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After 16 years, its time to replace my 06 TRD Off Road Tacoma. This wasn't planned but accidents happen & so here I am starting a new build. My 06 had custom skids, sliders, & bumpers, a high pinion Currie rear axle, lockers front and rear, and was re-geared to run 35" tires. Rear suspension was OME Dakar springs w/ add a leaf , shackle flip, 14" Bilstein's on custom hangers, & front suspension was Fox 2.5 coil overs, Total Chaos UCA and LCA. This is just to give you some idea of what I'm used to:
So the first decision is to start with the TRD Off Road or the SR model for my next build.
The main things the TRD has that the SR does not have are:
Rear differential locker
TRD Off-Road tuned suspension with Bilstein® 205shocks
inclinometer with roll/pitch displays
Smart Key System on driver and front passenger doors with Push Button Start
I've probably missed something.
[edit] I missed plenty but this gem is important:
Differential ratio (automatic transmission) 4.3 for the SR, 3.909 for the TRD - this is NOT due to the difference in tires - they are practically the same diameter. BUT the rear differential on the SR is 8" vs 8.75"
Here's the comparison from Toyota's website: https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/features/mpg_other_price/7552/7558/7562
The difference in price between the SR and the TRD Offroad that I have been able to find locally, is $10,000 ($38K vs $48K)
On my 06, I removed most of the TRD stuff (including the stickers) within the first 4 years. So I'm thinking that I should start with the SR model & then I've got $12K in the bank for mods. On the other hand, with the insurance from the old Taco, I can afford the TRD and still be able to make mods over time.
I guess I should mention that do a lot of winter driving for ski trips, and the rest of the time I use it for exploring & camping. It sees mostly moderately difficult trails off-road but some difficult trails too. Think: Death Valley & not the Rubicon.
So I guess I'm trying to figure if I should start with the TRD Off-road or the SR (or SR5). If I'm going to be making mods, am I throwing away good money by starting with the TRD or would it still be with the extra money as a starting point?
So the first decision is to start with the TRD Off Road or the SR model for my next build.
The main things the TRD has that the SR does not have are:
Rear differential locker
TRD Off-Road tuned suspension with Bilstein® 205shocks
One of the first things I'd do is swap these out for a 3" lift, including TC UCA, Dekars, U-bolt flip, Timbren bump stops, and probably a shackle flip
Crawl Control (CRAWL) with Multi-Terrain Select (MTS)This is a major unknown. I never saw the need for a crawler box, cause my build didn't go in that direction. Homework needed on my part.
[Edit: since I posted this I found some demos of crawl control]
Seems like an improvement over a front differential locker
16-in. machined-contrast alloy wheels with P265/70R16 tiresI plan to use these as my winter tires for ski trips and run 33" BFG KM2 for wheeling in the summer - unless I re-gear again for 35" tires).
120V/400W 181 deck-mounted AC power outletI never used this cause you had to have the engine running. I just added AC converters where I needed them.
Projector-beam headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and integrated wide-angle fog lightsI've used this and it is a very nice feature.
Technology Package—includes parking sonar and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) (requires colored-keyed rear bumper)These are real nice to haves. If I do a custom rear bumper - will they still work? I need to talk some bumper shops.
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with individual tire location alertI have a tire gauge for when I air down/up my tires.
LED Headlights and Fog LightsHum, replace with LED bulbs whey the burn out? I hate that the factory fog lights can't be turned on with the key out of he ignition, so a 2nd set of fog lights go on no matter what.
TRD Premium Off-Road Package (Access Cab)—includes heated front seats, auto headlights, Premium Audio, Dynamic Navigation with 3-year trial, Remote Connect with 1-year trial, Destination Assist with 1-year trial, and Service Connect 91 with 10-year trial
-only thing here that I like is heated seats, I'm a skier & oh those cold early rides to the slopes...
8" vs 7" touch screen
10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat including 2-way lumbar supportinclinometer with roll/pitch displays
Smart Key System on driver and front passenger doors with Push Button Start
I've probably missed something.
[edit] I missed plenty but this gem is important:
Differential ratio (automatic transmission) 4.3 for the SR, 3.909 for the TRD - this is NOT due to the difference in tires - they are practically the same diameter. BUT the rear differential on the SR is 8" vs 8.75"
Here's the comparison from Toyota's website: https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/features/mpg_other_price/7552/7558/7562
The difference in price between the SR and the TRD Offroad that I have been able to find locally, is $10,000 ($38K vs $48K)
On my 06, I removed most of the TRD stuff (including the stickers) within the first 4 years. So I'm thinking that I should start with the SR model & then I've got $12K in the bank for mods. On the other hand, with the insurance from the old Taco, I can afford the TRD and still be able to make mods over time.
I guess I should mention that do a lot of winter driving for ski trips, and the rest of the time I use it for exploring & camping. It sees mostly moderately difficult trails off-road but some difficult trails too. Think: Death Valley & not the Rubicon.
So I guess I'm trying to figure if I should start with the TRD Off-road or the SR (or SR5). If I'm going to be making mods, am I throwing away good money by starting with the TRD or would it still be with the extra money as a starting point?
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