Sport vs Offroad

I'm guessing the rear coil springs and stretched footprint (length and width) help a lot, vs. the old trucks.

 

I think the axles are something like 6" longer than the Gen 3s, or some such. There's the new suspension of course, but also the body is mounted to the frame with soft rubber supports that are about 3" tall. That may be part of it.

 

Keep in mind it’s still a truck and rides like one. I had not driven my 4Runner since I bought the Tacoma last Friday. I did this morning. The 4Runner is smoother and quieter. It also gulps gas compared to the Tacoma.

I like the truck just fine, but some of the ride roughness is likely the BF Goodrich tires on it. They seem a bit harsh compared to the Michelin LTX AT2.

 

My OR with the Premium package rides better and is much quieter than my wife's 2016 Honda HRV. Yeah, it's a truck, but it's a sweet ride on or off the pavement. I've got a friend with a three-year-old Jeep Wrangler that bounces all over the highway. It's obnoxious.

 

I wanted an OR for those very, very rare times when I might actually use/need a rear locker (very, very rarely but I also thought if I had an OR, maybe I'd venture out more knowing the truck had more off road capability?) and I'd read it actually rides smoother on the road than the Sport, but my priority was the built in factory brake controller - I tow often and I saw some early posts of folks struggling to get aftermarket brake controllers installed, and since I didn't much care for the fake hood scoop on the Sports (and pricing played a big part too), I ended up in an SR5 with the upgrade package and cold weather package which got me everything I personally wanted except for the rear locker, and I saved thousands over both the Sport and especially the OR (I got a good discount on my SR5 also which helped my decision). I'm old enough and aware of what I use a truck for, that all the tech mostly goes to waste - all the various drive modes in the OR in particular is something that I might not use often at all. My truck has only three modes - normal, ECT, and Tow-Haul. I wanted Tow-Haul for my towing activities, and have never used ECT at all yet.
I upgraded my wheels and tires with a nice AT and have been very happy so far with the truck so far. Perhaps someday when the aftermarket catches up and I feel its worth it, I'll get an air locker or equivalent for the rear axle if that becomes available, and a full set of skid plates that protect the engine, trans and fuel tank. An inexpensive rear winch to pull myself out if I get stuck somewhere I shouldn't be, and I'm likely prepared for that 1% time when I get offroad and over extend the trucks capability.

 

My testing included both and choosing OR over sport came from work needs. Trail work and ski area crew have me off road in situations where that makes a difference, and enough where the ABS and stability control would be using the brakes a lot.

The Sport tire and wheel combo would theoretically be better for my road trips and plenty fine for all I do though the stock BFG Trail Terrain T/A are nicely civilized for also being surprisingly good off road. Long beds also ride better but testing Sports in same loop from same dealer had me think tires can be less bouncy.

Both had same and similar interior and convenience options. Both ill be a whole other league for pulling a trailer because I had earlier V6 versions and the manual 5 and 6 speed automatic.

 

today i just drove a 2wd sport, cant say i felt anything that stood out inregards to less body roll compared to the sr5 i had....
I was hoping I felt something extra special that would push me past the hood & wheels to justify the purchase..
The upper models do have some cool features ide like, was just hoping I felt less bodyroll, I didnt.
But I didnt drive both models directly after one another...

 

I immediately feel the difference every day I take the truck to work here in MA. We get frost heaves and it’s rare to find a completely smooth road. My 3rd gen threw me all over the place. The 4th gen is a much nicer riding vehicle to me.

 

youre commenting about a 3rd gen vs your 4th...
Im commenting about 2 4th gens, an sr5 & a sport...
I think...

 

The GVWR on all of them is the same. Payload is determined by subtracting the actual weight of the truck when it is made from the GVWR. If one truck has 200 lbs more payload than the other truck that means that truck weighs 200 lbs less than the other.

And that can vary depending on the individual truck depending on which options it has. When you add more options, you reduce payload. Don't use any numbers you see online. You have to look at the sticker on the driver's door jamb on individual trucks. They are all different. There will be a statement printed there that says "The weight of passengers and cargo should not exceed XXXX lbs."

 

My mistake! Did they have a different rear set up though? Coils vs leaf springs are certainly noticeable..