Giving up the Rubicon for Tacoma 4x4 - Which one?

I have a 2006 Wrangler Rubicon XL (LJ) set up for rock climbing and hills. It's has been frequently used from Ocotillo to Johnson Valley; and most places in between.

The Jeep has been a blast, but I am ready to swap to something less aggressive and a with a bit more comfort. I still want the features and flexibility of a 4x4, but am looking more for trail rides, snow and mountain excursions, and not as much of the Rubicon Trail so to speak.

First time considering the Tacoma line up, so I am looking for advice from owners of what is a comparable ride, sub $50K. SR5 4x4 and the OR 4x4 have my attention the most, but I see several posts back and forth about building out the SR5, or getting the feature builds provided as part of the package for the OR version. This is not a daily driver and my thought is I would probably build up the suspension, shocks and tires, or is that needed??

Thoughts?

 

If you're gonna mod for wheeling I'd go with an sr5

 

Thanks, I am leaning that way. Is the 4x4 package the same for each vehicle?

 

what gen

 

Yup just lipstick.

I'd go SR5, regear, air lockers, suspension tires.

Tacoma's are so much nicer on the service roads and highway, you'll appreciate the change.

The offroad e locker kinda stinks, you can watch videos of people struggling to engage it, and you have to be in 4lo. I hated it, and its a pain to keep the trail group waiting.

 

Lockers are vital when you need them and maddening when they don't engage. Yes, engaging while moving is key!

I like the long wheelbase as well which is the appeal for the Tacoma. Got spoiled with it for weight distribution on the LJ. Only thing it sucked/sucks at is sand. Way too heavy and I have 4:10's so it likes low and slow, but too heavy on the soft stuff.

 

A stock form SR5 is decently capable. Adding mods with the money saved by getting an SR5....you'll be happy. I like to look at SR5's as a blank canvas. Perfect candidates to create what YOU want. A regear, lockers, full skids, armor, and bigger tires will get you pretty fucking far down the trails.

 

Music to my ears.

Thank you!!

 

Welcome!

 

Unless you need a bed, I'd spend 50K towards a 4Runner before a Tacoma. Stronger frame (compared to 2nd an 3rd gen Tacos, IDK about 4th gen), more interior space, rear window rolls down. No manual transmission of course, if you're into that kind of thing.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

OP, if you’re serious about wheeling better off with an Offroad. I know people don’t like the E locker but it’s not been a problem for me. People don’t know how to engage it. Sometimes you gotta let it roll till you feel it. Can always switch to FJ T case manual shifting. Also, biggest advantage of an off-road is the size of the diff at 8.75” compared to 8”. Good luck.

 

I mean sure the reality is that a larger diff is going to be stronger. In my opinion you'll snap cv's before you grenade a diff. The biggest weakness in toyota diffs are shock loading. You'll break any diff with enough shock load. Just don't drive like a dumbass. My 8" has been solid hitting pretty decent stuff on 35's. Now on 37's