How to tell TRD off-road from base model

Hey everyone, so I just bought a 2009 Tacoma double cab from a Toyota dealership. They said it was a TRD off-road, and it has the decal on the bed, however some things seem to be missing now that I’ve gotten home and researched more about them. I notice it does not have a power outlet in the bed, has the black plastic trim around the wheel wells and bumper, and no radio controls on the steering wheel.

Are these things necessarily standard on a TRD off-road, or did I have a quick one pulled on me? What are some other things that differentiate the models? I know the moral of the story is do your research before you buy. I may have put to much faith in people.

 

rear locker button to the left of the steering wheel, if you dont have that you dont have an off road


looks like this

 

Also here’s a pic for reference

 

Put your VIN in here. Don't trust any other way.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

 

that either doesnt work too well or i also dont have an off road

 

If you dont have a rear locker...you do not have an off road model. Regardless over other bells and whistles...no locker no Off Road model.

Im gonna go out on a limb and say that is not an OR.

 

From car and driver talking about an 08; would imagine the 09 has the same or similar features:

For 2008, the Tacoma offers a Rugged Trail Off-Road package on V-6 models with white, black, or silver exteriors. The package consists of a locking rear differential, progressive-rate front springs, Bilstein shock absorbers, an anti-roll bar, 16-inch aluminum wheels, black fender flares, a skid plate, all-weather floor mats, and TRD (Toyota Racing Development) graphics. Otherwise, the Tacoma is unchanged for 2008.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15151244/2008-toyota-tacoma-review/

 

That TRD sticker looks suspect too. I don't think any came stock with an American flag on them. Looks aftermarket.

Doesn't mean the stock sticker wasn't replaced... just...

 

Definitely a custom made decal. You can have someone make whatever your heart desires

 

Yep, definitely not a off road. Do you guys think I would have any luck getting the dealership to do something for me, such as renegotiate a price, or does the contract mean I’m screwed. Pretty frustrating. I even believe THEY thought it was an off-road. But I don’t like paying the off-road price for a base model.

 

Congrats good looking truck

 

OP, when I was shopping for mine late last year I came to the determination dealers have no fucking clue what they actually have. Automatics listed as manuals, Sports listed as Pros. Most of this is down to ignorance and not malice. I don't think it's an OR, personally, but I have little experience with 2Gs. Look up your VIN, go back to where you bought it from, and ask what can be done to make things right.

 

How much did you pay? You may have paid a base price and not an OR. Do you think you paid too much?

 

Well, that would be fraud on their part, so...

Does your contract say "Off Road" or did they just tell you that? Maybe listed in an ad as Off Road?

Anyway, ask for a discount. Ask for a BIG discount. They should have run the VIN themselves to see what they were selling.

 

That is an aftermarket TRD sticker on the bed

 

Research, research, research. I can't tell you how many times I'd see dealers (even on sites like cargurus) try to upsell something. Sometimes they don't even have an excuse (listing a TRD Sport as a TRD Off Road, or an XLT F150 as a Lariat when both clearly state otherwise). We all don't know these things at some point, but research will make you better prepared and less likely to get screwed over. They likely didn't know and just went off the badging, but it is possible they did know and banked on you not knowing.

 

Yep, it's on the buyer, sorry.

A lot of the base model Tacomas I've been seeing are listed as Manuals and PRO even though only the 2015 was a pro and... 99% of them are automatics and mis-listed. It even shows in their photos that it's an automatic and they have it wrong.

 

at least it's 4wd ... legally I have no idea, but it can't hurt to go back and have a friendly chat to see if anything can be done. good luck!

 

With the black bumpers and flares, it’s not even a SR5, right?