If you could start all over...

[SilverTEP]

I have been doing a lot of research and I am thinking that getting a Limited might be a viable option. It has the off-road prowess that I will (might) need - center diff, a-trac, ground clearance, ect. but the fun stuff inside that i will (definitely) use- heated and cooled seats (nice for my booty), leather (not that I'll know the difference), push button start (good for auto-starter install), ect. If I really got to the point where I was off-roading every weekend and wanted to add some serious gear I could always buy a used front bumper and put in a C4 Fab bar with winch, stock 17's and mud slingers that someone has overstock of, and rip the rocker panels off. It seems to me that in my search it is actually easier to find Limited's than Trail Premium's with KDSS. Who knows, I might end up throwing Bilstien's on after a year anyway.

Thoughts?

- Spencer

The limited comes with the X-REAS suspension, I'd read up on that.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I am doing my due diligence now because I plan to buy a 4Runner early next year. My question is-
Knowing what you know now...If you bought a 5th gen tomorrow, what would you buy, with what options, and what mods would you do?

Thanks!

Spencer

I would buy the Limited for the full time four wheel drive. Then a mild lift, front bumper and sliders...

 

[Skahn21]

The limited comes with the X-REAS suspension, I'd read up on that.

I did a little bit of reading on the X-REAS. I did see that if you upgrade or change shocks that you have to remove the xreas. I also read from other members that the 5100's eliminate squat and body roll. I'm honesty getting nervous that I just won't be able to find a trail/off-road. I've been looking at GX's and Taco's as a backup.

I'm all over the place.

-Spencer

 

[baldrik78]

I'd look harder at the white/silver. Scratches are so much harder to hide in the darker colors.

 

[Skahn21]

I'd look harder at the white/silver. Scratches are so much harder to hide in the darker colors.

I like the white. My family is big into white trucks. Mom's last 3 were white. Also, I like the white body with black accents- wheels, bumper, sliders.

-Spencer

 

[tm965]

I did a little bit of reading on the X-REAS. I did see that if you upgrade or change shocks that you have to remove the xreas. I also read from other members that the 5100's eliminate squat and body roll. I'm honesty getting nervous that I just won't be able to find a trail/off-road. I've been looking at GX's and Taco's as a backup.

I'm all over the place.

-Spencer

i suspect xreas will be better at negating body roll and nose dive than the 5100s.

 

[Skahn21]

i suspect xreas will be better at negating body roll and nose dive than the 5100s.

I had my heart set on the KDSS but at this point I don't know if I'll be able to find a Trail Premium with it, let alone a Trail Premium at all. There are however, tons of Limited's that are on the market.

-Spencer

 

[mtnbiker49]

I had my heart set on the KDSS but at this point I don't know if I'll be able to find a Trail Premium with it, let alone a Trail Premium at all. There are however, tons of Limited's that are on the market.

-Spencer

I can find you a trail premium easy and for cheaper than trail. Makes no sense, but it is what it is.

 

[sn_85]

I'd look harder at the white/silver. Scratches are so much harder to hide in the darker colors.

Tell me about it...coming from nautical blue metallic. I feel like I should wash the dang thing every 2 weeks and even after a wash I always notice spots I missed.

 

[YetiX]

I know I'm a 4th Gen guy, but almost all of my friends own 5th Gens including a Limited (boss), SR5's, Trail/OR, and TRD Pros. If I was going to trade in my 4th Gen, I would get an Off Road, either standard or premium. Why? The e-locker in the rear. The Limited and SR5 do not have a locking rear diff, while the OR/ORP and Pro do. I also know I would change the suspension to something a little better than stock, so that rules out the extra money for the Pro. Just a thought if you plan on doing anything more than mild off road.

 

[Skahn21]

I can find you a trail premium easy and for cheaper than trail. Makes no sense, but it is what it is.

Where do you look? I'm on autotrader, cargurus, cars.com, and a bunch of other sites.

-Spencer

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

Go with that.
I also was insistent on KDSS, leather (heated seats), sunroof & nav. That means only a TRD-OR Prem will do, except in 2014 it was called a Trail Prem.

Things not to buy at the dealer:
Floormats - HuskyLiner or WeatherTech are better
Roof Rack Crossbars - OEM will do in a pinch, but your money is better spent on RagoFab's "RagoRails" or LFD's Crossbars instead. (LFD's can be re-purposed to their rack if you need to upgrade to a full size rack)
Remote Start - OEM one is crap, no feedback and short range, ignore dealer options (even Viper system) and go with a reputable aftermarket installer. You can actually get an app on your phone to do the remote start if you want.
Tires - Dump the OEM tires, or make it part of the deal when you purchase the truck it needs a good AT tire. Cooper Discoverer AT3 seems the most versatile all around choice that still rides smooth on the road, but there's a wide variety. I'd personally stay away from the Nitto's and KO2's but some people love them.
Steps/Sliders/Nerf bars - OEM are for weddings and the like, but get torn up easily off-road, go aftermarket there are tons of options
Paint Protection/Clear Bra - OEM is a bit of a waste, it only covers the leading edge of the hood, fenders, and side mirrors with some trim around the doors. Either go with a ceramic type micro coating, or have a professional tint/wrap shop custom cut a clear bra that will cover the entire front bumper can usually get a deal on window tint while they have the truck too (fronts need it)

First, to answer the OP's question: I would have likely skipped the OEM predator tube steps. However, they were on the rig that had everything else on it I wanted, so I kept them. Also, easy to remove if I ever finish with my other mods. Another thing I would have thought more about is the sun roof. I skipped it. I had one on my last SUV and rarely opened it. However, the 4Runner is larger than my last SUV and the cargo area seems darker at times, so if I could do it all over again, I'd get one.

Second, I couldn't agree more with several of Friggin Idiot's comments:

Floor mats - go Husky. They have nubs on the back and don't bend like weather techs. My wife has weather techs in her Buick and they are less rigid and curl easier.

Roof rack - skip the OEM rails. I picked up the Rago cross bars / support system and had the stock rails powder coated black for $25. The result is a great looking, functional roof rack that can handle a RTT or hauling smaller items like coolers, luggage, etc. Additionally, I have not experienced any increase in road noise.

Tires - I ditched the OEMs for Cooper Discover AT3 C load. The ride is slightly stiffer, but after a couple of days I didn't even notice. Also, the road noise is on par with the OEMs (84 db @ 80 mph). This is my daily driver and these tires are the right amount of off road capability and on hwy performance for me.

KDSS - It's great for hwy driving. Significantly reduced body roll when taking turns. I'm a big fan.

For the record, I have a TRD ORP, W KDSS...the rest is in my signature.

 

[unsub1]

Through a series of mishaps with TERRIBLE local dealerships and studying up pretty hard on this messageboard, I bought a 2018 ORP via text messages from a far-off dealership, that wasn't at all what I originally set out to buy and feel like I won the lottery.

My ORP has KDSS which drives SO well on and off road. I avoided all the dealer add-ons that you get stuck with in Texas and just changed the things I wanted on my own schedule. I did have them add on TRD Pro wheels which I love on the red. I never would have thought I would own a red 4runner but love it now that I have it. I'm into big mountain road trips to mountain bike locations with the family and some basic offroading but am stuck driving it in the city in Austin and parking under a carport that it BARELY clears.

For me, RSG sliders, RCI full armor, Gobi ladder, Yakima rack/tent, marine battery, ARB fridge, Kenwood/Garmin stereo and nav, and a couple Rotopax of fuel fits the bill perfects. Couldn't be happier.

I never wanted a sunroof but I do like it for packing my roof top tent. Will never use it for its intended purpose. Also LOVE the sliding cargo tray since I occasionally sleep in the truck and it makes a perfectly flat platform.

 

[mtnbiker49]

Where do you look? I'm on autotrader, cargurus, cars.com, and a bunch of other sites.

-Spencer

Autoblog.com seems to have some that other sites don’t. Depends where you are looking too. My search is mainly in the mid atlantic and southeast region. I cannot count how many times I got excited over a great price, no accident offroad trim only to find out it had a sunroof aka no go.

 

[Toffees]

i suspect xreas will be better at negating body roll and nose dive than the 5100s.

I've never driven the Bilsteins, but not had any nose dive issues with the LE's XREAS, and think they generally drive great. Then again, I didn't come out of a BMW or Audi like so many here, so maybe my expectations were tempered.

 

[NolanVoid]

I would not have bought the Ram 2500, Crew Cab, 4x4, Cummins and got right back into a Toyota! Okay truck, but huge fuel consumer and way big!

Traded the Ram in for a '16 TP, Nautical blue. Loving it so far!

Tires next, then probably 5100's at .85 only. Buy what I need after that.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I would not have bought a silver vehicle. It shows dirt and scratches more so than I thought it would and doesn't really pop when you wax it like a darker colored vehicle.

 

[SendInTheCavalry]

I’ll preface this with I love my Pro and happy I waited for it.

But... I’ve caught the upgrade bug... I suppose it all depends on your budget. If I was to do it again I would find a super clean GX470 and mod away... long arm, full bumpers... etc.

Going forward I think my next rig will be a Land Cruiser

 

[Skahn21]

I would not have bought the Ram 2500, Crew Cab, 4x4, Cummins and got right back into a Toyota! Okay truck, but huge fuel consumer and way big!

Traded the Ram in for a '16 TP, Nautical blue. Loving it so far!

Tires next, then probably 5100's at .85 only. Buy what I need after that.

Please take pics with the moderate lift. That is what I am interested in- Moderate.

-Spencer

 

[Skahn21]

I’ll preface this with I love my Pro and happy I waited for it.

But... I’ve caught the upgrade bug... I suppose it all depends on your budget. If I was to do it again I would find a super clean GX470 and mod away... long arm, full bumpers... etc.

Going forward I think my next rig will be a Land Cruiser

There is something amazing about having the cooled seats, auto climate, squishy seats and being able to drive literally anywhere you want.

This pleases me.

-Spencer