2008 Tacoma TRD sport

[vandeman17]

I am on the verge of buying a 2008 Toyota Tacoma double Cab TRD Sport with a canopy. It looks to be in good shape but is located in Bend Oregon. I am going to be down there for a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation dinner with my folks so I am looking at it this weekend. Does anybody have experience with this truck or similar?

[MtnMuley]

Personally, I'd never buy a TRD Sport.  The "Sport" TRD has a false hood scoop for looks and does NOT have the locker in the rear.  Worthless package imo.

[vandeman17]

Personally, I'd never buy a TRD Sport.  The "Sport" TRD has a false hood scoop for looks and does NOT have the locker in the rear.  Worthless package imo.

Care to elaborate a bit?

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its like the old Z71 Chevy 4x4. Z71 was a 271 dollar upgrade consisting of blue and yellow shocks and a sticker.

The TRD sport is about the same. A fake hood scoop and stickers. Not that its bad at all. It a great Toyota truck. But dont pay more cause it has a TRD sticker on it.

[vandeman17]

Its like the old Z71 Chevy 4x4. Z71 was a 271 dollar upgrade consisting of blue and yellow shocks and a sticker.

The TRD sport is about the same. A fake hood scoop and stickers. Not that its bad at all. It a great Toyota truck. But dont pay more cause it has a TRD sticker on it.

We are not planning on spending more because of the TRD logo. It is actually cheaper then a lot of the standard SR5 models that we have been looking at. Will it still get me around in the hills ok? Is the 4 wheel drive not very good?

[Holg3107]

If you get stuck in a Tacoma you are somewhere that you really shouldn't be. I'm on my 3rd Tacoma and they are simply amazing when it comes to a 4wd vehicle. The TRD with the rear dif. lock is ideal but I wouldn't hesitate to get one without it. The stock shocks and struts aren't great and you will want to replace them relatively soon, other than that you are good to go.

[blackveltbowhunter]

If its in solid shape, for a good price ( sounds like it is ) and using common sense used car shopping smarts. I would expect it be an excellent rig. My Brother had the same year off road package, lots of snow driving, some backroad. No wheeling, mudding etc. He said he never tried the locker. Another good friend has the same rig ur looking at, drive over passes 2-3 times a week, lots of snow backcountry skiing, and forest service roads year round, hiking and biking, says he has never had a problem getting around. I have a 2010 offroad, I have tested the locker out (on purpose  ) and it can be a big help, but its insurance for me.  I have never used it under normal driving and I use my 4x alot, logging roads, snow etc.

[Mfowl]

I'm in an 09 tacoma 4x4, not a TRD package. With the exception of tires mine is completely stock and I love it. Aside from the hoodscoop the TRD package has nicer seats, inverter w/outlets in the bed(something I wish I had) and some otber bells and whistles like temp/direction displayed in the mirror. The TRD offroad package doesn't have the hoodscoop to keep dust/debris out of the engine compartment. I've driven mine in everything from sun to snow and mud to rocks and I've never had an issue. I would like better gas milage (19/gal if I'm lucky) especially where towing is concerned. However it will haul a good sized boat well (18' Hewescraft is my biggest.) If its a good buy, get it!

[jjhunter]

I had a '99, '03, and a 2007 trd sport.  Awesome pick-ups.  I paid 28,000 for my 2007 brand new.   Traded it in last year and got 20,000 trade in with 82k miles.  That should speak for itself.

[KFhunter]

Personally, I'd never buy a TRD Sport.  The "Sport" TRD has a false hood scoop for looks and does NOT have the locker in the rear.  Worthless package imo.

If you need the lockers, you should upgrade them anyways.

Lot of guys ripping out the factory lockers and beefing them up.

[vandeman17]

What exactly is the point of the lockers? Is it just used if you really need 4x4 in a tough spot?

[scottcrb]

I'm in an 09 tacoma 4x4, not a TRD package. With the exception of tires mine is completely stock and I love it. Aside from the hoodscoop the TRD package has nicer seats, inverter w/outlets in the bed(something I wish I had) and some otber bells and whistles like temp/direction displayed in the mirror. The TRD offroad package doesn't have the hoodscoop to keep dust/debris out of the engine compartment. I've driven mine in everything from sun to snow and mud to rocks and I've never had an issue. I would like better gas milage (19/gal if I'm lucky) especially where towing is concerned. However it will haul a good sized boat well (18' Hewescraft is my biggest.) If its a good buy, get it!

yeah cant go wrong with toyotas i have a 94v sr5 and am at 300,000 with no major service, never been stuck and with good tires your set.

[KFhunter]

What exactly is the point of the lockers? Is it just used if you really need 4x4 in a tough spot?

They're nice when you got two tires in the air, crossing a ditch or something.



I had an older toyota with no diff lock, and have been post turtled a few times like this.

lockers are nice

[vandeman17]

I see. I don't see myself doing too much rock crawling or anything where I will have less then 4 wheels touching the ground. I just want something to get me around the normal hunting roads.

[KFhunter]

I see. I don't see myself doing too much rock crawling or anything where I will have less then 4 wheels touching the ground. I just want something to get me around the normal hunting roads.

water bar, crossing a ditch....

lot's of seemingly benign spots to get all catty-whompus in 

[vandeman17]

Does a Tahoe or a Silverado have the rear lockers? That is my two previous vehicles and they both seemed to get across whatever I needed them to just fine.

[jackelope]

Does a Tahoe or a Silverado have the rear lockers? That is my two previous vehicles and they both seemed to get across whatever I needed them to just fine.

You'd need to look at the option codes in the glove box. G80 is the option for the limited slip rear differential.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I dunno if either of those rigs have lockers or not. But regardless, the tacoma should do great. I wouldnt get to hung up on the locker thing. If you like everything else about the rig and its a fair price go for it. Knowing your rigs capabilities and operating within them is going to go alot farther in staying out of trouble than a electronic locker is.

[Kioti]

I have been a Toyota man sense 1988 when I bought my first 1985 Toyota 4x4.  Its still running and is still dead stock except for the 31" tires.  Never needed a locker, lift or anything else to get me down my hunting roads. 
I just bought a 2013 V6 SR5 Toyota Tacoma double cab long bed 4x4.  I didn't think I needed the TRD (TRUD) Offroad package, with the locker, fancy blue shocks, and a cheesy TRUD sticker on the side, especially for the extra money they wanted for it.
So far its a solid truck.  I wouldn't hesitate once about taking it out on the logging roads or in the back country around here..no problem.
I am very impressed with the Tacoma.  If the truck feels and sounds solid ... buy it; if the price is right.  You wont be disappointed!

[FC]

I have a 98 sr5 and my gf has a 09 TRD, they will get in and out of places that will really amaze you. As others said, upgrading to "aftermarket" Bilstein shocks over the stock Bilstein will make a substantial difference.

[MtnMuley]

Personally, I'd never buy a TRD Sport.  The "Sport" TRD has a false hood scoop for looks and does NOT have the locker in the rear.  Worthless package imo.

Care to elaborate a bit?

Basically what I'm saying is that if you're under the imperssion that the "TRD Sport" really gains you anything, it doesn't.  Now the regular TRD with the locker is a different story.  I'm well aware that this locker isn't anything fancy like most aftermarker lockers, but it can get you out of a pinch.  It's really helped me out a couple times. 

[vandeman17]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I really like everything about the truck and it is a good price from all that I have been seeing. It is just a "bonus" that it is the Sport edition because my g/f likes the look of the hood scoop. I have looked at and been close to buying a few of the regular SR5's and they were actually more expensive then this truck is with the same or more mileage.

[vandeman17]

I just found an 07 Tundra double cab TRD off road for just a little more and the same miles. It also has a canopy so now I have two different Toyotas to debate on! 

[DHx]

I bought an '07 SR5 in October 2011, access cab, manual 6 speed with a v6. It also came with 33" mud tires, but stock shocks. I get 15-17mpg. I paid $17.5k
My dad has an '08 quad cab, TRD sport, auto transmission v6 with highway tires and he get 20-22 mpg.

We both love our trucks. Neither of us have ever needed a rear locker, but having one is just a bit of insurance. They are really great, light weight trucks.

[thinkingman]

I you're still considering the Tacoma TRD Sport, PM me and I'll tell you what you need to know.
There are plenty of shortcomings that have nothing to do with the hoodscoop.
BTW, I'll take the linear springs of the Sport over the progressives on the OR.
Same for the LSD on the Sport over the locker.
If you buy a Tacoma, budget $1k to fix the 'suspension' as Toy calls it.

[vandeman17]

I ended up passing on the Tacoma and saving my money to put towards a house and an elk hunt.