TRD Off Road vs. TRD Sport for 2nd Gen Build

I see a lot of 2nd gen TRD Sports used for offroading/rockcrawling/overlanding builds. Is there a reason to begin with a TRD Sport vs. a TRD Off Road?

If you're going to add aftermarket wheels/tires, suspension, and air lockers is there any advantage to one over the other?

 

The major difference between off road and sport versions are 16" wheels for OR vs 17" wheels for sport. OR models have a locking differential, and sport models have a cosmetic hood scoop. Towing packages vary. I have a sport model built as an overlander. Many people have OR builds. If your goal is mods, an OR model may provide more versatility, but I wouldn't fuss if a good deal were available for one or the other.

 

Sport model will get you a larger/stronger rear end. That's about the only REAL difference if you're going to be scrapping bumpers and upgrading lockers anyways. You'll get color matched door handles and mirrors plus the sooper badass highly sought after hood scewp

 

If bed length is issue, off-road you can't get 6' bed with a double cab. Sport you can.

 

Sport gives you matching door handles and rear bumper plus the cool hood scoop. If you gonna change out everything else then who cares?

 

You get ATRAC in newer off road versions.

I had to say it.

 

Air lockers are much better than a factory OR e-locker. Build a sport, they look better and you won't need to throw out the e-locker.

Early sports had LSD, be aware of this as well.

I love my e-locker but it takes just as long to engage as my 1999 4runner's locker did.

 

Off Road has a true locking differential, Sport has the sucky electronic limited slip diff. OR has softer springs that bottom out, Sport has springs that don't bottom out. Sport has 17" wheels, OR has 16". ATRAC and the likes can be put in the OR, not sure if it's available in the Sport. Sport can be purchased in a 6' bed, OR cannot but you probably don't want 6" off road. Then there the kick ass hood scoop ... only in the Sport.

 

I bought a 2015 DCSB on looks alone, love it. Don't really know what Bilstein suspension is, or the handling difference with 17" tires, but I'm satisfied. I put a tonneau cover and some predator style step bars on, and weathertech fitted floor mats. Next up is weathertech bug/wind deflectors.Looking at some rims and more aggressive tires, maybe a better stereo and speakers in the next year or so.
I don't do any off roading, except for the occasional farmer's field or steep mountain dirt road, this truck does fine. Any advice on rims/tires/stereo is much appreciated!

 

Nice truck. As far as tires I have the hankook dynapro all terrain tires. Not a bad ride coming from stock street tires but I know a lot of people ride bfg ko2. As far as rims I've been looking into stealth series ray10. That's just me. Depends on ur taste. As far as stereo. If you have the money I would personally go alpine double din. JL subwoofer with a marvelous marv built box.

 

The OR doesn't come in a DCLB. So if you want a DCLB then it is going to be a Sport or SR5. Of course DCLB is getting pretty long for rock crawling but you will see some overland builds that prefer having the extra space despite the reduced angles and tight space handling.

If you are actually going to do front and rear air lockers and replace the entire suspension then the Sport is a waste of money and just get the SR5 (though to be fair people do prefer the TRD front seats to the SR5 seats).

For "overland" build I would say the OR is often the best price point if you don't need DCLB. For overland the E-locker and ATRAC are plenty good enough for any situation you will encounter and are a good deal compared to adding your own lockers. The 16" wheels are perfect for overland as well (you want smaller wheels with taller rubber for off road travel). For overland you will be replacing the rear leaves no matter what you buy, the OEM leaves are crap and can't carry any weight at all.

For more hard core off-roading and rock crawling you might prefer the stronger rear diff on the non-OR models that you'll be adding an air locker to.

There is a lot to be said for starting with an SR5 if you are really going to replace everything.

Finally, in the used market I think I'd look for the truck I have the most faith in and take whatever is best in SR5, OR or Sport.

 

I think that extra foot in the back of the Longbed makes all the difference while camping/overlanding.
I throw an air mattress in my Longbed with a shell on top of it when I go camping or adventuring and it's amazingly comfortable plus having the extra room for bikes and surfboards is great. Shortbed would be fine if you planned on using an RTT or ground tent and planned on using the bed only for carrying gear. Keep in mind the SPRT comes in DCLB and the OR comes in DCSB

 

Thanks for the perspectives. I hadn't even thought about just starting with a SR5, but that does make a lot of sense if I'm planning to upgrade everything.

 

Not entirely true. TRD Sport thru 2008 (and some 2009) has a factory Limited Slip differential. It’s a true closed diff with friction clutches that is effective and durable.