introduced the TRD option—which stands for Toyota Racing Development—back in 1998, but it wasn’t available on Toyota's trucks until the 2005 model year. The TRD Package consists of upgrades to Tacoma’s engine, tires, and suspension.

Are you a trail enthusiast who’s considering a used Tacoma? To help you decide,

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Jerry

, the

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that maximizes your insurance savings, is here to break down the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road rating.

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Here, we’ll discuss how the Tacoma TRD performs off-pavement, how much it costs, and which alternative vehicles might be more suitable for your next off-road adventure.

Can the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD go off road?

Yes, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD can go off road.But the Tacoma comes in a variety of body styles, drivetrains, and powertrains, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re choosing a Tacoma that lives up to its off-roading potential.

Toyota increased the size of the Tacoma in 2005. The once-compact pickup truck became a midsize vehicle. An all-new trim level, the

X-Runner

replaced the less popular S-Runner, and two new TRD Packages were introduced: the TRD Sport and TRD Off Road.

Can you guess which one performs better on rocky trails?

When it was brand new, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD had a starting MSRP of $20,515, but that price doesn’t include crucial off-road features like all-wheel drive (AWD).

To determine the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD’s off-road rating, let’s look at some key off-roading specs to see if they’re tough enough to handle seriously rugged terrain.

Ground clearance

Most drivers don’t pay attention to ground clearance, but if you’re interested in taking your vehicle off the beaten path, you cannot ignore this measurement. Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of your vehicle’s chassis and the pavement below.

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD has a ground clearance of 8.5 inches. This is considered the absolute lowest height of ground clearance recommended for off-road vehicles.

To be able to safely and skillfully trek over rough terrain, you should opt for the Tacoma TRD 4x4—also known as its AWD version. When your Tacoma TRD is equipped with AWD, the ground clearance raises to a more off-road-ready 9.5 inches.

Torque

When you’re traveling off road, you’ll want a vehicle that’s powerful, which is where torque comes in. Whether you’re creeping over rocks or navigating through deep sand, low-end torque is ideal because it generates a lot of torque at a lower RPM.

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD produces 282 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 RPM. Ideally, it would perform better at an even lower RPM, but this rating is still pretty decent on account of the Tacoma’s V6 engine.

Tires

The TRD Package comes with 16-inch wheels and P245/75R16 tires, as opposed to the base model’s set of P205/75R15.

What’s the difference? P245/75R16 tires have a 3.36-inch larger diameter than the P205/75R15, which helps increase the Tacoma TRD’s speed by 11%.

Speed is not a crucial off-roading spec, but bigger tires definitely help the cause. In terms of tread, all-terrain (A/T) tires are superior to all-season tires for off-roading because they can tackle anything from dirt and gravel to snow. If your used TRD isn’t equipped with A/T tires, consider upgrading.

Drivetrain

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD is fitted with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as a standard feature. While this is more than enough to power you down the highway, having AWD is a game-changer for off-roading.

Luckily, all Tacoma models could be upgraded to AWD—even lower-level trims like the

Prerunner

. If you want to take your Tacoma TRD off road, look for a used model with the 4x4 drivetrain. You’ll gain one full inch of ground clearance while you’re at it.

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Angles

Another off-road spec not to be overlooked is the Tacoma TRD’s angles. Wondering what angles have to do with driving off road? Here’s a breakdown of what these terms mean:

Approach angle: The maximum degrees at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: The maximum degrees at which a vehicle can descend without interference

The 2005 Tacoma TRD has an approach angle of 35 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees. These are great measurements, working in perfect harmony to give the truck a particularly nice ability to crawl up steep inclines without issue.

Off-road rating: Trail Boss

To rate how good an off-roader the 2005 Tacoma TRD is, we’re using

Jerry’s

DIRT rating system. Here’s what each classification means:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD earns a T ratingif you’re driving the 4x4 V6 version. This pickup remains one of the most durable 4x4s in Toyota’s lineup, so it’s no wonder that there’s still a demand for older models.

But, to avoid disappointment or difficulty on your off-road jaunt, make sure you’re behind the wheel of the Tacoma TRD that’s going to give you the power, ground clearance, and angles required for unpaved roads—the four-cylinder RWD version just won’t cut it.

MORE:

Toyota Tacoma V6

The best off-road alternatives to the 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD

Thinking of exploring similar options to the Tacoma TRD? Maybe you’d prefer a newer model year or would rather invest in an SUV instead of a pickup truck. Depending on your off-road style, here are some worthy alternatives to the Tacoma TRD for you to explore:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2012 __Toyota Tundra __	$25,155	A larger pickup than the Tacoma, the Tundra comes with a 236-hp, 4.0-liter V6 engine. While gas mileage isn’t great at 18 mpg, you’ll be able to hold steady off road in the Tundra.
Best smaller alternative	2010 Nissan Frontier	$17,540	The nimble, no-frills Frontier is a great choice for an off-road, compact pickup featuring 152 hp, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a decent 21 mpg.
Best SUV alternative	2013 Toyota 4Runner	$31,490	If you want to stay in the Toyota family and have an off-road SUV in mind, the trucklike body style of the 4Runner paired with its 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 hp is a solid choice.

MORE:

Toyota Tacoma towing capacity

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Now that you’ve equipped your Tacoma TRD with the necessary off-roading features, make sure you’re keeping it protected with good car insurance. If you suspect you could get a better price with another insurance provider,

Jerry

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