Difference between SR5 and TRD OR

Additional stuff on TRD OR vs SR5

• Different wheels
• Different badges
• Turn signals on mirrors
• Fixed running boards
• Composite front skid plate, with underbody transfer case and fuel tank protection
• Heated front seats
• Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with indicator light
• Five USB-C ports
• One center console 12V auxiliary power outlet and two 120V/400W AC power outlets in the rear seat and cargo area
• Single-zone automatic climate control with air filtration
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• TRD Off-Road carpet floor mats
• 12.3-in. digital gauge cluster with selectable gauge display screens and fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information, and warning messages
• Electronically controlled locking rear differential
• TRD Off-Road - Bilstein® monotube shock absorbers
• Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Crawl Control (CRAWL) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
• 265/70R18 all-terrain tires
• Full-size spare tire, mounted under body

Total Price: $6,420

I figure these will be popular models, they are what I would be deciding between. I will probably not get either but I would lean towards SR5 after reviewing the above. Locker, heated seats and maybe the 12.3 gauge cluster would be biggest losses for me. I'd have to see the difference between gauge clusters. $6500 is hefty for a locker and heated seats.

 

I'm looking forward to hands-on info about the SR5, did they really scrap the skid plates that were standard before? Would be classic cost-cutting but sheesh.

 

$6500 isn’t hefty for all the stuff you listed above. You still get them and they’re still beneficial. The turn signals alone will pay for the whole thing if they save from one lane change accident, even if you’d never know it saved you.

 

• Electronically controlled locking rear differential

 

Going by Tacoma as the example, yes the front skid is replaced by a "hairy cardboard" splash guard on non-OR trims. It's in keeping with the snowplow airdam on those trims.

Also going by Tacoma example, the SR5 may be neutered with shorter-travel CV joints and smaller rear axle.

 

What about Manual Xfer Case vs Electronic

 

I'd imagine Toyota will be getting away from this for the 6th gen but I have no information on that yet.

In any case the manual transfer case lever in the 5th Gen still relied on solenoids and actuators to finish the job.
Makes sense from a manufacturers perspective to standardize this across all models.

Hell I've encountered a few beginners that did now know how to put their O/R or Pro into 4-low. These people would have been better suited with a button imo

 

I hated the electronic Xfer in my Tacoma TRD Sport. Yes there are selonids W/Manual Xfer case BUT you don't have that lag like the electronic Xfer case.

 

They deleted the lever in all trims to make room for the wireless charging pad Be glad it still has a conventional transmission shifter instead of a joystick like the Ineos Grenadier (or swiping on a touchscreen like the Cybertruck...).

The electronic T-case is able to shift from 2H to 4H at 10 mph higher speed than the lever-action T-case, so there's that.

 

What the hell is a Ineos Grenadier? https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/?g...yfCXLs1X7g1u-94DVk3MT3u5m4t7KUhxoCe0EQAvD_BwE
Yeah $75k starting, No Thanks!!

 

^Funny enough the Grenadier has a manual lever for shifting between 4H and 4L (it's full-time 4WD), but has a joystick transmission shifter sourced from BMW, since the powertrain is BMW: https://www.motortrend.com/files/66a0194d03cb240008965e78/040-2025-ineos-grenadier.jpg

 

Agreed. I prefer the manual lever as well and I'm glad I got one on the 5th Gen.

The switch does seem to take longer especially if you're on very unlevel ground. I haven't seen that problem with the manual lever.

 

I have a manual lever in my 5th gen trdorp and it’s great but to be honest I’ve never had an issue with the switch on both my second gen tacos however it was a total piece of shit on my 3rd gen taco

that being said if I kept my 2nd gen Tacoma I would have eventually done the fj cruiser transfer case swap with the manual lever

Toyota got rid of the manual lever on the 6th gen to cut costs obviously I’m still suprised they are still making it in Japan strictly from a corporate financial standpoint that decision is extremely stupid

 

Precisely what I was going to mention. You won’t be able to simply buy an sr5 and throw in an aftermarket locker and have it be equivalent to the OR trim. The differences between the sr5 and the OR will be pretty significant if it’s anything like how they make the Tacoma.

 

In fairness, those same people would struggle shifting into 4lo with the electronic dial, until they read the manual to find out how to do it. The dial and the shift lever both operate on the transfer case in the same way, and need the same conditions to accept shifts into 4lo. The only “logic” the electric dial adds is to beep at you when you command a shift in cannot mechanically accomplish. Even then, I’m not sure it won’t try the shift anyway and give you a nasty grind.

 

That's unfortunate. The 5th gen SR5 was the chad of value in offroading. Eveything you really need and nothing that 99.9% of people would ever notice missing.

 

Very true. It’s a brand new platform, so it’s not too surprising that toyota would choose now to shake things up with regard to the standard features that each trim has. The trick is going to be knowing if the trim level you are considering actually has the mechanical equipment you are expecting. One thing I’d want to verify personally on the SR5 (if I were considering it), is that it actually has a rear coil suspension instead of a surprise leaf spring suspension lol. Kidding, but not kidding, since assuming anything regarding how toyota is equipping things might bite you in the ass after signing papers.

So far it seems the OR is going to be the best option for folks that want anything more than basic 4 wheel drive capability. And it has the option for the sway bar disconnect not available on many other trims. An optioned out OR owner will finally have fully justified snobbery rights over SR5 owners!!! Lol On paper, it seems like it might be much better designed for off road than the current Off Road trim.

And if you want the full time transfer case that is an available option on the limiteds, it going to be much more expensive, and if you had off-road plans for it, you’d have to check if it comes with the high-angle CVs and the same rear axle as the Off-Road trim.

 

I don't know how they can call those composite 'covers' skid plates...fiber board at best. Doesn't seem like they would stand up to much skidding. The Tacoma splash guards, or wheel well liners, are also, you guessed it, fiber material.

The days of stamped steel are behind us, it seems.

The 4th gen Tacoma forum has a long thread on the consequences (whistling noise) of removing that lovely air dam I see they've also added to the 6th gen 4R.

 

the only minor gripe I have about the new OR is its 50.5k(including destination) starting price. But that's the way things are now so I guess people just have to roll with it if they want one.

 

This would definitely be significant. I didn't see mention of it on Toyota's website but that doesn't mean it's not there. I do recall that 3rd gen TRD OR's (and others) having a larger rear differential than "lesser" models. Has that difference, or a similar one, been carried over to the 4th gen Tacoma's? If so, we'll likely see it on 6th gen 4runner as well, as someone else already mentioned.

 

I love the manual lever in my ORP. Its the last of the greatest. And my point still stands, I think the ORP is better than the Pro. I love bang for the buck and value, and between the two, the one that gives you the most valuable features for the cheapest price is ORP, especially for those of us who were able to get them for fat discounts.

 

One of mine, I bought it off the lot in 23 for 3k off sticker just by walking in the door. 50k OTD including 10.75% CA Sales Tax for a nearly optioned out(other than MTS) ORP. Should have bought a third one, LOL.

 

Yeah 3rd gen Tacoma ORs got 8.75" rear diff with 33-spline axle shafts. Big upgrade over 2nd gen. 2018+ also got upsized Dana 1350 U-joints.

The 4th gen Tacoma's off-roady trims got the 9.5" Tundra axle. The 4Runner Trailhunter got it too, based on one of the press reveal videos 7 months ago.

 

Interesting, thanks for sharing the info. I was reading something earlier today about the 4th gen Tacoma's that said "TRD, some Limited, and all Hybrid models have larger front brakes." Something else to look for on the new 4runner's I suppose.

 

^
https://www.4runners.com/threads/2025-product-spec-released.42546/
All 6th gen trims get the same larger front brakes (13.4") as 4th gen Tacoma hybrid. It's actually only 0.1" larger than 5th gen, but a bigger jump from the 10.75" front rotors on 2nd/3rd gen Tacomas.

 

Lost me with the 18 inch wheels.

 

33s on 18 inch wheels are not too bad. The 5th gens are 31.5s on 17s. I would personally prefer 33s on 17s though.

 

But they come with 33" tires, 1" larger than 5th gen, so sidewall height is maintained.

17" wheels still fit, but you need to watch for rear brake hose clearance.

 

Ugh I read through this entire thing thinking it was a 5th gen.
How do I filter out sub forums?