Soon to be owner

Hey Guys,

Okay here is the deal...I am buying a new prerunner the end of this month. I cant afford the 4x4 but I really like the prerunner anyway so thats the road I am taking. Here is my question... What is the real differences btw the trd off road package and the trd sport package? My intentions in the long run are 6" lift with 35's and I know you can accomplish this with the prerunner, but what is the difference btw the 2 prerunners? Is it just the shocks and tires that come from the factory that are different or is there anything really important. Appreciate the input...thanks...

 

Hey Welcome to TW bud. Your question has been kicked around many a time. Search the forum if you have a minute.

 

the main difference between the 2 trucks is that the TRD Sport has a limited slip rear diff. Whereas the TRD Off-road has an electronic locker.

appearance differences include for the sport, color matched grille surround and a hood scoop. the Off-road has a chrome grille surround and no scoop.

I believe the Sport also has color matched door handles and the off-road is just the standard black handles.

 

just some insight for you...depending on where you live and if it has been snowing like it just did here, the button to activate the rear locker on my TRD off-road has been renamed "drift" button haha, it's damn near impossible to drive in a straight line with the rear end locked up and i love it

 

the off-road DOES have the black door handles, but you forgot to mention that the off-road package sticker looks waaaaay cooler

 

id rather have no stickers on there.. keep people wondering lol

you know the best sticker is the Rugged Trail edition lmao NOT

 

Thanks guys, now for the big question in your opinions which is better the liminted slip or the button pushed locker? I live in AZ but my sister lives in Colorado Springs so my truck will be getting the best of both worlds dirt and snow.....

 

Having a sport myself I can say that limited lip really kicks in fast. I had a ford with limited lip and it was more like an open dif.

I was shocked at how quickly the limited lip locks up on the Tacoma. Always leaves 2 black stripes behind me

 

Okay so the limited slip leaves the most rubber but which one gets you out of deep snow better and which one works better on the dirt? And while I am at it, what does the locking have when it's not locked?

 

see i try to make it as far as i can on the trails without the rear end locked up, and i won't use it unless i get stuck. like i said before, i enjoy the challenge lol. i do like having an open diff better for the snow tho, my limited slip in my cobra was really tight like how the sport tacos are and i was all over the place

 

Thanks guys for all the input......hopefully I will be down there this weekend getting my truck. Selling my old Honda Accord and taking the money straight to the dealership the same day. Everybody has been very helpful hopefully this time next week I will be posting pictures....Later

 

The electronic locker will be better for getting out of nasty places when you're stuck, but like TuRDTaco said, its not good for everyday driving speeds in the snow or ice

 

Actually i have a suggestion. you say you cant afford the 4x4 but like the prerunner look. It sounds like you're actually gonna spend some time in environments that you will benefit from having the 4x4. The TRD package has alot of really nice options, but you may want to consider getting a standard SR5 4x4 without the TRD. Recently Toyota released a TSB (technical service bulletin) that upgrades the shocks and rear leafs on vehicles that dont have TRD to the TRD suspension. So If you are getting the TRD specifially for the suspension, then you can use the money you were gonna spend on the TRD to get 4X4, then go back and have teh dealer install the TRD suspension for free. Basically giving you a 4x4 TRD truck without the asthetic options and missing a few things like the upgraded seats and bed outlet. Just a thought

 

just a thought!!?!?! the hell it was, that was a genius' insight on the world's financial woes. if i could give you more rep i would but it won't let me haha

 

well i do what i can when i can

 

Sounds like you need to cowboy up and get a 4wd, but if your in deep the one that better of getting you out is called... a tow truck !

 

and i appreciate that good sir