Off-Road or PRO?

Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum and cant wait to get my own Tacoma but I wanted to know your thoughts as to if you would choose the PRO or Off Road and pros and cons of each? Go easy on me as I am still researching into the truck XD I'm not a huge rock crawler, but I do a lot of dirt/gravel roads and want to be able to take a load and pull a simple trailer. The truck would actually sit a lot of the year because I use my motorcycle as much as possible, but I live in Utah, and 4x4 would be nice, and I do like outdoorsy activities (mudding, camping, snowboarding, hiking ect.). Before you ask why I would get a truck just to let it sit, I would say I want what I like! and a second car would be nice so I dont have to share and mix schedules with my wife constantly, and something bigger and 4x4 and who doesnt want a tacoma!?

I thought I was set on the PRO, but then I realized there is more of a question/problems to lifting it because of the better suspension? I already started a mods list for things I would want (front and rear bumper, roofrack/light bar, LED lights, 2-3" lift, suspension, rock sliders, front&mid skid plate, exhaust, sound system tonneau cover and more). Other forums I read say not to pay for a pro and swap the suspension because that is a best part of that submodel, but I keep finding lifts that say not for the Pro. Also, thoughts on Spacer Lifts? cause I keep seeing 3&1 kits for the offroad.

I like the hood scoop and voodoo blue on the pro, but I can get a lot of the pro's package in the off road, too. Then I can change what I want over time (exhaust, lift, tires, suspension) all while I enjoy having and using the truck.

So for my Road princess, should I get an offroad with a premium package, or get the pro and figure out the lift later?

 

If you are going to change the suspension no real point in going with the pro imo.
Spacer lifts are garbage, but you will have those that defend them to the death.

 

I look at the Pro as a "leave is stock" model, maybe tires.

Any other model buy it up and mod away.

Id I had money to burn I would have got a pro. But $10k more over offroad... Meh.

 

I'd say if your plans are to extensively mod your truck, go for the OR...no sense paying the premium for Pro upgrades if those will be swapped out at some point in the future.
Welcome to the forum!

 

Looks like everyone has already nailed it for you. Get the OR and mod away

 

You're kidding right? Regear to 5.29? On 33s? That's just completely excessive and unnecessary advice to anyone because 5.29s on 285s just isnt needed

 

I got my Pro for $39k + a plane ticket $300 and 800 miles of driving home.

One more feature that closes the price gap were the leather seats. I have dogs so that was a must. One annoying part about the pro is the glare from the hood. The satin black sticker helps but it still reflects.

 

If you like modifying your vehicles and understand that the thousands of dollars you “invest” in suspension, bumpers, wheels and tires, etc. will be gone when you resell down the road then purchase the OR. I’m past that stage and leave my vehicles virtually 100% factory original so it was a Pro for me. 4-5 years down the road when we both decide to upgrade to a 4th generation Tacoma a TRD Off-Road will be worth less than a TRD Pro. Also keep in mind that TRD OR/Sport versions are very high production models in the Tacoma line up. When you purchase a Pro you get exclusivity because of limited production at the Texas assembly plant. This factors in on resale value down the road.

 

Honestly, depends what area you live in, in my town i see more Raptors and Tacoma Pro models than OR.

 

People have money in that town apparently

 

Off Road. Save the extra money and put into mods.

 

SR5. Stock. Even lightly used.

Mod away.

PS, they all have the same driveline and tow capacity as long as you get a tow package and automatic. If you go manual, IIRC the gearing is a bit different.

If you are all about changing wheels/tires/suspension, what you start with doesn't matter does it?

At this point you are so all over the place it's hard to make a rational choice. Slow down make a realistic listing of things, then your decision will be easier.

 

I've also got a dog and future plan for kids and my wife is not as clean/careful as I would want so leather seats are pretty important, but I'll prob still get some color themed seat covers. I was hoping that with a lift I would be able to fit some 285s on the stock gearing. I like the blind spot monitoring, but all the rear bumpers I have seen so far say that you lose that BSM ability because they are all metal bumpers and the sensors only read through plastic. Anyone know a rear bumper that would work or how to modify an aftermarket bumper so the BSM still works? fingers crossed that 2020 models will have better colors for the Offroad option . Black would be cool, but i dont take care of the outside of the car well enough for a black car

 

Or debt.

 

Welcome to TW

You'll find a bunch of different opinions on this topic, and the best I can do is... just give you mine. With the list of mods that you're planing to do, looks like you'll need to upgrade your suspension anyways. I'm not talking about leveling/spacer lifts, but better and heavier duty suspension. Not sure if it's feasible to replace coils on Pro's front Foxes, and if rears are long enough to sustain additional lift, so... I'd vote for Off Road. As mentioned previously, you can get most of creature comforts on the Off Road anyways, and it won't feel weird when you'll swap stock suspension for something better!
But then again, you can get yourself a Pro, swap and sell your stock stuff and recoup some of the cost . So there is that

Good luck with your choice!!


Edit. I'm biased, I have an Off Road with Premium Trim (lost BSM when I replaced rear bumper)

 

Most likely that

 

Holy shit a member from the borough's. I didn't think they existed. Good stuff man

 

If you're gonna mod, don't go Pro. If you're going to keep it stock (and have the money), go Pro.

 

I went with a Pro because I got a great deal and planned to keep the stock suspension setup. I just did a trip to Colorado and cleared Tincup with no issues (it's pretty rough this year) -- I was the only one on stock suspension. Of course, I probably could have done it in an Off Road as well. If you can get a good deal, the Pro is worth the extra coin in my book unless you really want or need lift and bigger tires (it's not $10K more than an Off Road, more like $4K - $5K). Plenty capable without that, and less wear and tear on parts.

 

Hey bud. Yup, keepin' the low key status. Lol