4Runner LTD Family

[freitz]

Figured I'd start my own thread before hijacking others.

Looking for "real" SUV.

Coming from 6 Jeep Wranglers 1 Jeep Unlimited and 1 x3M40i sports CUV and a SQ5.

I have a 3 year old and a soon to be new born.
We sold the X3M40i.
We kept the Q5
Need a Vehicle that covers everything the Q5 isn't good at. I use to do a lot of off roading. I've sold my Wranglers and my old 80's Land Cruiser.

Drove the Highlander - um... yeah Not much to say there.

I think I would like a 4Runner Limited. Looking to hear from others with families and how they like this as their daily driver and their fun 4WD beast in the down time.

Personally not going to be overlanding to often maybe a few times a year at most.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

I'm in a situation very similar to yours, as I have a 6 year old and a 8 month old. We now own 2 4Runners, both TRD Pros, so I'd say they work great for smaller families. My wife actually came out of a Q7 premium plus and loves the 4Runner better then the Audi. We were getting fed up with Audi service, both customer service and cost. After the 2nd set of $1600 brakes at 50K miles I was done. She had a Camry before so she wanted back in a Toyota and saw a Pro on the lot and fell in love. I was actually trying to get her in a Limited but she wanted the ALL black after seeing it.

Back to your question I think you'll be very happy with the 4Runner. It rides and handles more like a truck then the Highlander and doesn't have all of the cool lift gate and other gadgets but comparing to the Wrangler, well there will be no comparison honestly. The infant seat will be a little tight behind your seat, depending you your height but is manageable and only for a short time anyway. Good luck with your purchase and if you have any specific questions just let me know.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Oh one other thing I forget to mention is for offroading the limited is all time 4 wheel drive compared to say an TRD Off Road that is part time but offers the terrain modes, crawl control, and lockers that the limited doesn't have. It will be much better off road so just keep that in mind. There is a TRD Off Road Premium that come pretty loaded but not as much as the limited.

The wife's ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[freitz]

Oh one other thing I forget to mention is for offroading the limited is all time 4 wheel drive compared to say an TRD Off Road that is part time but offers the terrain modes, crawl control, and lockers that the limited doesn't have. It will be much better off road so just keep that in mind. There is a TRD Off Road Premium that come pretty loaded but not as much as the limited.

The wife's ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply.

Thought the LTD comes with the following.
-Full time 4WD (wouldn't this be better for everyday driving?)
-Center Locking Diff
-Atracs

Vs the Pro
-RWD PT 4WD
-Rear Locker
-Crawl Control

I would think for the most part they would be relatively close as far as off roading no?
How is the LTD Brake Dive and stability on the highway?

What do you think of the head room and space for 2 kids? We have the Nuna car seat its only 24" off the second seat.

 

[chickhien]

I'm in a situation very similar to yours, as I have a 6 year old and a 8 month old. We now own 2 4Runners, both TRD Pros, so I'd say they work great for smaller families. My wife actually came out of a Q7 premium plus and loves the 4Runner better then the Audi. We were getting fed up with Audi service, both customer service and cost. After the 2nd set of $1600 brakes at 50K miles I was done. She had a Camry before so she wanted back in a Toyota and saw a Pro on the lot and fell in love. I was actually trying to get her in a Limited but she wanted the ALL black after seeing it.

Back to your question I think you'll be very happy with the 4Runner. It rides and handles more like a truck then the Highlander and doesn't have all of the cool lift gate and other gadgets but comparing to the Wrangler, well there will be no comparison honestly. The infant seat will be a little tight behind your seat, depending you your height but is manageable and only for a short time anyway. Good luck with your purchase and if you have any specific questions just let me know.

spot on. I have a LTD and the keyless entry is crucial with kids, need both hands. Also I have used my sliding rear cargo tray as a diaper changing station when we’re outdoors or somewhere without a restroom. The xreas was actually pretty good for daily driving. I tore it out and got a lift. Hindsight I shouldve at least used the xreas for 100k and then get a lift but Im too impatient. Right now this runner sees 99% pavement. I was messing around in mud at an abandoned golfcourse and a-trac saved my ass. I love my runner. The LTD is actually basic luxury wise but that doesnt bother me. Youre getting a tank with lipstick.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Thanks for the reply.

Thought the LTD comes with the following.
-Full time 4WD (wouldn't this be better for everyday driving?)
-Center Locking Diff
-Atracs

Vs the Pro
-RWD PT 4WD
-Rear Locker
-Crawl Control

I would think for the most part they would be relatively close as far as off roading no?
How is the LTD Brake Dive and stability on the highway?

What do you think of the head room and space for 2 kids? We have the Nuna car seat its only 24" off the second seat.

Probably for on road the Limited is probably a little better due to the Full Time 4wd. Just don't compare it to your Quattro because the traction and handling are not even in the same ball park. That was the biggest downfall leaving the Q7. Highway driving the limited will feel more stable mainly due to the 20" wheels and lower profile hwy tires. Limited still has the typical 4runner nose dive as well. A nice lift will fit that though.

As far as the off road ability the Off Road or Pro will be superior. They have everything you listed and they also have the Atrac as well. The locker is nice when you need it. Just depending on where you go the limited will do just fine as well.

Head room is great!! I'm 6'1" and have a top of room. the kids seats will fit just fine with plenty of room as well. Limited will have a little less headroom due to the sunroof which I don't have.

 

[CF_Machete]

You can always add rear and/or front lockers.

The biggest challenges that the limited will have off road would be clearance and tires. Went out last Sunday with a guy who had a fresh off the lot ORP. he was paper plate'n it. bone stock, he kept getting stuck due to the crappy tires. Once they're upgraded and a lift added, he'll be fine.

You'll be in a similar position with a stock limited however you will want to either cut or swap out your side trim(rocker panels and cut the bottom of your front bumper. This will prevent you from getting hung up on crap and reduce trail damage. Also, get rid of those running boards. They hang too low on the limited due to the longer rocker panels and will get ripped off on general terrain.

 

[freitz]

Probably for on road the Limited is probably a little better due to the Full Time 4wd. Just don't compare it to your Quattro because the traction and handling are not even in the same ball park. That was the biggest downfall leaving the Q7. Highway driving the limited will feel more stable mainly due to the 20" wheels and lower profile hwy tires. Limited still has the typical 4runner nose dive as well. A nice lift will fit that though.

As far as the off road ability the Off Road or Pro will be superior. They have everything you listed and they also have the Atrac as well. The locker is nice when you need it. Just depending on where you go the limited will do just fine as well.

Head room is great!! I'm 6'1" and have a top of room. the kids seats will fit just fine with plenty of room as well. Limited will have a little less headroom due to the sunroof which I don't have.

Wait so the Limited does not actually have "real" 4WD its AWD? I'm confused. I thought either has 4WD Low and High. LTD just had 4WD all the time?

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Wait so the Limited does not actually have "real" 4WD its AWD? I'm confused. I thought either has 4WD Low and High. LTD just had 4WD all the time?

No no it's real 4wd, with high and low. Just no 2wd. Sorry if I misled you.

 

[Jhalko]

Wait so the Limited does not actually have "real" 4WD its AWD? I'm confused. I thought either has 4WD Low and High. LTD just had 4WD all the time?

The Limited is full time 4wd, you can then lock center diff, and with ATRAC and Low range you will be fine everywhere else. As stated, tires and bumper clearance are your only challenges.

Great for kids with third row too!

 

[freitz]

The Limited is full time 4wd, you can then lock center diff, and with ATRAC and Low range you will be fine everywhere else. As stated, tires and bumper clearance are your only challenges.

So whats the difference between the full time 4WD and the PRo putting it in 4WD high?

 

[Jhalko]

So whats the difference between the full time 4WD and the PRo putting it in 4WD high?

Center diff isn’t locked and power distribution can change front to rear. LE with center diff locked is exact same as a Pro in 4wd high.

Nose dive in a LE is dramatically better with Xreas.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

So whats the difference between the full time 4WD and the PRo putting it in 4WD high?

Nothing to my knowledge other then being able to lock the center diff. You just don't have the added traction aids like terrain modes, Diff Locker, and Crawl Control

 

[freitz]

Center diff isn’t locked and power distribution can change front to rear. LE with center diff locked is exact same as a Pro in 4wd high.

Nose dive in a LE is dramatically better with Xreas.

So only miss out on the rear lock, and crawl control?

 

[Jhalko]

So only miss out on the rear lock, and crawl control?

Yup and you wouldn’t believe how well ATRAC will do. I’ve put myself in some stupid situations and it got me through.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

If it were up to me when we purchased I would have chosen a Limited for my wife due to the Full time 4wd, nicer interior and electronic like climate control. If it were going to be mine I wouldn't have chosen anything other then an Off Road or a Pro. She ended up with a Pro because she thought it was pretty. Her words not mine.

 

[freitz]

Yup and you wouldn’t believe how well ATRAC will do. I’ve put myself in some stupid situations and it got me through.

Atrac is essentially Crawl Control?

Does it have 4WD Low on the LTD?

Also is the KDSS vs the LTd?

 

[Srt4runner]

Wait so the Limited does not actually have "real" 4WD its AWD? I'm confused. I thought either has 4WD Low and High. LTD just had 4WD all the time?

Full time 4WD. It also has 4WD High (Torsen Limited slip locking center diff), and 4WD Low. Works great for areas that see snow.

I bought a Limited due to my driving being 99% on pavement and wanting all the creature comforts (Dual zone climate, heated/cooled seats, real leather, JBL sound system, auto headlights, keyless ignition/door locks). Still 95% as capable as the other models, but I'm not driving through the MOAB either.

Limited also has a X-REAS suspension,

"XREAS stands for "Cross Linked Relative Absorber System".
X-REAS was designed to help improve vehicle on-road handling performance. This technology links each of the vehicle's shocks to it's diagonal counterpart via a gas hydraulic chamber. During cornering or when traveling over bumpy surfaces, the gas hydrauilc chamber acts like a bank "borrowing" fluid from the cross-linked shock bearing the least amount of force and "loaning" it to the shock sustaining the greatest amount of force. This exchange of fluid helps the 4Runners wheels maintain contact with the driving surface and helps lessen vehicle body sway, pitch and roll, making for a more comfortable ride."

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Yup and you wouldn’t believe how well ATRAC will do. I’ve put myself in some stupid situations and it got me through.

Yes the ATRAC is awesome. Lockers just aren't cheap to add.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Atrac is essentially Crawl Control?

Does it have 4WD Low on the LTD?

Also is the KDSS vs the LTd?

No they are not the same. ATRAC is basically 4LO Traction control. Crawl you set the speed and the truck drives itself with traction control and you just steer.

Yes you have 4 LO on a limited.

I don't think they have KDSS in limiteds .