Don't hate me: "Best" model & year manual transmission Tacoma for...

I'm sure this has been covered here and there... I hope this will bring together the collective wisdom of all of you Tacoma gurus...

Looking for a platform to build an expo/overland truck. I'm hoping for a double cab short bed.
(Eventual build elements below.)

In this case "best" is:
- absent common failure known issues present in certain model/year combos (ie. xxx is known to have timing chain leak issues etc)
- ease of upgrade OR OEM version is as good as upgrade (ie. xxx is problematic to add sliders/bumpers/lockers etc)
- reliability/maintenance (ie. xxx seems to require brake replacement more often than others etc)

I'll want to add/modify/have:
manual transmission (am I misguided here? - I do like my manual transmissions)
locker(s)
front bumper/winch
rear bumper/carrier
sliders
mild lift
skid plates
beefier steering/IFS component upgrades
cloth seats

Don't need fancy electronic stuff - I'd rather have control over traction, navigation and sound/music options. (unless I'm totally misguided here as well)

Thanks all....
mark

 

2017. But I'm biased...

 

Yep, 2017 would be the best if you dont want TSS. And looks like trd off road DCSB in MT will suit you well, comes with rear locker stock. I would avoid 2016 even though there are a lot of happy 2016 owners with no issues.

 

I'm betting it doesn't matter at all with the work you have planned. Find a good specimen from any year and go to it.

G.

 

Thats correct if talking about an AT. Much less choices if OP wants a manual.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-1995-2004.4/

 

The only issue with this is that the first gen double cabs didn't come with a manual transmission.

 

Sorry - I missed that. You're right.

 

2005. All the off road without all the electronics.

 

Similar requirements were on the table when I purchased, and a lightly optioned Sport Package rose to the top of the list. While it doesn't have the rear locker of the off-road, it also doesn't have the all the crawl control BS. Folks are working on an anytime locker mod for the off-road. I'd rather have it controlled separately.

 

2020. Best of the best!

 

For me and the manual it’s 2018. New added adaptive cruise control and tss features, no sunroof on the pro, and still had the left side bed cubby.

 

ive driven every gen, not extensively but i think the 3rd gen mt rows gears the smoothest

 

I own a 2017 Tacoma MT (TRD off road), and I also owned a 2007 MT 4 Cyl. I liked my 2007 better.

Is what it is. The 2007 had a better clutch feel, and just felt lighter and easier to drive.

 

You want a 1994 Toyota Pickup.

 

I'm hoping to "get" some of my wants with the stock truck, unless that is not cost/functional effective.

 

There is a difference between overlanding solo, and overlanding as part of a group.

One thing I used to hate while part of a group, was being stuck behind and in front of other vehicles on a steep incline in an MT.

It's easy to forget that the truck in front of you can get stuck, and require a recovery meanwhile you wait. I guess some people could love that aspect because it is challenging, but it was times like those when I wish I had an AT.

 

Clutch start cancel in 4lo 1st gear helps on the steep climbs from a standstill. It really cuts down on rolling backwards.

 

I always wondered how well that work when carrying 1000lbs of gear and passengers like some Overland folks do.

When I went with a group, not all of us would carry spares, tools and gear as it was at an adventure park and not the wilderness, so getting light was an option.

I had to use the clutch overuse, but always worried if it would hold etc.