TRD Off Road vs TRD Sport

I am considering a 2011 Toyota Tacoma, Just wondering if the Sport would be better on gas milage than the off road ? Or would the Off road be better than the sport ?
Trading in My 2005 Nissan Titan SE w/off road package. a few things the Tacoma does not have that the new Titan has: Power drivers seat, Rockford fosgate stereo, rear power window, and locking tailgate. But the Tacoma has rear view cam, Titan only has rear sonar in bumper.

I would prefer The tacoma with the JBL audio, anyone have any comments on the JBL system ?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/83131-jbl-audio.html

 

I have an '08 TRD sport double cab. I think the JBL system is decent for my needs. I'm not trying to impress anyone with the sound system or let the whole neighborhood know what I'm playing and rocking their homes with bass. As far as gas mileage I think it's the same... mainly dictated by your driving habits, tire pressure, etc... Either way I think you'll be happy with Off-Road or Sport. Good Luck!

 

I have an '09 Sport with the JBL system. As for the difference between the Off Road and the Sport there isn't much. Sport has 17" rims, Off Road has 16". The hood scoop, paint matched grill and bumpers are the main differences. It's just what look you are going for.

As for the JBL system, it has a really good sound for a factory system. CD player/changer works well. Plays MP3 formated discs which is nice. I just wanted it to have the factory look. For the money ($750 upgrade charge I think) you could have a very nice aftermarked system installed which would have an even better sound and features I'm sure. It is just all in what you like.

Good Luck!

 

jbl system stinks.... but it may okay for some. listen to it and make up your own mind.

 

I had the same question when I bought my truck, I always had a 4x4 and always had used it for fishing trips, get to the deer camp, pulling a 22 foot boat out of the water, driving in sand, snow and all that. I really thought about the type of 4x4 driving I have been doing and I was able to do it all with the last 4x4 I had a which had no locker in the rear, so I got the Sport. I am very happy with it.

That being said if what you do requires a rear locker then the Off Road is the thing.

 

Both Sport/Off-Road TRD packages:
- Sport seats
- power outlet in the bed (100w/400w depending what mode... virtually useless for all but basic stuff)
- compass/temp gauge cluster up top
- TRD graphics
- TRD suspension (blisten shocks, ect. You can actually get this with some SR5 models through the harsh ride TSB)

2009+ Sport advantages:
- color matched panels (grill, rear bumper, side mirrors, door handles)
- hood scoop (completely non-functional. It's not even open to air, even if it was the airflow design puts it in a neg pressure zone, so even modifying it will not give you one benefit)
- Availability of double-cab long bed. (not available on off-road)
- 17" TRD Rims (your pref on what you like)

2009+ Off-Road advantages
- Rear e-locker (if you're off roading at all, this can be INVALUABLE. However, you can add an aftermarket ARB air locker (stronger on engagement) for about 1500+)
- A-TRAC (traction control system, search it and you can read up on it. It's pretty nifty, can be very usefull but will never replace a locker... but it does help your front traction out more than basic TRAC does)
- DAC or Clutch Start/Cancel (downhill assist control on auto, or disables clutch push in for start. Not sure if this is SR5+ or both sport/off-road though)
- Chrome grill, chrome rear bumper, black ABS plastic side mirrors and door handles. May be an advantage or diss-advantage compared to your tastes (I despise it personally)
- 16" TRD Rims (your pref on what you like)

Note, 2005-2008, the TRD Off-road had the e-locker rear diff, sport had a real LSD setup. A-TRAC was not included on either. 2009+, both have A-LSD (auto LSD, uses the brakes to simulate the clutch LSD effect. So street or strip the off-road is identical off the lot for that action)

Those are the differences. It's up to you to choose what you desire more. The off-road is by far a more capable vehicle for traction control and off-road ability off the lot. If you want purely anesthetic stuff... then the sport has the edge with the sweet color matched stuff (though I personally hate the fake scoop). If you want the best of both (match the panels/scoop/locker/ect) then the best option is to get a TRD Off-Road and purchase or paint the parts to mach and swap hoods. Much easier to do that than attempt to install A-TRAC and a lot cheaper than adding an aftermarket locker.

Millage is identical for the same layout setup (ie: doublecab short bed v6 auto). The remainder of the drivetrain/interior/exterior is identical. The 4.0 is the same on all v6 models. The 6spd is the same on all sr5+ packages. Gearing is the same between sport/offroad. Both 4x4 versions have 2-Hi (normal 2wd mode), 4-Hi (normal 4x4 mode), and 4-Lo (slow speed 4x4 mode).

What you should choose is up to you, but I picked the off-road because I use it off-road, and function over anesthetics for me off the lot. I'm going to mod the piss out of it anyway (color match and satoshi grill, front/rear armor will replace bumpers, ect). All up to you.

JBL: not worth the money, but not bad for 'stock.' I prefer it to the pile of crap BOSE I had in the Infiniti G35... it's probably pretty comparable to the Fosgate in the Nissan. I test drove a nismo frontier with the fosgate setup... wasn't that impressed with it either. For the cash, you can install a much better custom setup that will 10x blow the stock jbl/fosgate setup out of the water.

 

I love my TRD Sport, but some time, I need the E-Locker...and the Sport only have LSD... =/

 

sorry!!!!! I was thinking in my Taco, is a 2005!!!

 

Thanks for the great info. I am trading in 2005 Titan for a 2011 Tacoma TRD w/off road package w/JBL. I will miss the Titan and some of the options that it had, power seat, Rockford fosgate, tailgate lock, and rear sliding window, But I am sure after I get the Tacoma I will be much happier.
2005 Nissan Titan SE w/off road. 13-14 mpg average w/scan guage.

 

You are doing the wise thing, getting the OFF ROAD... It is more able to go anywhere, and is not about looking cool.

A-TRAC is best described as 'automatic lockers', front and rear... and really works. The locking rear differential is there, but A-TRAC takes away the need for it... I had two previous Tacomas with the rear locker, and my 2010 with A-TRAC is better, period.

The AUTO LSD (in H2) and TRAC in H4 are 'automatic limited slip' features for 2WD and 4WD-High Range that work extremely well and you will be able to do things in H4, that would have required L4 with the rear locker before. TRAC in H2 is a 'lite LSD' and has engine output regulation, helps you get moving from a stop without the back tires slipping when your bed is empty. The VSC prevents you from skidding out of control on the highway.

Those with the SPORT 4WD perform the Yellow Wire Mod to get TRAC to work in L4, as they don't have A-TRAC... and TRAC in L4 gives them superior traction to the normally open differential in low range.

 

check out all the similar thread links at the bottom of the page.

 

Do you need the long bed or will the short bed do? I am in sales and drove 62,000 miles last year, the long bed rides NICE, and the the hands free option the JBL system offers works great when you are on the phone all day.

 

I went for the short bed w/off road. I like the looks of the off road better than the sport, just my opinion. Tough choice between the sport and off road though.

 

Good choice... for off roading, that is... the Sport's hood scoop is a visibility obstruction... and there is no rear locker. I test drove one back in '05.

 

I would go with the TRD Off Road Model not the Sport, like the options better.

 

go offroad

 

Take a look... HE DID!