Main differences between 2013 TRD Sport/Off-Road?

In a nutshell, Sport you get a scoop and Off Road you get a locker.

 

I went with the Sport because the OR doesn't have a DC long bed option. Otherwise I'd have an OR DC LB

 

I had a 2005 SR5 then a 2011 TRD Sport and now a 2013 TRD offroad, this weekend was the first time i actually used 4x4, e-locker and atrac. I said to myself "where you been all my life" I was amazed at what the truck can do offroad with all those gizmos compared to my 2 previous Tacomas they cant compare in terms off out of the box go anywhere truck. I never really go offroad so a sport would fit the bill but when I do I have those options and feel more confident, so to the OP depends on your terrain or purpose of the truck. The whole weaker rearend is something I dont believe I dont think 236 hp is going to blow the rear end if someone manages to it would of happened on the 8.4" diff also its called abuse

 

Long bed

 

people with longbeds are trying to componsate for something...agreed OZ???? i miss my longbed

 

Meh

If they made a DC TRD Offroad with a long bed I would probably have that but I couldn't do a 5' bed

 

Here in Canada we only get OR on the access cab, I went with the offroad because I wanted to get out into the boonies on weekends and I'm a single dude, and I have 2 other vehicles.

I've found both ATRAC and the locker to be magical get me out of anything buttons - so far. I've also got a winch that I have not needed - yet.

 

BINGO!

I have had 3 Off Road 4WD Tacomas, a 2 door extra cab ('01) and two 4 door double cabs ('05, '10)

I have had other 4WDs before my Tacomas... I have been four wheeling and driving off road since I was 16, even before with my dad in his Jeeps or Suburban 4WDs...

The Tacoma Off Road TRD with A-TRAC is simply more amazing than words can describe for a SHOWROOM STOCK, non-modified, pickup truck.

My first two Tacomas had the rear locker, and they went everywhere I wanted to go... and I would get 'temporarily' stuck sometimes.. all part of off roading.

My third Tacoma (with A-TRAC) has yet to ever get stuck... and I have tried!

I buried it in sand... press the A-TRAC button and it drove it self out. I high centered it while climbing a steep grade with both rear tires in ruts with the truck resting on the differential and spare tire (rear locker useless). Press the A-TRAC and with just one front tire on solid ground (the other was in a rut too)... The A-TRAC pulled me UP and OUT of the stuck.

I have gone on a difficult run in Baja that I had used the rear locker on the previous two times, and decided to use only the A-TRAC without the locker, as a test. It not only surpassed the previous experiences using a locker, but the conditions were far worse with a 2-3 foot deep mud bog about 1/4 mile long in addition to the staircase rocks.

Anyone who says A-TRAC doesn't work or is useless, either has not owned an A-TRAC Toyota or has not used it to its full potential. A-TRAC is not as smooth or as fast acting as front and rear lockers, but if you put your foot into it, and have some patience, it will perform.

It is included in the purchase price of the truck, it is a factory installed system, and it doesn't hinder steering... all three factors where A-TRAC is better than installing an after-market front locker. If you are a hard core rock climber off roader, you have money to burn, then get a front locker... there is no delay, slip, or noise when it works. You do need to turn off the lockers when making tight trail turns to allow the tires to slip at different speeds for turns. A-TRAC does not affect turning as it does allow slipping. It does sense when one tire keeps spinning differently and will 'lock it to the other tire when needed to climb up or get out... so I call it 'automatic lockers'.

Press the button just once when you go into L4, and it will forever be on standby each time you go into low range, only working when you loose traction!

There are two video clips of my truck with A-TRAC on, one climbing a steep, dusty grade called One Tri Hill and one pulling a stuck 2WD Tacoma out of the sand and then UP the Diablo Dropoff. Both times with several of the SoCalTacoma guys there, and a Jeep senior group at Diablo who said I couldn't do it with my truck, just before I did. The big Baja Mission Santa Maria run of 2010 was with 5 other rigs, including HB Murphy. Other A-TRAC experiences were not witnessed.

I am comfortable into going into really difficult places without a companion vehicle, thanks to A-TRAC and the security it provides.

 

It is a real bummer you can't get the Off Road in a double cab there... it doesn't seem right... Is importing an American sold Tacoma out-of-the-question for Canadians?

 

You can import a used Tacoma, there are a few DCSB Off Roads and a few more PreRunners (also not available in Canada as well as RC Tacomas) driving around.

 

I'm fairly certain you can, I've imported a used car, you may have warranty issues, you would likely save a couple of grand, but it would be a couple of grand worth of hassle.

 

I got the off road pakage because I have 21.5 acres in the snowy wilderness. I figured at the least the OR couldnt hurt. I dont need the sport because I use my Corvette for that. I did like da skewp though and was pissed off that the auto industry changed to where you couldnt order your truck with whatever option you want. So I bought the skewp hood recently and plan on shooting some Speedway Blue on it and viola... a TRD Off road with da skewp.

 

Link to videos? I went through most of your Baja trip thread and didn't see it. I wish there was a bridge to the mainland sometimes! Looks like a great time

 

In 2013, Sport comes with the TSB rear springs and OR is not eligible for that TSB (yet). Plus all the stuff that others have said.

My personal opinion is that the 4 leaf rear sport springs are still not stiff enough. Maybe they arent the TSB springs, but a different 4 leaf spring, I dont know for sure. Maybe I should have said that the sport comes with a 4 leaf rear while the OR comes with a 3 leaf rear.

 

Well you're wrong.

But you believe what you want. But it's wrong.

Just sayin'.

 

Its smaller yeah but the actual components of the ring and pinion I see no difference in strength unless its made of a different steel. There are more parts to break with the elocker given the extra components but the weakness part I dont believe so yes I believe what helps me sllep at night

 

There are 3 reinforcement ribs on the outside of the diff casing instead of 4 like the "8.4". The diff studs are 8mm with 12mm nuts, unlike the 10mm studs and 14mm nuts of the "8.4". There is no bearing cap truss internally like there is on the "8.4".

Starting to see the differences pile up?

Aftermarket gears help some by being less beveled at the edges and thus thicker towards the heel of the gear teeth. A traction bar also helps by eliminating wheel hop and axle housing deflection.

The best solution, though, is a Currie Rock Jock. But they cost a lil bit much.


Edit: forgot to mention, the ring gear bolts in the e-locker rear are 10mm diameter. The "8.4" has 12mm.

 

Hi, sorry didn't come back and see this sooner. I thought everyone on TW had seen them too many times, lol! Yah, I know there are new people every day...

Fun times! The steepness stopped me moving at about :20 and a second time about :30... The thing is to not give up, I put my foot into it, and the A-TRAC really came alive and pulled me beyond where the truck normally couldn't go more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CG3KhKR0NJk

This one is good... not only was this 2WD Taco spun into a sand dune on his back tires, I then had to get him to the top of the Diablo DropOff... A-TRAC all the way. The group of senior Jeepers had earlier said it couldn't be done... They all watched from the top as I 'schooled' them on Toyota traction systems! LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9m1u1pba4Ps

 

Nice!

 

So i'm new to the atrac option I read there is a mod to where you can engage the rear diff in 4hi? Also is there a mod to do the same for atrac?