Differences in models 2nd Gen

A

atacoaday

New Member
I have read many post on this, but most end up with clown comments or definitive "You Want This" comments that do me little use. I cannot find a good thread on this topic, and it really needs to be answered by experts, not just opinion postings.

I am not new to 4WD, but am new to Toyota's. I am shopping for a used and finding it difficult to understand what all the options are and should be out there. Model ranges 2006-2009 seem to be the price range I like to spend.

I am finding "TRD Off Road" models for sale that look more like Base packages since they have no features on them. I just went to see one TRD OR that had no features other than 4WD option. I told the guy I suspect someone just put a TRD OR sticker on a base model and tried to pass it off as something it is not.

Are the 6 left side buttons a good indicator?
Top left is Lights
Top middle Diff Lok
Top right 400w inv
bottom L Trac
botom middle Cluthc bypass
Bottom R RSSA (side air bags off)? (I know these locations may change over the years, but will be there or not)

The Diff and the side airbagsoff matter to me, the inverter is just useless at 400 watts, and Ill prob get an Auto.
Im not sure what the Track wold benefit.

Will a TRD OR always have the Diff lock? (I have been stuck with one front and one rear spinning, so I like a locker for emergencies).

The TRD is supposed to have upgraded suspension over the base, or the TRD Sport even, how significant is this?
If I want to later lift the sus a few inches which model is best suited, or does it matter?
If I want to get serious as an off-roader will I regret the Sport? Will I immediately regret that fake scoop?

I looked at this the other day:
Well I cant add a link yet, is was a Taco in Dalton GA, white on Cargurus. Ill add link when I can…

It was the classic sleezy used car sales vehicle, totally misrepresented and all the red flag boxes checked. Wrong VIN in ad. It had original frame with heavy sticky black coating all over it, and the muffler, and the shocks/springs, and the spare tire, and the gas tank and whatever it happened to spray on. I could see the inside of the C-channel where it actually was not rusted much, so they did themselves a dis-service hiding rust that was not so bad. The alignment was out, would not go into 4L, blower only worked on Hi, but the motor and trans felt and sounded good. I almost walked away after seeing the frame goo, but decided to practice testing out a vehicle to get more familiar for the next time…

So, what are the differences and option possibilities in these, and as a side note, what do i look and listen for when test driving?

thanks.
 
Dead giveaways are both TRD models have the inverter, sport seats, SR5 package included (it will have the badge up until a certain year where it was deleted), are 6 lug. (Not the 5 lug low riders)

Offroad always has a locker.

Sport has thicker sway bar, 17 inch wheels, hood scoop, color matched door handles and color matched rear bumper. Ride is a little stiffer over the others.
 
The Vin tells none of this unless I get expensive vin check and I just can't do that on dozens of vins as I browse.
Also, would all the TRD have nerf bars?
Is the inverter available on non-TRD models too?
How do I know sports seats? Im new to toyota
 
atacoaday said:
The Vin tells none of this unless I get expensive vin check and I just can't do that on dozens of vins as I browse.
Also, would all the TRD have nerf bars?
Is the inverter available on non-TRD models too?
How do I know sports seats? Im new to toyota
Click to expand...

Dealership can run it for free.

Nerfbars and side steps are a dealer add on, its not trd or base model specific
No, the inverter is trd ONLY.

Trd seats have a different pattern and material and iirc bigger bolsters
 
atacoaday said:
I have read many post on this, but most end up with clown comments or definitive "You Want This" comments that do me little use. I cannot find a good thread on this topic, and it really needs to be answered by experts, not just opinion postings.

I am not new to 4WD, but am new to Toyota's. I am shopping for a used and finding it difficult to understand what all the options are and should be out there. Model ranges 2006-2009 seem to be the price range I like to spend.

I am finding "TRD Off Road" models for sale that look more like Base packages since they have no features on them. I just went to see one TRD OR that had no features other than 4WD option. I told the guy I suspect someone just put a TRD OR sticker on a base model and tried to pass it off as something it is not.

Are the 6 left side buttons a good indicator?
Top left is Lights
Top middle Diff Lok
Top right 400w inv
bottom L Trac
botom middle Cluthc bypass
Bottom R RSSA (side air bags off)? (I know these locations may change over the years, but will be there or not)

The Diff and the side airbagsoff matter to me, the inverter is just useless at 400 watts, and Ill prob get an Auto.
Im not sure what the Track wold benefit.

Will a TRD OR always have the Diff lock? (I have been stuck with one front and one rear spinning, so I like a locker for emergencies).

The TRD is supposed to have upgraded suspension over the base, or the TRD Sport even, how significant is this?
If I want to later lift the sus a few inches which model is best suited, or does it matter?
If I want to get serious as an off-roader will I regret the Sport? Will I immediately regret that fake scoop?

I looked at this the other day:
Well I cant add a link yet, is was a Taco in Dalton GA, white on Cargurus. Ill add link when I can…

It was the classic sleezy used car sales vehicle, totally misrepresented and all the red flag boxes checked. Wrong VIN in ad. It had original frame with heavy sticky black coating all over it, and the muffler, and the shocks/springs, and the spare tire, and the gas tank and whatever it happened to spray on. I could see the inside of the C-channel where it actually was not rusted much, so they did themselves a dis-service hiding rust that was not so bad. The alignment was out, would not go into 4L, blower only worked on Hi, but the motor and trans felt and sounded good. I almost walked away after seeing the frame goo, but decided to practice testing out a vehicle to get more familiar for the next time…

So, what are the differences and option possibilities in these, and as a side note, what do i look and listen for when test driving?

thanks.
Click to expand...
Run the vin

https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification
 
atacoaday said:
The Vin tells none of this unless I get expensive vin check and I just can't do that on dozens of vins as I browse.
Also, would all the TRD have nerf bars?
Is the inverter available on non-TRD models too?
How do I know sports seats? Im new to toyota
Click to expand...

Steps were always a dealer add on.

Only TRD models had the inverter.
 
Thanks, that's a better VIN check than Ive been using. Doesnt tell history, but does tell a lot more "from the factory" info which will help me find the scammers. Noted on seats.
I made acct at Toyota also
 
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