A TRD mystery, help me sleuth?

I have a mystery and an aficionado of the TACO can help.
So, my problem stems from some misunderstandings that stem from other people's foolery. The first 2 Tacomas I ever looked closely at were 2wd with TRD insignias. I went to a dealership and the first TRD he showed me happened to be a fake 4x4 and we didn't know until we got inside the vehicle. I became under the false impression that TRD's were the 2wd version of the vehicle and meant basically nothing, maybe that it had performance suspension. This was perpetuated by Tacomas for sale that also had TRD insignia but were listed as 2wd, they were rampant. I live in Scottsdale. Eventually I realized that TRD could also include 4x4. Which was which was unclear. Between different model years, it became increasingly confusing. I came to believe that there is only ONE model of Tacoma 4x4 which includes the e-locker and atrac standard, whether it said TRD on the side or not I did not know. So I bought a 4x4 Tacoma, only to realize it does not say TRD on the back. Some non specific tacoma talk made it sound like there are stripped down versions of the 4x4 (year specific or years past? I don't know) and I assumed thats what I got. I figured this is a 4x4 without e-locker, atrac or TRD suspension. Tacomas are confusing between the various years and models. I was looking at a late model gen 2. I came to feel a little cheated by my own confusion, ignorance and the obfuscation of people misrepresenting their vehicles to be cool or sell for a better price. I would have paid more for an e-locker and atrac version if I'd known I needed to do so. I had no intention of buying anything less than the legendary TACO but I have been under the impression that I got a more basic 4x4. But suddenly, I am a little more confused and realize I may not have gotten burnt after all. So I need expertise.
I discovered some mysterious switches. A google search of "tacoma e locker switch" turned up the same switch. I pressed this switch and the truck seemed to become very difficult to turn as if the rear differential was locked. Under the console is another suspicious switch that looks like it could have something to do with any traction function. Suddenly, my memory was jogged regarding the rear quarter panel. It was damaged badly, you can still see the waviness after the body work, right where TRD would be stamped. I checked the other side, also found body work If it ever said TRD, it would have to have come off. Suddenly it seems plausible that this is not a stripped down 4x4 but a TRD of some variety. Is there even a 2014 tacoma 4x4 that ISNT some type of TRD? If there is, I will need to know how to tell them apart, are these switches open and shut for either side? The cost was right, the suspension rides high enough to accommodate 265 well enough (handles great on/off road), it has back up camera but did not come with roof rack, it does have a skid plate over the front differential. Any ideas?

Ill try to attach pics but my wrist is injured and the pics are on my phone where I cannot type this all out.

 

Get the dealer to run the VIN and it will reveal all of the mysteries of your truck and how it came from the factory.

 

I didn't include a pic of the supposed elocker switch. If those looks like the rear end of a car swerving, that's what it is. If I press it a light with "OFF", the same swerves and rear end pops up in the dash and I'm about 89% certain the truck immediatly behaved differently

 

My guess would be it's an SR5 going on the pics you sent. TRD sports have a colour matched bumper and different rims and TRD off roads have heavier tow hook in the front. But obviously that can all be changed. Also the pic of the button that says set is your (TPMS) tire pressure monitoring system.

 

You just described the traction control button. Unless you break traction, you will not experience and other effects with the button "off". E-locker button is "Diff Lock" or something along those lines. And A-trac is a-trac.

 

Or this ..

 

OK I see, THANK YOU.

 

Your info says double cab 6ft bed.

You will NOT have a trd off road with that combo as toyota didnt make them in the US atleast... which means no locker.

 

It's an SR5. No tow hook, no decals, no locker button, long bed with double cab.

A Sport would have painted bumpers and door handles/mirrors along with the tell tale skewp.

 

The wikipedia article for Tacomas tells you about all the different packages...

SR5 - base model, minimal options
TRD Sport - Color matched bumpers, suspension (i think), inverter in the bed, hood scoop
TRD Off Road - Color matched bumpers, suspension, extra coolers, extra skidplates, ATRAC, Locking rear diff, short bed only, inverter in bed
These can all be ordered in 4x2 or 4x4. 4x4s come with some skidplates underneath either way I think,

TRD decals are not stamped on these, they're just decals.

Additionally, you could add the locker as an option for nearly any truck, but that's unlikely to be done by most people.

 

TRD Off Road Double Cabs only come with a short bed. All Access Cabs have a long bed, a TRD Off Road Access Cab has a long bed.

 

Having a TRD is not a big deal, put some bilsteins and you'll have better suspension than TRD.

 

Fify

 

Best advise is to just check the vin number with a toyota dealership and they should be able to tell you exactly what your getting. TRD is strictly a package and said package can have variations.

 

^^^ this sums it up. Detective Bishop has determined that it is an SR5. Case closed.

 

I whole-heartedly disagree, but I have different intentions with my truck. I bought it to go offroading, and the locker that comes with the TRD is what makes it worthwhile. I don't really think anyone is buying the TRD for it's shocks, there are far better options in the aftermarket, the other items that come in the TRD make it worthwhile.

 

I have a 2005 prerunner with mechanical LSD and tow package ( now converted to 4x4). I'm not so clear on how many options you could specify when building SR5 trucks without paying the over price for a TRD.

 

All trds are sr5ii

2 birds half a bowling ball

 

To add to confusion you can buy a 2wd TRD off road with a rear locker as well.