TRD Off-Road vs PRO 4X Off-Road?

This may not seem relevant, but you may find some value in it.

My first car was a 1995 4Runner, my second car was a 1999 4Runner, my third car was a 2007 Tacoma, my 4th car (while still owning my Tacoma) was a 1985 4Runner...

After moving to Florida from Arkansas in 2010 (sold the 1st gen 4Runner, kept the '07 Tacoma) I decided I didn't think I needed a pickup and long story short, I traded my 2007 Tacoma with 48k miles on it for a 2010 Nissan Xterra.

Now, I got the Xterra for $21,000 (S 2WD, fog lights were the only option). They cut me a check for $1,000 after the deal was over...showing you the value my Tacoma still had in it.

I liked the Xterra, it was cool looking, drove really nice (almost like a car), had a ton of power, interior was "hip" and "new age" (neoprene-like seats, etc)...however...it just wasn't a Toyota.

I honestly can't describe it but from day one of owning the Xterra, deep down, I wasn't happy with it...even after buying it with only 6 miles on it. I just didn't feel like it was mine; I didn't feel a part of it.

With all of that being said...I traded my Xterra in on 7/6/11 for my 2011 Tacoma and I have never been happier in a vehicle.

My advice to anybody looking to move away from Toyota would be to make sure you are ready to make that leap. It's similar to using a certain brand of computer, razor, shoes, etc... Once you are used to it and grow to love it...nothing is going to feel the same. Fact is, there was just something about the Xterra that wasn't right. The fit and finish was poor (had rattles starting on day 2), the dealership just didn't seem right, everything felt different, looked different, etc...

This all sounds super gay and I went into this knowing that but...just be sure you are ready to move away from Toyota. I learned the hard way - I wasn't ready.

Oh...and I voted for the TRD Off-Road package...

Fink

 

Hah, Something tells me once I start making some real cash, a toyota will always be one of my cars.

Toyota has always been in our family. Back in 1992 parents bought a 93/92 4Runner, I was born in 93, and the 4Runner was practically our family car. Soon later that was sold for a Dodge RAM Van, Then That got sold for an 04 Sienna. The dodge broke down...

Now 16 years later, Dad bought the Tacoma in Feb of 2008 after the Dodge RAM died on us, he drove that for a while till I actually got my drivers license, once I did he handed the truck down to me. Been driving the Tacoma for 3 years now, I can definitely say this is one hell of a truck and I'm glad this was my first car.

I do see buying my own Tacoma in the future, or the FJ, or the 4Runner.

 

You definitely got started off on the right foot.
From the moment I sat in my 1995 4Runner for the first time when I turned 16, I've been hooked.

Fink

 

I might lean more towards the FJ or the Tacoma though, granted manual transmissions are still around by then

The 4Runner doesn't even have a stickshift option now. I really like driving stickshift because a lot of the suburban driving I do, my truck will gear hunt around 40MPH. Shifting in and out of overdrive and it's annoying, If it were a stick I'd just put it in overdrive once I go over 40MPH and keep it there.

I wish my truck was the 6spd manual, I would love to get better at driving stick too, I learned to drive stick on my friend's Jeep Wrangler...hah.

 

The Titan is a Dana 44. 8.5" ring gear. NOWHERE near big enough for that much truck with that much engine.

It'll be ok driving around town, but if you tow with it or get it on a rough road, kiss your diff goodbye.

That's why ToMoCo put a fucking 10.5" ring gear in the rear axle of the redesigned Tundra...they would be damned if their truck was gonna get that rep.

 

I bought a 2009 Frontier Pro 4X this March. I liked the truck and it was very capable with the VSC and Locker, but like you I came from a Toyota (03 Tacoma SR5) and I just deep down didn't like the Nissan and I don't think I ever would have liked it anywhere near as much as I liked the Tacoma. Honestly the truck is a great truck and someone will hopefully have many great years with it but not me. I traded it in for an 08 Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB with 55k Miles and I'm happy and I'm gland I changed! There is just something about the Tacoma that in my mind I prefer....don't know what. Other than its pure awsomeness....... and reliability....... and looks.... and aftermarket support...and..Etc.

 

I guess Toyota decided to save the bad rep for the 8" locking diff in the 05+ Tacoma!

Shawn

 

doesnt the frontier come with a v-8 that only has like 20 more horse power than our v-6s

 

No, it's a v6 with 20 more hp.

Shawn

 

had a lifted titan 4" on 35's omg can u say wood wagon poped squeeked craked rode awful , 11 mpg too ... BY FAR TACOMA

 

It isn't going away soon especially being the number one selling truck in America

 

I highly doubt the Ford Ranger is the number one selling truck in America.

I suddenly feel really old.

 

The Ford F-Series has been the best selling vehicle in America for the past 34 years...which just means there are more Toyotas for us!

I think the Ford Ranger has consistently been anywhere from the 10th-6th best selling pick up truck in America for the past few years.

Fink

 

Hasn't the tacoma stolen the spotlight in the recent years as being the best selling "mid-size" truck?

And, something no other competitors can have is when you're truck actually goes up in value from aging...got my 08 PreRunner for about 20K, last I checked KBB, it's valued at 21K now .

 

I thought he was talking about the F series not the ranger. My bad

I love Ford but the ranger not so much. The look is alright but there are better looking trucks on the road.

 

I drove my friends nismo fronty. Its a nice truck. I even planed on getting one, but ive always loved the tacomas and wanted to try one out before i buy my first 4x4 truck. Tried it, buy it, love it. I love the way the seats hold you in and the handling is superb.

 

my big thing that turned me away from the frontier is that the front diff is garbage. The reason they dont have atrac is the diff cant handle it. Aluminum diffs cant handle the stresses of a locker either. toyota drivetrain is really tough (except the trd offroad rear end)

 

Wait...so my non-trd truck has a "tougher" rear end?!?

Do explain

 

I drive both my mom's 2010 Tacoma TRD and my 2011 Frontier Pro-4x. They both are really great trucks. I wish there were some options in the tacoma that I had in my frontier like the power outlets in the bed and the storage compartments. Higher ground clearance like the taco would be good too. Aftermarket wise, the frontier lacks in parts but we get a plus with being able to swap the entire titan suspension into the frontier. To clarify some points, the frontier has more towing capacity. The radiator fluid and transmission fluid contamination has been fixed as well as the paint flaking. I believe nissan and toyota are very reputable companies. The only thing I hated about toyota was my local dealership, *Cough* Hamer Toyota *Cough*, the sales man and 2 managers had a huge rod stuck up their tail pipes. All in all, both trucks are very capable in my eyes, it just comes down to personal preference. Thats just my $0.02

 

nissan is a ford product also they have owned it for a while now