Difference in ride quality/performance between off road and sport

I think you're going to notice the difference due solely to tires/wheels. For the last several years, I was driving with BFG AT KO Load Range D tires and recently switched to P-rated tires...same size. BTW, I have the 16" wheels and an SR5, so the sidewalls of the tires are larger than the stock tire size on 17" wheels and I've got the same linear springs as the Sport (I'm running 5100's on all 4 corners).

Anyway, it's taking me quite a while to get used to the soft sidewall of the P-rated tires on the turns with bumps. Take a 65 mph turn with a large bump in the turn, and you can definitely feel the difference.

The Load Range D tire with it's stiffer sidewall didn't let the rear end sway after the bump at all. With the P-rated tire and its softer sidewall, I feel the back end sway towards the outside of the turn on its way back down from hitting the bump. And when I say I feel it, I'm not exaggerating! It's amazingly soft...and scary when you're not used to that loose feeling (gimme back my old Rx7...just kidding). I'm finally getting used to it, but if I pay attention I can still feel it.

In short, smaller tire sidewall is not going to let the rear end sway as much on turns. I think if you found somewhere like this to test out both trucks, you'd be getting the Sport. But if you're planning on getting new tires or wheels in the future, it really doesn't matter which one you get now since you'd be making it handle the way you want anyway with those wheel/tire choices.

 

My buddy had an '05 Off Road, I have an '06 Sport, the two drove exactly the same when bone stock.

 

Read it last night. Brutal. Lmao. 400 for paint and tape.

 

I work for Toyota, and get to drive every model there is.

There really isn't a noticeable difference between the two.. At least not that I can tell. But if you want to get technical the sport should be a nicer ride than the O.R.

Is it worth getting the Sport over O.R?? Probably not.. Unless you like the sport package. Then I'd say go for it.

 

I believe the Sport has a larger anti-sway bar.

 

IMO go with the Off Road, having a rear locker is AWESOME! The fake hood scoop on the Sport is ridiculas.
If the hood scoop was functioning it would be a different story, it’s like putting a 4X4 sticker on a PreRunner.

 

I think the largest single difference I have yet to see was when I upgraded to 17" rims and softer-side-walled tires. Instantly thought the ride was vastly superior to the SR5. That being said before upgrading the crap SR5 suspension to the sport via new struts and and AAL I went and talked to a tacoma tech at my local stealership about the pros and cons of buying OR springs. He said that he preferred the springs in the SR5/Sport to the OR progressives and that the ride was generally smoother with them. I am not one to say yes or no, but that was his opinion.

If you are reading this and have the SR5 black shocks definitely scrape $100 together and find some Sport/OR shocks with low miles. Its a DIY job that it totally worth it!

 

I picked the OR because I felt it ran smoother. The stock tires on the OR has more sidewall which translates to smoother ride. The shorter sidewall has better cornering. Why would I be worried about serious cornering in a truck?

 

If a smoooth ride is what you are lookin for, the sport is what you want. Consumer Reports rated the off road as a stiff ride.

 

i just read that thread! that just hilarious!

 

I was reading somewhere last night that the Off-Road has a different camber set-up in the rear; anyone confirm this?

 

OP- If you also drove a long-bed Sport, the ride will definitely be much different. Longer wheelbase is much smoother than the shortbox wheelbase. Different truck for different uses.

 

i've owned both and felt no difference.

 

I test drove both extensively before deciding on the OR. The sport has a slightly tighter on road feel, but for the extra couple hundred bucks the OR has some great toys. In the end A-TRAC and Clutch Start Assist won me over in comparison to 17" wheels and the hood scoop. For me it was never an issue of TRD or not. The seats more than anything else put me there. Huge difference.

 

IDk guys, I feel like the O.R. picks up all of the little bumps in the road and for whatever reason the sport seems more responsive.

 

Im gonna trade up my sport hood scoop for the high performance taped on one. $400 is nuthin for improved gas mileage AND a group of tire biters. sure wish i had the rear locker though....anyone know where to get a stick-on version?

 

That's what she said

 

wtf? how do u have camber in back? im hella confused