About to pull the trigger on a 2015 T4R... need some insight

K

kapp_badbloodz

New member
Hello everyone!

Just got my account validated after some mishap... the meantime has been spent going over a lot of the resources in this subsection. You guys have a great section and I can't wait to contribute.

I'm coming from a built 2008 Subaru STI with 400whp. Its selling in about 2-3 weeks and then its off to pick up a 4r. However, I am crossed between my decision on a TEP or a TRD/P. I have some questions for the experts here but first let me tell you my planned usage and desired specs.


I plan to do some light to moderate trailing and mudding. I am an avid shooter/gun enthusiast and am also getting into hunting. So getting out into the sticks is important. I would also like to travel some trails and push the limits a little bit. No rock crawling but some fun and challenging trails and expeditions. I also will be using this as a daily/grocery getter/and family vehicle.

I desire my 4runner to be fun out of the box and capable of handling what I throw at it. At the same time it needs to be practical and perform well on and off road. I have no need for 3rd row seating. I don't know what off road stuff I can expect in Florida since I am a new resident.

As far as modding goes; I plan to hold off for quite some time. I know about suspension but not quite in this area. I plan to do more mods for aesthetics and practicality/ease of use than for true performance. Rims/rubber, roof rack, storage, lights... stuff like that. I plan on leaving the engine alone besides installing a snorkel down the road when I feel like cutting into the fender.

So as you can tell I'm very crossed between the TEP and the TRD/P. So here are my questions.

1) what is the main argument on TEP vs TRD/P

2) I am aware that the TRD/P is mainly badging, goodies, and the suspension, but what really sets it apart from the TEP

3) Same question but for the TEP.

4) what are the advantages of the Blistein suspension vs KDSS? What are the disadvantages?

5) same question but for KDSS

6) What can I expect with either trim on and off road?

7) what should I be concerned about in regards to T4Rs in general?

8) what are the shortfalls and perks about T4Rs?

9) is the TRD/P worth the extra coin? Is the TEP worth the saved money in comparison to the TRD/P?

10) Is there any question I should have asked but didn't and what is the answer to that question?


Thanks in advance. I really want to make an informed decision and, despite my seemingly long windedness, I really want to be a smart consumer and smart owner of a T4R as well as a contributing member on this forum.



Corey
 
Register to hide this ad
you've pretty much answered your own questions. there is no difference aside from the things you mentioned. as said 1000 times on here, save money, get the trail and mod it to fit your needs.

where in FL are you?
 
I went through the same debate and ended up deciding on a TEP + KDSS after a lot of research on here. I plan to install a lift anyways so the Pro cosmetics did not justify the added $$ plus I wanted KDSS. Get the TE and mod to your liking with the extra $$ saved. Just my 0.02.
 
I'm an occasional guide for atlantic salmon. While I've only had the 4r for about 6 weeks, I've been very impressed with it's capability offroad; specifically in the woods on logging roads, steep washouts and poorly maintained roads. It is very comfortable for my passengers, holds a lot of gear in the back, and I sail right on by the spots I used to park my (off road modified) half-ton.

I chose the TEP, and it's amazing. The KDSS is very noticeable on road. I swerved to miss a raccoon a couple weeks ago and my passenger commented on the total lack of body roll. This was just after we came back on to the road from a day of crawling in the woods.
I actually use crawl control when approaching very steep washouts. It continues to impress me again and again.

Last weekend I had passengers screaming when I started down a hill that looked very steep to the uninitiated. On the way back up all we could see was the sky for about 5 minutes straight. I sure as shit couldn't do that in a half-ton.

As far as flyfishing is concerned and setting up large spey rods, I love the slide-out cargo tray. The softex seating is great for getting in with damp waders (read: cleans up well). And my assortment of mapbooks has stayed in the pocket in the back of the seat with the nav being as decent as it is.... I keep my garmin on board as backup, but I haven't needed it.

the Trail was a perfect match for me. If there's tire tracks somewhere, I know I can follow that path without worrying about breaking anything.

Sorry I didn't approach your list. 1engineer has a link in his signature that describes the differences between trim models.
 
Read the link in my signature for the differences between models. From what you told us in your original post any 4Runner model would do what you want. They are extremely capable straight off the lot. They have more capability than you have nerve.
 
I went with the TEP for all the reasons listed here by others... The KDSS is great for on and off road. Only required mod out of the gate is tires if you leave the pavement.... but you'll find other goodies to add.

Finding one turned out the way you want it can be problematic, but hang in there. Slide out tray is a factory thing and not port installed so harder to find. I couldn't find that option in the color I wanted, but have found a TruckVault was the better answer to my fly rod, camera and shotgun storage issues. Adding a thin sheet of fiberboard stored under the rear waterproof mat turns the drawers into a nice table for rigging rods or picnics...

No downside to driving a runner. Happy Trails
 
See below
kapp_badbloodz said:
1) what is the main argument on TEP vs TRD/P
- Personal Choice, some enjoy having a TRD Pro Vin and some wanted a softex interior w/o the sunroof

2) I am aware that the TRD/P is mainly badging, goodies, and the suspension, but what really sets it apart from the TEP
- Pretty much all the things your list, biggest like for me was the TRD front grill which I added to my TEP. While the Pro was not out when I bought my TEP if it was I would have passed as I wanted a sunroof and KDSS

3) Same question but for the TEP.
- The only model you can get KDSS as an option

4) what are the advantages of the Blistein suspension vs KDSS? What are the disadvantages?
- KDSS Does not help with "nose dive" but does body roll, I have not test drove a TRD Pro but that would be the only real way to tell which you prefer.

5) same question but for KDSS
- Larger sway bars while not sacrificing articulation offroad (normally you would give up articulation for large sway bars)

6) What can I expect with either trim on and off road?
- that the truck in stock form can likely do more then you are willing to do

7) what should I be concerned about in regards to T4Rs in general?
- by most accounts the 4runner is one of the most reliable platforms sold, obviously some have problems but there is no know major issue that I am aware of. That said there are a group that has/claims to have "clunking" issues with the TRD Pros, maybe something to look into yourself

8) what are the shortfalls and perks about T4Rs?
- The normal that come with a Body on Frame SUV.........know what you are buying. It will get "blown around" on a windy highway worse then a car, it will get worse gas milage then most CUV's, even pickups these days. It does have a throttle built around economny and takes a heavy foot to get her to move. It doesnt have a V8, no supercharger is currently or likely to be availble in the near future, Safari is just now creating a snorkel but it is the high flow version so it is larger and hangs off the fender more then the "standard". There was an option for a fiberglass imported snorkel from China but it will be hard to get your hands on.

9) is the TRD/P worth the extra coin? Is the TEP worth the saved money in comparison to the TRD/P?
- You must decide, I would say no it is not worth the extra coin to me.

10) Is there any question I should have asked but didn't and what is the answer to that question?
- How do I search this forum for information. The search bar is in the upper right hand side of the screen.

Thanks in advance. I really want to make an informed decision and, despite my seemingly long windedness, I really want to be a smart consumer and smart owner of a T4R as well as a contributing member on this forum.



Corey
Click to expand...
 
I'm in Tampa too! come on over and I will show you how to use the search function! lol

but seriously... get the SR5 and add what you want lol. TE is useless in Florida, TurdPro is for the posers that drive through International Mall
 
you make it sound like there are a couple people in my area... it would be nice to recon some off road adventures in my area :D


can anyone vouch that KDSS is good with a moderate lift (3-5 max).
 
kapp_badbloodz said:
you make it sound like there are a couple people in my area... it would be nice to recon some off road adventures in my area :D


can anyone vouch that KDSS is good with a moderate lift (3-5 max).
Click to expand...

Well I would describe a moderate lift as 1.5-2" with 3" being the normal "max" lift on this forum (some dude from Japan is running a 6" drop bracket lift). so for the normal 2-3" lift the KDSS is not a problem. If you start looking into long travel kits they say the KDSS starts to become the limiting factor but at that point you are either modifying sway bar brackets or removing sway bars all together.
 
philsey said:
That search is not so good. Use the "Alternate Search" up in the 5G stickies.
Click to expand...

The only time that search failed me was trying to find the origins of [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] . I will have to look at the other to see what makes it differant.
 
kapp_badbloodz said:
you make it sound like there are a couple people in my area... it would be nice to recon some off road adventures in my area :D


can anyone vouch that KDSS is good with a moderate lift (3-5 max).
Click to expand...
there are a few spots up in Ocala and Citrus. Hardrock is the location of choice. I am around town and run 2.5"/1.5" and that is a moderate lift but you'd be surprised how tall the 4R looks
 
Also in Tampa

I picked up the 14TEP because it best fit my wants... and most of my needs and allowed me to spend $$ on features after purchase

In short:
- PREMIUM FEATURES (NAV/PWR SEATS/ETC) - I like b/c I keep vehicles for 10+ years... it sucks to have regrets for over a decade
- SOFTEX SEATS & RED STITCHING - I hate cloth and want something that gets wet/dry easy... and looks great
- SUNROOF - a must-have for me... 6-7 months out of the year I've got all windows & sunroof open for 30-60min every day (I'm 6'3" & fit with it closed too)
- KDSS - 50+ miles of commuting each day - perfect option for lots of road driving
- 4X4, locker, Crawl... I expect to do much more off-roading in the coming years as my boys are getting close to their teenage years - camping and other "back-country" interests are increasing and trips are already starting
- HOOD SCOOP - Okay... I'll throw a bone to just looks

I'm not a big one for spending additional money on cars, unless (1) I use something all the time and dislike it or the design, (2) I'm irritated by something, or (3) experience a definitive, repetitive need.

Since I've purchased, I've also needed/added some other items... but I've still spent less than a TRD Pro would have cost me:
- NFAB nerf bars (for wife & kids)
- Gobi Stealth rack & ladder
- Anti-Dark under hood lighting
- ConsoleVault
- Toyota all-weather mat for slide out tray
- PrecisionLED indoor/outdoor lighting
- TRD Pro shifter with red stitching

I'll evaluate tires/wheels once mine wear out and/or my families off-road needs expand beyond what they currently are. But next up is (1) relocating the rear diff breather to under the hood, and (2) changing exhaust pipe from rear to side of SUV (dislike both factory designs and both are an improvement over original design).

One thing I wish I had read about when I bought my 14TEP was some member's abilities to negotiate a credit for factory tires before taking possession. If I would have heard about that beforehand... I would have made that a deal-breaker to closing and had AutoNation Toyota install a different tire of my choice - that I deliver.
 
Last edited:
4Surfin said:
there are a few spots up in Ocala and Citrus. Hardrock is the location of choice. I am around town and run 2.5"/1.5" and that is a moderate lift but you'd be surprised how tall the 4R looks
Click to expand...

I see a lot of 4Rs out here. Idk if you've seen a white STI with black/blue rims driving around. I'm usually up and down Dale Mabry and I work on base.

We should link up so you can talk me out of all the ridiculousness I'm imagining with this truck hahaha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 954 (members: 8, guests: 946)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top