Hey Everyone,
I'm in the market for my first 4runner and after doing extensive research on this site and others I have narrowed it down to two possibly three choices.

1. 2009 Limited
2. 2010 SR5
3. and year Trail Edition (if possible to find with low miles/low price)

I don't do any crazy off roading, just fire roads and back country camping trips. Mainly surf/camp/explore. I plan on buying a low mileage 4runner and having it for the next 200k miles of its life. I'm not afraid to tackle mods and I have checked out everyone of Antman's mods (extremely impressed!).

I need your help to finally choose my new ride.

My must haves are: 4x4 and sunroof.
Nice to haves would be: back up camera, dual climate control, power everything, heated seats, etc.

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts would be between the 2009 limited and the 2010 sr5. It seems like the 2010sr5 has a lot of the options that the 2009 limited has.

I do not think that I would like to have a AWD 4runner like the '10 limited, but I like the little "luxuries" that the limited comes with.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

You're actually talking about two very different vehicles. The '09 would be the last year of the 4th gen, the '10 would be the first year of the 5th gen. While they share the same name, they are different from each other in many ways.

The '09 would have been available with a 4.0l V6 or a 4.7l V8. The V6 on the '09 is less powerful than the 4.0 in the '10. Some people think all V8s were limiteds or all Limited were V8's but that's not true. You can find both V6 and V8 limited and SR5s. Limiteds get leather seats and dual-zone climate control. Every limited I've seen also has a sunroof, but I don't know if that's always the case. The 4wd system on the 4th gen is not dependent on the trim level, it's dependent on which engine was in it. The V8 would have full-time 4wd and the V6 would have "multi-mode" 4wd which is basically full time 4wd when you want it and 2wd when you don't. All 4th gen 4wd models have a locking center differential.

Some 4th gens came from the factory with a small 3rd row seat, but I don't know what years this was available.

A '10 Limited would have the more powerful 4.0 V6 and full time 4wd, while an SR5 would have part time 4wd with no full time option (that is, no multi-mode, as this feature was deleted from the 5th gen.) A '10 SR5 would also have an actual T-case lever vs the dial/electronic switch that the '09 would have. The '10 Limited has a dial to select between 4hi and 4lo. The limited has a locking center differential, the SR5 does not.

Either the '09 or '10 would be available as a TE (Trail Edition.) The '09 TE is considered by some to be the "holy grail" vehicle because it has the 4th gen features like multi mode 4wd but also the E-locker of the TE, which was not available in any other 4th gen 4runner. I believe the TE also has the hood scoop of the "Sport", but I'm not 100% sure of that.

AFAIK both the 4th and 5th gens would have the 5 speed automatic. I don't know if the transmission is the same, but I assume it is.

Those are the biggest differences between the '09 and the '10.

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebroc...09_4runner.pdf

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebroc...10_4runner.pdf

[QUOTE=Martinjmpr;1604572]You're actually talking about two very different vehicles. The '09 would be the last year of the 4th gen, the '10 would be the first year of the 5th gen. While they share the same name, they are different from each other in many ways.

X2 here my daily driver is a 08 4th gen SR5 4x4 love it but big but!!! My wife's daily driver is the 11 trail KDSS Nav JBL audio slide out rear cargo tray and I must say evertime I drive it the thing makes me sick to get back in my 08 haha.
To me first thing you will drastically notice is cab ride height to me anyway I feel 2 feet taller in the 11 than in the 08. Honestly I run both of them like I stole them getting on and off the interstate ,snow and small trails like you said not a rock crawler or mudd bogger don't like putting daily driver in those types of break it and walk home situations. Reason I mention that is I can't tell a huge difference in the 08 235hp and the 11's 285 hp. Now the 11 has that Eco mode stuff and taking it off adds to the pick up and drops the mpg of course. I like having the sport shift in the 11 here in WV. We've been getting more than usual snow that's actually sticking covering roads for a couple days it's nice to be in 4H and rarely have to touch the break when you can just downshift slow down and control decent speed etc... I've been driving 4x4 toyotas for going on 20 years(damn I'm getting old) had everything from taco's a FJ cruiser (miss that one everyday!) and now on my 5th 4runner 2 3rd gens 2 4th gens and the one 5th gen guess what I'm saying is every year they make these awesome toyotas better if I had to choose I would buy a 5th gen trail edition again in a second bought ours brand new buddy at dealer said here take it for a drive I said no need let's sign these papers so I don't have to come back! Best thing to me about the 11 is the manual in/out 4x4 shifter like the old ones they still have the rear locker all kinds a 4wheel drive crazy gadets that sound like the thing is popping and cracking apart when using same as 08 if you would engage the DAC. That's stuffs all the perks only time I used it was to try it out cruise control 4wheel drive is weird !! Good luck on the hunt either way you go you will be a happy yota fan !

Go online to Findlaytoyota.com they have 2 2012 , both 4x4 low miles . TE has only 12k I think & other has 30K both black

Thought a little frontal action might help

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm def leaning towards the 5th gen trail. The only thing holding me back right now is the price. I can buy a 4th gen with 50k miles for 15k, or I found a 5th gen trail with 40k for 25k. Just wondering if the extra 10k is really worth it. I know its all a matter of opinion, but I just keep thinking of everything else I can do with that extra 10k in my pocket.

I'll keep you guys updated on which one I end up with. Def a t4r, these trucks are awesome!

Either way you can't go wrong and will have a awesome 4runner good luck with the purchase !