Buying Tacoma need help

Howdy yall, I’m in the market and have been looking around to get my self a new Toyota Tacoma. I currently drive a 24 year old Lariat but it has gotten to the unreliable point of life now. Any ways with all the different trim levels going I was wondering what people who drive all different types would say when I ask for guidance on how to pick one. I go hunting often and hiking just about every weekend I can. When I get the new Tacoma I also plan on doing some minor overlanding trips nothing crazy and nothing long. So I’m off the asphalt often but I don’t find my self up some crazy rock wall or a 3 foot deep mud bog. Any recommendations would be appreciated I like the trd sport and off-road but I’m questioning if that additional add ons is needed.

 

Welcome to TW.

I recommend the Off-Road package. You can add armor and sliders as you see fit, to protect the underside of your truck.

Lots of information and good people here at TW to help you.

Good luck with your new truck!

 

Welcome

2wd will take you a lot of places
4x4 will take you almost anywhere

 

I’ll most definitely be getting 4WD

 

I bought the off road because I heard it drives better than the sport and wanted all the 4x4 add ons locking diff, crawl control etc. Ive used none of those things in two years and could've gone with the sport for around $3500 less at the time and been very happy. PS my buddy bought a 23 Sport and he has said that my Off Road has a smoother ride.

 

It kinda comes down to what you value more; looks or functionality.

 

This guy has a lot of really good videos.

https://youtu.be/eqJe5OCdjZc?si=HKy4DmqBQMBL2ckv

 

@rndsommer40 that is exactly what I was expecting to hear thank you. I mean it all sounds cool but the only thing that I was interested in is the differential lock. Have you had to use that at all?

@Buck Henry im more of a functional guy

 

I bought a Sport
85% of the time, I’ll be on the road
I certainly have no need for the locker or crawl

Sort out the features and of the additional features the off road provides are right for you and the additional cost

 

Ahh. Get an SR5 with 4wd and spend the money saved on mods.

 

The Sport & Off Road are virtually the same price.

Op, it's really a no brainer as the OR is built right out of the box to play in the mud for the same price. Only thing missing with ALL models is a little 2" lift and taller, more aggressive tires.

 

I bought the TRD Off-road because I needed the rear locker since I use my truck us a hunting rig. Also figured resale would be better on the off-road model. The cost to have an aftermarket locker installed exceeded the price difference between the Sport and Off-road models. My jeep LJ has front and rear ARBs, which make a materially difference off-road. I also disliked the Sport hood scoop and Sport wheels.

 

Different shocks on the OR, I believe, versus the Sport.

 

@Big Cole do you find your self using that lock often?

 

@099 im intrigued very much by this thought. Is this what you did? If so I’d love to see your rig and understand what you’ve done with it like use wise.

 

Yeah I use the Tacoma locker whenever I'm in snow deer hunting. Makes a big difference once you get over 8" of snow. I use both lockers in my Jeep when rock crawling. I personally won't own a 4x4 that isn't equipped with at least one locker. My past six jeeps were all locked front and rear.

 

Off road is set up nice out of the box . A few add ons and your good to go.
Worth the xtra dollars and ride better on road .

 

I would get the Off Road over the Sport. Mine is a 17 Sport and the Off Road models, that I have driven, have a better ride on and off the pavement. I think the stock sport may be better at canyon carving or road racing type of driving. And, to boot, on the Off Road you get a rear locker, a cool gyro thing that will inform you if you flip over, and some other useful off road stuff, oh yeah crawl control. Actually I think the crawl thing is over rated but I am more of the gun it an guide it kinda off roader.

 

Never had to use it but I use the Wrangler on the salty sand at the moment. I just can't bring myself to use the Tacoma on the ocean beaches here yet. One day maybe. I've only used the 4x4 a handful of times since it stopped snowing in the northeast. Take it on a gravel road just to exercise the 4wd components occasionally.

 

All Tacomas are built on the same frame, have the same engine options. etc. The different trim levels are just that, you can go from very basic to loaded with options.
Here are the trim levels that make sense for most people.
First - definitely get 4WD.
SR - basic 'work' truck. Popular but not my preference. Missing too many 'basic' options for me.
SR5 - personal 'family' truck. Has cruise, int wipers, power seats, etc. SR5 DCSB 4X4 would be a nice daily driver and weekend warrior.
TRD Offroad or Sport. Up a level from the SR5. Offroad has a rear locker, under carriage skid plates etc. Sport is more of an appearance package.
From there you can go up and up.
I have a 2020 TRD OR DCSB V6/Auto 4X4. Just a nice basic 4X4. It's a great truck.