SR5 vs TRD Off -Road Better option for 4x4 Overlanding/Daily Driver

Hello everyone, I am trying to get some feedback on which is the better route to go. I am starting to look for a used 3rd gen Tacoma and am getting hung up on if it is better to go with a SR5 model or a TRD Off-Road model. Here are some details that may help with the feedback.

This truck will be my daily driver along with my weekend warrior. I plan to start slowly getting into 4x4 and overlanding trips but envision that will take some time since I have no experience yet. I don't foresee myself doing any crazy rock crawling anytime soon, more taking it off road to get away from the masses for a weekend camping. I am planning on putting a rooftop tent on it as some point for these trips. I currently live in VA so that would be where I would start my adventures but also have plans to take road trips to Colorado, Utah, Arizona and beyond for some overlanding.

I plan on doing some modifications along the way to the truck as I grow in the hobby. Things like upgrading the suspension and putting on a 2 in lift along with larger tires would be some of the first things I plan to do.

I guess my main question is if I am wanting to get into overlanding or at a minimum 4x4 camping is it worth paying the extra costs for the TRD Off Road or would a stock SR5 be a better option and then adding after market modifications to it?

Thanks in advance for your feedback/advice!

 

If I were doing any off roading, I'd buy the cheapest truck I could find, some kind of SR, especially if I was planning any mods. Just my $0.02.

 

I would also suggest that you hold back on suspension modifications ($$$) until you have a good feel for what a stock Tacoma can do.
I've gotten mine in and out of some sticky predicaments without monster tires, extreme lift, etc.

 

I'd get the OR for the better standard features.

 

I wish I bought a 1st gen to beat on than my 3rd gen.... $40k vs $10k

 

The OR is a good starter, it will get you through hell, if the water isn't too high. It'll get you further down the road to start, not to mention the rear locking Diff is a nice starting point.

 

OR has a softer suspension, which may also be more comfortable for some daily driving situations. Depends on your taste. Test drive them both thoroughly.

 

OR. Rear locker and mts

 

These trucks are awesome off road. You can’t go wrong with either. I was sold on them years ago when my buddy and I went hunting and exploring off road on some very rough New Mexico desert terrain. His truck is a bone stock 2016 SR and it performed like a mountain goat.

I was so impressed I ultimately ended up with my 2019 OR - after verifying there were no shifting issues because his truck was one of those!

If you’re buying a used one, I would strongly suggest you test drive the shit out of it on the highway. Preferably on some good, really steep, hilly stretches. Do a lot of passing and make sure the thing performs to your satisfaction.

If you think you will eventually get into some serious off roading, the rear locker on the OR is hard to beat.

Good luck.

 

If you aren't going off road much, get an SR/SR5 4x4 and save money for mods. If you do plan on going off road, get the OR model to start as it will have the locker and crawl control.

 

Why does he need a locker or mts for mild off roaring?

 

Don't worry, a stock TRD Off-Road can't do crazy rock crawling without destroying itself. No overkill here

Doesn't take much for the SR5's open diffs to lose traction. I've seen in my group wheeling trips that two inches of packed wet snow on a steep grade is sometimes enough. In those situations, the TRD Off-Road's rear locker means the difference between slowly rolling up said grade vs. using a lot of momentum.

Sounds like you'll be doing a lot of highway driving across many states, so look at the interior and tech features across the two trims and tiered option packages (Tech Package, TRD Off-Road "Premium" package) which change from year to year and vary from double cab to access cab. Want wireless phone charging? Moon roof? Blind spot monitoring? Power sliding rear window? Heated seats? Dual-zone climate control?

 

Did he say mild off roading? I read over landing and trips to co/ut/az. A locker and MTS allows someone to subscribe to slow as possible as fast as necessary in a more productive manner than without. Not having to rely on too much speed or spinning lots of tires is gentler and less damaging to the truck and the terrain.

 

I’ve found my 21 DCSB OR to have a slightly firmer suspension to my 19 DCSB SR5, I don’t mind it, it was expected and just my seat of pants .02

 

I've not even had my OR for a month but I took it out for a long trip yesterday and that thing is a total beast. I think you start there and just leave it stock until you wear all the stock parts out.

I wanted to do a lift and whatever right away, but the stock OR suspension seems to perform well and now I'm thinking I'd rather invest in some protection and recovery stuff rather than a lift and tires that may not make much difference.

I'm sure am SR5 will do just fine on mild trails without any wet weather

 

Buy the cheapest you can work with. I have an OR and used the locker sparingly, and in all cases could have made it without. If I had to do it again I’d probably land on an SR.

 

dude get an SR5. $$ saved is more $$ in your pocket

 

Get a sr5 and save the extra money ..

 

For myself, i haven't any use for serious off-roading. This 2020 sr5 has been more than capable in the latest snowstorm here then i ever thought it'd be. Its done everything i've needed it to do. Yes, the ride could be smoother, but then again i got spoiled by my gen1 tundra. All said this tacoma is a fine truck.

 

The OR is the best bang for the buck, period! (Crawl Control & Rear Locker included)

Only thing missing is nice Duratracs instead of those stupid "Kevlar" Highway Tires.