sport or off road 4x4---whats the difference?

I am going to trade my prerunner in for a 4x4. What can anybody recommend. trd sport 4x4 or trd off road 4x4. I like the hood scoop and I dont do any off roadin unless i help someone out of ditch or happen to be on a road which turns to dirt. Almost got stuck in some wet red clay with 2wd once. Just want to be prepared for the next unknown episode. What amenities will I lose if I go non-TRD 4x4.

 

rear diff lock or not.......

 

Going non TRD means you'll not get the TRD seats. The TRD offroad has the locker. All the new models have an "electronic" LSD (for lack of better wording)

Buy the model that has what you want.

 

Yeah I would go with the Sports model if you dont off-road much. It has the hood scoop, color matched rear bumper, front grill surround, door handles, side mirrors and 17" wheels. Well even if you do go off-roading, the sports edition will do just fine!

 

If you like the hood scoop and don't off-road much then it sounds like you want the Sport.

Some folks regret not getting the Off Road package... I haven't heard of any regrets from those that have.

 

The sport has more comfort features and wins the "looks" contest to me. The standard 4WD on the sport will be more than most people ever need with light offroading.

 

OFF ROAD TRD is a totally different machine than the Sport TRD... If you don't enjoy the outback/ back country/ off roading where no one with less a truck has driven before, then get the SPORT.

A-TRAC, and TRAC on the hydraulic booster is not a joke... makes the Tacoma a tank!

 

I mean, Sports can't go in sand



Or on the rocks





Or in the mud



Or on nothing at all

 

You obviously use your truck on the trails and that's all very good. But what David was saying is true. The tools that the Off-Road models comes standard with: A-TRAC, Locker, TRAC, and the more powerful hydraulic brake booster, allow it to go places that the sport just cant go without assistance. Because the sport does not have traction control in 4lo, it is susceptible to getting stuck when a wheel looses traction. There is no sense in arguing about it...

Because the OP doesn't off road too much the sport is the obvious choice for him. There is no sense in buying what you don't need.

 

get the hood soup!

 

Those are tools that help the OR models. There's more than one way to skin a cat.

David beats the A-TRAC drum a lot - and it's a great tool - but it's not the defining characteristic of capable or not.

You don't want to see the pictures of what my fiance's jeep with just an LSD has been through/on top of.

 

Huh? What comfort features. Both have the exact same interior minus a few buttons for A-TRAC and such. Both TRD have the all but useless bed outlet... The sport simply has the suspension tuned a bit better for the street, a scoop, and color matched panels. There's nothing additional otherwise.

 

Yes. That's what we're talking about. Offroad or Sport--whats the difference?

Are you suggesting aftermarket parts/mods to make the sport more capable? Because as far as traction is concerned the Off-road Tacoma needs none.

I can't speak for him, but I didn't get that impression from his comment. Regarding A-TRAC... The A-TRAC feature saved us all from spending $2,000 on the purchase and installation of a front locker! It deserves great praise.

Please don't because it has no bearing on our conversation. We're discussing Sport and Off-Road Tacomas.

 

Get the Off Road...You'll like the Locker, but see if they'll put a Sport hood on it. I was lucky enough to swap hoods with a guy but its very rare that ppl wanna trade hoods. Even though the Sports hood isn't a functional scoop, it still looks great! Good luck man!

 

Remember guys, I am on my THIRD Tacoma, and this one is the first with A-TRAC... Sure, the Tacomas without A-TRAC are awesome... can go everywhere... as I did with my '05 and '01... But at least they all had a Rear Locker... does the Sport?

Yes, sorry I beat the A-TRAC drum a lot... but until you get it, you just don't understand how cool it is to be high centered on you back spare tire and hitch, both rear tires off the ground in ditches, and maybe just one tire in front with traction, facing uphill... and the A-TRAC drives my truck right out... no fuss! (see Panda Jerk's thread 'Drug Airport Photos')

 

And that is the issue of the capability of an LSD.

 

And that is the issue of the capability of an LSD.

I'm not arguing that the LSD is better than a locked differential. I'm just saying that an LSD is more capable than a lot of people here make it out to be.

 

The 09+ don't have a mechanical LSD anyway.... so it's kinda mute. Both the off-road and sport have the same auto-LSD.

 

My tacoma is also the vehicle which I use for long distant road trips. Is the trd sport 4x4 a better choice than OR 4x4? Thanks for feedback, it's been extremely helpful.

 

So do the Sports now have the same rear end as the SR5 4x4's?!

This I did not know...I'd prefer a locker, but was willing to settle with an LSD. Maybe I will change my plans.