3rd gen Tacoma research...

[Chunkylover76]

I have a Tacoma Off-Road Four Door and the wife has a Wrangler Unlimited Sport that are stock other than tires and overload springs on the truck. We live in Missouri so it is always a long drive for us to get anywhere interesting. We have had both in Big Bend National Park, Moab area, and all three sections of Canyonlands National Park. The Tacoma will go anywhere I have had the Jeep but line selection is a lot more critical because it likes to drag the hitch and rub the exhaust/frame in the center if you aren't careful. The Tacoma will also require the use of the rear locker and a-track in sections the JKU will tackle with open diffs and the Jeep's electronic traction management. Where the Tacoma really stands out is the 3000 miles of highway in between home and our destination. On-highway the Tacoma is a far superior vehicle that will eat up miles without complaint and we can bring whatever supplies we like because of the extra space. We also have a RTT which is mounted above the bed but below roof level on the truck or on a rack on top of the Jeep. On the Tacoma you don't even notice it is there while on the roof of the Jeep you get a constant reminder every time you go over 45 mph from the wind noise and drag.

Tacoma has BFG KO2 for tires and the Wrangler has the stock Rubicon BGF MT KM

 

[andrew61987]

Just gonna throw my two cents in.

If I was going to start with a new vehicle to bug out in it would certainly be a Toyota but it would NOT be a TRD. Entry level base model Tacoma 4x4 with 4 cyl and 5 spd transmission has an MSRP UNDER $25k.

Step that up to a TRD and you instantly jump 10 to 15 grand. The only relevant item this gets you is a rear differential locker. It also gets you a brand new and completely unproven 3.5L V6 which is getting complaints.

The 2.7L 2TR-FE in the base model 4x4 has been in the Tacoma since 2005 and is proving to be just as legendary as any other Toyota 4 cylinder going back to the mid 80s. It's used in commercial vehicles including the Hilux throughout the world and is bulletproof. You can then take that $10k-15k and get yourself not only the rear locker that you're missing, but if you want, a front locker, on board air to control it, 32 or 33 inch tires, 4.56 or 4.88 gears to make that 4 banger unstoppable, top of the line leaf packs, adjustable front coilovers, fully optioned camper shell, or whatever other things you have in mind. Even if you don't want these mods (I realize you said you didn't have a bunch of things in mind) it's still a ton of money saved. This setup would blow any similar cost TRD setup completely out of the water on the trail. I personally wouldn't consider any other approach.

 

[Clutch]

Just gonna throw my two cents in.

If I was going to start with a new vehicle to bug out in it would certainly be a Toyota but it would NOT be a TRD. Entry level base model Tacoma 4x4 with 4 cyl and 5 spd transmission has an MSRP UNDER $25k.

Step that up to a TRD and you instantly jump 10 to 15 grand. The only relevant item this gets you in a rear differential locker. It also gets you a brand new and completely unproven 3.5L V6 which is getting complaints.

The 2.7L 2TR-FE in the base model 4x4 has been in the Tacoma since 2005 and is proving to be just as legendary as any other Toyota 4 cylinder going back to the mid 80s. It's used in commercial vehicles including the Hilux throughout the world and is bulletproof. You can then take that $10k-15k and get yourself not only the rear locker that you're missing, but if you want, a front locker, on board air to control it, 32 or 33 inch tires, 4.56 or 4.88 gears to make that 4 banger unstoppable, top of the line leaf packs, adjustable front coilovers, fully optioned camper shell, or whatever other things you have in mind. Even if you don't want these mods (I realize you said you didn't have a bunch of things in mind) it's still a ton of money saved. This setup would blow any similar cost TRD setup completely out of the water on the trail. I personally wouldn't consider any other approach.

I like your thinking.