About to pull the trigger...help?

Howdy!

I'm about 3-4 days (or longer, if needed) from dropping the hammer on a Taco.

All qualified and ready to go. I have worked myself into a lather now, but for once in my life, I am going to do a little due diligence. I am coming from a Ford Escape (with the angry 2.0L Ecoboost), just for a frame of reference. I realize I will be giving up some creature comforts (like climate control...wtf. Seriously? It's 2015), but it's a price I am willing to pay. I need a pickup, and I want something fun, dammit.

Here is what I'm looking at:
4x4
Double cab
need to tow. a condition of getting a truck is the wife wants a popup camper.
Magnetic Grey

Other than that, I am flexible.

Driving habits:
Kinda used to having power (240hp on the 2L Eco)
Mostly city commute, but this WILL see some dirt on some weekends, camping, etc
Lead foot, but I can probably temper that if I have to

So, I'm a bit open now, but I have a price ceiling of about 35k, which will include about 1-2k of negative equity in the Escop-ey.

I know me. This thing will end up with some mods, but it might be a couple years. Should I buy an TSS and upgrade later? TRD for the nice shocks and skids?

Sound off, help a brother out. I have been cruising the boards like crazy, but my brain hurts now :-D If you had to do it over again....

Danno

 

Don't need the long bed (almost non-existent around in DFW anyway).

Seat difference? Really? Must be some AWESOME seats!

Danno

 

If you can get better seats, do it. Trust me.

 

Id go with an SR5 and change the suspension to billies and OME springs..... then by the time you wear them tires down, get yourself some nice new wheels and tires to your liking.

That would save a bit of $$$ and would basically be the offroad model ( without the locker) IMO.

 

I won't lie. The seats thing was not what I was expecting when I asked the questions, LOL.

 

Scoop is meh. Color matched body panes are good, but dont mind a little chrome, that's an easy fix/match if I need to change it. Now, the off road stuff, that's different. How much different do they ride (SR5/TRD OR/TRD Sport)? Is the ATRAC that good? Like 2-3k good?

 

Do you want a DCLB or a wheelbarrow ?

 

Super hard to find the DCLB's around here. GREATLY reduces your choices. So I can deal with a short bed.

Is a locker an expensive add for the Taco?

Yeah, the TSS is a bit of a joke, but the wheels and tires/step looks pretty good, might tide me over until I can afford some good stuff.

 

No, I get it, there ain't a lot of space in that bed. But, coming from what I'm going from, it's a veritable container ship.

Ok, so a locker will cost be a G, probably another on top to put it in. I don't know, it's sounding like I would probably replace most of the stuff that TRD gives you at some point anyway, so that just leaves the seats?

 

Maybe I buy an SR5 and a supercharger, then upgrade everything else later!

 

If you're not going to buy a TRD Offroad , get the DCLB SR5

 

If I had to do it all over again, I would stick with the TRD Sport. It looks good, handles well and the 4WD system has never left me stranded. One thing I'll never give up is the long bed. That gets used more then the 4WD system.

 

I'm not sure I am patient enough to wait for the long bed. DCLB's appear to unicorns in these parts...

 

Sounds to me like the mod bug is already gettin' ya

 

Yes, yes it is. Might be an issue for wallet. And marriage.

 

Autotrader says I have 25 listing close to me, apparently...

http://tinyurl.com/ngqaygq

 

Just check em out, sr5, trd off road and the trd sport, all good trucks, see which one you like best!

 

I'm all about the long bed. If I had to wait 3 weeks for it, I would.

 

Ok, I'll bite, why?