How important is the 14” screen?

[yacc]

I have two trucks I can buy. Both are new TRD OFF ROADS.
1. Truck has 14” screen as only option. I can vit it for 12% off MSRP, works out to $46.6k out the door with taxes and all
2. Has TRD Pro lift kit, Predator running boards, full paint protection film, tinted windows and floor mats but has the small 8” screen. It’s 22% off of MSRP, $47k OTD

the dealer is highly motivated to sell truck 2 and it is clearly a much better deal. All of thet stuff can be added later though, but the 14” screen can’t.
So now important is it?

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[ridetime]

The 14" screen doesn't add any functionality, its just bigger. It's kinda like watching TV on an 85" TV vs a 50" TV. You will see the same thing but the big one is just nicer to watch. The only other thing is that the bezel on the small screen is huge and looks clunky and kind of cheap.

 

[yacc]

So no loss of functionality, just a cheaper looking interior?

are the screens user upgradable? I ask because of the stuff on option 1 can be upgraded myself but it’s a hell of a better price deal for what I would get to buy that truck.

 

[Will721]

So no loss of functionality, just a cheaper looking interior?

are the screens user upgradable? I ask because of the stuff on option 1 can be upgraded myself but it’s a hell of a better price deal for what I would get to buy that truck.

The cost to change over is astronomical and I'm not sure anyone's done it successfully yet. Its not just the screen, the volume knob is relocated so its dash trim too, possibly a harness. It does look better and is nicer to live with. Bigger screen means bigger buttons for those of us who lack the ol' hand eye coordinations. But its not completely necessary.

Id say drive both. Not just because of the screen, but also Ive read a few posts reporting the TRD lift is a different ride feel which is firm and more like the sport. Part of what makes the offroad special is its tuned suspension and reservoir shocks that make it handle better off road but also more "plush" on the street. As far as I can tell the lift kit provides clearance but is a "downgrade" in shock technology. Which is actually a fairly common trade off as many owners put on 6112s or some other more budget friendly shocks to gain lift with the same trade off rather than more expensive options like Kings or Dirtkings. That firm ride is better for on road handling though. The predator steps are also most often removed for more ground clearance friendly options.

Either way, drive both see which one you like better. Then consider future plans in what you want the truck to do. No sense in paying an extra $1000 for just tint if you plan on swapping everything else out anyway. But if you want more of a street truck with a lift and larger tires there's nothing wrong with the TRD lift and predators at all.

 

[Mercedes]

2. Has TRD Pro lift kit, Predator running boards, full paint protection film, tinted windows...

As you continue comparisons, I'd ask the dealer the details of the PPF and tint.

What brand and thickness of PPF has been installed? The thickness of PPF is measured in mils, or thousandths of an inch. Something 8-10 mil would be welcome. If possible, study the truck from end-to-end and around the edges of the body panels, to gauge the quality of the installation. Ask about the warranty for the PPF. They should include a multi-year (8-10 years) warranty against defects as part of the installation.

PPF has a service life of up to 10 years, after which time it's expected to be removed and replaced.

I have two vehicles and am using PPF on both.

Ask the brand and type of tint installed. At the low end, there's tint that provides shade protection. Lower-quality materials can interfere with radio/cell signals. At the upper-end, ceramic tint will provide shade, block UV rays for heat mitigation while not interfering with radio signals. Check all the glass and the quality of the installation. Tacomas do come from the factory with dyed glass as standard. It's shaded glass, does not offer the properties tint does and is not considered tint.

Good Luck with purchase.

Edit,

For the screens, I have a 14" screen and like it. It's not huge or overwhelming. Seems right-sized for the dash layout. Using it with Android Auto is nice.

As others have mentioned, walk the lot, test drive each truck. I thought I knew what I wanted, but once at the dealer lot, driving, putting hands-on several trims, I changed my mind.

I lean towards truck one.

- The 14" screen is already integrated into the truck. That serves you now and could facilitate a sale later

- IDK about the PPF or tint install, the materials or quality of installation

- In the first truck, you can tailor it to your needs once settled in with it. The second truck might be great, but you could find better use in other products, or might not use the existing items to their fullest potential

- The dealer is highly-motivated to sell truck 2. I'm just sayin'. Something about that just makes me leery

 

[yacc]

As you continue comparisons, I'd ask the dealer the details of the PPF and tint.

What brand and thickness of PPF has been installed? The thickness of PPF is measured in mils, or thousandths of an inch. Something 8-10 mil would be welcome. If possible, study the truck from end-to-end and around the edges of the body panels, to gauge the quality of the installation. Ask about the warranty for the PPF. They should include a multi-year (8-10 years) warranty against defects as part of the installation.

PPF has a service life of up to 10 years, after which time it's expected to be removed and replaced.

I have two vehicles and am using PPF on both.

Ask the brand and type of tint installed. At the low end, there's tint that provides shade protection. Lower-quality materials can interfere with radio/cell signals. At the upper-end, ceramic tint will provide shade, block UV rays for heat mitigation while not interfering with radio signals. Check all the glass and the quality of the installation. Tacomas do come from the factory with dyed glass as standard. It's shaded glass, does not offer the properties tint does and is not considered tint.

Good Luck with purchase.

Edit,

For the screens, I have a 14" screen and like it. It's not huge or overwhelming. Seems right-sized for the dash layout. Using it with Android Auto is nice.

As others have mentioned, walk the lot, test drive each truck. I thought I knew what I wanted, but once at the dealer lot, driving, putting hands-on several trims, I changed my mind.

I lean towards truck one.

- The 14" screen is already integrated into the truck. That serves you now and could facilitate a sale later

- IDK about the PPF or tint install, the materials or quality of installation

- In the first truck, you can tailor it to your needs once settled in with it. The second truck might be great, but you could find better use in other products, or might not use the existing items to their fullest potential

- The dealer is highly-motivated to sell truck 2. I'm just sayin'. Something about that just makes me leery

Good points. The PPF is the port installed option, so it’s the same as any other trucks PPF for $849. The tint is done at the dealer and it is 3M brand.

I do agree that truck 2 has nothing I cannot add to truck 1, but it’s a wad of about $4k extra in options for essentially the same OTD price which is why I am considering it so strongly.

 

[bc510]

I went with truck one only because I knew I was going to customize the truck the way I wanted it. I’m not a pred step guy (not knocking em) and window tint is cheap and it’s only two windows anyways because back 3 are already tinted. PPF is a plus but not a deal breaker. The bigger screen inside the truck looks alot better in my opinion. I feel like the 8 inch screen is just to small with that big dash board. Truck one and build it out the way you want it

 

[yacc]

I went with truck one only because I knew I was going to customize the truck the way I wanted it. I’m not a pred step guy (not knocking em) and window tint is cheap and it’s only two windows anyways because back 3 are already tinted. PPF is a plus but not a deal breaker. The bigger screen inside the truck looks alot better in my opinion. I feel like the 8 inch screen is just to small with that big dash board. Truck one and build it out the way you want it

I am leaning the same way but it seems foolish to pass up so much extra stuff for the same money.

 

[maxx075]

The only thing worth considering on option #2 is the lift kit - provided it that it is the OE TRD lift kit and not some aftermarket kit. The window tint and ppf (even from factory) is going to be less superior to you going and getting it done yourself after the fact. Factory ppf is thin and not really worth the added cost when you can get a far better product from a reputable installer.

I would be more interested in if either of the two have the Offroad or Premium packages vs the few options you mentioned.

 

[yacc]

The only thing worth considering on option #2 is the lift kit - provided it that it is the OE TRD lift kit and not some aftermarket kit. The window tint and ppf (even from factory) is going to be less superior to you going and getting it done yourself after the fact. Factory ppf is thin and not really worth the added cost when you can get a far better product from a reputable installer.

I would be more interested in if either of the two have the Offroad or Premium packages vs the few options you mentioned.

It is the port installed TRD 2.5 lift kit, so covered under factory warranty. Neither truck contains the premium package.

 

[gofastdan]

I have the 8" screen and it works just fine. I really wanted the 14" display but only if it came as part of the premium package and Tacomas with the premium package were built of unobtanium when I was buying (early 2024). The real benefit comes when paired with the surround cameras, which only come with the premium package. I REALLY wanted those. IMHO the 14" is largely irrelevant if you don't have the cameras to go with them.

 

[aquaman67]

I have the “small” screen in my SR5. I was at the dealership today getting some wiper blade insets and sat in a Pro they had in the showroom.

I don’t need or even want the 14” screen. It looks massive to me.
I get some people like it

It’s really all what you’re used to I guess.

 

[FinallyErik]

There are a few third party companies making 14” displays that are plug and play. Volume adjustment relies on steering wheel.
Personally I’m good with my 8” screen. Maybe in 10 years when I still have the thing I’ll “upgrade” for a change of scenery but it’s not a priority for me

 

[NewtoToyota]

Really comes down to personal preference. I had a choice of vehicles and chose the one with the 14" screen because that was something I wanted. To me the 8" screen seemed too small.
What are you using the truck for? If it is mainly on road daily driving the screen may be something to lean towards.
If you regret getting the truck without the lift/tint.. well you can still get a lift and tint.
If you regret not getting the 14" screen... dealership will gladly sell you a new truck that has it

 

[Pappy]

I have the 14" screen and like it. I have no experience with the 8". I'm with some of the other comments. Get #1 with the larger screen, when make the truck what you want.

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