2nd gen off-road capabilities?

Hey, I was looking at Toyota's site today.. "Build your Own".. I was building an 09 long wheel base 4x4 TRD, and I could NOT find an offroad TRD PKG that included a locking rear diff. It was available on the Short Wheelbase DC though? Am I crazy?

-Sam

 

Dude, that sucks! I was looking at buying another one, and having my wife drive the 2wd... but we need the longer bed. augh.. smashed dreams of a locking diff..

Thanks for letting me know.
-Sam

 

I've had some of the same thoughts as you. I needed the longer bed, and with a baby seat the DC was the only real option. Unfortunately, they only offered the TRD Sport but I am glad I went with the DC LB now. Obviously the longer wheelbase is not as ideal as the shorter wheelbase for offroading, but from what I've read, the TRD Sport has the 8.4" rear differential for which you can add an ARB or similar locker later. The ARB unit may even be more durable than the E-locker on the 8.0" rear in the long run.

I think sometime approximately '09 or '10, Toyota stopped providing the mechanical LSD on the TRD Sport, so my '11 Taco's LSD is brake/computer controlled and would be able to accommodate the ARB locker. This would get you a lot closer to the capabilities of the TRD Off-Road truck. I'm personally not a serious off-roader and won't be throwing the new ride around a difficult trail for a few more years, but it's food for thought.

 

OP, I also come from a Jeeper background, the TRD OR is a very capable truck. With the locker and Atrack there is never a traction issue, it will climb a wall.

The only issue for me really is the departure angle of the rear... it's got a pretty long ass. If you get an aftermarket rear bumper that you don't mind dragging you'll be fine; or if you're up for it, bob the bed or cut the quarter-panels level with the bottom of the tailgate.

The "bulgey" rocker panels are very vulnerable due to the length of the wheelbase, get some sliders, at least 8 or 9 companies make good one's for the Taco.

It does great in all aspects off road, you just need to address the body clearance issues... or they'll take care of themselves.

 

The 2009 and later Off-Road has a rear locker and ATRAC. It's a very capable off-roader, however, because of its length, it doesn't have the turning radius of the FJC. I too had an FJC before getting the Taco, and I won't take the Taco over the 3.5 rated trails until I can get it lifted and at least some armor under the truck. I also need rails, but don't have the money for any of that stuff yet. A full size spare is a must for off-road driving. A repair kit will not help when the tire has a major rip in it. You might not get a rip in the tread of an MT, but a sidewall tear will leave you stranded unless you want to drive on a flat tire. A fellow off-roader ripped the sidewall of his BFG All-Terrain KO and without a spare, he would have had to either drive it out on the flat, or had to ride with one of us to a tire shop and then taken back to his truck. No-one else had the same size tire and we were still 30 miles or so from the nearest town, with about 25 miles of dirt.