New Here to research the best Tacoma for Me

Hey All! I'm Steve from Northern Kentucky or Cincinnati for the geographically challenged. I am looking to buy my first Tacoma here soon to build for an overloading rig. Been waiting to for a few years but have the funds to do it now. It will be my first truck but have modified cars for years. Currently considering the '23 TRD Pro. Looking forward getting involved and learning!

Cheers!

 

I would personally recommend a long bed of some variety. The 5’ short bed isn’t really enough space to be useful, in my opinion.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld and the world of Tacomas... I suggest beginning with the details of what you'd like the rig to be/fullfil, then research the options available that best suites your vision for your overland rig... Just my $0.02... and not nearly enough to pay taxes on a cheap cup of joe

 

Acess cab or 4Runner. 4Runner is probably better for overlanding. TRD OR 4Runner base those are less money and it still has a manual transfer case.

 

If I could do it again I'd go for the T4R personally. Nothing wrong with the Tacoma, I just realized too late that the 4runner would better suit me.

 

New as well, but it seems the overlander crowd gravitates more toward DCs because they aren't as concerned with the capacity of the bed.

What are your criteria?

 

I don't think the 6ft bed comes with a manual trans...I really hate auto trans

Thank you!

Thank you! Certainly working on that. I have a while to go, so far gather details on what specs I will need out of it. I am less interested in the heavy duty offloading aspect as the ability to go places and see things deep into trails with my family.

Access cab is a no go. I have 2 kids that need to ride with me. Need the bed for bikes and such. I guess there are other options for that but 4 bikes on a hitch would be a lot.

I hear that. I may still consider it. I am not married to the idea of a Tacoma. Really whatever gets me where I want to go.

Yeah I need the DC so my kids can ride along. My criteria are to be able to take my family with me to go camping. Have fun doing the trails to get there. Obviously there is more than that but that is the quick and dirty.

 

Sounds like you need a fullsize for the family. No manual options on the fullsize, maybe a Gladiator is what you need.

 

Kids are young...6 & 5, I think they will fit back there. I don't think I can get down the trails with a full-size?!? No way I am going with a Jeep. love them but I don't want that headache of the reliability issues...and my wife thinks they are hideous.

 

You and me both. In order to get both a manual and an AC for 2023, I had to go with the TRD Sport. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro are your other options for manual in DC, and it sounds like they might suit your needs.

 

I don't think the sport comes with manual in the DC. I considered that since I may be ripping a bunch of stuff off. The OR is a consideration and just adding in the advanced tech package to get all the stuff it's missing from the PRO. It's only $3-4k cheaper and not sure that's worth skipping the PRO considering all the additional stuff such as the suspension, wheels, grill, etc.

 

Not sure about 2023, but I have a 2019 DCSB Sport with the 6MT. So Sport manuals existed at some point.

 

Also, my kids are 7 & 4 and they have plenty of space. On multiple occasions I've had adults ride in the back without any issues. So I don't think "more than two passengers" = full size.

 

Intersting. I thought it was weird but can't build a Sport with the LB...Just realized you can do SB still with 6MT. I only had checked LB.

Good to know. I agree.

 

Oh yeah, I don't think there's a MT option for DCLB. It's either DCSB or ACLB.

 

As I noted, that is correct. I wanted an AC, so I was able to get a manual in the Sport. You can get a manual in OR and Pro--both DCs.