I'm about to get a 01-04 double cab Tacoma as my new daily driver. It will see very little off road action. How big of a difference would the TRD package make for handling on the road? I really like the rear locker, but the truck I'm looking at without the package is 4wd so it wouldn't be a big deal. Thanks!

 

Well, if you're going to see very little off-road, then the TRD Off-Road package would really do nothing for you. The package is nothing special, except a rear locker. I like mine, but would've been fine without the package (except for the locker. I love that thing).

But don't worry about looking for it specifically. Just find the best/cleanest one for your money, regardless of the package.

 

The only real upgrade with the TRD in those years is the e-locker. It seems to be a sought after package on this forum. When I had my '04 Taco, I used it only once ;0. But if you're planning on wheeling it's great.

 

If your not going to go offroad, and that would be a shame, then the locker is useless. You will almost never use the locker on the road. You may need the locker IF you get totaly snowed in and NEED to drive. It will help get you thru. You don't want to use the locker for normal snow drives. The truck will fishtail.

If you see offroading in the future then the locker is great. I didn't think I would need a locker when I bought my 4runner but I later added one.

 

Doesn't the TRD also add Bilstein's? I was thinking they may improve ride quality on the road, no real reason to think that way though. My dad has a 02 Tundra 4x4 with the TRD package, and I absolutely love the way it drives/rides. That's the only Toyota truck I've drove, so not sure how one without the package would differ. Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help.

 

I have a feeling someone with the name SWAMP RIDER might someday need a rear locker.

 

My TRD came with Tokico's. You won't feel that much difference. The Tundra's ride very different than the Tacoma's, so don't expect the same. And FWIW, my friend has a non-TRD Tundra and my other friend has a TRD version (both 08's) and I really can't tell a difference.

Gerdo: I don't think it snows that much in Arkansas.

 

LOL, user name is just something I use on other ATV forums, easier just to keep it simple and use the same names. I've always heard good stuff about bilsteins, so I was thinking that they may be the reason the Tundra rode/drove so well. It would actually be cheaper to go with a Tundra Access cab, I may go that route if not pleased with the first test drive of a Tacoma. Thanks again everyone!

 

FWIW, If you test drive a Tundra and 4th Gen Taco side by side, I bet you'll like the Tundra's ride and handling better. It might be counterintuitive to think a bigger truck would handle better, but that's what I've always found. The ride is definitely more comfortable. IMO there're many advantages to a Taco, but ride quality isn't one of them unless you like a harsher, less cushy ride (maybe tighter handling with the Taco).