2017 TRD Sport v. TRD Off-Road Differences?

Prior to my 2016 TRD Sport, I had a 2004 TRD OR. I never once used the locker, nor ever was in a position to even come close to needing it. I'd really like to know how often drivers are using their OR features. Honestly. What terrain are you getting stuck in? I consider myself an outdoor, mountain guy. I travel dirt, logging roads and rocky mountain roads all the time. But probably could probably also drive most of the roads I drive on in a Sienna mini-van and make it fine. Just seems like a waste. I see so many ORs on the highway, driven my old men with a garbage can in the back or hauling grocery bags back from the store. Why are they buying these off road machines if they don't need them? Get a Sport or a cheaper SR5. The sport handles far better on-road and looks sharper, (and a sunglass holder instead of wasted headspace on knobs and switches you will never use), IMHO.

 

Counter opinion: Bought a 2017 TRD OR three weeks ago and have already used 4-LO + locker several times. True I don’t use it when driving home from the grocery store, but I’m glad I have it.

Don’t dispute that there are some folks who have way more than they need, but if I only got what i absolutely needed I’d be driving a Corolla.

Buy what makes you happiest

 

I use my OR features for fun. I've never needed it in daily driving, but for fun, I go to places where I definitely need it.

 

Off Road: 0.70g
Pro: 0.70g
Limited: 0.73g

These were all I could find from C&D.

MT shows TRD sport at 0.71, while Edmunds had an OR at 0.67g.

So not a lot of difference. The biggest difference would be in the tires. This is probably why there is a difference with the GMC and Chevy. Also Limited having the 18s would help it slightly too.

 

If Toyota offered a long box V6 manual with a locking rear differential I would have bought it. The suspension on either is only good for the life of the stock tires and most everybody on this forum upgrades anyway. Every Toyota truck I have owned has gotten me to every destination and home. My 85 xtra cab was my favorite, but that's probably because I was twenty five when I bought it and the memories in that thing were amazing. Bottom line is get what works for you and drive the shit out of it. Modding for looks is great if what you want to do is look at it, mod it for function if you plan to use it. To each their own, all is good.

 

In Canada Sport and Off Road are the same price. I wanted short bed and here Off Road is short bed while Sport is only long bed with auto.

Seems like the biggest difference otherwise is ride quality with OR riding softer which I prefer in a truck. Also from all the looking around it seems mag testing shows a negligible difference in handling on road between Tacoma trims.

 

Compare:

SR, Sport, Off-Road



note the fake "head scoop" on the Sport.


Almost forgot the PRO model:

 

Funny!

 

Cool, glad you got unstuck.

But yea, that was my point, unless you are a risky, off-roader that likes to put themselves in bad situations for fun, you will never use OR features. I wish I had the time and balls to get super stuck!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz84GKxy7b0

 

Not my case exactly, I get the Off Road 4x4 to go further than others can get, safely mind you. The fun is getting to an interesting place or a camp spot nobody (but other Off Road TRDs) can get to. Having four wheels driving you (A-TRAC/MTS/CRAWL) is sure a lot better than one wheel spinning in the front and one spinning in the back if you get into loose stuff or high-centered! The Off Road 4x4 Tacoma with A-TRAC is a tank and it seems nothing can stop it! Just crawl slow and sure.

ollie-taco, do use the A-TRAC (MTS) and you may find the locker will not ever need to be touched, it really is better as there is no binding, no steering issues either as there is with a locked differential. The locker is for emergency use only, per Toyota.

 

Thanks @Powderhound78. When you start to get a feel for what a OR 4x4 can do, those risks seem a lot less risky! And that's the whole reason I bought this truck, to explore places I couldn't otherwise.

@David K couldn't agree with you more. Boundaries of what's risky and what's perfectly fine changed compared to what I expected (before OR). And, totally, I always switch on MTS when I'm in 4Lo. TBH only drop into 4Lo when the road gets too steep for 4Hi. The locker is only for very brief spurts when it seems absolutely needed.

I probably only need 4Lo for just 20% on the roads I explore, and the locker only once or twice. But having them makes getting out on those possible.

 

If we were still stationed in Montana where there is snow and ice on the roads 9 months out of the year, I would have gone back to 4x4. Not needed so much here in South Ga.

 

I'll never understand the point of a 4x2 off road lol.
I know it has its places as a prerunner but where I live none of that shit just trails where you need 4x4. But again the off road or any TRD for that matter is only offered as a 4x4 here too.

But for what its worth they're almost identical price and you get more for your money out of the Off road.

 

If the multi terrain could be used in 4hi it would get a lot more use from a lot of people.

I personally use it a lot cause the rock setting really helps off road.

 

I thought I was the only one that thought that.

 

On the 4Runner the mud and sand setting can be used on 4X4 high. Wonder why the Tacoma can't do that.

 

4runner > Tacoma

 

https://youtu.be/AEXCWOJEXZ0

South GA...^^ many more like it on the tube.

I guess if you stick to the highway lockers ain't needed. Haha.

 

Neither. Get an SR manual 4x4, put some rebuildable coilovers on it and an ARB locker. Have custom decals made that say SR_Pro, pocket the extra money left over, and smirk at everyone who can’t use tools.