What is A trac exactly and would a locking rear diff be needed for minor off roading or trailing

Trying to decide between off-road or sport

 

If you want to offroad you might as well buy the truck with the off-road package. For just minor trails and off-road fun you probably won’t miss the locking diff or A-TRAC but it could come in handy.

 

I love my base model v6 4x4. No locker, no skewp, no worries. The money you save on all the "extras" can pay for a lot of modification. A lot of people think my truck is a Tundra at this point.

 

What is A trac?

 

It is a electronic limited slip. In short it senses slip on one side and applies the brake on that end to keep you from spinning one tire.

 

You might be interested in a Detroit TrueTrac

 

It acts as computerized lockers front and rear. Front right tire slips and it applies the brake to that tire to distribute the power to the other side. Same in the back, it works like a suped up version of the traction control function front and rear.It stands for auto traction control.

 

A stock SR5 4x4 will work fine for minor off-roading, no need for a TRD. The sport gives you cosmetic upgrades with a hood scoop, color matched grill and bumper, where as the Off Road gives you functional traction improving upgrades, including electronically boosted brakes which are more powerful. I bought the off road and swapped on the sport grill/hood/bumper.

 

Get an SR, then install air lockers FT and Rear. Better to have it, you may never know when you will need it.

 

One more vote for a base model. All the stuff in the TRD package is either cosmetic or low quality. If you really want offroad performance get real lockers, real suspension, etc. As far as what you need, it depends greatly on how much you know about offroad driving. I've seen guys "stuck" on a wet lawn.