Mid Travel Build Starting Point: 2023 SR5 or Off-Road

V6 AT 4x4 SR5 is $37,705 and V6 AT 4x4 Off Road is $39,405, for the $1700 difference it would be wise to just start with a base Off Road.

 

The diff size thing always comes up as a talking point in why the OR and Pro are better buys than other trim levels, when it doesn't really seem to be an issue for the majority of 3rd gen owners who do light off-roading a few times a year in their mostly stock trucks.

I don't see frequent posts about diff.failure, and agree if someone were to push the limit to failure the diff size probably wouldn't matter cause you were probably doing something dumb.

 

Very clean & functional build! Good to see someone else who has done it well already

 

Thanks man, I just love the idea of building a LT rig but the more I spend time on the forums the more I see other badass options... If I am going to drop 50K on a truck I would rather it be 35k @ dealer and 15k customizing @ a shop

 

Thank you kind sir. It’s a very lightweight build and meant for long road trips with light to medium trails along the way. I have the link to my build thread in my signature if you’re curious about anything. If you’re using your phone I think you have to flip it sideways to see signatures.

 

From my first round of shopping around, I think the price out the door ends up inflating for the OR. Toyota has a dozen packages and options for each model. I also think there is more negotiating leverage in a stock SR5 vs an OR, I imagine it is easier for them to move the OR's.

I don't disagree with you, and I'll keep an open mind while looking. If I did get the OR I could probably justify driving it stock for 2-3 years before I chop it up.

 

Honestly if you’re just chillin, an SR SX would be good for you. Even with mid travel. I’m fully locked with Eaton E-lockers and regeared to nitro 5.29’ gears. It’s the cheapest one I could get without nothing I didn’t want. I cared about the black fenders and 4x4 initially. With the lockers and regear it’s all I really need. Just waiting for armor to start coming in.
P.s. I will be switching to 35’s this weekend and will update.

 

Complete wildcard update here, I ended up flying across the country to buy a 2020 TRD OR DCLB Cement Premium (Certified Pre-Owned w/ 23K miles) for 41K.

Definitely not what I planned, but my old Honda rolled over on me and I couldn't afford to wait. I love the truck and I am happy with everything except the price.

Buying a 3rd gen in late 2023 I learned:

(1) Availability sucks, I couldn't find a DCLB 4x4 on a lot or in transit anywhere within 500 miles of HTX for the 5 weeks I was looking.
(2) I had no negotiating power because of bad availability. Trucks were literally getting bought as soon as they appeared online.

I wanted 33 or 34 in tires on this thing with a mid-travel build ASAP... But when I put a budget together in excel, I got humbled LOL

Budget 2.5" lift practical build or bad ass pre-runner build? We will see!

Thank you everyone for the input and build pics.

 

nice truck
I used to have this thing, anything I want is never going to go “on sale” or be discounted, because the things I want never lose value.
Local dealer here has like one/two tacos. A lot of times none.