New Tacoma recommendation

[coolmemin]

Hello all, this is my post and in the spirit of newbies, I have a newbie type of question/recommendation. I am currently in the market for a new Toyota Tacoma. I test drove one the other day and it feels very nice even my wife likes how it handles. I also drove a 2002 Tacoma and even though I relly like the smaller body style my wife thought that the new one is much more comfortable. Anyways, since comfort on the highways is important for her, that means its also important for me. My question is about the TRD. I am trying to figure out if I should spend the extra $2500 for it or to go the aftermarket suspension and locker route. I don't want to sacrifice road handling though and that is where my dilemma is. What good aftermarket suspension products are viable substitutes for the TRD package as well as a locker? I would possibly install it myself since I have a bit of experience and tools (not much but I can do a couple of things right Anyways, just shooting around for opinions really.

Thanks in advance

[snorkleman]

Welcome Cool!

The new comas are definitely nice on the road. I can't remember all the options on the TRD setup but I believe the only difference in the suspension is the addition of Bilstein shocks (too lazy to google right now to find out). I think the electric locker is definitely a nice feature but as you pointed out $2500 for a locker, decals, shocks might be too much for some. I actually really like the electric locker if you remove the low speed engage restriction. If you want to do some additions to a non-TRD there are plenty of parts to check out. You can use an auto locker or a manual locker. There are also plenty of shock options and Bilstein makes a wide variety you should check out. Then if you really want to you can get the TRD decals off ebay and put them on and feel the status of TRDness.

It just depends if $2500 is more or less than what you would spend doing it yourself. If you end up putting in air lockers and remote reservoir shocks then $2500 might not be bad for you.

Oh and I have to mention I would never advise to any of my friends to buy a new car from the dealer unless money wasn't a factor. Not knocking you since many folks do it but like I said I wouldn't recommend it to a "friend". Just my personal experience.

Good luck to ya and be sure to post some pics of that new truck when you get it!

Cheers

[awdios]

As far as suspension, check out Toytec.