Modded SR5 vs Trail

Just throwing it out there, but mind as well cross shop a limited; gives you full-time 4wd, dual climate, real leather, ventilated seats, accent lighting, etc.

Really comes down to how much you plan on wheeling and modding it. Only reason not to go kdss is if you’re looking at long travel setups, otherwise it comes down to amenities and the cost of a locker and/or suspension.
 
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Just throwing it out there, but mind as well cross shop a limited; gives you full-time 4wd, dual climate, real leather, ventilated seats, accent lighting, etc.

Really comes down to how much you plan on wheeling and modding it. Only reason not to go kdss is if you’re looking at long travel setups, otherwise it comes down to amenities and the cost of a locker and/or suspension.

Limited comes with part time 4wd, not full time. It has full time AWD. There is a difference.

The limited in 4WD mode does not have a rear locker as well.
 
Limited comes with part time 4wd, not full time. It has full time AWD. There is a difference.

The limited in 4WD mode does not have a rear locker as well.

WRONG! It is a full-time 4WD system, the same as the manual FJC and GX, and same in function as the LC/LX. It has 4Hi and 4Lo with a center locking differential.

I owned a 2016 Limited 4x4. It suffers in power delivery (energy is robbed from the drivetrain due to the full-time 4WD), turning radius, and fuel economy, when compared to the part-time 4WD models like the SR5, TRD OR, and Pro. We did not care for our Limited and it was a short lived purchase due to those reasons.
 
Limited comes with part time 4wd, not full time. It has full time AWD. There is a difference.

The limited in 4WD mode does not have a rear locker as well.

Perhaps this is just a nomenclature issue, but the Limited does everything others can do, it just does not have is 2WD.

Rear locker aside, I still consider the Limited a full time 4WD, as it can lock the center differential, which operates no different than a trail, pro, or any other 4WD model Toyota makes.

The Limited is the only trim level that still uses the Torsen transfer-case, which was used in previous generations, GX, and Land Cruiser. As far as the center diff is concerns, it's a premium option, one I like very much as it adds versatility for on-road use, without giving up anything off-road.
 
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I have a 2010 TE.

In my experience, you may be limited to what you can find on the market. You can find SR5s all day, but 10-13 trails are really rare, especially in good shape, low miles, un modded, etc.

If it were me, I would hold out for a TE. I get compliments on mine all the time . I think the combo of the 10-13 TE roof rack, hood scoop, and black accents make it really pop. And they will possibly hold their value a little better.
 
I have a 2010 TE.

In my experience, you may be limited to what you can find on the market. You can find SR5s all day, but 10-13 trails are really rare, especially in good shape, low miles, un modded, etc.

If it were me, I would hold out for a TE. I get compliments on mine all the time . I think the combo of the 10-13 TE roof rack, hood scoop, and black accents make it really pop. And they will possibly hold their value a little better.

Agreed, 100%!
 
...
4) 2010-13 TE has black plastic trim is more practical in long run and especially if you use the truck off road, black trim is a lot more resilient and forgiving when it comes to scratches from small brush, mud, small rocks and just from everyday use on the field

5) Cargo Sliding tray in TE- I wanted to have a flat cargo area (second row is folded) so I can sleep in the truck during my hunting trips

6) TE also comes with better quality seats, better dash and audio system
Sure you can mod SR5 and converted to TE (some people have done it here), but you will spend a lot more $ then the difference between the price of used TE vs. SR5… and if you ever decide to sell it I would say most if not all $ spend will not be recoverable… as now you still have SR5 that was “modded” and only specific buyer will appreciate it.
...

Great info, thanks so much for your thoughts. I didn't realize the trail also had better quality seats, dash, and audio in addition to the known off roading features. Btw does anyone know if the backup camera is stock on the TE for these years (2010-2013)?
 
Sorry I didn't make this clearer, I was referring to the rear locker. I think I've heard that it automatically disengages if you go over 7 mph, but now that I think about it I'm not sure if it was 4lo or the locker that disengages then...

No, that is incorrect, I know that for the fact (based on my personal experience).

Once engaged (preferably at a low speed), e-locker will stay locked regardless of the speed.
FYI: In the 5th gen 4runner, to engage e-locker you have to be in 4Lo, so he "max" speed would be obviously limited LOL

:tea:
 
I've had a 2001 SR5 4WD (I gave it to my daughter and she still drives it 183k miles), 2004 Sports edition 4WD (gave it to my son and he still drives it 125k miles), and now a 2016 Trail Edition with KDSS. The 2016 is by far my favorite. You're not going to win any races but it will last you forever. which ever one you decide on you'll be happy with. The KDSS will make lifting it a little tougher but if I can do it ANYBODY can...I've never researched the difference in 2010-2013 TE vs 2016 TE.
 
WRONG! It is a full-time 4WD system, the same as the manual FJC and GX, and same in function as the LC/LX. It has 4Hi and 4Lo with a center locking differential.

"Full-time 4WD" is just marketing. The Limited is not a "full-time 4WD vehicle". That doesn't mean you can't put it in 4WD though, but you don't want to run it that way full time otherwise you will damage your vehicle on dry pavement. Watch this video for an explanation
 
"Full-time 4WD" is just marketing. The Limited is not a "full-time 4WD vehicle". That doesn't mean you can't put it in 4WD though, but you don't want to run it that way full time otherwise you will damage your vehicle on dry pavement. Watch this video for an explanation

With that definition, none of them would be considered full-time 4WD, because the end result of scrubbing on high traction surfaces would end up with the same result on every trim. The trail and pro should be called full time 2WD with 4WD off-road capability.

I agree that their marketing and terminology is kinda stupid, but fact of the matter is, the Limited is by function a full time 4WD/AWD truck. Its always working in 4WD. You either have the center transfer case unlocked for use on-road, or locked for use off-road.
 
With that definition, none of them would be considered full-time 4WD, because the end result of scrubbing on high traction surfaces would end up with the same result on every trim. The trail and pro should be called full time 2WD with 4WD off-road capability.

I agree that their marketing and terminology is kinda stupid, but fact of the matter is, the Limited is by function a full time 4WD/AWD truck. Its always working in 4WD. You either have the center transfer case unlocked for use on-road, or locked for use off-road.

Exactly, none of them are full-time 4WD, some are full-time AWD like the Limited. Just because they say it is full-time 4WD doesn't mean that it is. I suppose they took the liberty to call it 4WD because of the Torsen differential but the fact is even with the Torsen differential it is not the same as the Trail in 4WD mode. Only when you lock the differential is it true 4x4.
 
Exactly, none of them are full-time 4WD, some are full-time AWD like the Limited. Just because they say it is full-time 4WD doesn't mean that it is. I suppose they took the liberty to call it 4WD because of the Torsen differential but the fact is even with the Torsen differential it is not the same as the Trail in 4WD mode. Only when you lock the differential is it true 4x4.

It appears we are all on the same page, and just kicking around Toyota nomenclature causing problems for ourselves for no reason.

It really creates confusion for people who don't truly understand how these system function from a mechanical standpoint. The Limited generally gets the short end of the stick because people don't hold it as an equal off-road, when in fact it's the same used in their flagship SUV with off-road pedigree.

At the end of the day, they all rock off-road, it's just the on-road drive modes where the differences are found. Now if they would just include both front and rear lockers as an option on all trims, I would be a very happy person.
 
It suffers in power delivery (energy is robbed from the drivetrain due to the full-time 4WD), turning radius, and fuel economy, when compared to the part-time 4WD models like the SR5, TRD OR, and Pro. We did not care for our Limited and it was a short lived purchase due to those reasons.

Please explain how the LE is robbed of power and suffers worse fuel economy
 
Exactly, none of them are full-time 4WD, some are full-time AWD like the Limited. Just because they say it is full-time 4WD doesn't mean that it is. I suppose they took the liberty to call it 4WD because of the Torsen differential but the fact is even with the Torsen differential it is not the same as the Trail in 4WD mode. Only when you lock the differential is it true 4x4.

This seems most correct, the LE has three modes: AWD, 4H, 4L
 
Limited comes with part time 4wd, not full time. It has full time AWD. There is a difference.

The limited in 4WD mode does not have a rear locker as well.

I believe you’re misinformed on the transfer case, as others have noted.

I suggested cross shopping a limited with respect to an sr5, not the trail. I’m not sure what the used market is like for limiteds, but it may be possible to price one close to an sr5, and you’d gain the added amenities. The cost to upgrade to better suspension or a rear locker would be a wash between the two.
 

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