Spend my money: Bone Stock 2023 SR DC 4WD V6 Auto w/ Tow Package

What to do with my bone stock 2023 SR DC 4x4 V6 Auto w/ tow package. I would like the end result to be comparable to a stock 2023 Rubicon Gladiator in the mountains and mud. Also needs to pull 5,000 pounds regularly.

Cheap ass minded parts list options (but not junk and not do more damage than good) and approx prices would be greatly appreciated!!

 

AI says that I am ambitious and here is what they hit me with. 5k seems like a pretty good deal lol:

Making a 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4x4 V6 as off-road capable as a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is ambitious — the Rubicon is a purpose-built off-roader with locking differentials, a disconnecting sway bar, and Dana 44 axles. But you can come very close with strategic, cost-effective upgrades. Here's a breakdown of what you'd need to focus on and some budget-conscious approaches:

Core Off-Road Capabilities to Match
Here’s what the Gladiator Rubicon has that the Tacoma SR lacks:

1. Front and rear locking differentials
   
   
2. Disconnecting front sway bar
   
   
3. 33" tires (with room for 35s)
   
   
4. 4.10 axle ratio (vs 3.91 or 3.91 auto in Tacoma)
   
   
5. Rock rails, skid plates, and excellent articulation
   
   
6. Electronic crawl features & off-road modes

✅ Tacoma Upgrade Plan (Budget-Friendly Focus)
1. Rear Locking Differential (if not factory-equipped)

• Cost: ~$1,000–$1,500 (Yukon Grizzly, ARB Air Locker, etc.)
  
  
• If your SR doesn’t already have the factory e-locker, this is the most critical upgrade.

2. Front Locker (Optional but Helpful)

• Cost: ~$1,200–$2,000 (ARB Air Locker or similar)
  
  
• Not essential unless you're rock crawling, but it’ll close the gap.

3. Suspension Lift (2–3”)

• Goal: Clearance for 33" tires and better articulation
  
  
• Budget kit (spacer lift): $300–$600
  
  
• Mid-tier kit (Bilstein 5100 or OME): $800–$1,200
  
  
• Avoid expensive long-travel unless serious about crawling.

4. Tires (33" All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain)

• Cost: ~$800–$1,200 (set of 5, 285/70R17)
  
  
• 33s drastically improve capability and ground clearance.

5. Skid Plates & Rock Sliders

• Cost: ~$200–$500 (Skids), ~$400–$700 (Rock sliders)
  
  
• Brands: RCI, Cali Raised, C4 Fabrication for budget-friendly options.

6. Regear (if going to 33s or 35s)

• Optional, but recommended for 35s
  
  
• Cost: ~$1,500–$2,000
  
  
• Gladiator Rubicon has 4.10 gears. Tacoma might need 4.88s for 35s.

7. Sway Bar Disconnect (Manual or Quick-Disconnect)

• Cost: ~$100–$200
  
  
• Brands like JBA or JKS offer simple sway bar quick disconnects.

8. Crawl Control Alternatives

• Tacoma SR lacks Toyota’s fancy off-road software. Consider:
  • Aftermarket throttle controllers ($200–$300)
    
    
  • Use low range and lockers instead — still very capable.

Total Cost Estimate (DIY / Budget Route)
Upgrade Approx. Cost
Rear locker $1,000
Suspension (Bilstein 5100s) $1,000
Tires (33") $1,000
Rock sliders $500
Skid plates $300
Sway bar quick disconnects $150
Total ~$4,000–$5,000
Optional Add-ons: Front locker and regear for ~another $2,000–$3,000.

Final Verdict
For $4K–$5K, your Tacoma SR 4x4 can match or beat a stock Rubicon in many off-road situations — especially with lockers, lift, and tires. You’ll sacrifice some tech and articulation, but gain Toyota reliability and do it on a budget.

 

rear locker for $1K dude just stop

 

btw pretty sure the tow package on 2023s don't have the trans cooler...that would be a decent first addition

 

Don't listen to AI, I guess it's good for a very rough idea but there's so many inaccurate things here it hurts to read it.

That truck is pretty much brand new, I wouldn't start hacking it up personally. I'd buy an older one you won't feel as bad about but that's just me. Alternatively, just trade it in for a Gladiator if that's what you're trying to match, it'll be cheaper and less work.

Anyway, a major piece that's missing in all this is a cab mount chop or a cab mount relocate.

 

the AI crap is so effing cringe it hurts my soul

 

why the chit would the put a tow package and leave off the trans cooler

 

what about the radiator did they leave that off the SR too for the love

 

why do you have to cut the cab off?

 

Leave it stock and run it for 200k plus miles. Put a set of Michelin ltx ms2's on it.

 

Sigh. I really can't take people seriously if they listen to AI.

Here is what you need to make your truck badass.
A) Buy some reasonably sized AT tires. Not MTs, not 33s, just some regular boring all terrain tires.
B) Rip your chin spoiler off and bury it.
C) If you want to tow, install a trailer brake controller.

Congratulations, you now have a wonderfully capable truck.

 

I've enjoyed the results of my tune. I am sure there is a tune out there geared towards towing. I feel like it was money well spent. The butt dyno likes it for sure and the tranny no longer hunts at freeway speeds.

 

Because lifts don't change tire clearance. You might want to go on a deep dive into the suspension forum. It took me two years of casual reading before I was confident on my choice of lift.

 

Here's some of the off roading capability mods I've done to my 3rd gen SR5 access cab..granted I have the 2.7L so no 33in tires or CMC in my future:

-32in E load A/T tires + full size/matching spare wheel
-Bilstein 5100s all round
-Eaton E-locker at rear diff
-Timbren Active Off-Road bumpstops up front
-ARB diff breather kit to relocate front, rear diff and trans breathers way up high
-ARB front recovery point
-Trailer hitch at rear for use as rear recovery point
-Auxiliary ATF cooler
-Total Chaos cam tab gussets paired with Marlin Crawler LCA frame bracing and front shock tower reinforcement rings
-RC Fab gusseted spindles
-WARfab tie rod sleeves
-TRD engine skid
-Sway bar delete
-Chin spoiler delete
-OTT tune
-ECGS bushing/needle bearing delete
-Total Chaos bed stiffeners (not an offroading mod per se, but really stops the bed from flopping around like a wet noodle while off road)

Total cost: WAY over $5k

 

Cab mount, it's because the front wheel wells aren't large enough to fit 33s or 35s. You also have to take a sledge hammer and beat the pinch weld in on the firewall. Just search "cab mount chop" or "pinch weld" and start reading about it.

 

we've all been asking the same question since 2018/2019 ish

 

i guess it doesnt suprise me they didnt even give me the little pull straps on the back seat to lift it up. It is just blank holes where the little straps used to be on my older ones.

 

AI didn't include labor/install costs (or the onboard air for the ARB locker.) So add another few thousand.

The offroad prowess of a stock Jeep/Fiat and the reliability of a Toyota comes at a price.

Add sliders, upgraded tires and skid plates and go have fun. You'll figure out what you really need on the trail.

 

Toyota stopped putting those on all trucks in later years of the 3rd gen. Aftermarket options are available.

 

seems like it wouldnt be that difficult to make this:



as capable as this:


But I guess its just too hard...