SR5 or TRD OR?

Been looking for a 2012-2015 AC TRD OR for a while. I've been doing more thinking and I'm wondering if I actually need the TRD trim or not. This will be my DD/camping/adventure vehicle, I don't plan on doing any crazy offroading but I want to be able to get to my destinations wherever they may be. 4x4 is a necessity as I want to be able to travel through snow without trouble. The rear locker would be a benefit but I could probably get by for a bit without one

Suspension - This will be replaced either way, I'll probably throw a 2-3" lift on at some point

ATRAC - Is this really even useful if I throw in F/R ARB lockers?

DAC - I could see this being useful with an auto going down a steep incline. I've never wheeled with an auto before but with my Jeep I put it in 1st and 4lo and it engine brakes the whole way down something. If properly geared and in 4lo is this even necessary on a Taco? I would imagine installing a crawlbox would even further negate the need for this

Seats - This is where I'm hung up, from everything I've read the SR5 seats suck. TRD seats can be had at local junkyards for about $500+ for a set. Is there anything I need to worry about with airbag compatibility if I go this route?

TRD Sticker - Bummer, the TRD OR sticker would easily add +10 to my crawl ratio

Anything else I'm missing? I found a pretty decent deal on a local 2014 SR5, 80k miles but the price is right - http://www.autonationtoyotatempe.co...a-Tacoma-a6c293f00a0d04fe7162913b7a575312.htm

I do all my own work and maintenance so higher miles doesn't really scare me, I could probably work them a bit on the price

 

no crazy offroading I would get the SR5 and save a little money on the purchase IMO

 

I would imagine jut replacing the seats, lift kit, tires, lockers & most importantly labour cost for all of this would cost you more to do later than just buying a TRD now.

That's the way I'm looking at this while I am currently shopping for a new TRD

 

I think basically the only real difference would be that the TRD OR has a locking rear diff, the TRD Sport has a limited slip rear diff, SR5 has a conventional rear diff.and of course TRD stickers on the TRD models, phony hood scoop etc. Iwould still pick the SR5 as a DD/Weekend warrior, you can always mod the rear diff later if you see its necessary

 

Only real major difference is the locker in my opinion.

I bought an SR5 because I wanted a DCLB and planned to modify the truck heavily anyhow.

Having a locker is a nice thing though if ever you are in deep snow, mud, sand, etc.

 

Pretty sure SR5 and Sport have exact same diff. Neither is limited slip.

Tacoma has a brake assisted limited slip. Not a real one.

 

you may be right there it has an electronic LSD button on my SR5, my bad

 

If you're putting F/R lockers in, you wouldn't need the OR or A-trac for that matter. Stay away from 2012's due to air injection valves/pump issues.

 

Hmmm, sounds like you know what you want which is good because a dealer can't up-sell you then! But in all reality if you want to have nothing stopping you while going OR then you know....locker is always the way to go. I knew I was getting either a sport or an OR when I was hunting around and came out with a sport because I talked the seller down to an amazing price. The only thing I feel like I'm missing out on is the locker but I'll probably end up either doing an axle swap if I can find a good priced one from a salvage yard, or just go ARB rout who knows. If you get the OR you are going to have a few things that just function *better* over all and certainly off road.

At the end of the day the choice is yours on how much time/money you want to spend upgrading to where you want it to be. The money that you can potentially save by ponying up to the OR can be used for other mods!!

Also, I just checked out that link to the truck you've mentioned. I'm super confident that you could talk them down 2.5k easy as pie if you are persistent, if not more. As always I urge people when they negotiate with a dealer to ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have the agreed price be OUT THE DOOR!

Good luck with choosing your truck, it can be tricky.

 

Get the SR5. If you want a locker, then get an ARB and voila, you now have onboard air as well.

 

05-08 used a mechanical LSD,
2009+ use the brake conrolled LSD

It was an option on the SR5 model(mine has one), pretty sure all the Sports had the LSD from the factory.

 

Thanks guys, you bring up some good points. I have considered the time/labor thing and getting an OR from the start would definitely make it easier. I guess it comes down to price, I think a low mile 2014 OR will be in the $27k range, if I can indeed talk them down $2.5k on this SR5 it would be a steal. I might go check it out this weekend

 

I personally think you really can talk them down. It's just all about how desperate for a vehicle they think you are. Try asking $18,000 out the door and negotiate from there.