Questions about 2018 Tacomas

Hi. It's 2018 and NOW I am getting serious about buying a Tacoma... It's about time, huh? I've got a few questions.

1) Does the INTEGRATED GPS on the TRD automatically update when the streets change? I'm in a city with alot of construction/building going on and streets are changing all the time. Is the traffic update reliable?

2) Does the CONNECTED GPS on the SR5 look and work like the Google Maps app interface? Does the connected GPS use the map data from my phone or just piggybacks the GPS signal? Is the traffic update reliable??

3) Are there other audio companies that offer a complete system like OEM Audio +?

4) My needs match what TRD Sport offers more than what the TRD OR offers but I like how the OR looks more. Such as the black fender trim, black lower front bumper, no hood scoop. Are we talking a few hundred $$$ to replace those parts?

Thank you

 

No GPS automatically updates that I know of. Connected GPS is Scout download on your phone, and burns data on phone. As for Audio, Taco tunes is one to look into.
Also for Sport to look like OR there would be plenty of people that would swap hoods, and you can paint/plasti dip flares, lower front bumper, or there is some for sale in Buy/sell/trade here.

 

Get the OR

Real men with dragon balls don’t need gps.

GPS is for ridgeline owners

 

I do 99.9% driving on the pavement. The only time I go off road is if I'm looking down at my cell phone and go off road by accident.... kidding.

 

The GPS map is stored on a memory card in the lower right-hand corner of the radio, the one marked "map". It doesn't automatically update.

 

^ THIS!

 

I love my SR5 EXCEPT the scout link. Pure garbage. Very slow, shitty navigation, waits until i am right up on a turn before telling me and no zoomed map view. I plan on replacing my oem head unit because of this.

 

You then are a perfect Tacoma owner.

 

What does the sport have that you really want? If you like the looks of the OR better I would say go with that, because the sport really is a cosmetic package (stock shocks suck dragon balls)

 

It is my understanding that the SR5 has the stock suspension, TRD SPORT has a sportier suspension, TRD OFF ROAD has a softer suspension with more travel.

I remember reading that the OR does not have auto LSD, which would help me in the ice and snow. It has the locking diff rather than auto LSD. I don't believe I would need a locking rear diff for my daily driving needs, and the auto LSD that comes with the Sport should suit my winter needs more.

 

if 99% of your driving is on roads, than I suggest you use Google Maps on your phone for navigation. All integrated GPS software on automobiles, including Tacos, are crap compared to google. I don't even use trucks gps anymore. google maps is a software that needs constant updating to reflect new roads, and also needs real time updates for best routes. only google gives you this. the Taco's navigation software feels like something out of the 90s.

buy a nice phone holder (highly recommend Hondo's) and sync via Bluetooth for voice prompts.

 

"Stock" just means it comes from the factory like that. Stock chevy colorado shocks are different than stock tacoma trd sport shocks, similarly to stock SR5 shocks are different than stock TRD Sport shocks. Maybe you mean "basic" instead of "stock?"

Also I never thought I would live to see the day when someone on TW said they needed ALSD more than a rear locker The heavens have opened! lolol

I'd say get the sport then, and trade someone with an OR for their hood. I had a guy that was willing to give me $500 cash plus his OR hood for my fake hood scooped hood. Then use that $500 to buy your black fenders of an OR guy (possibly the same guy lol) OTherwise just plastidip them fcks and call it a day.

 

I just added the Scout link to my SR5 and tried it out. It’s terrible. Really terrible haha I was hoping it had a map view like any other navigation app, but nope. One of my future upgrades will be a new headunit with Apple CarPlay and Android.

 

Its a new breed....

 

The ORs have AutoLSD in 2Hi also.

The OR rear locker only works in 4Lo, but there is a thread about getting it to work anytime.

Here a good thread as the TRAC systems are not well explained in the brochures and owners manuals:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

I am not 100% sure on this, but I think the SR5 and Sport have the same springs? There was a post not long ago that there were only two rear leaf part numbers for the 3rd Gen. Stiff and Standard. I am not sure if that applies to the front coils also.

All 3rd Gens have the same ride height except the Pro.

IMO, the Sport has been great for me. The AccessCab long bed MT were more important than the locker, which can be added later. For the stuff that I have seen, the locker was not needed.

Also, pulling off the front sway bar really helps off road. Sort of transforms the Sport suspension. After a trip with it off, I have not put it back on.

 

The GPS is horrendous in the 2018. You'll probably want to use your phone if you need gps.

 

The SR5's can get the same Entune Premium that the sport and off road has but the gps is just alright. It will not update to new roads after purchase and it will also not give you faster routes than google maps which is miles ahead..

Any head unit with Android Auto or Apple Play would be an upgrade even for the high end Entune.

If you get an sport then there would be lots of people willing to trade hoods or other parts

Hell if you get a silver vehicle and are located near Georgia, I'll do it

In fact if you are not going to be off roading and you don't like sport hood scoop then an SR5 with the Entune Premium package(Or without it and you put an aftermarket system) would fit your requirements quite well and you could save $5k or more.

 

1. No.
2. No.
3. Yes.
4. Lots of dollars.

SR5 and Sport have same suspension, mainly firm for driving and handling curves with less body roll. The Off Road has a softer tuned shock with no extra travel. More comfortable off road.

There is a sense from some on this forum that:
SR and SR5 owners are scum.
Sport owners are prissy and their trucks cannot go off road.
Pro Owners just have way too much money and are clueless.
Off Road is the only way to go in order to feel manly and conquer the Rubicon. Stock.

The truth of the matter is this: Every single 4WD Tacoma will take 99% of the owners further than they have balls to drive it. Every model offers something: Economy, capability, looks, etc.

There is no wrong choice of Tacoma. The most important choices are : What can I afford? 2WD vs 4WD. Auto vs Manual. Access Cab vs Double Cab. Short bed vs Long bed.

Make those choices first. Once those are made, the different models kind of sort themselves out. Good luck and if you want a vehicle with all the bells and whistles and fancy stuff, you shouldn't be looking at Tacomas. You should be upping your game by $20K or so and look at GMC Denali or Ford Platinum. Those have all the bells and whistles.

And, the GPS works just fine. I use mine all the time. Yes, it might take you on the scenic route from time to time but so does Google. Even the real time traffic works fine. I have no clue what some of these guys are bitching about with the GPS. You enter a place, the GPS takes you there. What more is there? Maybe they need their hand held and a safe space?

 

My biggest gripe, it's the same on my wife's 2016 rav4 which I'm familiar with. The voice recognition is laughable. It's worked zero times in the 2 years we've had it. Gave up trying. Tested it out in the Tacoma, still terrible. I've gone through and had it learn my voice, equally as bad.

You can't punch it in if you're driving (even if you're the passenger). So unless you set it up prior to leaving and don't make any deviation, it might work, even then, it takes completely different routes than Google maps, which I know is correct. Used it to go to a rural site 100 miles away based on what I researched, to my surprise is showed 125 miles so I punched it in the phone, phone showed 100 miles. A 25 mile deviation isn't what I'd call a scenic route. It's flat out wrong.

 

I'm sure you know, but just for the OP, there is this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-navigation-override-smartphone-mirr.501617/

The override is pretty badass and gets rid of a lot of frustration.

I have Android phones. Just saying Ok Google boots up the Assistant and does everything that I need with voice commands. After trying with cars in the past, I don't even bother with the OEM voice functions. Phones just work better. The one thing though is that Entune somehow locks out the mic function if you try to tap it on the phone keyboard. Talking is the only way to get it going.