Help Me Decide: SR5 Premium or TRD Offroad Premium...

[Riders of Lohan]

I’d pay the extra for the TRDORP purely for the all black interior

 

[Slowgoat]

even though OP doesn't plan on selling his vehicle, I'd buy the trim level that has the highest perceived resale value that is within your budget. After all, our needs in vehicles changes as our life priorities change. That tells you what option I would choose.

I agree. The future is uncertain but buying one of these is like buying a piece of gold. Get a good one and it’ll sell for more than that difference you pay up front if you’re lucky.

I want a 2003-09 Limited for the wife. They are substantially more that an SR5. Sometimes $3-5k on a $9k-14k vehicle. It’s crazy. And when I ask why the owners say “I don’t really want to sell it.”

Get what you want!

And sorry about the deer. I would be pretty upset. Making a couple of bucks helps though!

Onward and upward though!

 

[teotwaki]

Go SR5 imo. It has ATRAC. You don’t need crawl control or the hoodscoop. If you want an “easy button” later down the road, you can spend $2k to get an ARB locker installed and have OBA. Regardless of what people say, a stock rig can do pretty much anything one with a rear locker can do. Might take a different approach, but it is doable. A front locker is how you can get yourself to places you shouldn’t be. Plus I think the SR5 rides smoother with no shimmy.

I have experience with using ATRAC extensively, with having an ARB air locker and now with a Toyota E-Locker, the main reason I purchased the TRD ORP model.

I had my 2005 SR5 for 239,000 miles across 13 years, about 1/4 of those without the ARB locker. I pushed ATRAC as much as possible and admire the capability it brings. The big disadvantage of ATRAC is it requires those wheels to be spinning so the wheel sensors can get a good reading. That is not a good thing for low speed crawling especially when there is no wheel spin for ATRAC brake pulsing to keep the diff "locked" up. That means you mostly have an open diff until a wheel happens to spin.

Because I take my off road trailer so many places I finally felt that the limits of ATRAC called for a rear locker to be installed. It is a long story but one critical point is proper installation! I was dismayed to find out how poor a job a local Jeep shop performed, especially at not properly installing the copper air line. It is important to note that ARB builds a quality product but a bad install negates that. It was due to the patience and support of ARB America that I was able to get things right. However, I got really tired of all of the down time and removing and re-installing the 3rd member on my own. I became almost too good at installs and learned a lot about air lockers. Be sure to be either a good mechanic or carefully choose the shop that installs your ARB.

Once the ARB is working properly they have a strange habit of "burping" diff oil back up the air line where it dribbles out and makes a mess. A small concern is the rubber seals in the ARB so be sure to keep your diff oil clean and changed without fail. Also keep in mind the air locker requires an on-board air compressor so instead of the smallest ARB compressor just budget for the bigger CKMA-12 so that you can also air up your tires.

A Toyota E-Locker has the advantages of no air compressor, no air lines and no air seals to worry about. It is an OEM part and should be covered under the drive train warranty. (I'd better go read the fine print though!) You can get parts at all Toyota dealers across the nation. There are "hacks" to allow bypassing all of the interlocks so that it can be engaged even in 2WD. I have read of complaints of slow engagement but I have not experienced that issue yet. It seems that if the e-locker is used often enough it will always engage and disengage smoothly. I guess if you are a hard-core rock crawler you'd want to be sure to protect the e-locker's solenoid from getting bashed.

The actual problem with the hood scoop bling is blocking some of your view of the trail close to the front of the 4Runner. :nono:

In closing, you need to either have no worry about the extra cost of the TRD ORP or understand thoroughly if any sort of locker is needed for your style of off-roading. Then budget accordingly.

 

[Knucklehead44]

Also deciding...

So, I'll put it to you all...

#1. 2018 SR5 Premium 4x4 w/moonroof... OTD at $36,000.00

#2. 2018 TRD Offroad Premium 4x4 w/moonroof... OTD at $37,850.00

and why?

First time car buyer, here. I have driven a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport for the last 10+ years, and I'm finally in the market for something new. I'm trying to decide between an SR5 and an SR5 Premium. I don't really care about the Sunroof or the heated seats, but I thought the third row (as I hope to start a family someday), and Entune Audio/Nav/App Suite would be worth it. Anybody have any thoughts? Any help is appreciated. Also, FYI I am brand new to this forum.

 

["krax"]

All of the (4WD) 4Runners are capable vehicles, and through mods you can pretty much build one into a combination of all of them. It's just a matter of what need/want the most right now and how important resale value is to you later.

If resale value is a consideration at all, Off Road Premium.

If you want more off-road capability right now, Off Road Premium.

If you want a better marriage through dual-zone climate control, Limited.

 

[mtnbiker49]

Any ORP I have found is less expensive in the used market than an OR of similar condition.

 

[RaefordWall]

First time car buyer, here. I have driven a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport for the last 10+ years, and I'm finally in the market for something new. I'm trying to decide between an SR5 and an SR5 Premium. I don't really care about the Sunroof or the heated seats, but I thought the third row (as I hope to start a family someday), and Entune Audio/Nav/App Suite would be worth it. Anybody have any thoughts? Any help is appreciated. Also, FYI I am brand new to this forum.

Given that you've already said that you don't care about a sunroof, the only other big difference between the SR5 and the SR5 Premium is the synthetic leather interior in the SR5 premium vs. the cloth in the SR5. Unless you're already married and planning to have 3+ kids in the near future, I wouldn't worry about the 3rd row seating at this point. The premium will ultimately cost you about an extra $1800. It's up to you to determine if that's worth it. I'm also from Virginia and bought my 4Runner here along with helping my dad buy a 4Runner and my mom and brother buy Toyotas from different dealerships in the area, so feel free to message me if you need any help!

 

[Thrasher_S]

I bought the poly overlays for the emblems and replaced the rear and front valences with OEM black.

I plastidipped the rack bars, because they don't see a lot of mechanical action or wear.

Plastidip is fine for parts that don't get dirty or need repetitive washing. I considered it on the valences (to save costs) but on long trips, they get murdered with bugs and need to be scrubbed, usually scrubbed harshly.

I wanted to blackout my OR wheels, but powdercoating was more than simply buying new TRD wheels, so I went with the TRDs and the weight savings.

I really don't know which designer looked at the silver valences and said "man that looks awesome." On a black or grey 4runner, it looks terrible and sticks out.

Blacking them out has as much or more effect than tinting the front windows darker. Looks completely weird to have dark rear windows and virtually no tint on the front driver/passenger windows.

The only thing I haven't murdered out on my truck is the taillights and headlights.

Yeah. I don't really expect it to last, especially on the front bumper. It was more of an experiment, though I was sure I would like it. As soon as it starts to look bad I'll buy the real parts.

 

[Tx4Runner18]

Go#1, no reason to get #2 since you aren't going to ever use the e-locker or non-functional hood scoop.

That hood scoop adds at least 25hp. Haha

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Andrey9011]

This is our 17 SR-5 Premium i like it alot. I am not a dedicated rock dog, so this works for us just fine.

Looks awesome! Congrats!) I just bought my SR5 few days ago, and I’m planing to change wheels. What tires you have on your 4Runner? Is it at stock suspension?
And about SR5 and TRD. I bought SR5 4Runner, because I used to have 2010 Lexus GX460 with KDSS, first year no problem. But then KDSS light pumps on, and the car was mostly on the right side, not really but you could see the difference. Dealer gave me estimate for 5000$ to fix KDSS system. I just sold the car the way it was. Parts was around 3K. I’m not sure is the same KDSS system but I prefer regular suspension)

 

[RedSled]

Looks awesome! Congrats!) I just bought my SR5 few days ago, and I’m planing to change wheels. What tires you have on your 4Runner? Is it at stock suspension?
And about SR5 and TRD. I bought SR5 4Runner, because I used to have 2010 Lexus GX460 with KDSS, first year no problem. But then KDSS light pumps on, and the car was mostly on the right side, not really but you could see the difference. Dealer gave me estimate for 5000$ to fix KDSS system. I just sold the car the way it was. Parts was around 3K. I’m not sure is the same KDSS system but I prefer regular suspension)

Thank you, i have 285/70/17 Falken Wildpeak M/T load range E , and King shocks with resi. Here is a pic. of the front setup.

 

[Andrey9011]

Thank you, i have 285/70/17 Falken Wildpeak M/T load range E , and King shocks with resi. Here is a pic. of the front setup.

Thank you! Beautiful! If not a secret, how much did you spent to lift it? How's MPG changed? How it feels on a freeway(highway)? Sorry for too many questions, I'm new here. I'm trying to make a decision Lift or Not Lift mine. Because for now it's family car, that's why 3rd row seats was important for me. That's another reason why SR5, not TRD.

 

[mnofpeace]

Capabilities aside...with the SR5 being approx 80-85% of the OR/Trail...think of it this way...

Which would ALSO put a grin on your face every time you walk out to it? Does the SR5 have enough of the 'look' so that whenever you leave the office, walk out to your driveway, approach it from whatever angle, makes you still feel some kind of way?

i know i know...they basically look the same, but then again, they have their character differences. There's a reason almost every review-vid is of the Trail/OR...

with any vehicle, you not only want it to fit your performance needs, you also want it to make you feel satisfied that you bought what you really wanted.
Ever own a vehicle that you settled for? hows about DEM apples?

just another spin on the decision...if you havnt already made it.

 

[TrailHeadWorthy]

KDSS vs Bilsteins for On Road Handling

I am also deciding between a SR5 Premium and Offroad Premium KDSS.


My selling point is which will handle better on road as both of these are more than capable for my offroad uses. Less nose dive and better handling on mountain roads.

How does an SR5 with Bilsteins and upgraded tires compare to one with KDSS?

 

[ckon]

I am also deciding between a SR5 Premium and Offroad Premium KDSS.


My selling point is which will handle better on road as both of these are more than capable for my offroad uses. Less nose dive and better handling on mountain roads.

How does an SR5 with Bilsteins and upgraded tires compare to one with KDSS?

If you haven't driven both I strongly suggest you try to get a chance to do so. They drive like two totally different trucks.

 

[Dallas_T4R]

OP, I faced a similar decision last summer when purchasing my '17.
I ended up ordering a 4x4 SR5P with 2 rows(Can't find 2 row black interior in TX, which is why i ordered).

The locker was the only thing holding me up, but then I recalled my 8 years with my FJ(full-time 4x4, Manual, locker). Do you know how many times I used it? Twice. How many of those times did I need it? ZERO. I would drive the FJ through every muddy field, up every rutted dirt road, and over any rocky obstacle I could find (and sometimes backwards just for fun).
The truth about 4x4 systems in Toyota's: They are awesome.

For Crawl control, my dad's Land Cruiser has it, and he has never needed the thing. As for the locker, if you need it down the line just go aftermarket.

 

[Dallas_T4R]

Capabilities aside...with the SR5 being approx 80-85% of the OR/Trail...think of it this way...

Which would ALSO put a grin on your face every time you walk out to it? Does the SR5 have enough of the 'look' so that whenever you leave the office, walk out to your driveway, approach it from whatever angle, makes you still feel some kind of way?

i know i know...they basically look the same, but then again, they have their character differences. There's a reason almost every review-vid is of the Trail/OR...

with any vehicle, you not only want it to fit your performance needs, you also want it to make you feel satisfied that you bought what you really wanted.
Ever own a vehicle that you settled for? hows about DEM apples?

just another spin on the decision...if you havnt already made it.

Great point here. You have to love what you drive. Also, make it your own. Whether that means crazy mods, stereo, stock but loved. Just enjoy it.

 

[Jernik]

If you don't think the hood scoop alone is worth the extra money, I have nothing more to say to you! :biggrin1::laugh:

 

[tls3601]

For me the factory locker alone makes the Off Road the go to choice....

 

[acoustic58]

picking the right 4Runner

I have a 2000 SR5 4Runner that I will soon be saying goodbye to. My 3 replacement choices would be the 4Runner, Grand Cherokee and the Explorer. Visually both the Grand Cherokee and the Explorer are beautiful with flowing lines everywhere while the 4Runner looks like a brick going down the road. If I look at bells and whistles and safety upgrades, for the same price, the 4Runner is a dinosaur as it has not changed in 10 years while every other SUV/cross over has moved on. The 4Runner still has a CD player which kind of tells you everything you need to now about where this vehicle stands within the tech world. Having said that, considering my 2000 with 205K has never given me a problem, my gut is to go with another 4Runner despite the fact that this vehicle is very outdated. So the choice for me would be the SR5 premium or the Limited. Like many in this group, I am not a rock crawler but I do hit logging roads from time to time and I live in NE where snow is an issue and the 4Runner I have has gotten me through everything with the combination 4x4 drive system and the ground clearance.

I know the mechanical quality with both are equal and I would not be disappointed. It comes down to esthetics and a few operating functions and there are pro's and cons to both. The am not a big fan of what Toyota did with the front grill as it now looks like a transformer. The look of the SR5 grill is exaggerated while the limited has the extra Chrome strip through the middle to break it up. Winner- Limited. I am not a fan of the chrome door handles on the limited because I think the SR5 with color coated handles look nicer. Winner - SR5. I am not a fan of the wheels on the limited. Winner - SR5. The idea of buying a new vehicle in 2019 and still have to use the key to get inside or start it up just shows how dated this vehicle is and the limited offers both. Winner - Limited. Leather seats vs vinyl is a no brainer and the limited also comes with cooled seats. Winner - Limited. Just not sure if the upgraded price for the limited is worth it considering is is still way behind most other vehicles when it comes to tech and safety upgrades. Driving myself crazy with this decision obviously because there is not one vehicle that has everything I want.