Yes I've had a highlander. If you want to go on more than graded dirt roads or gravel paths, you'll need a more capable vehicle. If you are only planning on maintained dirt roads, a highlander would suit your needs. I was really only thinking you wanted to back to campsites, boat launches and trail heads. If you think you may want to do anything moderate or more, a real 4wd is what you want. It just isn't going to drive/feel like a car, because it is a body on frame truck... A capable car like the highlander, jeep grand Cherokee etc, will go most places most people want to go, but not where most people in this forum go...

Haha that already sounds overwhelming for me to tackle alone. I would have to contact a shop for all of that. But I can keep your list and do some research. It seems I really won't be needing any serious modifications while starting off, but as I get more and more into off-roading I can see what I need to modify and your list would be a good start. Thanks. You said something about a rear locking differential, is that not included in the 5th gen SR5s?

Yeah I'm starting to think that SR5 is for me also. And I've been looking more and more at the 5th gens and I'm not really liking the '14 facelift. So I could probably find a used SR5 which would be even cheaper.

Rear locker is TE only. You'll have ATRAC that tries to simulate that, and it works pretty well for what it is.

Well I do hope to slowly get more technical so I guess the SR5 is for me. I'm thinking over time as I get more comfortable with my truck and start to hit more roads I could start modifying to hit better roads. My mind is pretty much made up now SR5 it is.

I am starting to wish I got a Limited now.... Love the SR5 but wish it had more luxury features and I want the awd now since I've been going to the beach a lot more then I thought I would have. LOL 4x4 would still be too much for me. Can't really complain since I got a hella deal on my SR5.

I've been looking at used SR5s and it seems most of the ones available are also missing a lot if luxury features, but I'm really only looking for a moonroof. I've read threads about how to change out that single din radio to a double din nav that will include Bluetooth, and how to change out the sound system. I've also found Katzkins to get leather seating. As far as interior I think I'd be happy with just those 3. So the SR5 sounds like a good start for me. I really was only worried about missing out on mechanical parts that will affect the actual ride, but from the looks of it I can add anything I want as time goes by. Maybe a few years down the line I can go for a TE, or whatever version of it they have later.

Coming from a tacoma...i've had 3 actually (09 sr5, 13 sr5, 14 TRD OR)...You'd want the TRD Offroad due to the progressive springs, rear locker, skid plates and atrac.

TRD sport does not have atrac, skidplates or a locker (hence the sport, ie. on road performance), it is equally as capable as a sr5 in the offroad sense. You can do the yellow wire mod and simulate atrac but it does not respond as quick. It will get you out of a pinch if you have a wheel off the ground that is spinning. Don't let anyone steer your wrong, the tacoma is a beast offroad even in sr5 trim. I wouldn't hesitate to say its the most capable truck you can drive straight off the lot. The tacoma is in its final stages for this generation(3rd-05-15) and should be redesigned next year ('16), the truck is aging and lacks a lot of features you find in more recently designed trucks.

I upgraded to the 4runner due to being able to keep all my stuff dry and not stolen in addition to many more creature comforts and a better ride. I went with the sr5 because i never used my rear locker (didn't need it) and only used atrac once. The sr5 4runner has atrac so the loss of the locker was null to me. I chose the premium package (leather,navigation, homelink, turn signal/puddle light mirrors, sunroof etc) over the trail because on a daily basis i will get more use out of it. So its all in what you want or think you'll need.

I bought a TE Premium for work. Premium for the vinyl seats, so they wouldn't get destroyed by dirt & grease from people's clothes. But I was set on the TE for the simple reason that the 4WD is controlled by a simple mechanical shifter, not a knob running a solenoid. Solenoids go bad for any reason or no reason, and the price of the repair according to Shopkey approaches $2K ($1K alone for the solenoid which is, of course, proprietary Toyota). Any legitimate trans shop can resolve all but the most disastrous problems with a manual 4WD transfer case for a lot less. And when you throw the shifter into 4WD, you get 4WD. The SR5 does not have true 4WD, and you never know if that solenoid is gonna work when you need it. As far as upgrades, I bought the car in the beginning of August and proceeded to put 3,000 miles/month on it through October, at least 95% of which was on many of the worst roads in the 5 boroughs of NYC. Imagine driving off road 100 miles/day every day. Not a single problem. The single best vehicle I have ever driven in NYC, and I've driven many. Unless you're planning on entering the Baja1000, the TE will have you covered.

the best way to save yourself some serious money is DO NOT MAKE YOUR DEAL AT THE DEALERSHIP. contact the Internet Sales Department at several dealers in your area and work them against one another (on similarly spec'd vehicles) to get the best price possible.

you'll save a bundle and feel all the better about getting the vehicle you really want... whichever that is.

ps: after you've made your deal, you should have your financing all squared for payment—specify that you don't want to spend any time in the F&I guy's office; this is where they will try to make something back on the excellent price you've pre-negotiated. tell them when you go in to pick up your new wheels you don't want a feature walk-through; just sign your papers and drive away.

2014+ 4runners are almost the same now. all 4runners now have the same skid plates. The Sr5 and TE share the same rocker covers now. the only difference that really matters is the E-diff lock, and KDSS, (the crawl control and everything is pointless IMO).

The reason we went with the SR5 over the trail is that..
1- The sticker price was 5.5k less than a trail with the same interior options
2- Getting KDSS is pointless if you are going to lift it, and the ride quality wasn't that noticeable different, if any at all than TE vs SR5
3- ARB makes a front and rear AIR LOCKER kit that is only $1600 when its on sale
4- Wheels, who care when you are going to probably replace them down the road, and we like the look of the SR5 wheels.
5- bumpers are the same(besides the pointless silver trim on the lower bumper)
6- And we have a 3rd row for soccer practices(the pull out tray we think is pointless, just a gizmo to widen peoples eyes and think its cool, we looked at it, tested it, and decided it just takes up room)
7- approach, departure, and ground clearance is the same.


so for 5.5k you are paying for a locker and a slide out tray. for 5.5k we have got Front and rear lockers(not ordered yet), a lift, sliders, building my own rack, tires, a trailer, my wifes 4wheeler, and a lot of camping gear.

yes I don't wheel it every weekend, and it sees pavement 95% of the time, but it has seen the trail more than most of the TE 4runners that I see around here.

just my .02 cents, I see a lot of people throw in the air they have a TE premium and its way better, possibly the 10-13's, but now the gap is narrowed, and your only buying a badge.

The TE is a great rig, but your analysis is not quite correct. Shifting from 2WD to 4WD is a two part process:
1. Shifting the transfer case from 2W to 4W
2. Engaging the front differential
The TE shifter mechanically shifts the transfer case, but the front axle is engaged electronically. In ancient times, engaging a front differential used to be done manually. Remember the days of "locking the hubs"?

As far as "true 4WD" vs. ????. I have no idea what that means.

For a better reference, see Harper7's explanation:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1207583-post12.html