Sedan was totaled. Should I get an SR5 and mod it or get an Off-Road?

I drive my SR5 around the desert trails in the Mojave; I've never encountered a problem with its 4x4 system -- even in deep washes (sand for you easterners ) I think it's all the truck I need. And I get the nice body colored wheel-well trim.

 

They are nice but honestly with that cap it looks like a minivan.

 

Like a sleeker Odyssey, or a Pilot XL.

The one I saw the other day had an extension ladder on the roof, and I think windors on the cap. I didn't see who was driving, but it could have been Larry the cable guy.

 

SR5's are great. Limiteds too are all nice trucks.

 

As someone with an SR5, get the off road. An off road with the same milage of an sr5 is worth 8k more somehow

 

Get the new Trail Edition with a locker and be happy. I too don't off road like my old mudding days, just some beach or gravel road. Been there and torn up more trucks than its worth. I have a lifted Sport, nicely modified and I'm happy.

 

Get the TRD 4x4 OR. They ride super smooth on road and are very capable offroad.

Is there a casket in the back? It looks like a hearse.

 

From someone with a sport, I say get the OR. Overall more capable from the start. Your wheeling could change over time and being more capable is never a problem. Who cares if you never have to use the locker, it's peace of mind to have it.

 

Its funny here in the asphalt jungle that connecticut mostly has. 9 out of 10 people opt for the trd's, and never see a dirt road. They do lifts, big ass tires, and keep them waxed to no end....go figure.

 

Don't get too caught up in all the nit-picky options and details. Just finding something that is not crazy priced is the challenge right now. Find one you like for a good price and pull the trigger. You will be stoked about having your 1st Tacoma and soon adding mods regardless of which one you get. All of the very mild mods I have added would work with either. I have an OR and have never used or needed the OR options the SR is missing.

 

One thing not yet mentioned, which I did not know at the time I was shopping myself, headlights.

It’s no longer a big problem now that we have an OEM LED conversion harness for the SR which is rather well tested. But I would say that having an ECU controlled DRL is worth a few extra dollars as well. It just makes everything easier when it comes to headlights.

Edmunds is pretty clear on picking a TRD trim as best value.

Mirror turn signals are another difference worth noting. None of this is all that big of a deal in the big picture but it all adds up to easier modding / upgrades. I definitely underestimated my desire to do truck mods. This platform is just a blast to tinker with, so many options and guys like @ClassyTacos make it all so doable as DIY with helpful videos and hints.

I own an SR ‘05 and an SR5 ‘02 Tundra. Wife preferred DCLB SR5 v6 but I wanted MT so that was a non option. It’s all the same basic truck, same engines and transmissions. One small thing to note, there was a 2017-2018 5 lug option, definitely kinda special and a bit rare, I almost want one myself, but rather unlikely you stumble on one.

If you don’t have a choice, the SR / SR5 is a great truck. It can be modded just as much as any TRD. Factory locker is cool but Eatons are cool too. And if replacing the suspension anyway, who cares what you start with.

But LED headlights from the factory are way cheaper as an option and only available with TRD trims. It may seem trivial now but the price difference between SR5 and TRD might seem trivial later, especially if you keep it 10+ years.

Prices are loco still but seem to be trending back towards earth ever so slowly.

Enjoy the search, it’s a fun time.

 

It's almost like the majority of trucks sold in the US never see any real off-roading (off-roading that would actually require a 4x4 truck) or hauling work and are just a status symbol? Who knew?

 

Dude I have to say you always have the best GIFs on here....

 

Maverick Tremor.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40771008/2023-ford-maverick-tremor-details/

 

Why is there a such a big whoo-ha-ha over headlights these days? In all my 40 years of driving never really paid much attention to them. Have added driving lights to my old vehicles, and rarely use them. Found as I have gotten I don’t really care for driving at night either, can’t see the landscape. If ya do drive at night, lights have gotten so bright that on coming traffic blinds ya.

 

But OP is not buying new and enjoying that inflated $6k value.. he's paying $8k more for a truck with the same engine and transmission.

Buy whichever truck you find in good shape and a market valued price. Mainly they're the same truck.

 

I bought an SR5 knowing I would want to change some things but I also knew I didn’t need the rear lockers and everything that comes on an OR because I’m not going to be insta-broverlanding. My truck is more of a long road-trip/light trails build.

Went with the SR5 so I’d have more money for the customizations I wanted to make instead of paying for some fancy OR stuff I didn’t need and would never use. Best decision I ever made.

My build thread is in my signature if you want to see what I did with my SR5 and the money I saved from not buying an OR.

 

Can't go wrong with either, but I'd be test driving both. The OR has a slightly different suspension that you might or might not like. Not that suspension can't be altered on either, but that's an expense on top of the price tag. Plus the OR has the black headliner.

If you're gonna get something based on van architecture, get a van. I'd argue that the humble Odyssey can out-truck most trucks. It's difficult to find a more versatile vehicle than that.




If I had to choose a unibody mini-truck, Maverick would be my choice. It at least knows what its supposed to be.

 

One of my dirt bike buddies has one, hauls bikes to the trail head just the same as my Tacoma. It does suffer on dirt roads through, he can’t hang with my Tacoma and I drive slow…


Do like the looks of it over the machismo Tacoma though.

 

It is really too bad Toyota doesn’t make a cargo version of the Sienna. If Mercedes had an AWD Metris I would be in that over a Tacoma.

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Mercedes-Metris-Motovan,1299374