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Tundra model feature questions

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Spotshooter, Mar 5, 2020.

  1. Mar 5, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #1
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Mike
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    Hey guys I’m new on the Forum and getting ready to buy a Tundra.

    I’m have a 2007 Tacoma Double cab TRD off road with the locker on it, and have really put that truck to work over time. I hunt (understatement) and take my truck into fields so a 4x4 is a must.

    So crank the clock forward and I have a 19 ft fishing boat that isn’t too heavy but a bigger truck would be good. Plus I have hauled a good deal of dirt & rock for landscaping... My old truck frame was replaced via that Toyota warranty.... so I’m loyal to them for taking care of it.

    SO... my big concerns with moving to a Tundra on features that may not fit what I do.

    I’d like to get the Best 4x4 .. BUT the Pro lacks the sensors I want... so I’m looking at the Platinum.

    BUT the platinum has leather seats, I’ve always put neoprene seat covers on my truck because if I’m not hunting, I’m moving lawns, doing construction work, ... or something where I could tear the seats up.

    Question 1 - I’m worried about tearing up the leather seats in a Platinum ... Can / Should I cover them, or do they hold up enough that this won’t be a problem.

    Question 2 - 4x4 features ... I don’t see a locker or really any 4x4 difference than the tire size and the skip plates (no drive train differences).... I can add skid plates, the shocks.. I can drive slow who cares.... but the 18” vs. 20” tires... I like the 20’s for highway, but kind of worried about them for off road... What am I missing or wrong about ?
     
  2. Mar 5, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #2
    MSU Tundra

    MSU Tundra Numerous rodeos experienced

    Joined:
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    Mississippi
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra and 2013 LC200
    First of all, welcome.


    I can give you my experience....

    My first Tundra was a 2012 SR5 4X4 (I'm a hunter too), Crew Max, TRD Off Road. I chose this model because I really didn't care about leather seats at the time and I wanted the TRD wheels (18"), but it did offer b/u camera, power driver's seat, bluetooth, etc. so it worked well for my needs at the time. However, I did end up installing leather interior in this truck several years later due to being easier to keep clean and looking nicer.

    For my next Tundra, I wanted everything that my previous one had plus factory leather and a sunroof so I upgraded to a 2019 Limited. I still got the TRD Off Road (not Pro) since it has the 18" wheels and skid plates. All the Platinum gets you over the Limited is a little fancier looking leather and cooled seats. (There may be a couple other small accouterments.)

    So my opinion is that you would be happy with a Limited with the "TRD Off Road" package. And you can add an aftermarket locker if you feel that you really need it. I've never been stuck where a locker would've helped, but I don't rock crawl in my truck or put it in deep mud.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
  3. Mar 5, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #3
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Hudson Valley, New York
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tundra TRD Sport Double Cab
    What about a TRD SPORT?
    It has everything you want.

    Welcome from NY.
     
  4. Mar 5, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #4
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Frank
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Crewmax 4WD, TRD Offroad
    Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 suspension, HD RAS, 285/75-18 Nokian Outpost AT, LoPro bed cover, TRD rear sway bar, DD 10 inch exhaust, and various other goodies
    SR5 with TRD OR package, SR5 upgrade package and Convenience package with cover all your wants. 18 inch wheels, skids, larger gas tank, sensors such as park assist, cross traffic, etc.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2020 at 7:59 AM
    #5
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Mike
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    So how are the leather seats without heating and cooling... it looks like that is what is it coming down too.
    I’m also looking at having a longer bed - which would push me out of the platinum because of it’s crew cab only features.
     
  6. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:12 AM
    #6
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    Justin
    Rubber City
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    2020 Tundra TRD Sport CM 4x4 MGM
    You'll have to have a double cab to get the longer bed. The double cabs in the Tundras are slightly bigger than double cabs in the Tacoma. So you wont be losing space back there.
     
  7. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #7
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Mike
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    I’m ok with the double cab ... I really need to go sit in a bunch of Tundra’s, and look at the difference in 18” vs. 20” tires - I’m thinking 18” will ride better and be cheaper but I want pro like rims vs. flashy chrome.

    I cringed at the tacoma “sport” package... but in the Tundra I guess they are the same.

    What do you guys think about that bump in the hood on the Pro & TRD sport ?

    The oddest thing... if you start with a limited or higher you always end up at 48-50k regardless of what you pick... To make any difference you have to start with a SR5 or even SR. The Pro looks ok but it’s high...

    I’m pretty well set on the DC (no kids... and it’s bigger than my Taco DC).. and I get the longer bed which is a big bonus.

    the TRD package is a big deal for me, I also haul a trailer / boat so sway bars are key...

    Remote start is also something I want... more research
     
  8. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #8
    Jaypown

    Jaypown New Member

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    I have the sport and I don't care for the 20" rims. Yeah they look nice but i'd rather have more tire than rim. I remember guys complained about the glare on the hood from the scoop on the Tacoma trd sport. I haven't noticed it in my tundra sport.

    Highly recommend to go sit in a few and drive them. Multiple configurations. Then you can get a real world feel for which one will suit you best.
     
  9. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:34 AM
    #9
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    What are the ... Make sure you get these options / accessories.

    Right now I’m thinking
    Tonneau cover
    Door guards (edge)
    Protective hood & fender protective film
    TRD package (sway bars, blitsens, 18” rims)


    Others ?
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
  10. Mar 5, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #10
    MSU Tundra

    MSU Tundra Numerous rodeos experienced

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    If you're really off the road that much, you don't want the added rear sway bar. It limits your articulation and could aid in getting you stuck.

    Also, as far as price goes, typically a dealer has more wiggle room the higher the trim level. So while a Limited might sticker for more than a SR5, you can talk them down in price enough to make it worth it. That's my experience anyway. Plus a Limited will have better resell value than a SR5.
     
  11. Mar 5, 2020 at 1:37 PM
    #11
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Mike
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    I’ll use the Costco auto program so haggling isn’t really an issue.

    I had never thought about the rear swag bar, for most of my driving the trailer will benefit from it more than it will hurt for the light 4x4 stuff i do...mostly deer hunting type vs. trails.

    frankly if the pro had the sensors on it, I’d go that way....pretty stupid that it isn’t there.
     
  12. Mar 5, 2020 at 1:48 PM
    #12
    MICKs18yota

    MICKs18yota New Member

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    Mike
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    Check out the SR then build it with the options you want that’s what I’ve done and so far I’m still about 7000.00 less than the SR5 models only complaint is limited colors in the SR models.
     
  13. Mar 5, 2020 at 1:56 PM
    #13
    MSU Tundra

    MSU Tundra Numerous rodeos experienced

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra and 2013 LC200

    Bags will help you towing a trailer more than a sway bar, and you don't lose your articulation if you get the cradles for them to sit in. Plus when towing you're able to level the truck.
     
  14. Mar 5, 2020 at 4:03 PM
    #14
    chrisbusnut

    chrisbusnut New Member

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    Chris
    Pasadena, CA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Crew Max SR5 4x4 w/TRD Off Road pkg
    DiamondBack bed cover, SDHQ sliders, SwitchPro, Katzkin leather seats, TRD Pro grille, TRD Pro wheels w/Nitto Ridge Grappers, Toyota OEM leather steering wheel, SSO Slimline Hybrid Bumper w/Baja Designs S8 light bar, Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S winch, Baja Design rock lights & flush mount rear bumper lights
    I purchased a 2020 SR5 TRD Off Road package, and subsequently have done a bunch of upgrades to it, including Katskinz leather interior w/heated & cooled seats. I also installed Toyota OEM power fold tow mirrors, and am going to wire those up so they fold electrically.

    If I could do it over again, I should have just bought the Platinum, which already has leather, heated/cooled seats, passenger power seat, plus power fold mirrors (all from the factory). I would have saved the thousands I've spent on the leather, heated/cooled seats and the inconvenience and headache up upgrading to power fold mirrors, but spent more on the truck (obviously). I'm thinking it would have been close to a wash.

    Just my two cents. The fabric seats on the SR5, in my opinion, is not good quality fabric. It seemed thin and very easily stained. I also love having heated and cooled seats, and though the Katskinz system is nice, it does have it's issues, including the little "ducts" that they install in the seat bottoms and seat back needing to be trimmed correctly so you don't feel them when you sit in the seat.

    I think that leather can be durable as well, and you can always cover it when you need to go off road or hunting.

    Let us know what you end up with!
     
  15. Mar 5, 2020 at 7:48 PM
    #15
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

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    2019 Cavalry Blue Limited TRD Off Road Double Cab
    Limited Double Cab with the TRD Off Road package is where it's at....:thumbsup:
     
  16. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:06 PM
    #16
    NateG

    NateG New Member

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    Do any 3rd gen tundras come with factory lockers...?
     
  17. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:16 PM
    #17
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

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    No
     
  18. Mar 13, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #18
    Spotshooter

    Spotshooter [OP] New Member

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    Mike
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited DC TRD
    Ride-rite, cover kings, TRD skid plate, TRD sways, power tow mirrors, ... TBD
    Quick update ... I think I’m still on the limited ... but other stuff you tend to figure out later.

    No E-locker so on the Tundra 4W it’s ATRAC... BUT.. that’s not only one the TRD off-road...
    I didn’t figure out that ATRAC (4W limited slip) was on ALL 4x4 models until a few days ago ..... so that lightened up the need for a TRD off road version of the truck and I started re-looking at the Platinum because ... well I hate Chrome...

    In the mean time I also decided that I would put the 6612/ 5160 Bilstein upgrade on the truck after I drove it a while... which also negates all but the TRD skid plate & sway bars... I leveled my 07 taco with 5100 bilsteins up front ... I did it after 4 years and the bolts were rusty as hell... what a pain.. this time I’ll do them before it’s not quiet a year old... but with 6612’s up front, and 5160’s in the back.. possibly I will also get the Coachbuilder shackles... then put some BFF AT KO2’s on the sucker... :)

    Ok.. so I’m still liking the 6.5 ft Limited cab (on paper) vs. the platinum Crew Cab only.

    Things in motion - ARE cap vs. Tonneau folder option (diamondback looks like a hell of a T cover)...

    First Mod’s (no -brainless)
    - Line-X bed liner
    - Tinted front windows
    - Husky or OEM floor liners
    - Some type of cap / cover..
    - ARE power step (running boards) OR some rock slider like step... haven’t resolved that one yet.


    Questions of you guys - Paint skin protection ? BS or worth it ??
     

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