2011 trail to 2016 limited

Go and buy Limited! I switched from 2012 SR5 Premium to the new Limited about a month ago. Installed OEM mudflaps,WeatherTech liners, AVS bug deflector and 17" TRD Pro wheels. That's all what I need at this point, still have to do something about crappy lights. I am very happy with the comfort ride, mixed mileage is about 18.5-19, and about 21.5-22.5 on highway.
To my surprise-voice recognition worked better on my old SR5. This is the only one complain so far (almost forgot that I had to remove and transfer roofrack crossbars and cargo cover, because my 40K+ Limited did not come with them, lol)
 
Not trying to sell you into a new Trail but FWIW the softex seats on the new premium are more comfortable than the cloth are IMO. Never driven a LTD but I know KDSS handles great, 20" tires on the LTD may be comparable but if you put 17" on a LTD and you're coming from KDSS... you'll gripe about that. I gotta say that I like the front end styling of the new LTD compare to the new Trail though, and ctr diff sure would be nice. Best of luck in your decision.
 
I'm a big fan of the SR5 Premium. Imo it's the best value. But the Limited does have some features that are nice, I just couldn't justify the price jump.
 
New to the forum, but here is my perspective. I bought a 16 limited 4wd yesterday for my wife, I drive a tundra. If the 4Runner were for me it would have been a trail premium. The extras on the limited were what she wanted, I couldn't go that fancy and feel good about throwing all my fishing gear in it and scratching it up on trails. She is good commuting to work and the grocery store in the limited. I am anxious to see how that full time 4wd does first snow.
 
Full-time four-wheel-drive would be convenient for sure. If I were you I would at least wait until we get a glimpse of what the 17s look like and offer. Limiteds and SR5's are a dime a dozen around here, an early fifth GEN trail is cool man
 
Amirocassar said:
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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Done. Swapped my front SR5 (which is essentially the same as the trail) with [MENTION=107460]Magnetic4R[/MENTION] limited front end. We're both very happy. All necessary components transferred right over. Check out his profile. Should have some before and after pics.
 
I looked at the Limited briefly because I wanted the leather seats and wood trimmed dash. But I don't need all the other automatic features. What do we need remote start for here in California? It just doesn't get cold enough to need to start the car before going outside.
I think the low hanging body trim on the Limited is a snow pusher in front and much more exposed to rocks on rough trails. I need rock sliders on my vehicle for the rocky roads in the desert and local mountains. To have those on the Limited requires removing the body trim. The approach and departure angles are better on the Trail.
I chose the Trail Edition and took a pass on the Softex upholstery that comes with the Premium. The Softex looks good and seems durable but I didn't want the sunroof that comes on the Premium and all the other extra accessories they push onto these models to drive up the price. I ordered my basic TE with no accessories. I skipped the overpriced floor mats and purchased WeatherTech mats. I'll replace the roof rack with a Baja Rack. The cargo tray is a space eater and I don't need a 3rd row of seats. In fact, I removed the back seats to have more cargo space on a Labor Day weekend trip and haven't put them back in yet.
Good luck with your choice. For getting muddy and going hunting/fishing on dirt roads the Limited may work for you. Consider the Trail with aftermarket seat covers or reupholstering the seats for less cost than a Limited.
 
1000MPH said:
Full-time four-wheel-drive would be convenient for sure. If I were you I would at least wait until we get a glimpse of what the 17s look like and offer. Limiteds and SR5's are a dime a dozen around here, an early fifth GEN trail is cool man
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[MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] A dime a dozen? I'd never considered 4Runners as stocking stuffers before, but I'm reconsidering ...
 
Just a follow up. If I could have a limited without the 3rd row and still get the fold flat rear seats I have in my Trail, I would make the change. As it is, the Limited doesnt give me the versatility cargo wise I want.
 
sf jakey said:
Just a follow up. If I could have a limited without the 3rd row and still get the fold flat rear seats I have in my Trail, I would make the change. As it is, the Limited doesnt give me the versatility cargo wise I want.
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My limited doesnt have a 3rd row and the rear seats fold flat. In Denver the 3rd row seats were rare to find in any trim level. AWD was the big motivation for me.
 
All wheel drive vs 4 wheel high

Everyone keeps touting the all-wheel drive. I have that in my 1995 Jeep and it drives real nice on ice and snow at highway speeds. For snow I think you can put the Trail in 4 wheel high so I don't see the difference. The Limited has a limited slip transfer case, or center differential. It throws torque to the axle that needs it. With the Trail in 4 wheel high I believe it locks both front and rear axles with equal torque. Is that right?
What's the difference or advantage of all wheel drive on the Limited?
 
DesertCanyons said:
Everyone keeps touting the all-wheel drive. I have that in my 1995 Jeep and it drives real nice on ice and snow at highway speeds. For snow I think you can put the Trail in 4 wheel high so I don't see the difference. The Limited has a limited slip transfer case, or center differential. It throws torque to the axle that needs it. With the Trail in 4 wheel high I believe it locks both front and rear axles with equal torque. Is that right?
What's the difference or advantage of all wheel drive on the Limited?
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Correct, and the advantage here in Colorado is that you can go from dry pavement to snow packed roads back to dry pavement in like 100 yards. In most snows you also get better traction around corners since it's a 40/60 split in torque I believe, better cornering than 50/50.
 
DesertCanyons said:
Everyone keeps touting the all-wheel drive. I have that in my 1995 Jeep and it drives real nice on ice and snow at highway speeds. For snow I think you can put the Trail in 4 wheel high so I don't see the difference. The Limited has a limited slip transfer case, or center differential. It throws torque to the axle that needs it. With the Trail in 4 wheel high I believe it locks both front and rear axles with equal torque. Is that right?
What's the difference or advantage of all wheel drive on the Limited?
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The biggest advantage that I'm anticipating is in urban environments in winter when you need to make constant tight 90° turns at intersections and some roads are solid packed 6" deep snow and ice, and some stretches are bone dry. Having to make super tight turns in 4Hi when it's dry is basically out of the question, as far as I'm aware. You'd have to be switching 4Hi to 2Hi literally every block in some cities, depending on how little they care about plowing/salting.

That's what I face every winter, so it's what guided my decision. I'm okay with spending more money initially, and long-term for fuel if it means greater convenience every winter. Personal choice, but that's my rationale.
 
If I had it to do over again, I think I'd seriously look at a Limited, too. Now that I have the Trail, I miss the full-time 4WD I had in the Cruiser. We drive forest roads constantly and I miss how the Cruiser handled on them versus the Trail. I guess I just need to get used to constantly throwing it into 4Hi to get an approximation.
 
Went from a 2011 Limited 2-Wheel Drive (I know, it was tough to find) to a 2014 TEP. Love the Trail. Only things I miss from the LTD are the smart keyless start and AUTO A/C. Can do without everything else and actually like it that way. I hate auto headlights; and personally, with two very young kids, I prefer the Softex over real leather. After 1.5 years, it's showing zero wear so far. Being in TX, would have liked cooled-seats for our summers, but I think I'll survive. We only have about about 2 rounds a year for ice and snow, so shifting into/out of 4HI is no biggie. Full Time AWD is great, but I really just don't need it here. Just wanted something 4WD capable for the few times necessary. KDSS is nice too. Can't tell ya if it's better than the Xreas from my LTD or not, really can't remember anymore.
 
bloodninja said:
The biggest advantage that I'm anticipating is in urban environments in winter when you need to make constant tight 90° turns at intersections and some roads are solid packed 6" deep snow and ice, and some stretches are bone dry. Having to make super tight turns in 4Hi when it's dry is basically out of the question, as far as I'm aware. You'd have to be switching 4Hi to 2Hi literally every block in some cities, depending on how little they care about plowing/salting.

That's what I face every winter, so it's what guided my decision. I'm okay with spending more money initially, and long-term for fuel if it means greater convenience every winter. Personal choice, but that's my rationale.
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If there is any kind of snow, melt, moisture on the ground, making a 90 degree turn with 4hi engaged (on the trail) is not really a big deal....it's really making sharp turns on dry pavement that you should try to avoid.

I've been able to handle my trail's 4wd system just fine and I'm definitely not switching between 4hi and 2hi every block. Unlike the limited, the trail's 4wd requires common sense on the driver's part and should only be engaged when you anticipate limited-traction situations/surfaces.
 
Dalko43 said:
If there is any kind of snow, melt, moisture on the ground, making a 90 degree turn with 4hi engaged (on the trail) is not really a big deal....it's really making sharp turns on dry pavement that you should try to avoid.

I've been able to handle my trail's 4wd system just fine and I'm definitely not switching between 4hi and 2hi every block. Unlike the limited, the trail's 4wd requires common sense on the driver's part and should only be engaged when you anticipate limited-traction situations/surfaces.
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I'm glad to hear that Upstate NY doesn't have those issues apparently. Speaking for SEPA, we most certainly do. As I said, bone dry.
 
bloodninja said:
I'm glad to hear that Upstate NY doesn't have those issues apparently. Speaking for SEPA, we most certainly do. As I said, bone dry.
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Upstate NY does have those issues for sure sometimes. While I could easily get by with part time 4WD (and have), I would seriously question anyone who thinks the AWD isn't and/or wouldn't be useful in Western New York winters (imo).
 
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