which do you consider superior to the other?

Larger ring gear... because you hear of all those ring gears exploding in OR and not Sport... or not! I prefer the locker because it adds something real and tangible as well as atrac which offers a real tangible benefit. If my ring gear does not blow then a larger one is useless and just something for a Sport owner to use to justify a lesser IMO purchase than the OR.

 

The only difference is if you need a hood scoop or a locker.
I needed neither so went with SR5

 

Here's the "bang-for-you-buck"

 

Im with you larry!

 

I believe the electric locker can be added as a mod?

The hood scoop is decorative. It does have a cool factor to it I will admit.

 

Go with the SR5 if you plan to wheel. The money you save can be put into things that will be of use offroad. The smaller rear axle of the TRD Off Road is weaker, and I have seen them grenade in mild wheeling with only a 33 inch tire. The TRD sport is all looks.

With the money you save, you can buy an ARB air locker, skids, sliders, bumper, take your pick. The TRD is what, a $3,000 option? That is alot of aftermarket accessories that will make your tacoma different and more capable than the average TRD.

 

The Locking diff has a smaller ring gear to accomodate the servo that engages the locker. The ring is 10% smaller. The locking diff is the fuse, in an otherwise very stout truck.

 

There is a list of locker failures on this site, and considering most with new trucks, probably do not subject their trucks to hard use, that is plenty. I have stock size BFG's, and mine let go around 18000kms. I would gladly trade my diff, but I bought the Off Road model to use it in situations where the added traction of ATRAC, and the locker is necessary.
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/XJJAY/?action=view&current=gulllakewheeling024.jpg
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/XJJAY/?action=view&current=gulllakewheeling023.jpg
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/XJJAY/?action=view&current=gulllakewheeling025.jpg&

I own an O.R., so I'm not justifying anything.

 

What about the progressive front springs on an OR? Softer on the road yet about to handle the deep bumps of a rough trail.

Don't forget that some of us (probably the minority) like the chrome trim front grill and a real chromed steel rear bumper.

IMO it's the Sport for highway cornering performance with the lower profile tires and stiffer low travel suspension or the Off-Road for softer suspension on the highway and stiffer on the trails and higher profile tires.

 

Sport FTMFW!

Just had to say it since at least 75% of folks here will scream about OR being the best and Sports suck.

As others have mentioned, it depends on your intended application.

Street truck = Sport (or SR5 after adding some better seats, IMO)
Wheeler = OR (or SR5 with the same $$$ as a TRD OR package thrown in as after-market accessories)​

I love my Sport for its on-road handling and I don't off-road much (dirt roads, the occasional fire trail, through fields to get to fishing/camping spots, etc). For what I do an OR wouldn't get me more than I have already.

 

I just think its lame that the OR doesn't come with color matched grill, mirrors, door handles, and bumper when its supposed to be the top of the line. Its stupid that people have to choose between better looks and more functionality...IMO the top model should have damn everything.

 

Some of us are old...and recall when a chrome step bumper and grill was "top-of-the-line"

Jus' sayin'

 

I have a Sport and it's a great truck for what I bought it for. Mild offroading, mainly log roads and very little snow. If I did more offroading I'd buy an OR model. I didn't give a crap about the exterior stuff but I do like the seats a lot better than the SR5 package alone.

 

+1 Here! Here!

My next modification will be to add MORE chrome on the front grill. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_51142342/Carriage-Works-Billet-Grilles.html?tp=2042

 

I dont want color matched mirrors for sure... just more scratches to touch up. Id have liked a color matched grill though... and bumper till I buy a new plate bumper.

 

SR5- that way you can save the extra Money and upgrade the truck to fit your needs

 

Yeah, but back then they actually used metal, not shiney plastic.

 

This is the dumbest arguement ever and I hate it. BUT

If you:

Go offroading = TRD OFFROAD

If you:

Stay on pavement except for occasional light stuff and like colored match accessories:

TRD SPORT