2011 LE to trade for 2014 Trail/2015 TRD Pro or build?

[Nomad Syndrome]

Need some opinions. I have a 2011 LE, that we replaced a 2011 FJ Cruiser with. I loved the FJ off-road abilities as it was set with ATRAC and a rear locker, my wife wanted a 3rd row - the 2011 LE ended up being the compromise.

I have done some serious wheeling with the FJ, but not the 4R yet. I was going to build it as such - replace the 20" with 17" rims (already purchased 5 Toyota 17x7.5" for $150), some 285/70R17 All Terrain Tires, rock sliders, and a suspension consisting of Metal Tech Long Travel rear setup with either Radflo or Icon up front. Maybe down the road: front and rear ARB lockers, beefier skid-plates, tube bumpers. Kind of like harper7's build.

I've driven the KDSS equipped Trail edition and I like the way it handled both on and off road. My question is three-fold. Can I build a suspension that will handle better on and off-road than KDSS offers? I realize with the Metal Tech I'd have to remove the rear anti-sway bar. How badly will that affect the on road driving? Lastly - Is it worth trading in for a TE or a TRD Pro when it comes out? (realizing I will lose the 3rd row, and the premium stereo)

I wish Toyota, would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Considering what you're planning on upgrading, I would not bother trading in. Below is my $0.2
1. You can put together a suspension that is the = or better than KDSS, but it will most likely be weighted towards off road performance as opposed to on road driving.
2. Removing a sway bar will effect on road performance - they are there for a reason, and a major reason that KDSS fees better on road.
3. I have no idea how you paid for your 4Runner, but if you financed it, then you are most likely over half way done paying for it. Why buy your self another 5 years of payments and take a loss on the Ltd, when you could throw a couple of grand at what you have and end up with a better performer than what you would buy new?
4. Do you really want to buy a brand new vehicle, mod it and immedeatly take it into the same spots that you took your FJ? I though I was going to do that.....didn't happen. Not when I have years yet to pay, and the vehicles value is always in the back of my mind.
5. Building off earlier points, you already have a vehicle that can be made super capable, has miles and is no longer new. Instead of taking a hit on trade in, a hit on buying a new vehicle and yet another hit on modifying said new vehicle, just mod what you already have. The Ltd does not have to be a compromise, instead just take all the monies you would have wasted on the above and put it towards making her a badass.
6. After you mod your Runner, if you still don't like it, you can always take all of the mods off and put them on a new Trail. It's close to a win win.

 

[buchaja]

If your wife wanted the third row, how are you even considering getting rid of your LE and into another runner without it?

 

[1engineer]

My question is three-fold.
Can I build a suspension that will handle better on and off-road than KDSS offers?

No. You can build a better on road suspension OR a better off road suspension but you can't build a better "compromise" suspension with the same ride quality than Toyota did.

I realize with the Metal Tech I'd have to remove the rear anti-sway bar. How badly will that affect the on road driving?

A lot, unless you put a lot heavier springs in there to compensate for the lack of sway bar. Heavier springs mean sucky ride quality unless you are compensating for skids and bumpers with that heavier spring rate. When you add the weight though with the heavier spring trying to get any semblance of ride quality then you are back to square 1. See what I mean?

Lastly - Is it worth trading in for a TE or a TRD Pro when it comes out? (realizing I will lose the 3rd row, and the premium stereo)

It makes ZERO financial sense and it is almost impossible to justify logically. Believe me I have tried. Passion is the key here.

I wish Toyota, would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

That's just silly. They would sell exactly one of them - to you.

 

[Ryan1975]

I'm debating trading my 2012 TE for a TRD Pro - A lot to consider, unsure if I'm ready to trade one vehicle for another that's so similar.

I am ready to identify the three hard options I have and accept no other options:

Option 1) Trade 2012 TE for 2015 TRD Pro
Option 2) Retain 2012 TE and rework a few key areas
Option 3) (radical) Trade 2012 TE for Colorado LTZ (Allows for 4Wheel Camper)

 

[st8rocks]

Option 3) (radical) Trade 2012 TE for Colorado LTZ (Allows for 4Wheel Camper)

Who in the right mind would buy a GM??

 

[Ryan1975]

Who in the right mind would buy a GM??

Me.

Though I own Toy/Ford now.

 

[st8rocks]

Me.

Sweet codpiece.

 

[dhampir]

I wish Toyota would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

I wish Toyota put full time 4wd on the TE. :moping:

 

[Ryan1975]

I wish Toyota put full time 4wd on the TE. :moping:

No. I had that in my 2008 Sport - not fun at all.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I wish Toyota put full time 4wd on the TE. :moping:

Funny, I wish Toyota would give me a selectable part time tcase in my LE..... with a real shifter.

 

[2014 Warthog]

My kingdom for a real t-case shifter!!!

 

[1engineer]

I wish Toyota put full time 4wd on the TE. :moping:

Funny, I wish Toyota would give me a selectable part time tcase in my LE..... with a real shifter.

Well,


I wish I was little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a six four Impala

I wish, I had a brand-new car
So far, I got this hatchback
And everywhere I go, yo I gets laughed at
And when I'm in my car, I'm laid back
I got an 8-track and a spare tire in the backseat
But that's flat


Just sayin'

 

[Madoublet24]

Well,


I wish I was little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a six four Impala

I wish, I had a brand-new car
So far, I got this hatchback
And everywhere I go, yo I gets laughed at
And when I'm in my car, I'm laid back
I got an 8-track and a spare tire in the backseat
But that's flat



Just sayin'

Dang, 90s flash back, well played :clap2:

 

[Nomad Syndrome]

I wish Toyota, would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

That's just silly. They would sell exactly one of them - to you.

Would it have been really that hard for them to have both of these as an option?

 

[Nomad Syndrome]

I wish Toyota put full time 4wd on the TE. :moping:

Why?

 

[Antman]

I wish I was a baller
Just sayin'

Glad I finally got that in writing...

 

[1engineer]

Glad I finally got that in writing...

Context Jeff, context!

 

[bimrunner]

Need some opinions. I have a 2011 LE, that we replaced a 2011 FJ Cruiser with. I loved the FJ off-road abilities as it was set with ATRAC and a rear locker, my wife wanted a 3rd row - the 2011 LE ended up being the compromise.

I have done some serious wheeling with the FJ, but not the 4R yet. I was going to build it as such - replace the 20" with 17" rims (already purchased 5 Toyota 17x7.5" for $150), some 285/70R17 All Terrain Tires, rock sliders, and a suspension consisting of Metal Tech Long Travel rear setup with either Radflo or Icon up front. Maybe down the road: front and rear ARB lockers, beefier skid-plates, tube bumpers. Kind of like harper7's build.

I've driven the KDSS equipped Trail edition and I like the way it handled both on and off road. My question is three-fold. Can I build a suspension that will handle better on and off-road than KDSS offers? I realize with the Metal Tech I'd have to remove the rear anti-sway bar. How badly will that affect the on road driving? Lastly - Is it worth trading in for a TE or a TRD Pro when it comes out? (realizing I will lose the 3rd row, and the premium stereo)

I wish Toyota, would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

I am more than happy with my setup. I will not be trading my LE any time soon and can do plenty of difficult trails if your LE is setup correctly. You will not gain anything by trading except a lighter wallet and new paint to scratch. I do not mind how it drives without the sway bars. I did notice however. The wife hasn't said anything, but then again she has always thought my rig drove "worse" than her car... Guess who doesn't really care if she likes the way it drives?! :fish:

If you go for the listed items you would mod with, your LE will be able to go more places than a stock TE/Pro. JMHO

 

[sandcrawler]

I wish Toyota, would have put KDSS on the Limited, or offer a premium sound system and 3rd row with the TE/Trd Pro.

Would it have been really that hard for them to have both of these as an option?

Toyota made the right decisions there, if you ask me: LE gets XREAS suspension for the more cushy, car-like ride; TE gets KDSS for best of both on-road feel and off-road flex. same rationale behind dead-simple Torsen diff in LE and part-time lever-actuated transfer case in TE; buyer profile.

3rd row is for family-hauler—not the Trail Edition. my TE has the "premium 15-speaker" JBL sound system, and if i'm not mistaken upgraded audio is still an option for the premium TE, so nothing to gripe about there.

i understand your frustration—A "Build Your Own" Toyota does not mean à la carte options—but unfortunately your wants/needs fall outside the 99% "The Toyota Way" aims for. welcome to the 1%!