Beginner Tacoma Purchasing Advice (All Opinions Welcome)

Hey All,
I'm looking at purchasing a Tacoma. I've saved for going on five years and -- with the amazing resale value on Tacoma's -- it's almost the same price to buy used as new. I'm a college kid who's an avid outdoorsman so the Tacoma is nothing short of perfect for my needs... also, they're just perfect.
My question is should I wait for Toyota to put a locking front differential on the Tacoma before I purchase one if I'm constantly on trails where getting stuck isn't an option I can afford to suffer from? Or will that option not be available for a number of years?
Second question, should I purchase a Tacoma SR5 and install the off-road hardware myself (I have complete -- free -- access to commercial lift and professional mechanics) or purchase the TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro and take the hit to my wallet?
I'm anxiously awaiting your advice!
Thanks,
- Jack

 

I don't think Toyota plans on putting a front locker in any time soon.
If you plan on putting lockers and regear at the same time, you can do the sr5 4x4.
Other wise you will get the e locker and crawl control with the off road or pro.

 

Hey, Jack,

Hope it is not too awkward to ask if you have considered a 4Runner. It is a bit more expensive and the features / interior havent been updated in a long while. However, what it has going for it is the covered storage. It is nice to have everything locked up and not having to worry about theft while on the trail.

That said, one can easily add a shell to a Tacoma. For me, I needed the utility of a truck bed for non trail stuff.

I dont think Toyota will add front lockers anytime soon. If anything, they are more likely to remove stuff.

SR5 and building up is a wise choice economically. I would have gone that route if I had more time and access to resources. I opted for a OR because it was ready to hit the trails out of the box. I also liked the insurance of having CRAWL Control as a possible get out of jail card.


Family of 4's first camping trip. Discovered that while the truck bed has a lot of space, it was restricted by a cover. (No we didnt pack our entire house. Had lots of firewood, extra fuel, extra water, etc)

 

As @neverenoughdirt said, the biggest question here is if you need a 4Runner vs. Tacoma. The decision will basically boil down to if you would like to have an insulated, carpeted rear truck space or a mudproof box. There are pros and cons to both. I went with the truck because I haul my mountain bike and fiance's kayak around. If I didn't have those needs, the decision to get a 4Runner would be easy. The rear suspension will be more comfortable than a leaf spring setup unless you are willing to shell out a lot of money...

 

@OR4x4
@neverenoughdirt
@JaCado
Thanks guys,
I have considered the 4Runner (I currently drive a Nissan XTerra so SUVs were my go-to) however, I will need a Truck for the amount of hunting and farm work I'm doing on a daily basis.
The Crawl control is -- like @neverenoughdirt and @JaCado said -- an option that can't go unrecognized.
I appreciate all the advice, keep it rolling if you have any advice!

 

@OR4x4 thanks for the input on the 4Runner/Tacoma suspension, I'll investigate that and might pick your brain about it later if you're around.
Thanks again!

 

Btw, are you looking for an auto or MT trans? That will change your options. The crawl control is nice, but the MTS / A-trac and locker is great if you're going off road. The MTS/ A-trac works great for trails, but very few people mention it's great for other things such as if you get burried in loose farm soil when you go out hunting / fishing .

I'm on 265/75r16 tires so I need to make the most of what I've got when I go out with guys on 33s. Not that I do anything extremely hard core, but A-trac has bailed me out on almost everything I've had issues with. And A-TRAC is far less of a risk in regards to breaking parts. Being educated on how/when to use the locker is also a big help in that area as well.

Just food for thought. But I would establish what your needs will be for 95% and not over tool past that, unless you want to.

 

Its worth mentioning that if you hunt, you will likely want a truck bed for the carcasses. If that is true, then disregard the 4Runner. The 4Runner will be A LOT more comfortable to drive on a daily basis, but will not be well suited to hunting (carcasses and carpet don't mix in my book). 4Runners are just as capable or even more capable than the Tacoma when it comes to pure off roading chops. Additionally, crawl control is a somewhat recent feature, 2000's if I'm not mistaken. You will likely be able to get around most of where you want to go with a 4x4 without crawl control. I have been hanging with some 3rd gen owners recently, and none of them stated crawl control as being very useful or as a buying point.

I think the resounding message that I've got from people on here is this:

1. Get a TRD OR if you're going to keep things as they are, for the most part.
2. Get an SR5 if you are thinking big suspension mods or front/rear lockers.

The reason this advice is given out is because you shouldn't pay for something that you're not going to use (OR suspension/wheels/etc).

 

@OR4x4
Agreed, deer carcasses wouldn't blend with carpet well. I'd purchase a hitch basket and use that. My family is die-hard 4Runner supporters, I'll keep an open mind with the 4Runner and the SR5 vs. TRD.

 

@m603holden
I understand that man! I'm running with guys who are boasting 35s.
I'm looking automatic, I love manual but with all the time I spend driving downtown, I think I'd regret that decision.

 

Yup. I've got the manual. Started with an 06 manual sr5, went to a 2011 sr5 auto, and now I'm in a 2017 TRD OR MT. It's always whatever works for you personally

Again, the only consideration I'd put into OR with stock rear locker vs sr5 + adding lockers is theres a higher risk of hand grenading a locker than breaking something with MTS / A-trac , which is an OR feature.

I got real far with no lift, a skid plate, and better tires with my Off-road for a long time. I'm over 1200 miles of trails this year and about 40+ worth of actual wheeling.