(Land Cruiser convert): TRD Sport + Air Locker vs. Off-Road?

Hi all. First post (i think). Have been doing a lot of reading trying to figure this out -- there is a TON of info on this forum! Nice to meet you and good to be here. Apologies if this is already beat to hell, I couldn't find a post on it (though I did read lots of Sport vs. OR threads)

My needs:

• DCLB (aka no Off-Road available)
• The offroad capabilities of the Off-Road

My question:

Assuming I will be installing a lift, does the Off-Road offer anything that would not be replicated by the Sport w/ an air locker?

• Lift negates the stock springs/shock differences and
• Air locker negates the Off-Road e-locker

Right?

• What about A-TRAC? Will I miss it with the sport?

I drive a '95 land cruiser with all the fixings that I will be selling. 35s and triple locked, I have been spoiled. Thus I'm worried about giving up too much offroad.

Knowing what you know about my needs, can suggest a target vehicle (2009+ Sport?) and/or aftermarket parts?

Thanks everyone.

Edit: my current rig, now for sale

 

Well. Every one has their own opinions. If you need a long bed and want a trd off road, those are offered in the third gen trucks. But as far as second gens sport with air locker vs trd with e-locker, I would rather have a sport with air locker. A trac is really jerky from what I have read, and on board air is a plus. The e locker is only usable in low range, and a trac is not available in low range anyway (I think that's how it works).

No difference in suspension besides about 1/2 ride height stock. Both trucks require the same lifts (springs, shocks, struts,)

And welcome to tw buddy

 

I came from a '97 LX450. I went with Off Road because of the rear locker. You can mod it to be used in any mode, including 2wd. A-trac really does work almost as good as a front locker & it works in 4lo. A-trac by itself is impressive but A-trac WITH the stock rear locker is badass. An air locker for a Sport (my buddy has a Sport so we researched it) is about $1,700 installed around here.
I like his side mirrors & stereo better. I like the looks of the hood scoop but damn it makes even harder to see directly in front of the truck.

 

Oh yeah I forgot all about the hood scoop! Can a trac be used in 2wd just like the "auto lsd" on the non a trac models?

 

No, but the off road still has the elect. "Auto LSD" when VSC is turned off (under 30mph I believe).
This is what I get when I turn off the VSC on my Off Road.

 

The rear diff in the sport is stronger than the off road. ARB>elocker

Sports look better too - no chrome, all color matched.

The sport and OR have basically the same suspension. The OR has a progressive coil, whereas all other models have linear rate coils. A suspension replacement is a good idea on any Tacoma.

 

So "they" say. Neither is inherently strong. I believe if you were going to break the 8", odds are pretty good what you were doing would've broke the 8.4" too.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes! Use your brain & learn how to drive in the rocks & neither should give any issues.

 

Hows the switch from the LX?

So it is sounding like the Sport + E-Locker plan isnt such a bad idea since I want the DCLB. I just read the thread about different drive modes. Can someone ELI5 me VSC + Auto LSD vs ATRAC?

Oh. I guess the wheel sizes are different. 16" vs 17". I never much noticed a difference there though.

Thanks for all the excellent replies everyone.

 

It's been good! I'm really liking this Taco.
If you want a DCLB in a 2nd gen this you have no choice but a Sport as they don't make it in an OR.
A-trac is quite a bit better for off roading than the LSD. Off road I have zero use for a LSD as it applies to the tire that's slipping. If that tire is in the air or slipping in the mud but the other tire has traction then you are SOL.
I prefer 16" tires as it gives a taller sidewall.

 

I agree with him, the "auto lsd" feature is as unless as tits on a bull

 

Thought it was the other way around...?

 

Sport has no chrome plus the cool hood scoop. If your wanting lockers front an rear arb air is the way to go but just out back a Detroit Trutrac is a great option have a friend who has one in his truck. That thing is sweet at wheeling I plan on getting one eventually.

 

If you can't get an off-road why bother with the sport over and SR5?

 

Looks would be the only reason right? Unless he wanted a manual but those didnt come in a long bed.

 

Hm. This is interesting; had not occurred to me. And no, not looking for a manual

So a regular SR5 (that has the 4x4 option) is no different than the Sport except for looks? Going out on a limb here, but SR5 are probably quite a bit cheaper than TRD Sport? Maybe enough to snag gears or a front locker (both of which were going to come a little later)...?

 

The sport comes with a manual transmission option, fake hood scoop, painted mirrors and bumpers, and.....maybe different valving on the shocks. Unsure on that

 

Just the looks my friend. Same capabilities

 

Cosmetic (hood scoop and color matched), different seats, and different shocks. I don't think there are any other differences.

Why are you set on a long bed?

 

All that matches my research about the Sport. More homework. Valving won't matter much since itll be ditched in the lift.

Bumpers hadnt crossed my mind since they will both eventually be replaced.

Well how bout that! I might make it a little further on the mod train than I thought for this early in the game

 

I have a suspicion I'll get along better with the long bed. I took the seats out of my cruiser a couple years back and never looked back. That's almost 7 feet with the seats out and I routinely fill it up. Also a little skeptical about being able to fit gear plus an elk in the shortbed. I'm 6'4 and if I design a sleeping system (and sell my airtop) i'll want the space. Paying more for a shorter bed is a hard sell

Edit. Skis. All my skis are between 185cm and 190s, which is about 6ft. I ski a decent amount (not as much as others on here i'm sure). probably 3-4/week or about 50 days a season.

Convince me on a shortbed? I think it looks more balanced and probably drives more balanced (on and offroad).

This was the setup for most of last summer. My GF and I did a 2 month road trip from CA to the Yukon then to Montana (where we live).