Test Driving Tacomas Today - Options/Extras

Hey All, new to the forum, but have been lurking for a while. I know I've read that a lot of you like to use the aftermarket floormats. Looking at the options available through Toyota, what do you guys think is worth getting through Toyota, and what do you think is best to get aftermarket?

I'm looking at a 2012/2013 DCLB SR5 or TRD-sport.

Thanks ahead of time for your help!

 

just the factory towing package imo.

 

glad to hear that the towing package was worth it. I have a smallish boat (3000lbs incl boat and trailer), so was hoping the oil and trans cooler and all was worth getting the package.

What about bed mats? Are there good aftermarket ones? or is a bed mat not really worth it?

 

Get a bedrug bed mat and weathertech floor mats.

 

for 3000 lbs its not going to have any effect on your trans unless your pulling it uphill for 40000 miles lol.

bed mat, eh, its a truck. use it as a truck. thats just how i see it. my truck is going to get scratches, dings, marks, why have a bed mat, im not sitting back their trying to be comfortable, i use it to haul stuff. just how i see it.

 

I have a 2012 access cab trd o/r. I've been thinking about a bed mat. The bed in the tacomas is really slick and things tend to slide, groceries, boxes, dogs, etc. I would think about the mat for that reason. I'm not concerned about hurting the bed its just really slick. The "all weather" floor mats from toyota while they look nice are not "all weather". I wouldn't get them again. Tow package is a must. Keep this in mind, the tow package gives you the heavier springs in the rear. However on my truck the trd off-road package trumps the yow package and goes back to the softer rear leafs. I don't know if thats true on a dc or sport package, but it could be.

 

I have the toyota bedmat and love it. Keeps stuff from sliding on the composite bed. But I wouldnt pay a bunch of money for it. You can get it Here for 84 bucks plus shipping, and can probably find a cheaper one if you look for a while.

Weathertech digital fit floor liners are amazing, I would spend the money on them rather then buy something extra from Toyota.

Towing Package and Fogs are good to have if you have a need for them. They can be expensive to install after the fact if you dont get them and change your mind later.

As far as SR5, Off Road, or Sport, it depends on what you plan to do with it. The Off Road is the only one that comes with a Locker for example. Likewise the Sport is the only one with a hood Scoop. Albeit fake. Perhaps if you explained your anticipated use we could better help you out.

 

Don't have a bedmat myself, but Weathertech floormats are strongly encouraged, they're awesome, best investment I could have made for my truck so far.

I also have a tonneau and a bed extender that make the bed act almost like a small trunk when you have the tailgate closed and tonneau shut. This stops things from sliding around in the bed like a bed mat would too.

good luck!

 

Similar to ROGU3 PR3DATOR I have a Toyota bed mat and would definitely buy it again if I had to do it over again. Very good investment, keeps stuff from sliding around when you're hauling stuff. I picked up mine on Craigslist for $60, worth looking at least.

Also, as several others have state the WT floor liners are a very good investment. I wouldn't waste my money on the Toyota all-weather floor mats, I have a set in my wife's Corolla and they're pathetic compared to the WT ones.

Good luck with the purchase!

 

Eh, just get it all. I went cheapo and didn't get the TRD 'cause I figured I'm badass enough without it, but it does add some nice features like real skid plates.

Get the tow package, it's worth it for $600, you may need it in the future, and good for resale. Floormats, bedmats, get those aftermarket. DRL's are nice

 

WeatherTech floor liners is my choice.

 

I dont know that I would call what Toyota puts on the TRD Packages "Real Skid Plates" More like Real Sheet metal that looks like a skid plate. Keeps bushes out, but one solid shot to a rock and they crumple.

 

If I knew what I know now when I bought mine I would of gotten a SR5. The sport looks cool and all, but most of the upgrades are kinda pointless to me 4 years later.

lol..

First off a remote cooler will help any car or truck extend the life of the fluid regardless of if your even towing or not thus extending the life of the tranny.

Because people who use the bed know that shit slides around in it. Throw an engine block in the back and hit the brakes then tell me what happens?

Also these plastic beds do crack when you throw things in there like concrete blocks or bricks. Seen many cracked beds in here.

wut?

these are real skid plates

 

Well, compared to the base or my SR5 the skid plates are beefier and there's more of them. Am I wrong?

 

Yeah, the factory tow package is a steal for $600. Beefier alternator and battery, engine oil cooler and tranny oil cooler for the automatic, has the 7-pin connector for trailer brakes and trailer stability control.

I do have to laugh at the factory engine skid plate on my SR5, my '97's was like three times as thick, yeah it's basically body metal.

 

I agree with everyone that said to get the tow package, its worth it. One other thing that would make a difference for me between the SR5 and the OR Sport are the seats. The seats are different. To me the seats in the Sport are more comfortable.
Floor mats = Weathertech
Bed mats are nice too.

 

Get the HD vinyl flooring, it's the best $50 option spend you can buy from Toyota. I can't imagine having a Taco with out it.

 

So not beefier, just more of them compared to the SR5. I thought the TRD engine skid plate was beefier.

 

Splash shield. That's about what it is. Thanks for the info. I guess I should get a real skid plate(s). I was wondering what the big markup was for the TRD, my instinct said don't do it.

 

This! Screw Weathertech floormats. I've got the vinyl floor and the Toyota All Weather mats and it's awesome!