Modified SR5 vs Off-Road

In the market for a 3rd gen. Thinking about modifying an SR5 myself vs. buying an off-road trim to save some money. Probably get some good tires and upgrade the suspension.

I want to do this to save some dough. Has anyone ever done this? Is it cheaper? Do you regret not getting the off road?

I don’t really care about the diff locker tbh feel like I wouldn’t use it much and 4x4 with good tires get me everywhere I need.

 

What's the point of your question then?

 

OR also comes with rear locker and different traction modes that use an electric brake booster. The OEM suspension on the OR is way too soft anyway so provided you don't care about the locker/traction, SR5 is a fine platform to start.

 

I guess it boils down to are the suspension upgrades on the OR worth it vs. installing myself or has anyone ever thought “I dont need the diff locker” and turns out actually really needed it. I will be taking this thing off road

 

I’ve used the locker a couple times. I wouldn’t have been stuck, but would’ve had to back down find a new line, and not look nearly as cool.
If your just gonna dump a shit ton of money into it then might as well get an sr5. It’s really what you find for sale. Personally I would be looking for a manual, therefore I would end up with a OR.

 

If you're asking then you don't need the diff locker.

Buy the best condition and lowest mileage truck that you can find for the money.

I'm sure my SR has spent more time offroad than many Pro models.

Go off-roading with some friends or splurge for proper equipment (winch, straps, shovel, jack, etc.)

 

I always see pros with predator steps and the bed step.

 

The SR5 is no slouch, but you could get stuck in the mud or sand. It could look embarrassing. I'm personally glad to have the rear locker and the crawl control that I've used. Furthermore there are more creature comforts included with the Off-Road model that were a must have for me.

Both need better tires, as even the Off Road comes with street tires that are only mildly, better off road.

 

This is exactly what I’ve done with my build. Take a look, let me know if you have any questions. There’s a ton of info in the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-purpose-built-3rd-gen-sr5.734054/

 

Nice man sounds like we are in the exact same situation. Do you have any regrets? Truck looks sweet I’m def trying to mirror your aesthetic with the headlights and the front grill as well

 

Biggest reason I chose the OR was the auto seat. Sat in an SR5 and wanted to love it, but couldn't do the seat. Seat jackers supposedly fix that, but I would suggest sitting in both if you could

 

Not the end of the world if you decided on going with the SR5. You can always get an air locker installed if you need a locking rear diff later.

Also, no need for crawl control and MTS. I think they're pretty gimmicky. My TRD Off-Road DOES NOT have crawl control nor does it have MTS, yet I still wheel my truck fine.

 

Thank you sir!

My biggest regret was getting a roof rack. It was way too noisy, crushed my MPGs and when I removed it there were holes left in the roof that I had to figure out how to seal. that was a few years ago. More recently I would say the ditch lights aren’t really worth the money unless you mount them higher up than the hood, or do like rock lights instead.

 

I think with the auto Tacoma gen 3 4x4 mts/crawl and rear locker are more than just a gimmick ….especially if your doing tight trails in the hills. I can’t speak to the manual tacomas 4x4 trucks.

 

OR here
I don't do any hardcore off-roading, just some mild trails here-n-there (4-6/10 ratings on Xoffroad)

Certainly been glad to have the lockers a few times, specifically going up certain hills and some slippery areas.
MTS even saved my dumbass once.

This Off Road it is so choice, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

 

I had the same questions a few months ago when I traded off my '24 for a 3G. I'm not a hard core off road type, but the locker is like having some added insurance in case I found myself somewhere I shouldn't have been, and I really wanted an OR this time around. I had found a really, really nice super low miles OR but it sold quickly before I could even work a deal on it.

A week later, a very nice SR5 showed up, and it was $7k less expensive. Still had a power seat and most of the same other comfort items - just missing the locker and electronic off road wizardry. I bought the SR5 and figured I could add a locker, improve the suspension, add improved skid plates, and a winch later on if I really wanted/needed it and likely come close to breaking even from a $$ standpoint. I have limited my off road excursions to fairly straightforward fire roads and trails where I likely wouldn't need the locker in the first place, so perhaps my choice of truck has impacted the amount of risk I take off the paved roads. And I also overestimated how often I can actually break free and go up to the mountains, so my choice of SR5 has been fine so far.

 

2wd prius is capable to go offroad. I've done it on some local roads, in Utah, CA, OR. You need to define your "offroad" and start from there. You can accessorize SR5 to Pro, skipping OR

 

Besides the Locker, the OR also has a larger rear diff.

 

... with the same size ring gear. : )