people need. Improved tires are a must. Get LT rated tires. 6 ply (Load rage C) are plenty. They will cut the odds of her having flats dramatically. The Tacomas have auto limited slip differential so it's not like they're open diff and you absolutely need the locker. They're great but the auto LSD system is really good too.

Winches are great if you have something to winch off of. A meaty pair of tire chains though will get you through some incredible stuff. The good ones aren't just for winter.

If she's worried about being in shitty areas and totally out of comms look at one of these rigs. http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php They're cheap to use, relatively cheap to buy, connect to a smartphone for super-easy use, and could save you in countless situations. I have one for hunting trips and they're a great way to let people at home keep track of where you are and 2-way messaging through email addresses or cell phone numbers (texting).

 

1. Yes, I believe you should do a V6. I own a 2.7l and absolutely love it. However, my truck isn't a part of my work. If it was, I would be in a V6 tomorrow.

Have more then you think you need and you'll never be left wanting. Many will argue about the 2.7l being the greatest engine ever and in many cases it is.

2. Tacoma with TRD off road packages will have the appropriate springs and shock for some substantial off road capabilities. So you shouldn't have to upgrade unless you feel the need.

3. Answered in question 2. I'm not sure if the SR5 has the off-road shocks available off the lot. Verify with the dealership, other with the "off-road" tagged Tacomas will.

4. Tires are widely debated here. I'd do some reading yourself. Both here and on place like tirerack.com. It's true the truck can have a fully capable engine and suspension, but with poor tire selection she'll be left spinning her wheels. (Pun intended).