Which 2020 should I buy?

Hi all! Name is Capitan and I'm new to the Forum. I'm upgrading from a '02 Tacoma to a 2020. I could use some help/advice on which 2020 Tacoma TRD to buy. I think I'm settled on buying a 6-speed manual. But I'm not sure whether to buy a 2020 TRD Sport 4x4 or a 2020 TRD Pro. Eventually, I want to modify it to have a similar lift and clearance as the blue TRD Sport featured here in these photos. The problem is I don't know which kit to get if I get a TRD Pro to get more ground clearance in order upgrade the tires and wheels. The TRD Pro already comes with Fox suspension so a full BDS suspension kit would be unnecessary, correct?. How would you recommend I modify the TRD Pro to have it lay the way this one does in these photos, or is that not even possible without replacing the suspension? By "lay" I mean the clearance and lift which will then be accompanied by upgraded wheels and tires close to 35x12.5's in size. Or would you recommend I get the TRD Sport 4x4 and do a BDS suspension kit instead of spending money on the TRD Pro for all that suspension that I can just modify later? Obviously I know very little about suspension, but I at least know that I don't want to do a body lift since that only changes the ride height rather than ground clearance. Thanks for reading and I look forward to any feedback you're willing to offer.

-cap

 

Ranger

 

TRD sport or Off Road.

Dont buy a BDS drop bracket lift. Buy a 3” suspension lift like OME, Bilstein, Fox, ADS, or King.

Lift doesn’t create tire clearance.

You will need to do a lot of trimming to fit 35’s.

 

I bought a pro (2015) and modified the hell out of it. I don’t regret it because it’s not the same as the new pros - I wouldn’t buy a new 2020 and do anything other than throw a 3 leaf progressive in the back suspension wise.

Personally, I’d opt for a sport or OR in 6 speed manual and go to town...

 

Sport + mods > Pro
Off Road is a better value for your money
SR = blank canvas

 

The one you can afford

 

Looks like you'd be more interested in the Sport. That truck in the pictures has 35" tires and traction bars with a full suspension kit. All said and done, that'll put you into the ballpark price of a pro, but with bugger tires and taller lift (but with blocks).

Here is the build sheet for the truck you referenced and they even bought a Sport:

https://www.victory4x4.com/BUILDS.html

 

35s can be done but requires a lot of work!

 

2020 trd off road manual trans 4x4

 

Depends on how much you need to carry, but the short bed is your best bet, TRD OR 4x4 is a solid value, the Pro is overpriced. You're almost better off getting the Sport and doing your own suspension mods. Don't get me wrong the pro is great, I just prefer doing the build myself.

 

Order a 3-pedal Pro and leave it stock EXCEPT for the tires. You will be rewarded when it comes time to resell it. Factory original always brings the most money.

 

Pro

 

If you want 35's go for a BDS 6" lift. Do some reading first, but it's the "easiest" way to 35's. Big macho look in the Tacoma.

A sport is probably the best choice as you put a whole new suspension in.

 

Go for a TRD Off Road manual! Best value for sure. What are your planned uses? If they don’t extend past weekend offroad stuff or few day overlanding trips I’d go:

- Bilstein 5100 with OME 888 up front
- Dakar Leaf Pack with 5100 rear
- ECGS Bushing
- Extended Break Lines
- Carrier Bearing Drop

As for fitting 35’s I’d highly recommend this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/intro-to-fitting-35s-3-lifts.594309/

Do some research I think you’ll end up with a great setup for considerably less than a Pro.

 

I debated the same, I ended up going with the sport over the pro because I don’t like the pro wheels and was planning to lift it so the big benefits to the pro would be of no use to me. I went sport over off-road because I liked the color matched parts instead of the cheap looking black parts the off-road has. Only real benefit to the off-road is the locker but when I go 35s I’ll be regearing and do arbs at that time.

 

He is absolutely right. I'm not touching the running gear or suspension at all. All my mods will be basically bolt-ons.

 

Lift doesn't create tire clearance? That's weird

 

i think he means that a lift won’t do shit for improving ground clearance of your axles. Only bigger tires

 

Anything bigger than a 285 physically doesn’t fit in the wheel well. Lifting won’t get rid of rubbing. You need to do a CMC and other trimming. On other vehicles lift does increase tire clearance, but it’s not the case with a Tacoma.

No

 

I would do the Off road if you plan on doing mods otherwise you are throwing out $$ that you pay for the PRO