Base ACB V6 versus TRD Off-road V6

First and foremost; - my absolute sincere thanks to the members contributing to this forum [an excellent resource with tremendous information]. I am in need of your educated assistance. I am about to purchase a 2014 Tacoma [V6 variant]. However - I cannot decide between the base and the TRD Off-road version.

I am very unlikely to go into any heavy duty off-road adventures and equally unlikely to tow anything substantial. I do however require the ability to carry and transport lumber, gardening equipment and kids gear <<to and fro the beach, cottage, etc]. More - it's simply; a likeability factor.

Couple key questions:
1/ Can anyone verify if the drive-ability varies greatly between the two [realizing of course the base does not have the bilstein shocks]? I have been able to test drive a TRD Off-road <<and prefer the stiffer suspension>> but there are NO base models available.
2/ Given that I am wanting to upgrade the tires and likely add a 2-inch spacer lift kit; is one model more suitable than the other
3/ Last question - there is NO oil cooler on the Base or Upgraded Alternator. Are these really a detractor from the base model?

My Thanks and Appreciation for the time and support.

 

I am also in the market for a new Tacoma. Dealer talked me into a Base with SR package so i could be under $30,000 since i told them i didnt want to spend a lot but wanted 4x4 and v6 options.
After going over it, getting the offroad package+towing package gets the nicer wheels and decent tires, shocks, upgraded alternator, oil cooler, more comfortable seats, rear locker, 110v plug in bed probably a few other things im missing but most of all can be resale value.

Thats just me but if spending $30,000 whats another $3000 to get some extra stuff that you might spend more money on just trying to make it an equal to a factory installed option, and again resale value it will probably pay you back down the road.

 

FYI i bought my 2013 TRD v6 auto off road DCSB for 34065.95 out the door.... 30915 before tax.

At this point in time in my findings at looking at the 14's they all come with the 3 leaf+ overload spring leaf packs... from base to off road... unlike before where the base / off road came with a 2 leaf + over load and sport came with 3 leaf + overload. needless to say they will all drive the same.

No model is more suitable for a lift compared to another... i would however stay away from a spacer lift as that will tend to bottom the shock before hitting the bumps and do something proper like bilstine 5100's

Unless you are doing heavy towing the oil cooler / extra transmission cooler and alternator are not really necessary.

But, in the 2 months i have had my truck... i have been in a few situations where just 4x4 alone would not have gotten me through or over what i was trying to do to get where i needed to go... so the rear locker and a trac has allowed me to do so...

 

my responses in your quote in red, but to the grand question, TRD or not, when i was looking to get rid of my taco, in favor of something else, the dealer was really interested if it was a TRD or not, meaning it made a difference in value, enough to persuade him to buy my truck or not. Im glad i decided against selling my truck thankfully, and plan on keeping it for a long time, 200k+, but its nice to know that the TRD package will add some value when or if i get rid of it.

And last of all, word to the wise, if you are in fact wise, GET WHAT YOU WANT!!!! if you even think you can get into a situation where you will need 4X4, or a locker, or a-track, or like body colored door handles like i do, GET IT!! If you don't have a chance in HELL that you will be caught in any situation where you won't need any of that stuff, DONT GET IT!!! You only live once, and you will not regret it when you're bragging or actually have to use some of the cool gizmos your truck came with!!..

My .02

Btw, i like bagging on black door handles, chrome rear bumpers, chrome grill surround, black mirrors

 

Three very reasonable and thoughtful responses; - my Thanks to you. I am trying to justify the delta in cost between the two vehicles. Here's what I continued to deliberate after reading the contributions;

1/ if my intention is simply transport light duty materials then the base v6 <<as opposed to TRD v6>> would likely be more than sufficient,
2/ given my driving style and habits I likely will NOT take the vehicle through any heavy off-roading and therefore the TRD model equips me with options that serve slightly less purpose and cost me dollar/cents that have no real material value
3/given that my intention is to modify the suspension somewhat - to allow for greater ground clearance in the extreme snow we receive in the great white north - then a more robust coil-over kit is likely the correct application and so I will be removing the factory suspension anyways. More potential reason to forego the TRD Bilsteins etc.
4/ forgoing any serious towing; - the additional oil cooler and upgraded alternator <<in the SR5 and the TRD package>> would likely not serve me any value proposition.

More simply put - the Base cost w/ taxes before any discounts = $35kCDN. The TRD w/ taxes= $40kCDN. The difference is obviously $5k.

That's enough to upgrade the suspension to allow for greater travel, and - potentially change out the rims to something more appealing while remaining just under the $40K cost of the TRD.

What do you guys think?

 

IMO buy the cheapest one on the lot (I don't care what color - in fact it's kind of fun to see what it'll be) that 5k is the difference that will enable you to maintain/build the truck the way you want and keep the costs down.

 

I purchased the base model for 27,200 before tax, etc. V6, manual with tow package.
If you aren't afraid to do mods yourself then that's they way to go.
Adding fog lights, intermittent wipers and the suspension of your choice will be cheaper than paying for the upgrades and make the truck 'yours'.

 

I agree with mostly all of the comments above - If you are mechanically inclined, already have the tools, a comfortable place to work on the truck (ie. your own garage) and have the time to set aside to do upgrades on your own, then a non-TRD model which you can add the TRD-only options at a later time might make sense. Thats coming from a TRD Offroad owner. Some of the appearance upgrades like colored door handles, and painted turn signal side mirrors are somewhat expensive replacement part-style upgrades (my opinion these upgrades are a ripoff, but for any factory replacement parts you are paying for the complete logistics of the part in addition to the part itself), but will probably be much cheaper rather than going with a TRD which groups in other options you may not want or need. Same goes for whether you are tempted to upgrade the front/rear bumpers to many of the real bumpers available.

If you remotely think that you'll want to change out the shocks/springs or even the wheels, especially early on, then a TRD model may not make much sense. Also, the TRD bed-side graphics are nice looking and scream 'hey i have more stuff than the SR5 or base', but if you can look at the truck like a hunk of metal during purchase, then you can always add your own graphics afterwards.

 

I didn't read all the responses, but the off road has better seats. I had a base SR5, and the off road seats are much better in my opinion. I think it you get the optional tow package, you get the oil cooler regardless of trim, but I could be wrong.

 

Hey folks:

I am looking for. 2004-2007 Tacoma Drew with really low miles. I like the TRD options skid plate, wheels, tires, suspension, and seats. But looking for vehicle w/ factory TRD really limits my options. I'm not so mechanical I could customize myself so I'd need to pay someone else.

Would it make sense to get someone to install these mods or keep looking for factory installed vehicle