Which Tacoma should I get? New to Overlanding!

R

RedFalcon

New member
Ok gang, I've just moved to Vermont and am in need of a 4WD truck for daily duties around town, but also want to get something that could be used in overlanding. I'm not planning on doing serious rock crawing, but do want to be able to handle decent trails etc. I absolutely need a pickup because I'm going to be hauling stuff for my "real life". I've settled on the Tacoma to try and fulfill both duties.

I'm not a gearhead (not afraid of it, but I have less time than money right now) - so will need to have a shop install any mods.

So I'm new to this whole thing and to Tacoma. I intend to buy new, as I'm going to keep it for a while and the value of used is still so high relatively. Is there a base model I should get with a few select mods to make it trail ready? I assume I will need to replace tires - any recommendations here? Any and all other advice appreciated!
 
FJR Colorado

FJR Colorado

Explorer
Get the new TRD Pro.

But depending upon what you are towing, you may want the Tundra TRD Pro.

Either can be driven home with the mild mods you'd end up doing anyway and all the mods can be under factory service plan.
 
T

tanglefoot

ExPoseur
It really depends on what you want to pay and what you want to end up with. Do you need to tow, and if so, how much? What kind of terrain will you cover and how often? How much cab/bed space do you want/need? What kind of features do you like/need?

I love bare-bones and stock, so if it were me, I'd grab as close to a base model as I could--probably reg-cab, 5-speed, 4-cyl, and just use it exactly as it is. Depending on the type of terrain you travel, the stock tires might be just fine. I'd definitely keep the stock tires here--our trails are all pretty gravelly. If you're in the South or some other land of slimy mud, you might consider a mud-tire swap. I find it pretty wasteful to swap out new tires unless you really have to. Tires are expensive!
 
T

Tinfish

Observer
tanglefoot said:
I love bare-bones and stock, so if it were me, I'd grab as close to a base model as I could--probably reg-cab, 5-speed, 4-cyl, and just use it exactly as it is. Depending on the type of terrain you travel, the stock tires might be just fine.
Click to expand...

I have that exact truck and the stock tires are terrible. I'm going to keep them a while because I'm cheap, but they are thin and with little tread; I wouldn't rely on them for real backcountry use at all.

Regarding the original question, the 4 cylinder Tacoma is fine if you aren't in a big hurry or don't overload the truck. If you load it down like most of the photos here, buy the bigger engine.
 
Rallyroo

Rallyroo

Expedition Leader
tanglefoot said:
I love bare-bones and stock, so if it were me, I'd grab as close to a base model as I could--probably reg-cab, 5-speed, 4-cyl, and just use it exactly as it is. Depending on the type of terrain you travel, the stock tires might be just fine. I'd definitely keep the stock tires here--our trails are all pretty gravelly. If you're in the South or some other land of slimy mud, you might consider a mud-tire swap. I find it pretty wasteful to swap out new tires unless you really have to. Tires are expensive!
Click to expand...

Toyota USA doesn't offer a regular cab anymore. They axed the regular cab for the US market last year.
 
E

ExploreNorthernBC

Observer
Well, if you are planning to build, I'd get a base model V6. If your 'real life' involves more than a significant other and/or a dog, get the double cab. Otherwise the access cab is fine. Add intermittent wipers (easy switch, plug and play - great write up on how to do it on Tacoma World), add a class 3 receiver hitch (mine cost $400 at a local shop) and then build as you want to. In its base form, the Tacoma is amazing, cheap and easy to build on. If you don't want to build, spend the extra 5-8k dollars and get a loaded up SR5 or TRD. I'm a big fan of the base model. I think the SR5 and the TRD are a waste of $ for what you get.
 
D

ddog45

Adventurer
I just got a 2014 double cab trd off road I love it it is better than the two jeeps the gmc and the land cruiser I have owned. I intend to put dual batteries in it and an old man emu lift. I have the great fortune of living close to Slee Offroad so the will be helping me with most of my modifications.
 
p nut

p nut

butter
Me, personally, I have a family, so I would get a double cab/long bed. For the stuff I do, stock build is plenty capable and long bed would be well worth it. I don't know of a trail I've been on where an extra foot of bed length was the make/break point. May opt for Sport for the hood scoop. :D
 
Arktikos

Arktikos

Explorer
Tacoma is a good choice, any configuration will be great. Don't mod it at all until you've given it a try as is.
 
M

mike2100

Observer
skygear said:
I like the TRD Offroad. Have one, love it. DCSB Dual Cab Short Bed. I always go back and forth on a Long bed, But the truth is, shorter wheel bases are better off road. Leer Toppers are nice, the WINDOORS have been an option I have searched for for the SB . Not happening according to them. Long bed only.
Click to expand...

Did you say you can't get a LEER canopy in a 5 foot model with windoors? I have one :)

IMG_0915.jpg
 
SIZZLE

SIZZLE

Pro-party
Base if you want to build it, Off Road if you want it do be ready out of the box. Stock tires will suck no matter what.

I like the AC the best if you don't have kids. I do, so i got the DCSB. The wheel base is long enough as it is, i didn't want the extra foot for the long bed, and you can't get the Off Road in a DCLB either.

Then again, if i didn't have kids, i'd still be driving my 1rst Gen Tacoma. Those are the bestest. If you don't need the space i'd give them a second look.
 
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