Your advice on a Tacoma order to turn into light expo and DD

[H2O_Doc]

Hello all,

I’ve left Jeep and have thankfully come home to Toyota (I’ve owned a pre-taco 4x4 PU, Tundra, and two 4Runners). My plans are for light, but frequent off-road (trails, FS roads) and some light overlanding as I’m a biologist that gets to go into the field now and then. The realities are that it will also be used for milk runs, mulch runs, and the daily commute.

Other consideration, the only place the family will let me listen to music is outside of the house, so I do need my truck to be a mobile funkitorium. I like good sound quality that is bass heavy (sound, not fish). It doesn’t have to be audiophile grade, but loud and funk-capable.

This leads me to considering ordering the following:


- TRD Off-Road (pro would be overkill)
- AT
- Tonneau cover
- Tech package (BSMs and RCTA useful in urban jungle)

- Avoiding steps for some good aftermarket sliders later.

- Avoiding $3660 Premium Package or PP w options. My thinking here is that although some of the features are nice, I don’t want to pay extra for the JBL as I will certainly pull the audio and go to a CarPlay HU, better speakers, subwoofer(s). I really hate Entune.

Toyota, near as I can tell, makes ordering a bit difficult with the limited packages they offer. If it was more ala carte, it would help.

General thoughts? Stuff worth adding at the time of ordering? Things I should reconsider?

Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

 

[knoxswift]

My 2c. Sport 4x4 package with Manual transmission then make the "Needed" off-road options after the fact and the actual ones you want/will use on that platform.
Manual TM is so much better. only on Sport or Pro....

 

[H2O_Doc]

My 2c. Sport 4x4 package with Manual transmission then make the "Needed" off-road options after the fact and the actual ones you want/will use on that platform.
Manual TM is so much better. only on Sport or Pro....

At a minimum, the MT might be worth considering. I didn’t like the way the AT shifted.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[OmegaMan73]

I've got a 2017 Sport 4x4 with AT. Once I got the most recent TSB done the transmission is much better. Stereo is good enough with non JBL option for me. I'm not an audiophile so take that for what its worth. The Tacoma is nice but if you've got more than 2 adults the back seat gets cramped. Like you said save for sliders and maybe some decent suspension. I'm putting a harrop locker in mine next month along with regearing it to 4:88's. With the lift and larger tires it needs a little help. My buddy has the off road model and has yet to use crawl control or any multi terrain select options. This is why I went with the sport model because to me it's less electric things to break.

 

[dman93]

I have a 2016 TRD OffRoad DCSB with AT and all the options. AT is a personal choice, but obviously if you want MT and an AccessCab you have to get a Sport (in the US. Canada is opposite - go figure). Other than that, I really like the premium package with cross traffic alert, dual climate control and the heated seats and mirrors. The BSM is not that important to me. I really don’t like the JBL; I’m not an audiophile so it’s not even the sound quality, which is fine, but I do like to bring along everything including the kitchen sink and the woofer and amp take up too much space behind the seat. In fact I’d swap it out if I could. I bought the truck used otherwise I wouldn’t have got the JBL.

Oh, and I’m running 265/75 KO2’s, BAMF sliders and a cheap Tyger rollup tonneau. Otherwise all stock except for a few extra 12v outlets and OBA. Works well.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Go with a low mileage 2015 and you’ll be much happier. Other than the updated tech in the newer models the 2nd gen is a much better truck all around.

 

[tinbasher]

The Tacoma is nice but if you've got more than 2 adults the back seat gets cramped.

I had my heart set on a Canadian double cab SB sport 6MT until I looked at the back seat leg room....

 

[dman93]

I’ve only owned a 3rd gen but I’ve driven a few 2nd gens. The 3rd gen is not a huge improvement, and definitely not dramatically better, certainly not what it should have been 11 years after the launch of the 2nd gen, but I think lots of folks would disagree that the 2nd gen is “much better all around”.

 

[knoxswift]

I’ve only owned a 3rd gen but I’ve driven a few 2nd gens. The 3rd gen is not a huge improvement, and definitely not dramatically better, certainly not what it should have been 11 years after the launch of the 2nd gen, but I think lots of folks would disagree that the 2nd gen is “much better all around”.

I actually miss my 1st GEN, will keep my 2nd GEN after test driving multiple different mid-size PUs. Things are just going overboard with the electronics on a vehicle that is meant to be abused and work-horse...

 

[DaveInDenver]

but I think lots of folks would disagree that the 2nd gen is “much better all around”.

I'm one person but I think so, all around (probably not "much" though) the 2nd gen is better at being a truck.

Doesn't mean the market agrees or that it's true in all aspects, the 3rd gen does have some compelling improvements (RC62 transmission and BD22AN rear axle, the interior except for the requisite big center screen). I think the whole spectrum of Tacomas doesn't really lend itself to saying one generation to be the "best". Each has positives and negatives. But if I had to buy one right now again the one I'd spend my own money on is still the 2nd generation.

Just make sure to take a pick and a hammer to really prod the frame before plunking down your hard earned scratch.

 

[chasespeed]

I have a 2018 DCSB, pretty much how you described(tech, not prem, etc) Not a factory hardshell tonneau, cheap amazon roll-up.
Have about 5k on it. Transmission frustrated me initially. Have the ECT alway on mod. Helps(I live in the hills), but, just driving it how it needs be, the trans learns. Now, its much less irritating(never been a fan of slush boxes). Id prefer a manual, but, wife cannot drive manual(not through lack of trying over the years).....

ANYWAY, happy with the truck overall.

Dont know that i would get the tech package again...

Anyway, its a pretty common package on the TRD OR, at least when I bought mine back in July.

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[wallygatoresq]

In August I got a 2018 Sport access cab with manual and it has the tech package because it had things I wanted (tushy warmers, heated mirrors are nice when it is cold). We will use if for Forest Service roads mainly and want it to be comfortable driving to get where we want to get off the pavement. I had an FJ Cruiser for 12 years and before that several other Toyota trucks and am glad to be pack to a pickup.

I put a roll up tonneau cover on it, N-Fab Nerf steps (nice because they have a third step behind the access cab door for messing with my tent) KB Voodoo racks that will let me roll the cover up, an RTT and have wired it for dual batteries with power to the bed for a fridge. Right now I am getting ready to put sound dampner on the back wall and will finish setting up the bed with L Track for tie down points, some better places to hook up if I need to pull someone on them pull me and then I think I am done with it. The only other thing I may do is look at Firestone Ride Right air bags to level things out, I don't want a lift or bigger tires but do want to keep it level.

I really like the truck, nice ride, the MT is good especially when you learn to put in 5th gear going up hills on the freeway. The traction isn't nearly as good as my FJ Cruiser but that is OK because I can throw a couple of sheets of plywood or make a run to the dump with it which is something I need to be able to do and couldn't in my FJ.

There are other options I could have gotten, but for the money I wanted to spend and the kind of things I will be doing the Sport worked out well.

 

[knoxswift]

In August I got a 2018 Sport access cab with manual and it has the tech package because it had things I wanted (tushy warmers, heated mirrors are nice when it is cold). We will use if for Forest Service roads mainly and want it to be comfortable driving to get where we want to get off the pavement. I had an FJ Cruiser for 12 years and before that several other Toyota trucks and am glad to be pack to a pickup.

I put a roll up tonneau cover on it, N-Fab Nerf steps (nice because they have a third step behind the access cab door for messing with my tent) KB Voodoo racks that will let me roll the cover up, an RTT and have wired it for dual batteries with power to the bed for a fridge. Right now I am getting ready to put sound dampner on the back wall and will finish setting up the bed with L Track for tie down points, some better places to hook up if I need to pull someone on them pull me and then I think I am done with it. The only other thing I may do is look at Firestone Ride Right air bags to level things out, I don't want a lift or bigger tires but do want to keep it level.

I really like the truck, nice ride, the MT is good especially when you learn to put in 5th gear going up hills on the freeway. The traction isn't nearly as good as my FJ Cruiser but that is OK because I can throw a couple of sheets of plywood or make a run to the dump with it which is something I need to be able to do and couldn't in my FJ.

There are other options I could have gotten, but for the money I wanted to spend and the kind of things I will be doing the Sport worked out well.

Add a Detroit Tru-Trac to that....you'll be amazed at the traction difference. (That's what I did with my Sport and it works great with the electronic limited slip...)

 

[wallygatoresq]

Add a Detroit Tru-Trac to that....you'll be amazed at the traction difference. (That's what I did with my Sport and it works great with the electronic limited slip...)

Thanks. This will be the first real summer of use so will see how I do. The only slipping so far is snowy conditions, last fall when we got out it was fine as is but expect to get further with different terrain this summer.




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[chasespeed]

Add a Detroit Tru-Trac to that....you'll be amazed at the traction difference. (That's what I did with my Sport and it works great with the electronic limited slip...)

I will second this. I had one in the front of my Jeep.
When I was looking at Frontiers again(right before I bought my taco), I was keeping the trutrac in mind if I couldnt get a good deal on a Pro4.

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