Which Taco to choose? Offroad, Sport, 4x2, 4x4???

i think you'll like the style of color matched grill and bumper that comes with the sport package

 

Just thought I would point out the fact that this thread is over a year old.....

 

They are both poser packages. beefy skid plate = tin foil hat. Buy either one and if you want to off road on anything more than ranch roads, get real tires that don't loose entire lugs when on more than a gravel driveway, install real skid plates, re-gear and put on selectable lockers front and rear. ... and get a winch if you want to do self-recovery.

 

Getting real serious with your mods, huh Paul?

 

What's the opposite of "Use the Search?"

Why it's: "Don't Drag Up Old Threads to Make Banal Comments."

EDIT. That's probably a bit unfair to Paul. I'm guessing it actually got bumped on a poll vote rather than a post.

 

If I could do it over again, I would have gotten a base model 4x4 instead of the TRD OR model. Everything that is on the TRD is ok, but will all get removed for better stuff if you wheel it. Really the only good thing about it is the E-locker, which you could get much cheaper by itself. Of course, I also like a more spartan truck.

 

No same as it's been for about 4 months after buying it.

The value of a good board is allowing the new guys to stand on our shoulders without having to be drug through the 'new guy' guantlet before they get some good advice. The off road version and sport version are just a way to spark the buyer's imagination and allow them to think they are getting something special. It may or may not.

If I would do it all over again, and if I didn't buy a FJZ80 or a later model 4runner, I would buy a base and go to Chase of East Coast Gear Supply for new gears and lockers with 5 year warranty, Sonny of Down South Motorsports for some coil overs, shocks and Upper Control Arms, Bud at Budbuilt for skid plate protection and go out and enjoy the truck...

But that's just me.

 

Heck, you may even be able to get the base 4x4 for what you would pay for a 2wd TRD.

 

no TRD ,just get 4x4 and do your own mods.1

 

Even if this thread is ancient.. just saying the TRD Off-Road isn't a "gimmick" package. A-TRAC, Downhill Assist, the larger brake booster, and the e-locker are all valuable items right off the lot. For most scenarios the majority of people would put a brand new $25k+ truck through it's more than sufficient. Yes the "skids" are a joke, yes the tires are horrible... but that's the same on any of the models. Yes, ARB air lockers are amazing, but the e-locker is nice too if you use it properly... all in all it's up to you to decide the value of the packages and make an informed decision.

 

I debated this same thing for about 2 years till I finally had my decision. I went with 4x4 sport dbl cab. Some might say its overkill but i plan on going to weekend trips in mammoth, big bear, and many other mountains. Ive been in sticky situations with a 4x2 in the snow and I just didnt want to deal with it anymore. Didnt need the off road version because Im not planning on using the truck for any off road unless i take dirt bikes somewhere. Anyway my point is, I chose a truck tailored to my needs, so ask yourself how many times you will be off road and how many times you will be in the snow. good luck!

 

I never go off roading with my 4x4 TRD OR. But I agree with you. The e-locker has saved me numerous times when I go mudding. One time I drove through a puddle that was really a mud pit. Got stuck then popped it in 4LO and kept spinning the tires and spraying mud everywhere... then I realized I had the locker and drove through like it was dry pavement.

 

I sold a euro-spec '94 BMW 525i (one previous owner - a doctor, 43k miles, garage kept, not a scratch) just a few months ago when I left Germany and purchased a new Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 after arriving here. I got the truck less than a week after ordering (my dealer got it from the lot of another dealership), having my dealer install the many options I wanted.

I didn't vote in your poll. The poll dates back years and, while I really like the TRD OR 4x4, only the person buying could possibly know what he or she should go for.

 

Why don't you go off-roading (more)?

 

I pulled my 19' fishing boat up in my old 08' 4 banger w/open diff no problem. Not sure how big your boat it but you really don't need 4x4 for just that. I'd go 2x4 Sport in your situation. A locker is actually the worst thing to have in snow/rain it'll just make you spin out LSD is perfect for you

 

2WD PreRunner TRD loaded= $30,460
4X4 SR5 = $30,940
w/o alloys= $30,540

 

Imagine that , not everybody buys a Tacoma to strictly offroad it .

 

Would the push-button AutoLSD work for that?

 

well said about the value of a good board...i agree as I was/am a newcomer here and felt welcomed immediately

 

telling a man what tacoma to buy from the gambit of choices is like telling a man what kind of toilet paper to buy. some people can do a nice clean job with 2-ply and some people get shitty fingers without the 3rd ply.
if you like to keep it clean on the streets, a pre-runner would be just fine for you. however... if you find yourself eager to hit the mud regularly get the 4x4