The SR thread, let's see them!

The headlights are OEM LED Trd pro headlights.

 

Indeed. My son got an SX. Total was an extra $900. The flares alone would run that much. It also came with nice alloy wheels which he sold for $500. Between the wheels and flares the package is pretty much a no brainer.

 

Again... This is what SR owner's love. Taking the blank canvas, adding the lighting you want/need, adding the wheel/tire/suspension package your looking for, changing aesthetics, and upgrading things according to how you use your truck. You do all this for a lot less than it would be to purchase an off-road, sport, pro, or limited.

Go ask an experienced Toyota mechanic which vehicles they see regularly with 300k, 400k, 500k and beyond.... The answer is not going to be the pros, limited, off road, or TRD... It's always going to be the SR5 and SR. Just look around... I see first gens every day, including a green 96 I sold to a kid in my neighborhood. They are almost always SR5s.

Point being.. this guy did it right... Buy the actual truck at a bargain.. add the lighting, wheels, aesthetics piece by piece and have a fully custom truck for a lot less coin. Nice job.

 

This is what I am doing. My 2023 Sr double cab 4x4 arrived Tuesday. I couldn’t see paying all the extra money and financing it for over priced upgrades.

 

My exact reasoning for getting my base SR. I'm not into all the latest tech. Blank, reliable-as-hell canvas to make our own!

 

Honestly the SR has plenty of tech. It's not too bad for a base model. By the time you get finished with 3-5 year financing the tech is outdated anyhow... Doesn't matter if it's a pro or an SR... Technology end of life period is basically 2 years..

 

The SR is the perfect vehicle!

 

Ordered tires and rims today. Here is a pic of rims that they had in stock.
going with 18” wheels and 265/70R/18 all terrain tires.

 

Less stuff to brake. How much does a SX weigh compared to fully loaded vehicle?

 

Do the mechanics have a theory why SRs or SR5s last longer? I’ve thought of it as the 4 vs 6 cylinder but plenty of SR5s have the 6 cylinder just like a OR or Pro does. I’ve always thought it’s more dependent on the power train and not a trim.

 

I think it is as well. The trim won't make the vehicle more reliable. Just happens that the baser trims are a mix of 2.7 and 3.5s, maybe even the 2.7 predominates in SR vehicles. All the upper trims are 3.5, so you'll never see an Offroad with a 500,000 2.7.

 

My SR has more tech than my 2019 WRX with performance pack did! Plenty for me.

 

It's the fact that there's less to break. There have been 3 first gens here. All v6 SR/SR5. All had 200+. One had 375k.

 

Silver 2003 375k SR5 v6. My son rolled this one several times. He survived but the truck didn't. I'd still be driving this.

Red 2002 220k SR v6. I got this rust bucket with 160k. The frame was new but everything else was rusty. Drove it to about 200k then gave it to my son. He drove it until he traded it on a 2020

Green 96 260k SR5 V6. I got this truck to replace the silver one my son destroyed at 225k. I knew it was sketchy because it had a patch on the frame and was sluggish for a v6. The frame broke at the shock mount and it was repaired with a safe t cap kit. I sold it to a kid from the neighborhood. He still drives it daily 3 years later. That truck has probably 350k by now

 

Thing is... The Tacoma has always been the same... You purchase a 4cyl or V6 and a 4x4 or a 4x2. The motor/transmission doesn't change between models. The SR v6 motor and transmission are the same as the TRD pro. The major difference is all the ancillary crap

Also, notice the suspension difference between an off-road and an SR/SR5. The stock Hitachi shocks/stock springs make my truck drive like a sedan. The SR/SR5 suspension is made for commuting and light hauling. The off-road suspension is harsh and rough, but stiffer for the trail and off the beaten path. Over time the SR/SR5 cushy suspension seems to extend the longevity of everything on the truck...we're talking when you get up over the 200k mark.. I believe that has a lot to do with it.

A guy on my son's ice hockey team had a 2020 off-road as a loaner when his GMC was getting warranty work. He asked me how I drive a Tacoma on a diaiy basis. His words were that this truck sucks. I was insulted. I took a ride with him and hitting pot holes in the road felt like the transmission fell out. It was a harsh and nasty ride on the pavement. I said "you know Frank -- this ride DOES SUCK." He took a cruise with me and said... Oh wow.. this Tacoma drives better than my Denali --- why are two Tacoma's from the same year so much different... I told him I had the base model and he was loaned an off road TRD. The suspension is completely different.


Sometimes those TRD stickers look cool, but if your not using your truck as an off-road service vehicle then the only purpose they serve is to make your daily commute unenjoyable

 

Ok, that makes sense and I agree with you 100 percent! The higher the trim theres more electronic stuff that can break. I wanted a stripped down OR and I got as close as I could to finding that. I’ve never used cruise control in my life much less adaptive cruise control or blind spot monitoring. By the time I need a new truck my kids will be moved out. If they still made a 2.7 4wd utility access cab I’d be all over that. Simple is better.

 

Wait. The SRUP 4x4 is also off the market?
So they stripped out the SR SX and the SRUP?

Wow

 

No, i won’t need another truck for another 10 years. With the new generation who knows what’s going to happen. They have it available right now though.

 

Im hopeful to keep this truck for 20+ years. I don't want to hassle with buying anything for a long time. I bought my truck in 2020 and my wife's Outlander in September. Hopefully I don't have to mess with new vehicle purchases until 2035

 

With the 2.7 I doubt you will. I put about 25k a year on mine and have the 3.5 so we will see. I really want that 2.7 because it’s bulletproof and I don’t want any turbos or anything like that. Hopefully the next gen has the 2.7 and by the time I need something the kinks will be worked out.