Did I make a mistake buying TRD Sport instead of TRD OR?

Actually, the question can be rephrased as if I missed out a lot not having the electronic rear diff locker because I want to drive a MT truck, so the crawl control is not counted in this case.
The story began when I started joining this forum and saw you guys go offroading of which I did not know I'd like that much when I was weighing the reasons for buying my truck.

At first, I thought I would not go offroad that often (even though I have not been to any offroad trip yet as I'm posting this thread, but I will do soon), and my truck would just be for driving on the city roads most of the time, hauling things and throwing stuff on the bed for camping trips/snowboarding. Another point I picked TRD sport at that time was it was available at the dealer and I do like the look of the hood scoop. Questions have started raising in my head after watching many offroad videos and escepecially this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTILfbYy4as

My point now is still that I will not be going offroad that often given the facts that I live in North Cal (San Jose) and it would take about 3-hour drive to any good spot to wheel (usually near lake Tahoe). However, what I want is if I've been to any good camping site and want to wheel for a bit, my truck would be capable to. I do love my current truck though. I love its aggressive, sporty look and would not want to do any crazy mods outstanding the original body frame (I'm down for a 3-inch lift ) Do offroader upgrade your truck's components eventually?

Oh, and I don't want to damage anything underneath my truck, but would the TRD sport be able to do something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFTsi77gdks

I bring this up since every time I talk to my cousin who also has the same passion for trucks and offroading, he starts criticizing me for not picking up the OR when I could have it for the same price. So, what do you all think? Is a E-locker a big loss to me?

Please consider this as my friendly greetings thread to the whole forum and here's my girl. Thanks everyone!

 

Well, only YOU can answer your own question. You had valid reasons to buy the Sport over the Off-Road. I think the Sport is a sensible solution to a pickup truck. It can do everything you want. I only foresee myself using the locking diff about 1% of the time spent in the truck, and crawl control about 0.05%.

 

Welcome to TW! Nice truck.... put a arb air locker in the rear of that thing and bang you have a OR

 

You're good as long you bought the manual transmission.

 

Had My TRD OR With Diff lock for four years. Havent had to touch that button yet..

 

Diff lock has come in useful once for me so far in 6 months of ownership. Also there's a few places closer then "3 hours OP" if you view the NorCal section a trail run is being set up for October.

With that said, stick with the sport. Get some good tires a good lift and enjoy your truck.

 

There is a lot you can do with a decent lift, tires, proper line and ass load of skinny pedal. First find out if you even like doing it before diving in the lift pool.

 

Yes.

Edit: completely sarcastic answer above.

 

*Sigh*, that edit calms my feeling...

 

Upgrading your tires will get you to more places than a locker. Tires>Locker. The Locker will only help you go so far and it will probably only get you so far.
Now if you really want to off road. Buy a wench end of conversation.

 

Will fix that for you since women can't be really be bought and sold. At least legally.

 

???????? what are you talking about?

 

^^^^^^ this

 

I'm an OR fan, but I say just drive it till you find limitations or break something, then upgrade as needed. Good tires will make a big difference. Then go with some good extended travel coilovers. I rarely touch my locker. Only when I know I will have a tire way up in the air.

 

You can help offset some of the cost for air lockers by selling that hood everyone wants so bad!

 

I think your sport will be plenty capable for what you want to do with it. Still has 4x4, and i believe an auto lsd comes with it as well, both of those should get you in and out of plenty of places.
As other posters have mentioned, you can always upgrade tires, suspension and add an aftermarket locker if you find that you really want/need it. I drove an '11 sport for a few years and had no complaints about it at all, it never struggled on the trail.

Good luck!

 

Welcome to TW. I was in this very same place back about a year ago. Honestly, the sport is over priced compared to the off road. Had I been on TW before I ordered my truck, I probably would have ended up with an OR, maybe a pro (only for the cement color). But there may have been a possibilit, I wouldn't have got a Taco at all, as it was rather sour opinion expressed loudly at that time. I had seen a few new tacos around, and thought they look neat, I'll stop by and check me out. Once I finally got to the dealership, I drove around and just loved the look of the sport. Just was not happy with the colors I saw. Ordered what I wanted, and love driving the truck, it more than meets my needs. When it doesn't, well I found TW for a reason.

 

Op I say yes the OR is only about 1k more expenisve when equally equipped which is like what 10 bucks more a month.

With that said go get an arb locker.

 

Agree with this. A good set of all or mud terrain tires will get you into places those stock all season tires wouldn't dream of. If you really need more beyond that (unlikely unless you want to do SERIOUS wheeling), put an ARB locker in the rear.

 

Depend on what you do or what you consider "wheeling". If you're just doing forest service roads then you'll have zero need for 4low (or even 4x4 for that matter) and a locker. Every wheeling trip I've been on I've needed at least 4x4, and a few times 4low and locked. Most people aren't willing to their new truck into places where it can be scratched or banged up.