Is there TRD OR overkill for my needs?

I'm considering a Tacoma. It will be my daily driver, will be used to tow occasionally maybe 3000# or less. I hunt, fish, and camp in the Southeast, so my primary off roading will be access to these areas, ie rock crawling will be purely accidental and unlikely; mostly just steepish inclines, loose dirt, and mud. I do want 4wd, but not sure what level. The TRD OR has it all, but is it over kill?

Thanks, JB

 

You don't need a TRD unless you like the features enough to buy them. The SR5 and lower trim models with 4WD will work just as well, and if not, you can add a better locker with the money you saved.

 

If you are going to go through mud in occasions, which I heard that the southeast is really humid and muddy, I recommend the SR5 4x4 (up to you to upgrade to the appearance package) and buy yourself a winch. A winch will get you unstuck in the mud for sure vs having a locker.

 

Coming from someone who recently bought an TRD OR, looking back I kind of wished I would have just got an SR5 as I do not off road much besides during hunting season, and I will be replacing the suspension soon to do a lift.

I suggest do the SR5 and use that extra money for any mods you may do. It will perform just as well. Honestly I can say I bought the TRD OR because of the "name", in all reality the SR5 would have had more then enough capabilities for my needs.

 

SR5...love mine. A TRD would have been overkill for me as well.

 

Get the TRD... because 6MT!

 

My 2002 SR5 4x4 DC was a more than capable off roader, and went some gnarly places over the years. There was a few times I really wished I'd had the locker, and it certainly could have helped, but was not many where it would have actually been needed. Always got me where I was going, and, as I said, I took that truck some nasty places.

I went with the TRDOR this time because I do go some nasty places when I hunt and camp, for weeks at a time, in the sticks miles from anyone, and often alone. And every little bit of capability I can add to a truck that won't kill its other use as my daily driver will be welcome. And the $$$ for the TRD OR package was not a concern this time around.

I wouldn't say the TRDOR would be "overkill", but from the sounds of it the chances of you actually ever needing a locker or having it make a difference are slim to none. Would not be a big enough difference maker to me in your situation. I'd save the $$$ and put on a good set of tires, and maybe a winch on a receiver mount that could be thrown in the bed on outings for "just in case". Or put on a Lo-Pro winch bumper and winch. My winch saved my bacon more than a locker ever would have. Let's just say if I had to chose between one or the other....winch or locker....I'd chose a winch.

 

I have an SR5 DCSB 4X4 with tow package only. It's probably plenty for your needs, but to be honest, if I were buying today, I'd just get the OR. Especially if I could get an OR with Tow and nothing else added. I would like the locker, but it's probably not needed. I just want to do some adventure travel.

 

That being said, I do like my truck. If I don't upgrade to an OR in a year or two, I'll just put an ARB in it.

I would suggest you read about the issues with power that some have had. Some people don't like a high strung engine..... it runs good though, just needs rpms. It tows good enough for what you are talking about.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my truck and I'm almost at 30K miles.

 

I would say if your aggressive in your off road ventures then the OR would be nice for the locker. All the other features may not be needed but it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I'm not sure where you are located but on the east coast you guys get some mud.

 

I say go with the TRD OR. That's what I got, and I really like it. It's a good daily driver. It's probably overkill for my OR needs, but it's good for peace of mind. And a little overkill can be fun!

 

OP...

It doesn't matter! Get the truck you want! If you want an off road and can afford it, get it! If you need something a little cheaper but just as good, an SR5 will do just fine.

 

This.

 

Save money better locker

 

If you absolutely need the better head unit/navigation/other gimmicks sure, but they really aren't that useful in my opinion. It's totally fine to get the lower trim and upgrade as you see fit. An ARB locker + install costs a little over $1000 and you can get whatever you want for suspension.

 

My first and second gens were/are SR5 and I've never felt even the slightest need to have any features that a TRD package offers. If I had a locker, it would probably never get used.

 

I bought the TRD OR because that is what I wanted. I doubt I'll ever use it to its full potential but again I might want to some time down the road. My brother has an old 85 Toyota 4x4 and you know they were rock solid trucks in their day and very basic. I've seen him take on situations that guys with $10,000 in upgrades were afraid to try. If you don't care about all the technology stuff that comes in the higher models, go basic and buy a winch. Probably the most useful thing a 4x4 can have when traveling alone. Good luck with your decision. It is a lot to think about.

 

The locker itself is almost $1000. Add a compressor and install and you are quite a bit more. Even DIY is probably around $1500 total.

 

i wanted a truck with capability, but i didn't know how I'd use it since i live in the concrete jungle, but spend lots of time at the coast or in the mountains.

i got the high trim model since i spend so much time in the truck that being comfortable is a thing now getting older, and turns out I've used the OR capabilities quite a bit.

it's only overkill if you never use it.

 

Do you drive the truck to places? Do you ever use the truck to go anywhere? If you answered yes to either of these questions then no, the the TRD OR is not overkill