TRD versus Baja

Can anyone tell me what the difference is (parts wise) between these two vehicles. Looking at a 2014 TRD Off-Road because no one knows if the Baja will be sold in the future and I love the stock look of the Baja. It has a 2" lift (from my understanding) and of course the beaded wheel set\tires combo. I'm just now learning about the parts of a 4x4 and the terminology. I do plan to go off road, just not rock climbing, so my goal is to build the TRD into what I would like.

Can anyone help me understand the difference? Here is a few additional questions 3 dealerships could not answer.

1. Is the Baja's dual exhaust actually dual exhaust or is it more for looks? If its function then the HP will be ever so slightly more than a non-dual compared truck.

2. Are the beaded wheels actually beaded or are they for show? My brother bought his Trail FJ and said they aren't truly beaded wheels (even on his)?

3. Does the TRD have the 2" lift I'm hoping to get?

4. What parts would I need to purchase to get the same look and setup as the 2013 Baja?

5. Why would I not want to build a Baja out of my stock TRD Off-Road? Would like some arguments and thoughts to help finalize my decision on what I will want to do.

Thanks again for any additional information you can provide.

Blind

 

There are some pretty well detailed threads discussing the Baja-specific parts, some which include the Baja specific part numbers.

In my opinion, Baja was meant for someone who wanted a moderately adjusted suspension and didn't know how or what to research and buy, while having to pay someone else to install it properly. That person also wanted special TRD beadlock-look wheels which were NOT supposed to be available to non-Baja Tacoma owners. That person also started off with good BFG Rugged Terrain tires, instead of the patheticly terrible BFG Rugged Trails which are flat out dangerous in the snow making the Tacoma into a Death Sled. It came with the $500 TRD Exhaust. Baja is also guarenteed to have been built in the San Antonio plant, rather than the Mexico plant. All things considered, Baja is a borderline good deal if you could find a dealer willing to negotiate the price to around invoice and look past the fact that it was limited in production. Not sure about its existence for 2014.

 

1. Adds a few hp and (from what I understand) gives it a rumble that is either cute, throaty, or annoying depending on who you ask. 2. Bead-lock "style" wheels. Not bead locking. They look nice, but accumulate dirt (and road salts?) where standard alloys will not. 3. It's a modest 1.5 (front) 1.0 rear lift that "levels" the truck. 4. Lift kit, cat-back exhaust (dealer parts guy said he couldn't find one for a 2014 TRD dc), and the sticker. Mostly the sticker, and don't forget that bigger is always better. Get it in multiple colors in case you ever hit SoCal. That's at least a 40 horse-power bump to the untrained observer, right-ch there 5. If you really want the Baja, people generally recommend upgrading the TRD to Baja-ish--you can get same/better quality parts cheaper. 6. There are lots of functional things you could do for the kind of premium a Baja (if they make one) would cost--steps/rails, bed cover, winch setup, weathertech floor mats, speed shifter if you like the MT6, bed extender...it's a lot of money for a factory look with rumbly-er exhaust, a bit of a lift, the flashy wheels, and totally rockin' awesome stickers. edit: I forgot--like that fellow right up there ^ said, the Rugged Trails are pretty horrible. I put Goodyear Wrangler Adenture AT's on my 2014 and sold the take-offs for $100 a tire. http://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-all-terrain-adventure

 

best would be buy a SR5 and take the savings and build you a baja

 

Can anyone tell me what the difference is (parts wise) between these two vehicles. Looking at a 2014 TRD Off-Road because no one knows if the Baja will be sold in the future and I love the stock look of the Baja. It has a 2" lift (from my understanding) and of course the beaded wheel set\tires combo. I'm just now learning about the parts of a 4x4 and the terminology. I do plan to go off road, just not rock climbing, so my goal is to build the TRD into what I would like.

Can anyone help me understand the difference? Here is a few additional questions 3 dealerships could not answer.

1. Is the Baja's dual exhaust actually dual exhaust or is it more for looks? If its function then the HP will be ever so slightly more than a non-dual compared truck. Bajas do not have dual exhaust.

2. Are the beaded wheels actually beaded or are they for show? My brother bought his Trail FJ and said they aren't truly beaded wheels (even on his)? They are for show

3. Does the TRD have the 2" lift I'm hoping to get? 1.75" up front and maybe 1" at most in the rear

4. What parts would I need to purchase to get the same look and setup as the 2013 Baja? Baja suspension kit $1550, Faux beadlock wheels $1000 and lugnuts, BFG AT tires $1000 + installation and alignment

5. Why would I not want to build a Baja out of my stock TRD Off-Road? Would like some arguments and thoughts to help finalize my decision on what I will want to do.

It's all up to you. What are your plans with the truck? Do you want aftermarket parts or would rather rely on Toyota OEM parts? How do you want it to ride?

Thanks again for any additional information you can provide.

Blind

 

Great info everyone. Thank you very much. I ended up calling Toyota after looking at all my options and have decided to wait until the Baja is released. I'm convinced its coming even though Toyota cant provide a definitive date. The dealerships are left in the same boat, but once it hits next summer I'll be buying it.

For those that are curious as to how I am so sure, well, its on the press release web site from Toyota. I very seriously doubt that information is posted inaccurately )

Thanks all,
Blind (pics coming in Summer 14' lol)

 

Worked out OK for me. I like the Baja suspension setup. The highspeed handling is dynamite. It's a high speed setup, as it was designed to be.

 

I have an SR5 and I put pretty put the Baja set up on my truck other than the logo all for $540

 

I hope you're not talking about Bilstein 5100's.

That's like saying you pretty much own a Porsche, when you actually have a VW beetle.

 

I have the tires and billies as well as put in trd seats.. I just got deals on it all.. about to upgrade to OME though

 

I have also found press releases claimed.it bis s limited edition and has reached end of life. I posted doc on a thread. Search for it or check forum. I posted it somewhere.

 

I believe your talking about this http://www.tacomahq.com/2693/trd-tx-baja-xrunner-discontinued-2014/. I read that too, but the key for me is two fold. #1 The Toyota press release was posted in September, that article was back in May. #2 I found a good article listing all of the manufacturers cars and discontinued models. I did confirm the X-Runner is one of them as the May article stated, but the Baja was not on the list.

I'm just going to keep my hope alive for now, but if I hear anything I will definitely post about it. Wish me luck

Blind

 

so now you're trading in your VW beetle for a VW rabbit? not much of an upgrade imo

 

as to what you have..would be?

 

Best of luck to you . . . . ..

 

I honestly think you can buy much better components for $5000.

When I bought my first TRD package I thought the same thing about buying a finished truck from the dealership.

Well that was short lived after the nose took a dive and damaged the front valance and lights while off-roading.

Good luck with your purchase though.

RJM

 

What exactly did you think a truck off the dealer floor could do???? I see you're in Seattle, last time I checked there weren't too many woop-te-do's in WA to stuff your truck into.

 

You do realize that the Baja also comes with ALL the TRD Off-road options (real locker, down hill assist, external power outlet, etc) and the TRD exhaust. You're still not even close to the Baja yet. And which billies? The Baja comes with remote reservoir shocks....not 5100s.

 

yes I am aware... I installed external power outlet..( wanting to install one inside cab on back of console and I have an ARB air locker..( upgraded few things instead of installing stock)

 

You were comparing Bilstein's entry level 5100 shock to the Baja setup. Apples and oranges.

I've had 5100s, the Baja setup, and Icons... I would never claim to have the best of anything.

Just wanted to point out 5100s are nowhere near the same level of performance as 9100s.

As far as the OME and 5100 swap. Unless you just really want yellow shocks, I'm not really sure what you think you're gaining from the swap. I don't see where you'd gain enough of anything to warrant the $, but it's your truck and your $, go for it.