Is it just me or do Limiteds (and Nightshades) have some sort of stigma about them?

[WildSockets]

BTW things like “higher end interiors” is another interesting comment. There’s quality and durability and longevity and then there is the perception of “high end”. I love that the 4r is still built in Japan, and the folks who put it together seem to care. It’s incredibly basic, but nothing rattles, it all fits, and it feels like it will last forever. Talk to an owner of a 2yr old explorer/telluride (I have to admit my knowledge of Kia is old). My experience recently renting an 4r SR5 really reinforced this. Nearly 40k rental miles and it felt rock solid.

I blame YouTube auto reviewers and their obsession with soft-touch injection molded plastic as a sign of luxury and quality.

Who touches their dashboards on a regular basis anyway? I sure don't.

 

[mnofpeace]

Just an add on...i hve heard from a few very reliable sources, that the LImited Full time 4WD system is based on the same Torson Ctr Diff that is in the GX...which is the same unit as in the LC Prado...which is a very capable and well followed off-roader in other markets...

not sure why here in the US of A it is looked at as the wimpier trim level for getting dirty.

As for me, i drive an SR5...i aint full of cash to get a Pro, but knowing that the it is 80-85% of the Off-Rd or Pro...was enough for me.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

As for me, i drive an SR5...i aint full of cash to get a Pro, but knowing that the it is 80-85% of the Off-Rd or Pro...was enough for me.

All that matters is that YOU like your ride. I didn't buy my Limited to impress you, nor did you buy your SR5 to impress me. We're still 4Runner brothers, though!

 

[Jetboy]

Just an add on...i hve heard from a few very reliable sources, that the LImited Full time 4WD system is based on the same Torson Ctr Diff that is in the GX...which is the same unit as in the LC Prado...which is a very capable and well followed off-roader in other markets...

not sure why here in the US of A it is looked at as the wimpier trim level for getting dirty.

As for me, i drive an SR5...i aint full of cash to get a Pro, but knowing that the it is 80-85% of the Off-Rd or Pro...was enough for me.

GX and 4R Limited both use a VF4BM transfer case. It is a torsen style center differential. 4Runner, GX, and Prado 150 share the same platform, so they come in a variety of configurations that mix and match parts. The one difference I know if is in the shift options - the Prado allows you to be locked or unlocked in 4hi or 4lo. I don't think you can select unlocked 4lo in the 4Runner Limited.

There is a VF2B (lever operated tc in Trail/TRD OR/Pro) and VF2BM (electric shift in SR5 and other SR5 based trims).

In markets where the 4Runner and Prado 150 are sold together, the 4Runner is the more expensive vehicle. Price is very similar, but the 4R is higher by a few hundred dollars.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

GX and 4R Limited both use a VF4BM transfer case. It is a torsen style center differential. 4Runner, GX, and Prado 150 share the same platform, so they come in a variety of configurations that mix and match parts. The one difference I know if is in the shift options - the Prado allows you to be locked or unlocked in 4hi or 4lo. I don't think you can select unlocked 4lo in the 4Runner Limited.

There is a VF2B (lever operated tc in Trail/TRD OR/Pro) and VF2BM (electric shift in SR5 and other SR5 based trims).

In markets where the 4Runner and Prado 150 are sold together, the 4Runner is the more expensive vehicle. Price is very similar, but the 4R is higher by a few hundred dollars.

Is there any limited slip in the rear diff of the Limited trim?

 

[John in NC]

A gal we know has a white nightshade with the black trim package and wheels, looks awesome, stormtrooper vibe. A coworker has a new limited, it's nice, I've driven it.

I wouldn't want the full time all wheel drive of the limited, it's flat here and rarely snows. I'd rather not have that added drag and wear and tear. And the pricier (I think?) tires for the 20" wheels.
I also wouldn't want KDSS, just one more thing to go wrong... I don't even know if the Limited's have KDSS.

I looked at the pre-facelift Limited's in Shoreline Blue but ended up with a pearl white sr5.
I really wanted a Shoreline blue trail....

 

[lewdog998]

I saw a study that concluded trim level is directly related to the size of your junk.

The "higher" the trim level the smaller your junk...period....I would like to argue that I am the exception as I drive a PRO, but.... :crybaby:

Limited owners were not included in the study as they could not find any men willing do admit they drove one....they all claimed it was their spouses vehicle.

 

[Lexington]

Only a limited amount of people like the styling.

Har Har

 

[Jetboy]

Is there any limited slip in the rear diff of the Limited trim?

No. Not a mechanical one. All models have traction control that uses the brakes for limited slip functionality. It cuts throttle and applies brakes to the slipping tire. Toyota sometimes calls it "auto lsd" but it is not a mechanical limited slip system inside the differential.

It's a bit of an oddball system in that it is for the 2wd mode only. First you first turn off the traction control system by pushing the button once and then the "auto LSD" dash light goes on. Then you have what's effectively ATRAC in 2wd mode. So it only applies to 2wd limited models IIRC (and the rest of the 4x4 models except the Limited). I don't think most owners ever use it or even know it exists. I don't know why it's not the default setting for normal driving. It should be.

And ATRAC is an offroad version of that system that all models have and it is very good. Better than any limited slip diff for offroad use. Not quite as good as a locking diff like the offroad models have. The limited is very capable if you're not scared of body damage. It will pretty easily take you well beyond where you'll rip the bumpers and side trim off. Even on stock rubber in most cases.

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[Lexington]

Personally I think that if the limited looked the same as the other 4Runners they would have better sales especially for the non-off roaders. I think the AWD selection offers better traction and handling in heavy rain and snow in cities and highways than part time 4WD and still offers decent capabilities for the majority of off road conditions.

Before I owned my 4Runner I had a Isuzu Trooper which was similar to the Limited. It was nice just pushing a button and have AWD for added traction and still being able to drive normally. It was also quite capable off road as well. Had the Limited looked like the other 4Runners and came in Quicksand I would have bought that instead but I simply do not like the looks of the limited. Too urban looking for me.

 

[mtnslyr]

I'm in the minority that I love the front bumper of Limited. That's one of the two reasons I like the trim, the other one being ventilated seats.

 

[mnofpeace]

oh, please dont misunderstand...not slighting the Limited at all. I am confused like the author of this post...on why the Limited has been looked upon unfavorably for off road work when its pedigree is as substantial as all other trim models. And i didnt choose my trim based on anything other than availability and price when i was purchasing so...

enjoy yourn like i enjoy mine sir...

 

[downshift]

I've thought about replacing my TRD Off Road with a Limited primarily to get the AWD feature. It's better in the snow and that's important to me. In my opinion it's better on dirt roads and mild off-roading as well, which is what most of us do. When things get rougher than that, you can lock it. I like having the option to lock or unlock. My TRD Off Road doesn't have the option, I'm stuck (pun intended) in locked mode no matter what.

I don't think there's any stigma about them, nor do I think they are any worse off-road than the other models. Replace the 20's with 17's for sure. For my use I'd rather have KDSS than XREAS. I could do without the sunroof, I have no need for that, it's just extra weight. Likewise for leather seats, I'd rather have fabric. A few other minor things, but I could live with it.

 

[downshift]

Here’s my take.

My first car was a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it had the NV249 transfer case (AWD - N - 4LO). It was rare for that option to be combined with the 4.0 I6, as they typically came with a NV242 also known as SelecTrac (2WD - 4PT - 4FT - N - 4LO). Yeah it gave you more options but it was a “lower” or “standard” option associated with Wranglers instead of more expensive Grand Cherokees.

Also Range Rovers, which I’ve owned as well, they are also capable off road vehicles don’t have 2WD as an option in any drive mode. You can select high and low range, and terrain programs in the newer models.

I’ve never seen anyone ask for 2WD or wish they had 2WD in either of these models. In my mind it leaves one possibility. The owners want to make a spectacle of themselves actually announcing the need to put it in 4 wheel and pull the lever. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] it’s like the truckers who want to drive with three sticks because a 13 speed ain’t enough!

If I got a Pro, the first thing I’d want is to do an AWD conversion, get real leather seats from a limited, dual zone climate swap, all of which is very labor intensive and impractical. Instead I just bought my limited… if I WANTED to look like a Pro, it’s only a roof rack, grille, and lift. First two parts are a couple hundred $$$ each and the lift would get rid of X-REAS.


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I've thought about doing an AWD conversion on my TRD Off-Road. On the surface, it would seem to be straight forward. Swap out the transfer case with one from a Limited. But I could easily be wrong, very wrong.

I've looked into this and don't see that anyone has ever done it. I don't want to be the first. Have you heard otherwise? I'd be interested if this were a well known and relatively common conversion, where enough people have done it that they know what to look for, the pitfalls, what parts you need, wiring harnesses, etc.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I've thought about doing an AWD conversion on my TRD Off-Road. On the surface, it would seem to be straight forward. Swap out the transfer case with one from a Limited. But I could easily be wrong, very wrong.

I've looked into this and don't see that anyone has ever done it. I don't want to be the first. Have you heard otherwise? I'd be interested if this were a well known and relatively common conversion, where enough people have done it that they know what to look for, the pitfalls, what parts you need, wiring harnesses, etc.

Never heard of it and since it’s an electronic switch I’m not sure it wouldn’t require reprogramming.


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[stiles_s]

I've thought about replacing my TRD Off Road with a Limited primarily to get the AWD feature. It's better in the snow and that's important to me. In my opinion it's better on dirt roads and mild off-roading as well, which is what most of us do. When things get rougher than that, you can lock it. I like having the option to lock or unlock. My TRD Off Road doesn't have the option, I'm stuck (pun intended) in locked mode no matter what.

I don't think there's any stigma about them, nor do I think they are any worse off-road than the other models. Replace the 20's with 17's for sure. For my use I'd rather have KDSS than XREAS. I could do without the sunroof, I have no need for that, it's just extra weight. Likewise for leather seats, I'd rather have fabric. A few other minor things, but I could live with it.

BTW that's exactly what I did -- 2007 GX47 to 2015 TRD ORP/KDSS to a 2022 Limited, for the same reasons (with a few other rigs in between). After putting 100k on a GX470 I didn't love the daily use impact of the 2wd/4wd setup in the TRD. I want my SUV to be able to go anywhere, anytime, without having to stop and shift / flip a switch, etc. I looked hard at a GX460 but the Limited gets me the full-time 4wd in a more utilitarian package that is 300+lbs lighter (with 2 less cylinders and 1 less gear, unfortunately).

Again, YMMV. Loving the Limited w/17s so far. And, I hated the grille of the Limited in photos but for some reason I'm loving it in the garage. Weird.

Also, I take the ribbing here as just that -- people talking trash in good fun.

 

[Jetboy]

I've thought about doing an AWD conversion on my TRD Off-Road. On the surface, it would seem to be straight forward. Swap out the transfer case with one from a Limited. But I could easily be wrong, very wrong.

I've looked into this and don't see that anyone has ever done it. I don't want to be the first. Have you heard otherwise? I'd be interested if this were a well known and relatively common conversion, where enough people have done it that they know what to look for, the pitfalls, what parts you need, wiring harnesses, etc.

I think the transfer case you'd want is a VF4B from an FJ Cruiser with the manual transmission. I don't know for certain, but it likely would be a bolt in swap and still be able to use the same shift linkage you already have. Assuming input shaft is the same, it should be relatively easy. I don't think anyone has done it because it's probably not worth the effort for most people, but I think it could be done. There's some wiring you'll need to make sure that the transfer case shift position still talks to the ECU for 4hi vs 4Lo so you can still use ATRAC/MTS/Locker.

You'd also need to either swap in a passenger side front diff assembly without the ADD disconnect or permanently move the ADD shift collar to the 4wd position. I think you could do that electronically by a simple wiring mod to tell the vehicle it's always in 4wd. Then you wouldn't have a dash light on. Another plus side of doing it electronically is that you could disconnect the front and lock the center diff for rwd if you wanted to.

 

[downshift]

I think the transfer case you'd want is a VF4B from an FJ Cruiser with the manual transmission. I don't know for certain, but it likely would be a bolt in swap and still be able to use the same shift linkage you already have. Assuming input shaft is the same, it should be relatively easy. I don't think anyone has done it because it's probably not worth the effort for most people, but I think it could be done. There's some wiring you'll need to make sure that the transfer case shift position still talks to the ECU for 4hi vs 4Lo so you can still use ATRAC/MTS/Locker.

You'd also need to either swap in a passenger side front diff assembly without the ADD disconnect or permanently move the ADD shift collar to the 4wd position. I think you could do that electronically by a simple wiring mod to tell the vehicle it's always in 4wd. Then you wouldn't have a dash light on. Another plus side of doing it electronically is that you could disconnect the front and lock the center diff for rwd if you wanted to.

I did a search on that transfer case number and found this thread:

VF4B Transfer Case Swap

Still, no one has done this before, as far as I can tell.

 

[bigdaddy2021]

Just my 2¢, between the front bumper, full time 4wd, 20 inch wheels, and styling notes, the Limited and Nightshade trim levels seem to be geared more towards the soccer mom types, whereas it seems a good portion of the people that buy 4runners want a more off-road capable rig.

x2, this. Our TRDOR was bought for 3 main reasons:
A) Good street manners/quiet cabin,
B) High perceived and reported reliability and
C) A high-level of off road prowess that you get with the TRD models w/ Low-range, ATRAC, rear locker, MTS.

Our choices, ultimately, were between a Jk Rubicon 4door, a JL Rubicon 4door, and a TRDOR 5th gen runner.

Just like the Rubicons didn't check the reliability or quiet cabin box for us, the other trim levels of 4runner, including the SR5, didn't check the offroad capability box for us.

Seems, as K9ORP says, it's just a different tool for a different intended audience, I think? Nothin' wrong with that.

 

[02SE]

Sure it's possible to swap T-cases, and make the necessary changes to the electronics so things work seamlessly.

Having the background to do such a swap, I'd still choose to just sell the 4Runner I had, and buy one equipped the way I want. A lot less hassle.




Back to the thread subject: I don't know if there's a stigma to the Limited models. It doesn't bother me what anyone else buys. I can say that the dealer I bought from seems to usually have several in stock. They're much less likely to have any TRD models in stock.

I know I bought exactly what I wanted.