Future purchase...struggling between TE or SR5

C

cheeser

New member
I currently have an 02 SR5 that I take out to easy/mild trails here in CO. I am looking to purchase a new 2015 in the next month or two once job stuff settles.

I would prefer the TE without KDSS, but it seems that is a rare option in this area. I did see TEPs without KDSS, but they take too much headroom from me and I don't like softex....prefer cloth and the coverking seat covers.

As a result, I am thinking about an SR5 but don't really want to settle if I don't have to. I am planning on future trips to Moab and thought the locking rear would be helpful, but didn't know if it would really make that much of a difference for me. My main upgrad s in either case may be the toytec boss lift, sliders, and TRD rims with Duratracs.

Thanks
 
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I have a '14 TE without KDSS and love it. I like the more aggressive look of the TE and the fact that there aren't many around my area. The cloth interior is fine so far that I have seen.
 
Read about ATRAC and see if that will ease your mind a bit. I had a TE and switched to SR5. I still go where I want no problem.
 
My suggestion is go take a look at both.

Here in CO you may have a tough time finding a TE to test drive because they are for the most part sold before they hit the lot.

Send me a PM if you want to look at a 2015 TE that is loaded away from the dealer lot (mine) where you can take your time and look things over. Mine has just over 1k miles on it now and I couldn't be happier.

The NuTex upholstery was a negative for me even though I wanted a sunroof so that ruled out the TEP. The cloth in the TE is very high quality and I expect a very long life out of it.

I was set on the KDSS and Premium Entune and rigid running boards - 3 things I would not compromise on. Truck hit the lot the night before and was in my garage by noon the next day.

But look at both. The SR5 may be what stirs you, the Trail might be. I test drove an SR5 and Limited but could not test drive a TE because they only had one in the back lot and it was sold. This is not uncommon.
 
Sounds like a TE with KDSS is your best bet; works great as a turnkey unit for mild to moderate trails, and you will appreciate the on-road manners the KDSS provides as well. Unless you're one of those KDSS haters...

I personally wish I would've gone with an SR5 - I initially was going to keep my build pretty mild, but I've had big ideas in my head lately that will eventually likely require that I go through the headache of deleting my KDSS. If there's more than just a basic mild build in your future, you should consider going this route, IMO.
 
RESQLAB said:
get an SR5 and build a suspension with what you want... pretty simple. Screw the kdss stuff.
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For once I wish people would leave the KDSS bashing either for or against out of the equation.
The SR5 vs Trail can be compared by choosing non premium or premium, note- the SR5P has gray and black seats where the TEP has black seats.
Next what do you want a turn knob or real shifter for the transfer case? If one or the other is a priority then you choice is made.
If you must have rear locker then your choice is made. (Unless you go aftermarket).
If you must have KDSS your choice s made.
If you need 3rd row seat you choice is made
Etc Etc Etc
 
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Come down to Austin (or any of the gulf states toyota region). They don't order any TE's with KDSS.

cheeser said:
I currently have an 02 SR5 that I take out to easy/mild trails here in CO. I am looking to purchase a new 2015 in the next month or two once job stuff settles.

I would prefer the TE without KDSS, but it seems that is a rare option in this area. I did see TEPs without KDSS, but they take too much headroom from me and I don't like softex....prefer cloth and the coverking seat covers.

As a result, I am thinking about an SR5 but don't really want to settle if I don't have to. I am planning on future trips to Moab and thought the locking rear would be helpful, but didn't know if it would really make that much of a difference for me. My main upgrad s in either case may be the toytec boss lift, sliders, and TRD rims with Duratracs.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
I came over from performance cars; WRX's and M3's and always looked for the trims with the least amount of electronics and gizmo's. Reason why is because I tend to tear out the the oem stuff and replace with aftermarket.

Always preferred the basics, 3 pedals over automatic, manual seats over auto, no sunroof, and no backup camera as it will tend to make me lazier. I want in control of the vehicle with minimal computer interference as much as possible. This is back when I was in the sportcars world. I picked up my SR5P cause it was a year end model that was cheaper than the base 2015 model!

Could've picked up the TE KDSS but wasn't too fond of all the factory terrain options. I plan to do ARB air lockers for the front & rear on my SR5 along with King independent reservoirs when all said and down.
 
If you haven't driven a KDSS - you should before you make you decision. There's a reason every Toyota and Lexus flagship SUV has it. There's a reason Toyota's factory Baja race 4runner has it. Drive it back to back with a non KDSS and go around a few corners and you'll see very quickly whether you want it or not. Opinions vary. Fortunately you have the option of either one. My take is that non-kdss is soft - drives very similar to a suburban. KDSS feels like a 4 runner / Tacoma that you're used to.

If you want to build a hard core 4x4, go with the cheapest one you can find since you'll be tossing most of the factory parts anyway.

Good luck.
 
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cheeser said:
I am planning on future trips to Moab and thought the locking rear would be helpful, but didn't know if it would really make that much of a difference for me.
Click to expand...

If this is the type of off roading you will be doing then the rear lockers will be of big help.
 
4Surfin said:
SR5 and use the extra cash for mods
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Yep

And the trail only comes with a black interior, which I cannot stand. Too hot and shows dirt too easily.

Got the SR5 and made the right decision. Only regret is the 4wd selector - wish it was a lever.

I found a lever-shift transfer case for $400 - $700, so if I ever decide it means that much to me, I will change it.
 
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I do a lot of exploring and etc and could not be happier with my TEP w/ kdss. Though if I had to do it all over again I would go with an sr5 premium. But I paid what am sr5 premium was for my TEP. Best thing to do is but a rig during high gas prices
 
One other thing to consider is the tradeoff of ARB vs e-locker if you're going to have one or two installed. There are various opinions on which is better and/or more reliable.

Just food for thought.

Edit: I spoke too soon. Looks like the Harrop (eaton) Elockers are available for both ends of a Prado 150 - so they should fit right in a 4runner. I'm guessing a call to Eaton would source you a set from a USA vendor. If the price is even close - IMO it's a no brainer. https://www.harrop.com.au/shop/4x4-performance/elocker/elocker-toyota-prado-150-series-rear https://www.harrop.com.au/shop/4x4-...r-prado-120-150-hilux-fj-cruiser-tacoma-front Looks like about $1300 USD each for the Eaton. But the install is easier and the product is better. Is it worth it? That's up to you.
 
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cheeser said:
... As a result, I am thinking about an SR5 but don't really want to settle if I don't have to. I am planning on future trips to Moab and thought the locking rear would be helpful, but didn't know if it would really make that much of a difference for me. My main upgrad s in either case may be the toytec boss lift, sliders, and TRD rims with Duratracs.

Thanks
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I had the same dilemma for a few minutes.

If the job is in limbo then consider paying cash for the car. That's what I learned from the recession. I don't want car payments.

Maybe it's just me not seeing the drive options in the electronic dial but it looks like the SR5 drive modes do not include a 2 wheel high, which is better for highway and city fuel efficiency. The Trail lever knob is much more obvious and intuitive for me.

If you plan to add rock sliders then the Trail Edition is much easier. You won't need to remove that low hanging trim. And look close at the SR5 and Limited body trim at the front and back bumpers. I think they hang lower on both than the Trail.

The locking differential is a big deal, IMO. I am replacing my very capable 1995 Jeep GC with a Trail Edition. Mostly because it's time to replace the car. The Trail has a locking rear diff', something I have missed in the Jeep a few times.

KDSS is nice. I've driven both with and without it and the KDSS is much better on the road. I just ordered my Trail Edition with KDSS and haven't driven them enough to know how they do off-road with the KDSS.
 
DesertCanyons said:
I had the same dilemma for a few minutes.

If the job is in limbo then consider paying cash for the car. That's what I learned from the recession. I don't want car payments.

Maybe it's just me not seeing the drive options in the electronic dial but it looks like the SR5 drive modes do not include a 2 wheel high, which is better for highway and city fuel efficiency. The Trail lever knob is much more obvious and intuitive for me.

If you plan to add rock sliders then the Trail Edition is much easier. You won't need to remove that low hanging trim. And look close at the SR5 and Limited body trim at the front and back bumpers. I think they hang lower on both than the Trail.

The locking differential is a big deal, IMO. I am replacing my very capable 1995 Jeep GC with a Trail Edition. Mostly because it's time to replace the car. The Trail has a locking rear diff', something I have missed in the Jeep a few times.

KDSS is nice. I've driven both with and without it and the KDSS is much better on the road. I just ordered my Trail Edition with KDSS and haven't driven them enough to know how they do off-road with the KDSS.
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Please make sure you get your facts straight before trying to help someone.

1. The SR5 has the same 4WD drivetrain as the TE. It also has a 2WD position. The only difference is lever actuated versus dial actuated. The TE has also an elocker and crawl controls. Both have ATRAC.
2. The 2014-2015 SR5 and the TE have the same body all the way around. The only difference is the hood scoop. The rocker panels are the same.

OP, look in my signature for a list of all the real differences between the models.
 
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