TRD Off-Road vs. SR5 differences for builds

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, and am looking at purchasing a 2nd gen. I haven't owned a taco before and am super excited. Looking at between the years of 2009-2015. I've read that the '06-'08 years had some rust issues on the frame. I did some research and narrowed the model down to either a OR or SR5 but am needing advice...

The reason why I'm looking at the OR is mostly because of the increased tow weight capacity compared to the SR5; the upgraded suspension, electronic locking rear differential; overall more upgrades to buy with the stock from the lot. I'm wanting to have the extra capacity for camping and being able to access those off the map places, and be able to tow a small trailer when need be.

I'm totally down for working on cars. Love it. I also don't know very much about working on trucks. I've only worked on sedans.

Is it possible to upgrade the SR5 to the same level of off-roading as the OR? Or upgrade the base?

I'm only slightly concerned about the budget for the price difference between the OR and SR5, and I know on both I'm going to end up doing some sort of work (lifts, suspension, bed renovations for camping lifestyle, etc.).

Is there anything that I'm just not getting between the two models other than the obvious?

Any recommendations offered are greatly appreciated!

 

To me it sounds like you are in the market for a OR The biggest difference is the locking diff, and if you are looking to get off road that is a huge advantage. If you plan on lifting it you are going to be doing away with the OR suspension anyway and I would assume you are going to do a set of wheels and tires so the factory wheels and tires dont really matter either.

 

Welcome to TW. A lot depends how much you plan to "upgrade" The OR is equipped with options most people add for off-roading. Rear locker,ATRAC,and AC Power inverter(if that's important to you). If you plan on those upgrades anyway, get the OR. I don't think you could add those accessories for less than the price difference between the two models. I personally think ATRAC is a great "substitute" for a front locker. The other upgrades such as tires, lift, shocks, would cost the same either way.

 

To determine if a truck has the factory tow package, look for these 2 things. Not all ORs came with the tow package.

Obviously if it has a manual trans, it won't have the tranny cooler in the 2nd pic.

 

Where do I find the piece in the first pic? I aint never seen that red thing in your pic.

 

It's just an oversize oil filter. It's a pic I grabbed off Google images.

 

2nd gen

 

Oh, yeah, the 3rd gen Tacos went back to a 1957 Chevy style oil filter.

 

My 2009 is the Off Road and has the SR5 package and of course the tow package.
That e-locker when engaged also shuts off the ABS, ATRAC Traction control, and engine management so you can dig yourself out. Off Road also has a switch to re-enable only the front ATRAC with the e-locker engaged. Other models do not have this capability and in fact if you get a non Off Road stuck only the rear wheel with the least traction drives so spins and the ABS fires that brake (that's your only "locker" ha ha) and engine ramps down. Try pulling someone or something out and same is true so get the Off Road. Those older models had a true posi in the rear so search that if interested. Search on 2012 up and think they added an air pump (smog) so another problem area.
Lots of info on the forum so be ready to search and read.

 

Back when chevys were good

 

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you!

In regards to the factory OR tires, lift, shocks, etc, are there better quality "upgrades" that I could get than the stock that would cost somewhat around the same overall (If that makes sense).
I just ask as I'm planning on doing standard "upgrades" (lift, tires, shocks, etc.) would it be in my best interest to do that to an SR5 instead of buying the OR? Or would the cost be difference be about the same?

 

Super helpful! Thank you. And I'm excited to be learning more

Has the 2012 models and up air pump been an issue that is easily resolved? And with the e-locker, would that be more with intense off-roading (going over boulders, through bodies of water, etc)?

 

These pictures are very helpful to see where things are on the engine, so thank you!

Is it possible to add-on the tranny cooler on a manual? (As you can probably tell, I'm not very knowledgeable about specific engine upgrades). I'm considering a manual, as they're much more fun to drive than an automatic, in my opinion.

 

Manual transmissions don't need a tranny cooler. They don't generate heat like an auto.

 

For off-roading, are manuals easier than automatics? My brother had both a manual Jeep, then an auto later, that he would often take up to the mountains. Granted, he was driving a Jeep. He didn't specify whether manual or auto worked better as off-roading transmission. Maybe I'm answering my own question in that it's up to driver's preference

 

All I'm gonna say is, my 4wd vehicles are autos and my Mustang, Firebird, and Mazda RX8 are manuals.

 

That's completely fair to say Thanks.

 

Welcome to TW!

ALL years may have frame rust issues, depending on the service they've seen (e.g., inclement weather, salt, moisture, etc).

There are definite differences in the option packages. Offerings probably varied a little from year-to-year, but here's how they differentiated in 2013...
- V6 Tow Package: Class-IV towing receiver hitch, transmission and supplemental oil coolers (transmission cooler not available on manual transmission models), 130-amp alternator, heavy-duty battery, 7-pin connector with converter and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC)
- SR5 Package: Fog lights (V6 models only), chrome grille surround and rear bumper, colorkeyed front bumper and overfenders, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera3 display, outside temperature gauge, variable intermittent windshield wipers, power outside mirrors (Access Cab models only), sliding rear window with privacy glass, bucket seats with 4-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, SR5 fabric-trimmed seating surfaces, cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, leather-trimmed shift lever, metallic-toned instrument panel trim, dual sun visors with sliding extensions and vanity mirrors, compass and remote keyless entry system
- TRD Off-Road Package: Off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, electronically controlled locking rear differential, 16-in. alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BFGoodrich tires, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) (4x4 models only), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) (4x4 automatic transmission models only), fog lights, chrome grille surround and rear bumper, color-keyed front bumper and overfenders, TRD Off-Road graphics, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera display, outside temperature gauge, variable intermittent windshield wipers, power outside mirrors (Access Cab models only), sliding rear window with privacy glass, engine skid plate, front tow hook, Sport fabric-trimmed front seats with driver’s lumbar support (passenger-side fold-fl at feature delete), cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, leather-trimmed shift lever, metallic-toned instrument panel trim, dual sun visors with sliding extensions and vanity mirrors, overhead console with maplights and sunglasses storage, 115V/400W deck-mounted AC power outlet, compass and remote keyless entry system

According to pp 226-229 of the 2013 MY Owner's Manual, the V6 Tow Package, not the SR5 or TRD OR packages, provides increased towing capacity. Those without the V6 Tow Package are rated to tow only 3300-3500lbs. Those with the V6 Tow Package are rated for 6400-6500lbs.

Upgrading the Base or SR5 to the same level of off-roading as the OR is possible, depending on your budget. If you want the features they include, however, the marginal cost of the packages (especially on used vehicles) is a more cost-effective path.

Everything you need to know about A-TRAC is available in the TRACTION GUIDE (TRAC, AUTO LSD, TRAC OFF, VSC OFF, A-TRAC, RR LOCKER thread.

You hit the nail on the head here. It's all about driver preference - I've never owned and automatic and have no plan to do so until/unless I can no longer drive three pedals and a stick.

 

I own a 12 and the pump went bad at 57k, Toyota now offers and extended warranty to 150k miles on the pump if it fails. But i decided to cancel it, spend about 350 on the bypass wiring harness and problem solved. Zero issues with it before or after that.

 

This is so incredibly helpful I really really appreciate this!! Explains so much I didn't know about but know I do