I replaced Xreas myself using Bilstein's and it wasn't difficult at all. I didn't bother reusing the top hat or springs in the front so the install was relatively fast since I didn't have to swap over parts. The Xreas fights you a little with all the lines and fluid so I just cut everything off and cleaned up the mess. Wasn't planning on saving any of it.

For what its worth, I love the Limited and all of it's features. We use it off road and it's just as capable for what we do. I got stuck once but had nothing to do with the vehicle and more to do with my stupidity trying to follow someone I shouldn't have been following!

I drove mine stock for close to 30K miles before I started modding and it's been close to 40K miles with my current set up. I still love it... +1 for the cooled seats too!

Agreed with getting the warranty as well. I didn't buy an extended warranty on mine, but got it certified pre-owned. The CPO covered bumped to bumper for 50k miles from purchase. My XREAS started leaking very little around 70k miles. Had it replaced free of charge (the receipt showed upwards of 4k for replacement). Haven't had any issues with it at all, and I'm right under 100k on the odometer now. Once the XREAS starts leaking, I'm going Bilstein.

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If you are buying used I would get a used Lexus GX460/470, it has awd like the limited.

The Limited is fantastic… the 4WD/AWD system is the main reason I went with it over any of the other trims. It has more track record / history for reliability than the rest. That style of system has been used in the Land Cruiser, GX, and older generation 4Runners for much longer than what they are using in the SR5/Trail/Pro models now.

I really wish they kept that as more of a standard option as they did in the past because it just makes the overall package more versatile. That said, my absolute favorite is what they did in the v6 4th gens because you still had the option to use 2WD in addition to 4WD (locked center) or AWD (unlocked center).

XREAS I think is awesome in a city centric truck… for an SUV it corners well and stays pretty flat through turns. In the years to follow chances are you will need to replace it down the road if it ever leaks or wears out but this was a routine procedure in 4th gens and really not that big of a deal. I didn’t even have XREAS in my 4th gen and ended up changing my OE shocks anyway due to age. Its one in the same as far as I am a concerned.

I'm really only going to repeat what others have said, but I enjoy my LE. 82k on it and no issues yet.

1) No known issues with the AWD/Torsen center diff. Not sure I've ever read any issues on this either.
2) XREAS offers nice on road handling, but is $$$ to replace. You'll replace with a different option (you can get King OEM for the same price, FWIW) unless you get it replaced under warranty.
3a) Wheels and tires--you *can* get better tires for the LE's 20s, but they'll be thin, so you may want to swap for 17s and get a better selection of tires. The standard HTs on the LE 20s are great for highway driving but like wearing slippers in mud so I don't recommend keeping them.
3b) The LE looks like an LE, it's a love/hate thing
3c) Creature comforts. if you like them, the LE has more. for instance, i like the redwood/brown seats.

I'm in the exact same boat. Currently the wife has a 4th gen v8 Limited and she loves it. But, it's getting a bit old so we should start planning on a replacement. No rush, but we've been talking about it.

I have 5th gen SR5 i bought new a year ago and I thought I could give her the SR5 and just grab something cool for myself (GX 460 or so) but I realized she wouldn't have the center locking diff / AWD anymore. So, expecting her to figure out 4hi under less than ideal circumstances and within a certain speed range is asking too much. It requires a fair bit of forward planning esp if you're hitting city/highway mix during each commute.

So, giving her my SR5 is out of the question for that reason. Looks like she'll be getting the GX 460 and I'll have to live vicariously through her after I lift it and jazz it up a bit. I've always wanted one but should have thought a little further ahead lol I really wanted RWD though so I could do donuts in the snow lol


1) Pros? Cons? Does the full-time 4wd system have any reliability issues?
Cons.... no RWD so no donuts? The center locking diff has no known/common issues. Just throw the thing into 4hi whenever you get a chance i.e. once a month for 10 minutes and don't drive on dry roads or go to full articulation to keep things lubricated.

2) The Limited will come with Xreas, correct? Any issues with Xreas?
Yep. No known issues more than any other shock/strut set up. Easy to replace with bilsteins. Anybody with a lefted 4th gen has removed their xreas so it's a common mod.

3) Are there any other differences I should know about before making the switch.
I don't think you can turn the stability control off on the limiteds which makes donuts reaaaaaaally impossible. Have you considered a lexus gx 460? haha it's got a lot of bells and whistles and is in a similar price range of the a lightly used limited.

I really do like my 4Runner… but if I could do it over again I would have bought a GX 460 instead for how I am currently using the Limited.

At the time (2016) and perhaps still now… I think it was the lack of off-road aftermarket support for the 460 that landed me into another 4Runner.

My long term plan was that I would build up the 5th gen as it got older as a replacement to my 4th gen which is what I am currently using as my dedicated off-roader. At this point it feels like I did some future planning for something that may never happen because I would probably ditch the 5th before the 4th gen. My 4th gen is still in great working order and I don’t really see it going away anytime soon and love using it off-road.

In addition to that… at least if I am being honest with myself, I am a lot more comfortable and willing to beating on an older less expensive SUV than something more expensive. Most of my decision to get a 4Runner over a GX was based on something that might not happen now. In hindsight the GX was the right choice.

I too love my Limited, I had a 2005 SR5 before it so its a huge upgrade. I would have gotten a TRD-OR but scored my 2015 three years ago for $25k so there was just no beating that. I really like the air conditioned seats and the touch activated door locks.

The statement about the tire diameter is really only applicable to vehicles with AWD systems like Subarus have. They are much more sensitive to tire diameter variations than the AWD system the 4Runner has.

Don't believe me? My 06 V8 Limited with the same AWD system has 181k on it with no issues. I bought it at 160k with 4 mismatched tread wear tires. Looked like one was nearly new, and one wouldn't have passed inspection. No telling how long it had been like that for before I bought it. I'm guessing awhile based on the rough condition of the truck when I bought it. PO did not baby it, that's for sure. But in the 18k miles I put on it before swapping to bigger tires I didn't have the slightest issue or noise. You most definitely do NOT have to replace all at the same time. Would it be wise to? Yes, but it's not necessary for the truck to function well.

1. The AWD system is the same as the V8 4th gens to my knowledge (torsen style diff). Mine has gone 181k so far with 0 issues. Extremely reliable overall. Makes it very confidence inspiring to drive in inclement weather. Also I like the fact that even with a V8 I wasn't able to chirp tires on road because of this system. Great traction.

2. XREAS will most likely go bad before 150k. Most simply swap with an aftermarket brand like bilstein when that happens though. However most lift their trucks before 150k anyways, so not sure how much that will matter because you'll be swapping suspension when doing the lift anyways.

3. not sure tbh

Thank you so much everyone. Very helpful thread!

Any other input on this? Is there anything in the manual about matching tire diameter? I believe Subaru states in the manual that tire diameter must be the same.

Sounds like Xreas will need to be replaced eventually. Not too big of a deal, but good to know before I buy.

Several have mentioned gx460. I would be open to that, but they are a little more expensive for pretty much the same truck. (My wife doesn't need the V8.)

You can’t have a gross mismatch in size in tire size in these trucks either… it matters but there is still some allowance. I forgot the actual figures but it’s something along the lines for 2-3%? Someone else can confirm it.

Either way, in AWD find my tires wear pretty evenly, but I still keep up with rotations. It’s not that big of a deal. What matters most is that you have a matching spare, which you do.

I live in Michigan so the full time 4WD is great. I have no idea how often my front wheels come into play while driving in the snow or when I go off the paved roads. But I know the vehicle is stable and confident in those conditions.

Having said that, I notice a significant difference when I actually lock my differential and put it in 4WD. So in my experience, the full time 4WD is more like 4WD Lite. It’s a huge convenience when it starts snowing or the road takes me to some muddy terrain, but it’s not a substitute for true 4WD.

I have 125K on mine and I’m thinking about getting a newer TRD Pro or ORP. But the convenience and confidence of full time 4WD is definitely a huge consideration.

Hope this helps a bit.

Ah yes. Can you Limited people confirm/deny this?

I like being able to turn everything off, during a snowstorm, in an open parking lot, ok yes, i like donuts okay! You can turn everything off in the SR5 and slip around

If you want to do donuts in an outback, you have to pull the ABS fuse. Not convienient.

My wife's cousin had an SR5. They were in 2wd hit some black ice on the interstate (going ~50mph) and had a horrible crash. She said she had zero time to react and the truck was "instantly sideways." The truck hit the median, rolled twice, and landed on the road with cars coming at them. They were ok, just bumps and bruises, but the 4runner was totaled. VERY scary.

That got me thinking, what if she was in a limited with full-time 4wd? I realize it is impossible to know the answer, but I bet she would have been better off in the limited. Maybe she wouldn't have slipped at all.

I know the limited is more expensive, (and trust me, i definitely don't want to spend more money on a vehicle) but if the limited could save a crash, OR A LIFE, then that extra couple thousand dollars is nothing.

Am I wrong?