Modding SR5 or going with offroad model, for regular backcountry driving in snow & woods

Hi folks, first post here and looking to tap into your Tacoma off road wisdom.

I've been looking for a 2016 or '17 Tacoma Off Road Double Cab Long Bed, and they're hard to come by. Much easier to find my color preference and whatnot if I change that "Off Road" part to something else. After test driving a Sport and an OR, I much prefer without the hood scoop. So, that leaves me with the SR and SR5. For simplicity sake let's say I go with SR5 - seems much easier to find long bed double cabs of those and in the color I prefer. That leads me to my question:

Do y'all think an SR5 can be modded to be capable off road? My thinking is I could get the SR5 double cab long bed (V6 4x4 AT w/ tow package on SR5 or off road) to meet my needs there, then just mod the truck with the money saved between the difference in models (looks like a few thousand $) to keep me from getting stuck. I'm not familiar with off road modding, so I'm not sure what upgrades are really needed or how much they'd cost.

Part of what I need to answer is what differences are there from SR5 and Off Road that help keep the truck moving in rough terrain, and what differences can be overcome with modifications (and how much $ will those be)?


Note that my off roading needs are not too extreme. I do work in the woods so I'll be deep on forest trails, not always in great conditions (serious ruts, loose and rocky, very muddy) and live up north where I get truckloads of snow, slick slushy icy muddy salty all that good stuff. My main reason for wanting off road capabilities is to make sure I'm not getting stuck in all that. Long bed for transporting long stuff, double cab for long hauls with a couple of friends.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts on this one. As I said, modding a vehicle for off roading is something new to me, so I'll appreciate any suggestions on how to do it & what equipment is necessary to meet the demands I'll put on the truck.

 

Off-road. You get all types of cool switches and knobs to help you out off road. Or sr5 and locker if you have the driving capabilities.

 

So far I'm thinking the truck bodies (SR5 vs Off Road) are pretty similar for the major details (correct me if I'm wrong). Via http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/2017/features/interior/7162/7570/7568 :
- Looks like the SR5 doesn't have A-TRAC (apparently OR DC long bed doesn't either, but both have TRAC) or Rear Locking Diff which both seem valuable for backcountry travel.
- Dimensions & weights are the same except SR5 has slightly lower approach angle (29 vs 32 d) - same clearance which I think is important. Is the change in approach angle due to the air foil on bottom of SR5? I figure if I make an approach that scrapes that, probably not much worry just some plastic guard, and I'd eventually get a skid plate which may require removing that bottom plastic.
- Suspension on OR is different than SR5. How important is this for my needs? I figure I can upgrade this if needed.
- In terms of options I actually prefer keyed-ignition on SR5 and can live without moon roof, heated seats and all that. Could always install aftermarket remote start/backup sensors.
- There's crawl control on OR but this is pretty new to trucks and I don't feel the need for it.

Mainly seems like SR5 is lacking rear locking diff, suspension, and 3 degrees of approach clearance. Suspension can be upgraded, probably for less than the $ saved by taking the more basic model to start with. I plan to add a bumper with a winch, and SR5 v6 will have part-time 4x4 + Auto-LSD, so that may make up for the dire stuck situations where the rear locking diff would come in handy (not sure when the rear locking diff is really needed, if that's something I can install reliably aftermarket, what kind of situations I'd get stuck in and if they'd be more likely slow situations or if it's something different than what I could use a winch for). Approach angle, not sure how much 3 degrees matters since I'm not planning anything extreme or fast in terms of off road, and maybe a skid plate will make up for that difference. And of course, a good set of shoes (tires) for the truck will go a long way in any case.

Friend of mine said he has the base model 2nd gen Tacoma and drove the thing from park through 3' of snow no problem, no rear locking diff, so that's encouraging toward the base model route. Trying to imagine where I'd be missing that rear locking diff to get me out of a sticky situation the winch wouldn't help in, aside from zombie catastrophe.

 

The SR5 will do everything you need it to.

Mike.

 

So I've got a '16 SR5 4X4. I've got the 5100' up front with the OME 888 coils, a 1.5" - 2" Deaver AAL out back and a set of 265/75-16 Cooper Discover AT3. I'm down south so no snow. However I have been through plenty of Mudd and muck. I also have done some decent trails, rough terrain climbing and such. This is my first 4x4 and Tacoma.

I've been very pleased with it so far and my buddies with jeeps and "Merica V8 4 BY 4 POWAH!!!" have been impressed with it. Gets me through the trails, ruts, hills, lose muck and mudd just fine. Only time I have been stuck is when I get in over my head and bigger then my britches in really nasty mudd. Times I have been stuck in mudd was either to deep, bottomed out, or just a lack of better shoes.

As long as I pick good lines, remain smart and level headed the truck just keeps going. Honestly this truck has way more ability then my current off road skill level. The lower valence up front is easily removed in less then 2 minutes. It's either 8 or 10 screws. First thing I took off on mine. Honestly it would be trash now had I kept it on as it does "hender" approach angle.

Don't quote me on this, however I know a locker can be added for around 3k. Like I said don't quote me on the price point. However I do know there are aftermarket options for us when it comes to a locker. Hope this helps.

 

I bought the SR5 4x4 .. i went with the 2.7 cause its all i need. I have done some accessory mods like nerf bars, tonneau etc but plan on getting some bigger tires (came with 245's 16" Dynapro) and some FN f(x) pro wheels
I am happy with my truck and was able to get it otd for $29k which was alot less than a TRD OR

 

+1 on the price point. In my area an SR5 4x4 can be had for 5k less pretty easily old as well.

By the way OF mine is a double cab short bed, fyi.

 

If this were a 2015 or older debate I'd say get the SR5 and mod it. That's what I did. Aftermarket gears and air lockers FTW!

However, the 2016/2017 OffRoad does have a computer controlled crawl control that could be useful in some scenarios. And the OffRoad comes with a rear locker from the factory. The SR5 won't have crawl control or locker.

You're not a true 4x4 until your front and rear diffs are locked. Ultimately it comes down to your driving conditions though. If you plan to get buried in sand, mud, snow, or have tires lifted off the ground then having a locker can definitely help.

 

If you really want to get back country or do any real off-roading the factory "Offroad" suspension is going to get replaced anyhow...

 

The approach angle is the air-dam. Suspension is easy. It's the locker thats the tough nut to cross.

 

Right, I think the rear locking diff is the most substantial difference in the decision. And based on what you said @SouthernTaco it sounds like the times you got stuck, it was really clearance, lack of tires, and driving (no offense) that did it - I think it'd be similar for me in snow, in which case a winch, shovels, and something with traction to put under your wheels is really key.

Side question about differentials:

Are there front locking diffs on the Tacoma 3rd gens? On all or just some models? I'm under the impression the front just has open diff or in 4x4 it has auto limited slip differentials. Just trying to get a perspective on the different features here.

Thanks for the input everyone, good to hear your experiences

 

No offense taking. You are 100% right. Every time I got stuck it was my fault and not the trucks fault. I went into those situations knowing damn well I was 95% likely to get stuck. Every time it was because my buddies had already been stuck and where egging me on to try this hole or that hole. I think you will do just fine with a SR5 4x4 and a few upgrades.

By the way I'm only out about $1000-$1200 for my setup.

 

Yuppers Get it. !

 

Crawl control man, it's like having a chauffeur at the wheel so you can keep drinking.

Seriously though. I weighed both decisions. Ultimately the little gadgets in the OR model I would pay for and I would literally never use. "But navigation!", I've never once used navigation in any of my prior 3 vehicles that have had it. On top of that you have a lot more haggling leverage on an SR5 than you do OR. I ended up with a DCSB SR5 4x4 V6 with a number of accessories for sub $32k. Did the modifications I wanted, and now I'm here. The only thing beneficial with the OR model is the locker, but does that justify 3-4K? I didn't/don't think so.

I'm in South Louisiana, crawling through mud, gravel, thick brush, you name it. Have also taken it to West Texas and Colorado; no issues anywhere.

This is all just my opinion, for what it's worth.

 

Vote split 50/50!
I guess I'll cast my vote this way and tip the scales:
Given what I found available (not a ton of options in double cab long bed without a wait for the factory), and a reasonable price I was able to get (though not as good as some of the great SR5 deals mentioned here), went with the off road. The rear locking diff will be good backup to have but glad it sounds like none of y'all have ever really needed it. Looking forward to the truck! Thanks for the input