Flummoxed

So... I have been looking to buy a new Tacoma. My desires are hard set, at least for now. Apparently the configuration I want is absolutely not available in the US. I'm looking for a:
2020
off-road
Access Cab
Manual Transmission
6 foot bed
in Blue

You can build this same configuration on the Canada Toyota website but this is not possible for the US site. I have been in email communication with my local dealership and, if I understand correctly, it's not possible to special order it. That alone blows my mind!

I looked into buying one in Canada and bring it home to Washington, but the pain in the ass that would be is more than I wanna tackle.

I'm I just talking to the wrong guy at the dealership or the wrong dealership. Shouldn't one be able to order that configuration?

 

The closest you are going to get in the US with that configuration is the sport.

 

Should be, but you cant in the US unfortunately. And yeah, you don't want the headache of importing a canadian car. I looked into that heavily back in the day and passed on it.

 

Toyota would like you to think you can build your own truck but in reality you get what they make available.

 

Yeah... I saw that the sport was as close as I would get. Ugg. So far the major differences is the missing skid plate, suspension, and tire size. Speaking of tire size... I think I'm missing the point of tire size as it relates to off-roading. Don't you wanna be higher off the ground and yet the sport has the taller tires than the off-road?!?

 

I a solid Toyota fan for sure but that sours me a bit.

 

hope this doesn't ruin your day, but all Sport MT trucks come with HSA, Hill Start Assist. some don't mind but that would be a deal breaker for me if i was shopping MTs. you can't disable it [easily].

 

It’s stupid the way the Can vs USA thing goes. In Canada we can’t buy a Toyota Landcruiser anymore we have to buy a Lexus LX570 the line changes everything lol.

 

.... that did nearly ruin my day, thanks
I never heard of such a thing! I'm stiffening a rant as we speak!

 

All of the stock tires available on a Tacoma have the same diameter at ~30.5-30.6”.

The size of the wheel varies, but not the overall tire height.

 

I went to the main Toyota website for the TX plant to see if I could attack it from the head end, I haven't heard from them yet. After some research I learned that the TX plant also makes the Toyota for CA as well.... So as I was composing my communication with them they suggested reading the FAQ where they say that the available trims is due to market research. To may WTFs for my brain to handle. Oh well.

 

the tire od is the same - just the rim is 17" on the sport and 16" on the O/R. there are a lot of people lifting their O/R trucks with almost no miles so the suspension is readily available used. you could probably pick up a skid plate easy as well since some people upgrade to the trd plate. really the only thing that would be missing is the rear locker. the sport M/T does have the 8.8" rear end.

 

oh! That makes sense. So a 16inch wheel size on an Off-road version that would mean more air and tire between you and the terrain. Less so with a 17 that the Sport has.

 

I thought I read where Sport MT has locking rear diff?

 

I think only the O/R - but I have been wrong once!here's a suspension setup cheap.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...froad-suspension-less-than-1000-miles.638980/

 

90% sure TRD off-road and Pro are the only 2 with lockers that’s why the joke is so I buy a off-road for a real locker or Sport for a Fake scoop lol

 

All models get computer simulated LSD while the OR and Pro add the Locker.

 

All you need is a sawzall, a welder, some matching channel steel, driveshaft mods, electrical mods, and a 6' bed. TW is always interested in a good project. Don't let 'NO' take your dream away!

 

hahaha I'm halfway there then!

 

Don’t get hung up on the skid plate and suspension either. It’s nothing special on the OR. At a minimum you’d want the aluminum TRD skid or a fabricator’s offering because the stock one is more of a tin splash guard. And most will replace the suspension anyway. If you’re fine with no rear locker, get the TRD Sport 6MT ACLB!

edit: the sport has half the skid setup that the offroad has.. and I’ve seen people giving the stock stuff away. Food for thought.