Building an SR5 vs Buying TRD OR

SR5 and OR had different seat material when I was shopping for my '19. Head units were different; tech/safety were different; no push button start etc.

IMO the OR is an $1800 "package" that you'll recoup almost every penny of in a subsequent resale/trade.

 

I ordered an SR5 and ended up buying an OR ten weeks into my wait. I paid 1300 more. Looking at the pricing for the larger rear end and locker I couldn't pass up the OR. Some of the other upgrades are pretty cool as well.

 

Reached the same conclusion when I bought mine. Test drove identical SR5/OR trucks (DCLB-OR Mag gray) and just concluded the OR was the better value.

 

As far as the interior the only real difference maybe in the multi-information display. You'll get the cool pitch-angle tilt gauge on the OR. I use my apple 5 watch which has that function, but the OR is way cool. Not that's it's effective because when you tilt over, it can be over before the gauge tells you.

The most important thing that you may miss and the OR has is the electric booster, which is pretty awesome on TOYOTA. The other marketing gimmicks are just that to an experienced operator, but to a newbie it might be worth it.

That said, I prefer the SR5 and forgo the OR elec booster because the master cylinder assembly is very expensive $$ dollar wise to R&R If it should decide to take a dump. And I can use the extra $6k in my pocket it would cost to replace it.

Hope that helps
Good luck

 

I'd go for the OR if you plan on doing any off-roading. In addition to the rear locker, you will get MTS which simulates lockers up front AND rear using the brakes. That feature in and of itself is worth the extra cost IF you plan to go off roading regularly.

 

I recently traded in my 17 SR5 for a 20 OR. They are very similar besides the obvious - rear locker, suspension, and styling.
I prefer the key in the SR5 vs fob in the OR. For 2020 the base spec head unit is the same in both trims (not the same in previous years).
As far as seats, my SR5 had a grey interior (multiple shades of grey), my OR has a black interior with grey seat inserts. Much nicer on the eyes.
Overall though, the base SR5 and base OR are very similar. I wouldn't discourage buying an SR5.

 

The 8" axles are what Toyota had been using forever. They don't really have lots of problems. The bigger axle is a bit stronger, but the old one is plenty strong.

That being said, the boosted master cylinder is nice, and you get a little more room under the hood for it. I'd probably go SR or Offroad if I were to do it again..... especially since the SR5 is more expensive than when I bought mine. My SR5 is steel wheels and no fender flares and was cheaper..... Almost $30K new.

 

I'm 99.99% positive SR5's have fender flares.

 

I went the SR5 route but didn't really appreciate at the time what putting in a locker meant...If I do it now I'll also re-gear and I can't do the work myself so it's really a lot more money than I was thinking it would be and regret not having the e-locker in the TRD OR. With that said I've done some pretty gnarly wheeling at Red River Gorge and while a locker could have made some obstacles easier it wasn't a necessity. If you don't plan to go big on tires and need a re-gear I'd get the TRD OR, but if you think you'll eventually want to re-gear I'd rather have and ARB locker.

 

I personally went with the SR5, it's a simpler truck and if I end up needing a locker I'd rather have one installed that I can use whenever I want, not just in 4lo. Either way you go, you'll have a good truck so it's really personal preference.

 

Are you going to use the locker and all of the OR features?

I asked myself that question and the answer is no. My truck is a daily that needs to get me to camp, dirt roads, and work in snow.

I won't need a locker. I won't need a lift. I'm going to slap some AT tires on it, new fog lights, and maybe a soft topper and call it a day.

 

If the MT was available in the Dbl cab SR5 with the larger rear-end like my Sport, I'd be in it.

 

You want to make it easier for people to borrow your truck? Not me!

 

2016 it was an option. To get them, you had to buy the appearance package which gave you aluminum wheels and flares. Mine did not have that option.

 

Now is the driver seat in the 2020 better than the previous years?

 

My only caveat to this is that Toyota has a lifetime powertrain warranty (at least certain qualified dealerships) for the original owner. Basically, if my 4x4 messes up 50 years from now, and I still own the truck, then I'm covered.

That was a reason I went new over used (due to the minimal difference based on what i was looking for). If you get a great deal on a used one, then that's probably a really good option too. I am not skilled enough to do major mechanical work to the truck... so the warranty meant more to me than others probably.

 

What size tires are these, and did you have to put on a lift? Stance looks really good.

 

265/75R16, stock suspension minus the extra weight from the cap, injection molded cooler, ice, water, 25 foot of chain, tool box, hi-lift, recovery gear, dry box.... probably makes it sit level.

 

I bought a new '17 Off Road, when the 18's came out and saved $4k. Built Off Roader, right out of the box. (except for those crappy Kevlar's).

 

That’s what I did, decided to build on a stock 2017 SR5 4x4 AT DCSB. At the time, a decent 3yr old new used low mileage 3rd gen tacoma was pretty hard to find, within a reasonable distance.

Happy with my choice, I’m now running 33’s with a 2” suspension lift and no re-gear. If needed the ARB air locker for the rear would be my choice also. I’ve lost about 3-4 tank mpg’s as a result of mods but my SR5 is setup for driving more off road than on.