TRd Sport or Off Road

Hello!
This is my first time posting here after years of reading. I’m going to be upgrading from my trusty ‘93 22RE to a 2018 Tacoma this month, and I’m fairly set on a TRD Sport.

I’ve read many threads on the subject, so I apologize for posting but I feel like I must be missing something. I need an Access Cab/Long Bed/V6 in Manila transmission and it seems that combination is only available on the Sport.

I do plenty of off roading and adventure camping, and need to be able to sleep in the back of my truck. No rooftop tents for me, it gets too cold here in Montana and too conspicuous when I’m visiting the city. It seems that the Sport is just as capable off road and in snow, as far as I can tell. And MT negates the need for crawl control.

My question is, is there something I’m missing? I see the OR overhwelmingly recommended, but the short bed is a dealbreaker for me, and I could always put an aftermarket locker on the Sport. Are the other differences only cosmetic? I wish Toyota made a TRD Off Road in AC/LB/Manual, I’d buy it in a second. Seems like there would be more of a demand for a utilitarian truck like that. Just my thoughts.

 

All access cabs are long bed. I don't think Manual transmissions are unique to double cabs, but I don't know for sure. I think the Double cab long box manual is not available from what I have read.

OR is better, doesnt have the fake window dressing scoop...

 

If you plan on modding the suspension it doesn't much matter.

If you use OE suspension the OR suspension is more offroad friendly. You could always pick up a set of OR coils and shocks from someone taking off to lift.

 

I don't believe you can get any long bed with a MT. So your out of luck if you want a MT and a long bed.

Offroad has locker and crawl control etc. They do make a DCLB offroad.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think manual transmission is only available with dcsb

 

Five pages of answers to the same question here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...etween-2018-trd-sport-vs-trd-off-road.545112/

 

You can only get the Manual long bed in a Sport in Access Cab

 

That's right.

 

The real question is, Do you want a Hood Scoop?

 

They're the same. Overwhelming majority here on TW will tell you all day long how the OR is better than the sport because that is what they chose for themselves and want to think it's the superior choice. Fact is they're the exact same truck with MINOR differences that make each truck suit different needs. BOTH are very capable off roaders that excel in different areas. With the sport you'll be fine off roading, but I will say the the sport has a tuned suspension which is great on the pavement, however I can see where it would get bumpy off road. Just know that you'll have a more responsive truck on the road, but a bumpier ride off pavement when compared to the off road, unless of course you do as others suggest and upgrade it. My suggestion would be to see how "bad" it actually is before trying to switch suspension. To me the road handling far outweighs the few extra bumps off road.

 

I have a Sport. I go off road. It didn't blow up and I didn't die.
Relax. The Sport does just fine off road lol.

 

Do you need a rear locker? That is not available on the sport.

 

Sounds like the Sport and some good tires are all that you need.

Sport owners are usually the quickest to swap out tires for something more meaty.

 

Are you close to Canada? The offroad comes in an access cab v6 manual here. Exchange rate is good.

 

The manual Offroad has Atrac instead of crawl control, which is pretty much the same thing except your right foot controls the throttle.

 

Go offroad. Rear locker and MTS (essentially atrac) and if you're feeling fancy; crawl control

 

I dont understand why anybody would take sport over OR. They cost the same and all you get with sport is a bunch of cosmetic stuff, whereas OR gives you actual off roading tools (locker etc.)

 

The day after I bought my OR I drove 6hrs to Miami. It was a dream on the road. I think that the LB makes a difference for street handling. No issues with stability or handling. Go with OR.

 

I was in the same boat. The cab and transmission configuration was way more important to me than suspension, tires, and a locker. All of those are way more easily changed than a trans swap. Sure, atrac would be cool to have, but my '95 doesn't even have ABS and I haven't blown up yet.

I considered this option, but didn't want to deal with the hassle of importing a vehicle right in the middle of my busy season at work. If this is do-able for you, it's probably the best of both worlds. If not, get the Sport and some new tires and drive the hell out of it. You're gonna love it.

 

Things you can't change easily: bed/cab configuration.

Things you can change easily: suspension.

Things you'd upgrade on an OR anyways if you did much wheeling: suspension, skid plates, locker, etc.

If the scoop on the Sport hood is too much I always see guys willing to swap a non-scooped hood for one that is.