Install Diff Lock in TRD Sport or Paint Wheel Arches on Off-Road

Hi all,

I'm moving to the USA from New Zealand in March and i'm looking to buy a Tacoma. We have the diesel turbo Hilux here so i'm new to Tacomas. I really want a diff lock model but I prefer the look of the color matched wheel arches and hood scoop on the TRD Sport. Figured I can either buy the Sport and install aftermarket diff locker or factory one from a wreck, or I can buy the Off-Road and paint the wheel arches and maybe look for a hood from a Sport.

If you were in my position what would you do?

I like the idea of the factory locker, wiring and switch etc. in the Off-Road which might be tidier than running aftermarket wiring and switches in a Sport as i'm assuming the wiring harness is different and there would be no diff lock wiring in the sport. Aftermarket would mean I could activate the locker in 4HI though which is a bonus.

To be honest i'll probably never need the locker with the amount of off roading i'll do but better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it right. Every 4x4 should have a rear locker if you ask me.

CT

 

The electronic locker on the 3rd Gen is run by the ECU using Pulse Width Modulation and if you want that “all-Toyota” OEM, functionality, it’s hard to duplicate in a Tacoma Sport, that has none of the native controls. You would most likely end up with an aftermarket air locker or aftermarket e-locker or similar installed at considerable expense.

Painting the wheel arches seems to be much less expense and effort. I’d get the Tacoma Off Road.

 

Also, 3G Tacomas have pretty poor forward visibility. Especially when navigating tight terrain. The modern “safe” high hood design on all 3G Tacomas blocks what would be a normal amount of front end situational awareness compared to an older or foreign truck, and this is only made worse by the scoop. So as cool as the hood scoop looks, the scenery looks much better from inside the cab without it.

 

Definitely would go with the TRD off road.
Paint matching fender flares is fairly cheap.

as for the hood, check out this thread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-only-hood-swappin-n-tradin-thread.413378/

 

I’d buy the OR, not paint the arches, not buy a sport hood, and save my money.
But that’s what makes TW unique. We are all different.

I think you’ll be happier with a “True” OR.
Buy a hood and some paint if that makes you feel better.

 

The TRD Pro is what you are describing, the capability of the off-road with the looks of the sport.

 

Yes.

 

Not give a shit about superficial nonsense like a hood scoop or colored flares, buy an OR, and then spend the additional money on a front locker. That's not only what I would do, it's what I did do. Plus I cut up my factory flares anyway to fit larger tires with no lift, like you also should do.

 

FOR THE WIN!

 

Hate to be THAT guy but I advise you to do a long test drive a tacoma . It drives differently from your turbo diesel hilux .go on a trip up on the mountains then decide if you still like it. The 4th gen is coming or a low lineage 2015 is great too. Anyway, I love my 2017 after it was tuned. Otherwise I would have traded it in a long time ago. Good luck

 

I disagree. Once the chicks see the scoop the scenery inside the truck will make you forget about what's outside.

 

But how do you “stargaze” with these chicks on the scooped hood?

 

C'mon man! Chicks dig the scoop. You know what else they love? Foreign accents. You combine those two and your gonna have to spend your money on one of them truck bed air mattress things and a cap...and lets be honest, locking diffs never got anybody laid.

 

Is the 3.5 V6 gutless? The Turbo 2.4 on the 4th gen will probably be able to put out some impressive power figures if tuned. I do love a Turbo.

 

I hear what y’all are saying about just buying the Off Road and forgetting about the zesty hood scoop and painted flares. That’s probably what i’ll do haha.

 

Not really but you’ll know the difference between the 3.5 vs turbo 2.4 diesel torque wise

 

I actually wanted a Sport but couldn’t find the manual I wanted, so I got an OR. Had I got a sport, the flares would have been gotten rid of. I am adamant about having mud flaps and they ruin the paint on painted flares. Plus I think the black contrast looks nice. Color matched flares ends up making the vehicle all one color. Same for the front bumper trim where the license plate goes.

I would, however, like the hood scoop. But a deal for one will likely never work out for me.

 

Front/Rear anytime camera kit helps overcome that. It mounts in the front grille and you can see what's in front of you on your DVD Nav screen.

I priced paint to match OEM sport flares and they were $300 a piece, plus you have to have them painted and installed. Good grief.

 

The non hybrid 4th gen makes the same power, but more torque. The 3.5 V6 isn't gutless or underpowered, but it's not "powerful" either. If you are coming from a diesel Hilux you will likely miss the torque.

As for the TRD OR vs Sport, it's much easier to paint flares and swap a hood than add the locker. Keep in mind that the locker is only usable in 4Lo just like the terrain modes. Silly decision from Toyota IMO, but it is what it is.

What is your timeline for moving and purchasing? If you can give the 4th gen some time after launch to get any bugs worked out then I think you'll be happier with the torque it has than what is currently offered. If you don't mind a turbo powerplant that is used to make an undersized engine "competitive" with power, then the 4th Gen may be an easier transition coming from a diesel Hilux.

 

I have a black 2022 OffRoad, so my wheel arches AND bumpers match the paint.


BTW: the OR offers a few extra options between 2HI and 4LO+locked diff. The brakes are a lot cleverer than in the Sport.