Specific Situation: DC vs AC and Sport vs Off-Road

First, I'd like to say hello to everyone. I know this has been discussed/debated in several other topics on the forum, but like one other member did, I'd like to get some opinions given my specific situation.


This new 2014 Tacoma will be a daily driver, but I also do plan on taking it to the mud bogs at least a few times during the summer. I'm dead set on a manual transmission and the Blue Ribbon Metallic color. I've also decided that I'm going to order the TRD Super Charger for the 4.0L motor and possibly the TRD exhaust.

Here's my quarrel. I want the extra room of a DBL cab, because I'm gonna have this truck for awhile and don't wanna have to buy a new vehicle when I have kids. BUT, I like the look of the 6ft bed much better than the short bed (the space can be made up by the bed extender). Problem is....they do not offer the DC with the long bed and a MANUAL transmission with the OR package.

Which, leads to....Sport or OR? With the sport, I believe you can get the DC with a manual and the long bed. However, since I plan on using the truck for mudding at some point, I feel like the locking differential would be a really good thing to have. I also love the sport hood, but If I custom order a vehicle (which I'm planning on doing) they can put the sport hood on the OR model.

I guess my real question is, is it worth spending the extra money on the OR package for the locking differential and the A-TRAC?

Eventually, I plan to lift if, but I'm thinking it may still be worth getting the OR package anyway since that is the only way to get the Electronic Locking Differential and the A-TRAC.

Was also wondering if it's better to have the TRD short shifter for off-roading.

All Opinions welcome. Please don't kill me for bringing up this topic AGAIN!

 

DCLB FTMFW

 

I had the the OR Access TRD 6 speed prior to my DCLB sport auto. The extra cab space is definitely worth it. The access is just too small for what I needed. I was set on a double cab and the long bed, so my only option was the sport. No regrets. I love it, and I happen to love the auto way more then I liked the 6 speed. The sport is more than capable for off roading. The ATRAC and rear locker is nice, but I never used it for what it could really be used for.

The prices are pretty similar between the off road and the sport, so that's not much of an issue for you.

 

I the short bed large enough for a motorcycle? lets say...a GSX-R 750?

 

This

but if you are going to get a DCSB 4x4 , get the TRD Offroad

 

Op, you made a comment about custom ordering. I might be mistaken, but I am pretty sure Toyota does not do this. They will find the truck you want throughout the region, or if you have a really awesome dealership, maybe in another region, but you can't get one custom built from the factory like other manufacturers, or at least in the US. That means no OR with Sport hood, unless you can talk the dealership into swapping it or you pay to do so yourself.

 

x2

 

Spoke to my dealership today. They can do a special order, as long as I'm willing to wait the 3 months for the truck. As long as it's what I want, I don't mind the wait. Also thinking about doing the super charger and the TRD exhaust = BADASS truck

 

I enjoy driving too much. Never owned an automatic. I get bored driving them. Just a personal pet peeve I guess.

 

I had a manual truck for 14 years before my DCLB Tacoma auto , I was worried I would hate the auto but I like it , and there was no way I was doing a 5' bed

 

OZ-T, makes sense for the lumber you carry around. I guess I really don't have a need for the long bed, I just simply like the look better. I have a Dodge Dakota with a 6" bed, but never really use it :/

 

I don't mind my access cab. riding with son, wife, and occasionally dog in cab is a bit cozy, but that's what I have so I make it work. I like the platform, I like my six-speed, and wouldn't trade it for a dcsb or dclb as I appreciate my 6ft bed on my short wheelbase.

of course if I had the 5ft bed I would probly have the same line about being "cozy" but making it work as far as camping-gear, firewood, bikes, whatever

 

DCLB
I downsized from an '04 DC Tundra with SC and love my DCLB TRD Sport Tacoma. The long bed is great for hauling but I can also sleep in the back(I'm 6'3). I would have liked a manual but am perfectly happy with the automatic. I loved the TRD supercharger on my Tundra and have considered putting one on my Tacoma.
You will have to decide what you can't live without and decide accordingly. For me it was the double cab and long bed.
Good luck and watch your wallet.

 

Sounds like a Honda Ridgeline would better suit your needs?

 

Ok, so....You cannot get the DCLB in either trim with a manual transmission. Now the only thing i'm trying to figure out is if I can deal with the chrome and NOT having the color-keyed mirrors and turn signals on the Off Road. Decisions decisions

 

DCLB FTW

 

You can just add an ARB locker to the TRD Sport. Although the difference in strength isn't huge, the TRD Sport has a stronger rear-end than the TRD Offroad. Then if you wanted to you can have the diffs regeared to compensate for the bigger tires you made add down the road.

 

Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but can you please explain what you mean when you say the Sport has a "stronger rear-end"? Are you referring to the axle, or part of the frame itself? Thanks.

 

Well I guess it is not just the sport but all of the non-elocker 2nd gens. It's the third member design. I think we run the same axles actually (but I'm not 100% on that). Though I haven't confirmed this I believe the e-locker ring gear is just a little bit smaller (which typically equals weaker). One thing I know for sure is that the non-elocker diffs have a brace across the ring gear that helps keep it from deflecting under heavy loads.


All in all, as I have learned along the way, I don't think the strength differences are anything to worry about (or are even significant). I think the problem with the TRD Offroad E-locker rear end lies in the OEM ring gear itself. Something was/is flawed and that is why there have been so many that grenaded. I have yet to see one grenade once you swap out that ring gear for an aftermarket one.

I blew up one OEM ring gear and had a 2nd one (was installed under warranty) ready to blow when I caught it, all that happened in about 3000 miles. I then bought myself some aftermarket gears and have over 10,000 miles on them with no issues and I abuse them 10 times harder than I ever even had the chance to abuse the OEM's...

 

Alright thanks.
I'm looking to buy a Tacoma for the first time, but don't want to start a new thread asking the same questions so many have asked before. The sheer amount of opinions to filter through is mind-numbing!