Buying a 2012 4x4. TRD Package?

Hi Guys,

In about three months I will be making my first trucks purchase, a 2012 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. I'm excited. I had my eyes set on a 2011 Subaru WRX, but after thinking about it over and over...and over...a truck would be more useful.

Not sure about the TRD Package yet. TRD Sport has some nice features, but the TRD Off-Road has the locker.

Truck will be use for mounting my bikes, motorcycle, and future dirt bikes. I'm guessing I would throwing in the truck on trails and getting dirty since I will be using it to carry my dirt bikes.

I do go to the snow once a year, but since I just landed a job that pays the same and allows me more free time, maybe twice a year?

I've been doing some research, and I read that if I bought the Sport Pkg, I can buy some aggrassive tires and I would be find going off-road. Is this true? I'm only considering the Sport because I hear that it's a smoother ride. Don't care about the hood-scoop or the colored-matched grill, but the side-mirror blinkers are nice.

Also considering the TRD Off-Road Pkg because of the locker.

I will be doing a test drive a few weeks before my final decision.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Never rode in a "Sport" but my "Off Road" rides smoother than the wifes new mini-van....I would test drive both if I were you. If you don't care about scoops/matching trim then let the ride decide if you want the lockered off road.

 

Drive both see what you think. The locker would have been nice but I only do light off roading and have it out in the snow, so I opted for the aesthetics of the Sport over the locker in the OR. If you think you're going to do any serious off roading though I'd definitely get the OR. Be less of a hassle swapping out cosmetic parts than it would be getting a locker installed if you decide you really need it.

 

sport, i'd rather have a LSD than a locker considering i rarely offroad and if u do the LSD will work just fine for that

 

Let me just start by saying that this is the fastest-replied forum I've joined.

Hardcore off-road, maybe not. I do see pictures of TRD Sport Tacomas handling some pretty serious off-road trails and rocks, but they also have aggressive tires.

The whole back sliding on the snow got me thinking now. I forgot to mention that I live in the San Fernando Valley.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

ohhh i did not know that, in that case buy a 08 or older lol

 

After owning both, I feel the Sport rides smoother. However, the OFF Road seemed to be tighter and more responsive. I only went for the appearance package because i hardley ever used my locker.

 

Unless you are a very serious off-roader, you won't need the locker.
If that's the only reason you'd choose the off-road, then get the sport.

 

Drove an offroad before I bought my sport. It was much bouncier to the point my wife really disliked it. Sport is pretty smooth. Longbed might also help due to the longer wheelbase.

 

If your not a serious offroader(with the truck). Then you don't need the locker. you can only use it in 4 wheel drive lo and at really slow speeds. For just mild offroad stuff and snowy roads. You will be fine with just a 4x4 sport.

 

Just a question also considering 2012 Tacoma but unable to decide between TRD OR or Sport, according to brochure both have low range correct? and both have the same ground clearance? Live in Salt Lake, Ski quite a bit, go fishing to places with light off roading, maybe once a year go to moab, but generally its 80% to work and back? But snow traction is important any advice?

 

Yes both have low range and they both have the same ground clearance

 

even mild offroading the locker is so nice compared to the lsd

however even the new base model tacoma has the same traction aids as the sport.

if you plan on lifting the difference in stock ride doesnt matter.
with the sport you pay 3-4k for color matched stuff and a hood scoop not worth it in my opinion

for the same price of package you get real traction aids on the trd offroad

 

so the trd off-road does not have the turn signals in the mirrors?

 

if your gonna be wheeling your truck I would go for the off road. If your gonna be hauling dirt bikes I would say get the sport long bed.

 

Also keep in mind that the long bed model is only availible in the Sport package, if you get the double cab option.

 

I was also down to the Wrx and teh Tacoma and settled on a doublecab 4x4 sport v6 manual. Everyone told me I was crazy and that I really needed to decide what I wanted because I was comparing two completely different vehicles. I did not see it that way. I often end up parking is dirt fields when I go to bike races and rides. Often in ditches and very to rough places. I have a BMW now and have gotten stuck several times. A Subaru or Tacoma would work great for me seeing as I need all wheel drive occasionally and the truck bed is just a nice to have. Thanks for validating that there is someone else out there as "crazy" as me

 

Don't forget the basic sr5 package!

 

More usefull than the rear locker is A-TRAC, and only the Off Road 4WD! Note to the Limited slip comment... ALL Tacomas have limited slip since 2009... and the 4WDs all have it on the front tires, too... but in High Range ONLY. The Off Road gives you A-TRAC (no slip) on the front and rear in Low Range... amazing technology... and no special differential additives or parts to wear out... uses your brakes to slow or stop a spinning tire.

 

I would get the off road. Better to have the locker and not use it than to not have it when you need it