Not yet an owner, but that's why I'm here!

As an Idaho girl raised on Toyotas, it only makes sense that I get myself my very own beautiful Tacoma!! I've loved and coveted them for a few years now, and now that I've discovered the world of dirtbiking, I need a way to haul my bike around. I've joined the site to decide exactly what Tacoma is right for me, as well as to get the inside scoop on the best way to make mods/upgrades.
If any of you have an advice/experience, so far I'm looking at used 05-07 tacomas, double cab, probably a sport (I like the look of the hood scoop, but don't know what else is different about it vs just the normal 4X4 or the off road, stiffer suspension?) Still undecided about the length of bed. I like the way the short bed looks, but again I've got a full size bike to tow around (CRF250R) and it'd be nice if I could fit in another... Probably black or white but leaning toward white. If I get one stock, I'd like to get a two inch lift and slightly bigger tires, some nicer rims and tint the windows. I'll be doing some 4X4 in the mountains, nothing super crazy, and it'll be my daily driver as well. I'm looking at buying one in the next two or so months. Anyone want a 2003 Toyota Camry?? Yeah... it'll definitely be an upgrade!! I'm stoked
Anyway, I'm excited to be here, love to read forums and learn about them. Anyway, I'll be browsing the forums for more info to help with the decision, but if you have any advice I'd LOVE to hear it!! Thanks and glad to be a member!

 

...you had me at dirtbikes...

Anyways, the Sport and Off-Road have totally different suspension set ups and tire/wheel combos. The Sport is geared more towards the strip and has more street worthy suspension on it that gives you a smoother street ride. The Off Road is geared to the dunes and trails so the newer models have all the hill ascent control and descent control and more travel on the springs/shocks, a bit more tire to them and trail tires come stock. (I'm going off 09 here but it's basically the same with the suspension through the years)
Then there are the outer cues like chrome bumpers/grille surround, no hood scoop, "take a beating" type of design for the Off-Road.
The Sport has more smooth lines, meaner stance and look, color keyed bumpers/grille.

Sounds like you want a street but should get an off-road. I'd say go find one of both, drive them, and then make your decision. That's my best advise!

GL with your purchase and, as always, welcome to TW!

 

You're in the right place for great info.Welcome to TW.

 

Welcome to TW !!! Get the long bed, there will be NO regrets that you don't have enough room. Although buying used there may be slim pickens.

 

Welcome to TW

Just to clarify above, the Sport has the same TRD suspension as the Off-Road...

The MAJOR difference between the two is the rear differential. The Off-road has a locker, and th sport has limited slip. Other than that and the aesthetic items, the OR and sport are exactly the same.

 

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of Tacomania! ! !! The best thing you can do is go to Toyota.com and go to the truck section and build your own Taco the way you want it! !! Of course you will still want to do the "Mod" thing but you can get a lot of things right from the factory!!! Good Luck and Happy New Year

 

Welcome to TW!

 

yeah chicks like it long in the bed.lol

 

Fer real? Don't they gear the springs and shocks to their home environment? (i.e. on road or off it)

But hey, for somebody who doesn't even own one yet, I did pretty good!

 

Welcome to TW, good choice on trucks If I were you I would look for the longer bed 6ft than the five foot, a tad more clearance for stowing the bikes. With that being said you can't get a TRD sport or off road DC with a 6 foot bed, only SR5 models allow that, I know crazy right ? You may get the 6 foot bed TRD sport or off road with the access cab. It depends on what your greatest need is, people space or bike space. I have found that my SR5 goes where I want it to, and I have a DC, 5 foot bed, for me it works. If your budget is tight then maybe a 4 cylinder, which would tote those bikes just fine, if so, get the 5 speed. Take your time and it will come together, good luck.

 

welcome to tw!!

 

Welcome to TW! I would go with a long bed as well for the bikes, I have the short bed and my bike doesn't fit like I'd like it to, but it does fit. TRD, Non TRD, if you redo the suspension the only thing to consider is do you want the locker or limited slip? Good luck with your purchase, you've come to the right place, great people with lots of good info.

Gary

 

welcome to tw

 

Thanks, I'll definitely do the test-drive thing. Mostly it will be used as a daily driver so the sport sounds better in that way, but I do want the utility for the bike. I'd be putting beefier tires on it anyway.

I just want to make sure the sport can handle the off-roading I'll be doing. Not Hell's Revenge in Moab, but definitely more than just a gravel road.

Can anyone explain to me in a semi-mechanically-minded-girl-vocabulary the difference between the rear differentials of an OR and sport?

 

I drive the sport and i put my truck thru some shit, havent had any problems. yet.

 

You're welcome!
After my re-driving of an OR and Sport today, I say go with the Sport. The OR seemed really...boaty and Town Carish where the Sport actually had some support to its springs and could pull a turn faster than 5MPH. I like them both and obviously that's an exaggeration but you get the idea. Sport=firmer OR=flexy springs. lol

For those sciency types, they were both 09's DC SB the only difference was that the OR was 4x2 and Sport was 4x4...odd that it wasn't the other way around.