Thinking of Getting a Tacoma

I went from a 2007 Tacoma access cab to a 2011 F150 Raptor, to a F350 with 6 inch lift, to a 2006 Tacoma Trd off-road. I will never sell my current Tacoma. It’s much easier to work on and goes anywhere. Has less of the luxury factor, but I wanted simplicity

 

I don’t care for them, but they are a big deal for my wife. And they come in handy when we are driving through The northern states in the colder months. We do a lot of road trips for camping and visiting family.

 

Long road trips in a Taco is not very comfy just sayin....when you load up all your bags and if you’ve got kids things get tight real quick. I like to be able to stretch out and be able to move around a little in my seat and you can’t do that in a Taco if you are bigger than average. Plus the lack of leg support will wear ya out and the lumbar is shit. Plus if you care, fuel mileage of a half ton in a midsize truck turns some people off

 

I find it just the opposite. I love my tacoma for road trips. This is gonna be different for everyone.

 

You drive a TRD sport that has the better seats

 

So here is another question, maybe worthy of its own thread, or maybe there is an existing thread on it.

Say I’m set on getting a Tacoma. No matter what I get, within he next year it will have method race wheels and new Toyo tires along with new coil-over suspension. Is it worth it to just buy a baseline Tacoma with 4x4 and do all the offroad upgrades myself? Or does paying the extra couple thousand for the TRD make sense?

 

Buy the OR so you can get the rear locker

 

lmao

 

This.

I have method nv’s sitting in my garage, nitto 295’s, warn m8000, OME lift coming, and manual transfer case ordered with the money I saved by going with a 2006 with 90,000. Don’t be afraid to scale back a few years and save some money for parts, it’s a Tacoma and should run forever.

 

But I can add an aftermarket ARB locker with the money I save not getting the OR, correct?

 

Yea but the factory OR locker is a pretty good one, and that ARB money could be spent on other mods

 

So the locker alone makes the TRD worth it?

 

Yes, but you have to add stuff like an on-board air compressor and labor for installation.

Honestly, I think you'll be happier in your current truck. One big thing that everyone comments on is the seating position of a Tacoma. The floor is fairly high and the roofline low, so the seat is close to the floor. Your legs are much flatter along the floor and it feels a bit more "car-like". I liked it, but if you like the big upright comfy armchair feel of a big truck you'll notice it right away. I definitely recommend a test drive.

Also, unless you're already pushing the limit of your truck's capability, you won't really need a Taco. They are smaller and more maneuverable than a full size, but I've ridden with a few full size trucks and they do just fine on most trails. If you're getting stuck a lot on your belly or scraping bumpers, hitting drivetrain components on your trails, etc... sure, it's time to look at a more technical, capable trail truck.

If you're driving on gravel roads a few times a year, your Ford is just fine .

 

If you truly want a taco yes. Plus the OR comes with factory skids

 

Couldn’t have said it better myself

 

I appreciate your input. I have driven multiple Tacoma’s and really like how they drive. Seating position isn’t a huge issue as long as it’s not a 3rd gen with a sunroof, that’s a little tight for me.

The issue with my Ford now is that it’s huge, and while it’s sexy as all hell, it makes it hard to get all the places I want to go for hunting, camping, and just general offroad use. I find myself out on trails a lot more these days than I did when I got the ford and lifted it- which is exactly why I’m looking at a Tacoma. Plus my Ford isn’t exactly holding its value like a Tacoma would. “Investing” in a Tacoma now while my Ford is still worth something would ultimately save me money down the road.

 

Going to take a while to get back that 10k initial investment and the mod money you put out...

 

Gonna be scratching up brush in that big ass truck on trails.

 

... in theory... or investing in a Tacoma could be one of the most costly decisions of my life (besides marriage).

 

She has more than a few Arizona pin stripes from hunting whitetail