Old User New Buyer - Buyer help requested

Old user that's been dormant for a while. Sold my 1st gen after my 5th kid a few years ago and I'm looking to get back into a truck.

Uses: Not going crazy with this build. Mostly a DD with some light camping and off roading in mind. Maybe King coil overs in the future to fix the rake.

I'm looking at TRD OR. What are the recommendations, packages, etc... I should be on the look out for? I'm finding it hard to get details on available options and have a few quick questions:

1st: I want the sway bar disconnect option but I don't want to pay $1000. What are some off market sway bar disconnects I should look into?

2nd: As I budget this out, what are some "must do" mods you think I should consider?

3rd: What are some packages/options I should look at or avoid? I would like a high output alternator, engine oil cooler, and trans cooler (tow package?). What does the TRD OR package include?

Lastly: I like manuals but I hate modern manuals (rev matching, clutch "flow control" or "clutch delay" valves). Any feedback on the manual?

 

This is all subjective. I would just do my own research and build it to your wants and needs.

 

The manual in the 4G has less rev-hang than other modern Toyotas I've owned with manuals. Kudos to them for that. Test drive one and see for yourself. The large ratio diff between 1st and 2nd is a little annoying but you get used to it. Overall, the manual adds to the experience if you are so inclined.

I'm really interested in a swaybar disconnect solution, too. I waited for months hoping to find a 2025 manual with the factory swaybar disconnect, but no luck so I bought one without.

 

I'm guessing no aftermarket quick disconnect links? Is the 1st gear tall? I never liked how the 2nd gen (never tried the 3rd gen) had such a tall 1st gear.

 

Relative to the 2G Tacoma, the RC60F transmission in the 4G has a much shorter ratio in 1st (4.78 vs 4.17) and a shorter axle ratio (4.30 vs. 3.73). No problems getting started from a stop. The annoying part is the large drop in RPMs required for a smooth shift between 1st to 2nd.

4G Tacoma RC60F (4.30 axle)
1 - 4.784 (1.974 X 2nd gear)
2 - 2.423
3 - 1.443
4 - 1.000
5 - 0.777
6 - 0.643
R - 4.067

3G 3.5L RC62F (4.30 axle)
1 - 3.982 (1.974 X 2nd gear)
2 - 2.017
3 - 1.321
4 - 1.000
5 - 0.848
6 - 0.713
R - 3.385

2G (4x4) RA60F (3.727 axle)
1- 4.171 (1.905 X 2nd gear)
2 - 2.190
3 -1.488
4 - 1.193
5 - 1.000
6 - 0.849
R - 3.610

I don't understand why the 3G did not feel like it had a huge gulf between 1st and 2nd gear, given that the distance between 1st and 2nd is identical on the respective 3G vs 4G platform and same axle ratio, but everyone is perceiving a huge difference between 3G and 4G manuals. Including myself.

 

Ask yourself what are u going to use it for then build from there . The disconnect thing is some marketing gimmick .

Unless u have really deep pockets packages on these new trucks are stupid expensive .

For off road I would do an auto … I have manual on a 3rd gen it can suck off-roading with a stick at times .

 

I like the idea of manual. My wife doesn't. I'm leaning towards auto.

I took the sway bar off my 1st gen but that wasn't a DD. I don't like the actuator and would prefer quick disconnect linkages to manually disconnect one side when off-roading. I'm not seeing anything for 24-25

 

You should really drive the auto. I've been driving manual transmissions for almost 40 years. I've also owned quite a few autos. I also still own a 2000 Tacoma 4wd 5 speed. Having said that, I really like the 4th gen A8, it seems to almost always be in the right gear due to the low end torque of the engine.

 

The OR with the Premium package comes with a brake controller for a trailer–and adding a controller isn't an easy project. It has a ton of great add-ons such as the surround camera system, electric seats, heated seats, seat cooling, and the list goes on.

Google it up.

 

I test drove one yesterday and I do like it. Not only is it great for staying in the power range, the shifts are very fast and smooth. Its one of the better autos I've driven in a while.

 

I recommend reviewing the details in the brochure from https://www.toyota.com/brochures/trucks/

You'll see exactly what comes with each trim level, as well as details on each available package / option.

 

That's great you've driven one. I have no regrets with buying the auto.

 

1. I oddly like poverty edition vehicles but hate poverty buttons and admit that my search for a Tacoma with sway bar disconnect was partially stacked becuase of this. I use it often in my Bronco becuase it is instantaneous after hitting the button. In the Tacoma it is finicky, like the rear locker and engaging 4x4. It does not seem to increase articulation as much as the Bronco. If I were to do it again... probably not necessary.

2. Must do mods... bed mat. Real rock rails. Mud flaps. Front and rear tow hooks. All weather floor mats. Bed cover.

3. Avoid: Rear leaf springs. Must: I have the Premium but only because I got used to ventilated seats in my Volvo and the marine grade vinyl in the Bronco instantly induces sweat. If I was starting from scratch: aux switches, Off-Road, SofTex (cloth bottoms are lighter than backs?!?)... most other things I can easily add myself.

4. The manual... is the most truck like manual I have driven in about 30 years. 1st is pointless on pavement, 2 is still tall, sings in 3/4/5. 6 actually does something but I have not spent a bunch of time in it. In the Bronco it keeps the turbo engaged more and actually gets worse mpg on the highway. iMT2 is a nanny that can be shut-off although it does automate some normal things. Auto-hold works great. My rotating normal drivers are all manuals and this is the most cumbersome, tiresome, and inconsistent. And that's saying a lot when one of them is a 30 year old Sambar. I would probably get the automatic.

 

Agree, and what I've frequently said as well. Anybody wanting a snickety-snick manual like I had in a 07 Cayman or 14 Golf TDI should look elsewhere. This is like driving a dump truck (really more 70's F250 with a stick), and I love it for that reason. Many will not, and I suspect the proportions will line up generationally.

Best I can tell, it's just an extra overdrive gear to trick you into thinking you're getting better mileage by using it. That goes for most manuals with a 6th gear.

 

It keeps me on my toes and makes driving more involved. Sometimes it refuses to do what I want and double-clutching or neutral roaming "fixes it" but there really is no rhyme or reason. Every other manual I have driven or drive has obvious nuances that are consistent. In my weekly rotation, 3 months has earnd about 800 miles so we will see if it loosens up with time. I don't love it yet but I do like driving it.

 

And to the OP

2. The tires. They are honestly not bad (the TRD Off-Road BFGs) but they look weak and wore down. It is everything in my power stopping me from getting some Falken AT4Ws or BFG KO3s. On my 2nd gen I switched pretty early to KO2s in an E. Slow became slower but it felt planted in just about everything. And I just laughed at all my neighbors with their flats after a hail storm brought the roofers... On my 3rd gen I kept the OEM tires, Goodyear Wranglers I think and have a couple of flats that I plugged on the truck but wear was consistent and they had a decent tread pattern. Though, there was that issue with slinging tire dressing and staining the Quicksand...

 

285 33's are on my wish list but this will mostly be a DD so I don't know how aggressive I will go. I'll stick with these for now but I completely agree.

Also, from reading, a trans cooler is needed for towing, hauling, and 4 wheeling. Researching now but with the intercooler, I don't see an obvious place to mount. I'll have to measure before buying a cooler.

 

The 5-speed or 6-speed one? I borrowed my friends 2011 with the 6-speed and hated the gear spacing on it.

 

There is a thread about the transmission overheating on long climbs in 4x4: It might be a good read if you have not seen it yet.

 

is $44k out the door for a 2025 TRD Off-road with 14" infotainment screen a good deal or great deal?

Yes. Like I said, I need to figure out where to fit a trans cooler