Assistance in choosing the right trim/model

May someone share advice on tacoma trim models?

I will be living in a harsh winter climate that lasts 6-7 months out of the year.

I will be doing small town driving, trailing, hydro/logging gravel roads, and 1500 km drive’s 4-6 times a year.

When it comes to the offroad, how beneficial are they to the above mentioned activities/climate?

Are the pro features worth it?

Could the sport suffice? *Only way to get long bed with double cab?

Rear lock diff bilstein shocks vs sport tuned and no lock diff


please feel free to answer in whatever way you wish.

 

Pro isn't worth it.

Sport will do everything you need and more.

Locker can get you even more stuck just as much as it can help and is almost never needed unless doing rock crawling.

Sport tune shocks ride better on the street, the trd off-road shocks are negligibly better then the sports off road.

Get whichever truck you can get the best deal on they will all suit your needs.

Using the locker in icy conditions would be dangerous.

 

Welcome to TW. I suggest that you cast a wider net by also posting this on the Canadian forums. There are subforums for B.C. & Ontario as well.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/canada.44/

 

Jeep Wrangler or the Gladiator if you need the bed.

 

The pro isn't what you want, and it's incredibly hard to find.

It sounds like this will be strictly a work truck, if so...stick with an SR5 trim.

 

I forgot to mention that It will not be for work, it will be for travel/pleasure.

 

If the Double Cab long bed (DCLB) option is needed, then yes you will be more than happy with a Sport. Ive been going to Vt for the past 30 winters and Ive never needed the locker or crawl control. In fact after owning OR’s for years, I decided to make the switch to a ‘21 Sport.
I did get M+S tires and winter wheels so I don’t trash my Sema Pro wheels I use in the summer. I keep a Sand bag ballast in the bed so its handled VT weather beautifully, even on ratty fire trails. I still dont miss the locker, but that’s my personal experience .
I can’t say one is better than the other, just that the Sport is still extremely capable both on and off road for my use.

 

How dare you.

 

crashnburn80 being a bad influence.

 

I want to change my recommendation. I think you should get a Honda Ridgeline.

 

Man my most hardcore Toyota friend bought one and freakin loves it... He just bought a second one... Now he and his wife drive jeeps... Gotta say, I do really like them. My truck idles between 8 and 12 hours a day sometimes. Kinda makes me want to get a diesel one...

 

Thanks, that is a helpful run down. Been leaning sport mostly because I can get it sooner and in the color I really want.

 

I not in to Jeeps, but when someone says off road. Jeeps always come to mind.

 

Your description makes me think heated seats, remote start, defrosting mirrors, dedicated winter tires.

A radio system that will mirror the phone you have for maps, as OE nav is clunky and expensive to update the maps.

All of which can be added to any model if you wish as aftermarket items or upgrades with OE items.

You may or may not like any factory suspension. Test drives are the way to know. If you don't fall in love, go aftermarket like everyone else thinks they need to.

But seriously. Depending on an honest assessment of how you off road, if a Ridgeline gives enough ground clearance, and AWD will get you through, it may be a better match to your goals.

 

I had alot of xjs over the years and a couple of yjs, they were giant pieces of crap... Really turned me off of jeeps. I think these days, you get lucky or you don't with rigs. I hear alot of people talk bad about older sequoias but we have 760k on ours and it still runs like a champ ‍♂️

 

I saw another one today with a thuel rack and what looked like a oem style roof rack. 1st gen tho yesterday I saw a 2nd gen with the thuel rack. Lots of folks putting Ridgelines to work.

 

Is the DCLB no longer available in the Off Road or something?

 

I saw a lifted 1st gen Sequioa with a snorkel and a viper cut, at the same intersection was a lifted Land Cruiser with a snorkel generation before the last gen sold in the US.

 

The long bed option for double cab is not available in Canada.

 

Yes, all winter related options will be a must. Noted for the after market radio system. I will also install a bush radio. As for the offroading, I will be driving long distances on gravel roads, and some relatively deep water offroading to get to my spouses trap lines. Other offroading will include tundra like terrain, and sand. Heavy winters with lots of snow are a factor in play. I will use the long bed for motorcross, wood, camp supplies, large game kills and what not. I was sold on the idea of the offroad and pro bells and whistles but am conflicted with the bed. You mentioned after market suspension, have you any suggestions for the type of driving I will do?
thanks