Buying a Tacoma - off road advice

Honestly you'd probably be fine with a stock truck and decent tires. You'd be surprised how far you can go with a stock truck

 

Yes, you can go and go more in a stock, 2WD truck... then your buddy in a 4WD will be pulling you out... then you other buddy in the Off Road 4WD will already be at his special camping spot that no other stock vehicle can get to.

It is all about the money... Toyota is the first step as we all can tell you... how much you want the factory to add to a Base truck is your call.

 

I would highly recommend the off road edition if you want to off road. It saved my ass twice and pulled me through mud pits that my buddy couldn't even get past the first few feet in his tundra. We did some hill climb type stuff too and I could hardly see over the hood I couldn't imagine having the fake scoop in the way too.

IMO sport seems like a waste of money

 

another vote here for not ruling out the base version or one with out a locker...
I have gotten my self some pretty epic spots with just plain good driving and a bit of luck a few times up in north idaho, down in moab, and over in Wyoming.
but then again I crossed creeks that you are talking about in a stock Subaru outback sport ( not my best move I know)
for what you are describing, you dont need a locker, but thats just me
if you have the money, and dont want to build, go all out.
or buy base and have an arb locker put in the back.
just my 2 cents

just remember the best mod is driver mod
the second, is tires
the rest is all details

 

I like my Sport but would have gone for the off road if it was available in double cab and 6' bed. I need the double cab and long bed. I want a locker. I bought a sport and will pay for a good aftermarket locker if I find find I will need it. I have been so impressed with the TRAC system on these trucks. My 06 had no traction control. My '13... I can't get that thing to break loose on ice and snow-covered roads. Amazing system.

 

I would argue it's something like 60% the equipment and 40% the driver. The best driver in the world couldn't get a 94 corolla through a mud pit/rock crawling trail. At the same time though someone who doesn't have a clue is probably going to break things and get stuck a lot even when using an expensive top of the line rig.


I think building an SR5 from the ground up could a be a great way to go though. You can get an RC 2.7 w/4x4 for just under $23,000. Throw 2 lockers in from ARB each are about 1000 each from my quick google, then you can get a set of sliders for 200$ if you weld them yourself, front and rear bumpers for about $1000 each and a full skid plate set for 750$. This adds up to $29,000 which is about the same as the TRD OR without the front locker, and the full set of armour.

 

OP: I had similar aspirations. Didn't plan on heavy wheeling for wheelin sake, but mainly for treks into the mountains for fishing, camping and hiking. So solid off-road capabilities were a must. I went OR and have had no complaints. Thus far my rig is able to get into all the rural mountain areas, across small streams, etc without issue.

Good luck!

 

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the perspectives....probably leaning towards off road but still thinking as I am not buying for another month or so.