Baja Edition, What's the difference?

I am new to this forum, searched but didn't found. I will write-up a long description of the info I am looking for...

Also search on the web and there is no official Toyota info or specs about the Tacoma Baja.

I am planning about buying a new Tacoma within 3 weeks when I get back to home. I want a double cab 4x4 auto in red. I am new to tacomas and don't know the true difference about different models. There are the TRD Sport, the Off-road package, the TX, and the TX Baja (as far as I can understand).

This will be my second car, so this time I want a new car, a model that have almost all the options available and I don't end up adding or wanting to have stuff of the other models.

I am more interested in performance and don't really care about sound systems or any other ICE. In fact if just the cheapest factory radio with 4 speakers lower the price of the truck that will be the best for me. I DON'T WANT TO MESS THE TRUCK WITH AFTERMARKET STUFF other than TRD exhaust, cold air intake and minor mods.So no any aftermarket suspension, lift etc. For previous experience it end up with warraty issues, aligment issues, etc.

What I really want to know is what are the real differences and performance upgrades of the baja edition vs an "off-road package tacoma"?

For what I search on the internet the differences of the TRD Sport vs TRD Off-Road:
1) HAC & DAC (hill start assist)
2) A-Trac
3) Auto-LSD rear differential
4) Bilstein Off-road suspension (TRD Sport says "Bilstein Sport Suspension")
5) Tires P265/70R16 in alloy wheels (TRD Sport says P265/65R17)
6) Engine Skid Plate
7) Front tow hook
8) Off-road graphics

My key questions here:
1) How the Auto-LSD rear differential work? For "Auto" I understand is like an "on demand" LSD. Does it work just in 4WD, all-time on demand, or have a bottom to lock the rear diff when in off-road?

2) Does this Bilstein Off-Road suspension is the same that is in the baja edition? The TRD Sport says Bilstein Sport, wich I understand is different than "off-road".

3) Are those different tires in 16" wheels the TRD wheels and BFGoodrichs of the baja?

What any other performance oriented difference have the baja that can't be found in this off-road package? Or this off-road package, really is the "baja edition" or "TRD TX off-road"?

Please someone that works in a dealer or really knows. Remember I am new to tacomas.

 

don't buy that crap.


Just get a 4x4 trd. and the cab of your choice.


the baja is just a bunch of over priced addons.

 

Ok, I'm not 100% on this, but basically the Baja Edition is just the TRD OR edition, but with Rims, Bilstein 5100's up front and eibach coils, and 5125's in the back i think? Basically comes with a 2 inch lift or so to be 'offroad ready'. And a 5k markup. Do yourself a favor and get a 4x4 TRD OR and put what you want on it.

 

It gets 70mpg (when powered by unicorn blood)
At the flip of a switch you will be in the Baja 1000
it has 25 inches of up travel and 5 inches of down travel.



In all seriousness though, I wouldn't spend the money. Id just get a trd or

 

I thought only the full-size diesel trucks use unicorn blood to improve combustion and reduce emissions, as evidenced by the special receptacle? (Green cap for diesel, blue cap for unicorn blood.)

 

effing hilarious...

 

If you like the look/stance of the Baja, you're better off buying it. If you were to build it it would cost:

$900+ wheels and lugnuts
$1,000 tires
$1100 3" lift
$450 upper control arms
$100 alignment
$400 TRD exhaust

This is not including any installation or any annoying squeaks like my Toytec lift kit has...

My opinion on off road or sport: If you actually intend on going off road, get the off road. The rear diff locker has saved me a few times already.

 

If what you say is what it really is...

Then I get the Baja Edition. Do the math and end with $3950. So $4000 more for the Baja Edition make sense to me. The thing is the mods can be done gradually, not $4000 more instantly or $80 more in monthly payment.

 

Does the Baja Ed really is higher (lift) than the off-road package and comes with those shocks?

Its not the same high lift beacause of different shocks and springs, that gain the high lift by adding a "spacer" to lift the truck.

 

I guess you can buy the mods gradually, but you're going to have to put most of them on at the same time.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1208_2012_toyota_tacoma_trd_tx_baja_series_first_test/

The baja sits 2" higher than a stock TRD off road.

 

I agree!
I've bought 5 different Toyotas over the years from the same dealership.
Last week I was telling the salesman what I was looking for in a Tacoma
Rear Locker A-TRAC
This idiot says " we can get you a locking tool box from Alamo Auto and I don't think anyone has 8 tracks anymore, why would you want one"?
I asked if he even know the product he was trying to sell me and walked away.
Working with a different dealer now.

 

watch out for that unicorn blood, it will eat the paint

 

Way to help out a new member

If you're totally against modding the truck yourself then go for it. You'll get a mild lift, nice wheels, and upgraded suspension.

 

Thats the thing. I don't want to add any aftermarket at all. I have civic, mods start since I bought the car: coil springs (lowering in this case), shocks, tires, wheels, lights, short shifter, exhaust, nitrous, cylinder head swap to have VTEC and so on.

It ends up having alignment problems, also with camber kits and all. Change the suspension again for a higher (high Tein "gold color") because of daily driver. Don't pass the emissions because of cat-converter removed... I quit about racing, but can't have the same car. Still have it because of 34MPG... Also didn't have the best one with VTEC and all funny stuff...

I don't want to make the same mistake and start adding mods to it.

I live in Puerto Rico and will not use the truck for serious off roading or daily driving. Just want it for occasional daily drive and some weekends go out for some fun. If was thinking about serious off-road I then bought an old car (Cherokee or old T100's) that are cheap here, like 1000-4000, add some high lift kit go out. With one of those I won't care about any mud, rock, having muddy water in, hitting a tree, scratch the paint, etc.

I want a nice truck that just need oil changes and minor maintenance. Small mods like TRD cold air intake, maybe TRD supercharger in the future. And in 10-20 years instead of being crap it becomes a classic!

 

Sounds like the baja edition will be perfect for what you're looking for. Good luck with it if you decide to go for it!

 

Trd sport skewp > Baja edition. haha

If you don't wanna mod your truck at all and you wanna wheel then get it? idk. with any tacoma model your not going to be dissapointed. I got the sport cause i felt like at the time i didnt need the locker. BUT, i cant really describe the LSD but it's done good so far. Either way you go you'll be happy. I'm happy with what i have but if i could do it again i'd throw down on a babied 1st gen and then mod it out. My step dad has a '00 tacoma with the stock locker and i'm amazed of the capability the thing has. Good luck! btw welcome to TW

 

I have the Baja and love it. Get the Baja you won't be disappointed. You get the ultimate factory tacoma, all covered under warrenty. I was orginally going to get the tx pro and I'm glad I didn't. Plus I have yet to see another Baja on the road and get compliments on the truck all the time.

Steve

 

Wow, lots of Baja haters in this thread, thats too bad. I have a Red 2012 Baja and I love it.

Gmcaujo, I agree with the guys that if you want to go wheeling, especially if you're going to get into some big rocks and mud, go with the TRD Offroad or better. I had a Sport before and loved it, but the loss of the rear locker left me in a tough spot a couple of times.

I went with the Baja because there is a lot of very rough open terrain here in Texas and I love zipping across bumps the size of a Scion at 40+ MPH. Try that in your TRD Offroad.... haters.

You get the extra lift in the rear from an extra leaf in the spring, and in the front from the adjustable shock and larger coil. No spacers. The suspension is tuned for fast tracking across rough terrain, but the truck does equally as well in the mud, rocks, sand, etc.... and the additional wheel travel doesnt hurt.

Now you should know that the graphics are tacky.... but they peel off really easy. You should also know that the TRD exhaust is louder than stock and frankly a little annoying at first. However, it does mellow out after you get some mileage on the truck and probably does give you a little more HP, but not a lot. Lastly are the wheels. They are awesome wheels, but not true beadlocks, they are beadlock styled. That said, the beadlock styled rings do a great job as rock rings to protect the painted surface of the wheel, so they do serve a purpose other than looking nice.

All that said, I think you would be very happy with a TRD Offroad OR a Baja, they are both fantastic trucks. Just depends on what you like, what you're going to do with it, and how much aftermarket $$$ you want to put into it.

Smitty

 

Nothing wrong with the Baja if you like it go for it. Its fine if you're absolutely against modding. Although its like a normal OR would be fine for what you're using it for. The $5k savings would pay for your supercharger.

Personally I like the gradual build because I've found anything I've said I'm going to keep stock I've modded in some way anyway. I said I was gonna keep the Taco stock but I've spent about what you would to get the Baja package extra. That 5k got me wheels, tires, lift, UCA's, satoshi grille, exhaust, tint, stereo, and whatever other misc stuff I can't think of.

 

I went with the tx pro and love it. I saw a baja after purchasing mine. Between the baja and the pro i have only seen 1 of each. I dont plan on doing shocks or coils for a little while so the upgrade was perfect for me. I do want to do trail armor and get my lift first. But all in all i dont regret spending the extra. Plus i got it for a smoking deal. I say go for it if you want it. Its your truck and your wallet.