2011 trail to 2016 limited

S

sf jakey

New member
I know, and Ive read for a couple hours the threads. Im seriously considering this move but let me tell you why and if Im wrong. I hate cloth seats, the hvac in my trail SUCKS, I want seat heat/cool, I want auto headlights, I think the torsen will be better in the tahoe snow (if it ever snows again), the nosedive is irritating and dangerous when my wife drives. Here is what holds me back. Will I loose mpg going from part to full time? The 20" wheel look stupid and are useless off the road. I dont really care for the blingy chrome.

I assume the seats etc are all the same as my 2011, so comfort is not an issue.
I have yet to use any of the offroad features of the trail, except 4lo, so I doubt the limited would "limit" me.

Will I be satisfied with the on road handling of the limited vs the kdss trail?
What am I missing?
Thanks
 
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Sounds like you don't need the off-road capabilities of the trail, the limited is plenty capable. The only thing I wish I had from the trail is the better approach / departure, but only on a few occasions doing harder trails where I had to stack some rocks, not a big deal. Drop those 20s for some good 17s and you're all set. I love the creature comforts of the limited, especially the auto climate and smart key.
 
If you are basically happy with the current 4runner engine, trans and overall package but want more features you will be happy with the Limited. My 14 Limited with the xreas suspension actually handles very nice on twisty mountain roads. The Limited was the only choice for me as I like memory seat, auto temp and lights, full time 4x4 and all the other goodies it includes. I trimmed off that lower black plastic that hangs down in the front and made a few brackets to replace some of the supports that had to be removed. This helps approach angle some. I also added an RCI gas tank skid plate because the Limited just comes with a partial skid plate like all the older model SR5 and Limiteds had. I also have 17" wheels with BFG KO2 tires for off road use.
 
Not a big deal to black out all the blingy chrome and to swap out those 20" wheels for some 17's. Sounds like an swap would fit your needs very well. Go for it!
 
I rented an SR5 in California last month and got better mpg overall. I have to assume the ability to drive in 2wd results in better mpg. The limited does feel a bit heavier.... Full-time 4wd, 20" wheels, 3rd row seats etc probably are the cause. Great vehicle though.... Not looking forward to shelling out the cash for another one when the time comes. It's paid for... So I either drive it into the ground or trade it in at 5 years to take advantage of the great resale... But that means eating more depreciation and more up front cost. :'(
 
Dealer didn't have any Trail models in stock when I bought my Limited in 2012 so I can't compare the two handling wise. I was coming from an '05 Subaru Outback XT (AWD) and I was fully satisfied with the on-snow performance of the full time 4WD system in the Limited.

The truck has some nosedive (again, not sure if it is better or worse than the Trail's) but I don't think it's too bad. I'm pretty ambivalent to XREAS, maybe I just got used to it but I never really noticed it. I would have much rather the truck come with KDSS... but, trade-offs I guess.

After the first year I was able to coax the MPG up to ~20 driving in a lot of stop and go traffic. My Outback XT (4-Cyl Turbo) never did better than 19 MPG so I consider 20 to be amazing in a much larger, and heavier, truck.
 
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Have you considered a highlander? They're a bit more $ than a limited 4runner, but offer a lot of advantages if you're not really going offroad much. and 20-25mpg.

It'd be great if there was such a thing as a highlander atrac and crawl control. I think it would fit a lot of people's needs really well.
 
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Range said:
Can the lower panels on the Limited be removed to increase clearance?
Click to expand...

The only part that can be removed on the front easily is that goofy 1' wide plastic air vent that goes down to the front skid plate. There is not a section that can be easily removed like the pre 2014 4runners. The side skirts can re removed to make it like a trail that has been covered here many times.
 
My wife has a highlander. I need the 4Runner for towing a utility trailer and muddy trips into the duck club. I also got rid of an outback because it couldn't handle deep snow in Tahoe Donner so the highlander would be the same. I do use 4wd low and so some rocky off road stuff, but have yet to see the need for the other stuff the trail offers.
 
Man you sound like me. I bought a 15 limited swapped out the tires and and installed trail rockers and a set of nerf bars.

Truck drives great and gas mileage is 19 local and when I head up north to ride I get 22 which I'm very happy with.

I love this truck.
 
I've posted this before so I apologize for the repeat. But I wish Toyota made a 4Runner with the off road capabilities of the Trail (like KDSS) but with the comfort goodies of the Limited.

The only interior you can get in a trail premium is black. That's it. No choice. And that is ridiculous.

Other users suggested I get a Lexus or Range Rover. No thanks. I want the rugged capabilities and reliability of a 4Runner. But I want it my way and it doesn't exist.
 
I was thinking about a limited myself. How is it since the limited doesn't have KDSS but the trail does? I think the limited has a better or different suspension system though so idk which one wins. I wish I could get a damn limited with the look of the trail and kdss. I'd be a happy person. The limited looks a little bit more boxy too me... Is it possible, might be a dumb question. Has anybody put the front end of a trail on a limited?
 
Amirocassar said:
I was thinking about a limited myself. How is it since the limited doesn't have KDSS but the trail does? I think the limited has a better or different suspension system though so idk which one wins. I wish I could get a damn limited with the look of the trail and kdss. I'd be a happy person. The limited looks a little bit more boxy too me... Is it possible, might be a dumb question. Has anybody put the front end of a trail on a limited?
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Anything is possible with enough money. I think Harper7 put a Trail face on a limited, this was pre-refresh.
 
Personally I think the limited is awesome. If I had it to do all over again id buy a post refresh limited and build it from there.
 
Amirocassar said:
I was thinking about a limited myself. How is it since the limited doesn't have KDSS but the trail does? I think the limited has a better or different suspension system though so idk which one wins. I wish I could get a damn limited with the look of the trail and kdss. I'd be a happy person. The limited looks a little bit more boxy too me... Is it possible, might be a dumb question. Has anybody put the front end of a trail on a limited?
Click to expand...

It's something you'd need to drive back to back. In my opinion, KDSS is better on the road than XREAS that the limited has. I drove both back to back and that was my personal opinion. It may be different for what you like and your roads. If I could buy a Limited with KDSS I would have likely gone that route. The only version of that was a GX460, but it has its own downsides - like 15mpg in stock form. I've swapped to Fox 2.5 coilovers and combined with KDSS at stock ride height is something I'm really pleased with. The only downside is I'm at the absolute limit of the threads to get the Fox shocks down near stock height on the front. But it works. And rides great.

My last 4runner was a limited. I really would like to have the smart key, auto headlights, and limited interior. I don't mind the limited exterior. Possibly I like it better. Curios to see what it would look like with a hood scoop. I like fake hood scoops.

I think the next generation will add KDSS to the limited as a standard feature.
 
The Limited is nice if you want the creature comforts and nice ride/handling. The the the KDSS is a nice system also.
How many miles do you have on the trail? How much $ is it worth for you to have more creature comforts?
 
Amirocassar said:
I was thinking about a limited myself. How is it since the limited doesn't have KDSS but the trail does? I think the limited has a better or different suspension system though so idk which one wins. I wish I could get a damn limited with the look of the trail and kdss. I'd be a happy person. The limited looks a little bit more boxy too me... Is it possible, might be a dumb question. Has anybody put the front end of a trail on a limited?
Click to expand...

I'm sure the bean-counters ran every scenario possible to come up with what they're offering. I too wanted a Limited with KDSS and a center diff. Oh, and a diesel or a V8! And less chrome! So, I'm gonna live with the chrome and X-REAS and be happy...right after the 17" TRD rims are on. I wish I had been paying attention to all this nonsense when the GX470s were still being made. That might be "my" perfect SUV.
 
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