Need your advise and knowledge. Trd Pro 4runner or limited

[Iron Oak]

My wife and I are tossing the idea of either a TRD Pro 4Runner or a Limited. We really like the off road capability of the TRD Pro but the lack of the full time awd/4wd is a big turn off.

A little background. We had a gen 3 4runner which my wife rolled in a snowstorm with it in 2wd. We then got a gen 4 V8 Sport with the all time awd/4wd and Torsen center diff. We really like it but it's getting up there in mileage and rust is showing it's ugly head.

The all time awd has been really nice and good piece of mind but it is only available on the Limited model.

We really like the off road ability of the Trail edition/Trd Pro but the manual transfer case is a big hesitation for her as she will be driving this on bad days during the winter.

How does this 4wd system vary vs the limited. Can we drive for extended periods of time in 4wd in snow without consequence?

The other option is a used Land Rover LR4.

Would really like some feedback. We plan on doing some overlanding down the road.

 

[Izlu]

I frequent FJ Cruiser forums so can tell that it looks like a very capable rig even in 2WD because electronic traction and stabilisation systems work quite well. Can't see why a TRD Pro would be different given they have similar setup.

If the going gets tough you can always switch to 4WD. No harm to drive part time 4WD in snow and mud.

I would stay away from Land Rover, especially used one. It's said that they are less reliable than Toyotas and parts are more expensive.

 

[gm350reratliff]

A limited may better suit you and your wife. The limited will also be a lot easier to get ahold of vs. the TRD pro. You can also build a limited to be very offroad worthy as well. Either one should do good in the snow and ice, although, it may be easier for your wife to understand and use the 4x4 system in the limited ( I feel your pain about this).

 

[VoodooTitan]

I'd stay away from Land Rover as well. They are expensive. My uncle has an LR4 and it's just so much money to upkeep, it's unbelievable.

I have the Trail Edition. My wife doesn't have any issue using the transfer case. We purchased ours and drove it to Colorado and it drove great. We had it in 4x4 periodically. I took it up into the mountains once we got there and stayed in 4x4. Actually helped recover an Audi SUV, performed amazing.

I like the added features of the trail edition such as the crawl control, KDSS, and a-locker. IF you're concerned about extreme weather conditions I would look into those features.

From what I've read on here about the TRD Pro, it's a great vehicle for doing dune runs and things of the sort. I read a review that said it drives similar to a trail and driving off road at high speeds isn't uncomfortable at all. I think the TRD Pro is designed more for desert running than anything. That's just how I view it tho. Hopefully that helps.

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Did your previous 4runner that your wife rolled have esc?
As mentioned above the electronic slip control works wonders when not in 4wd.
I say go with whichever one you like the best

 

[Iron Oak]

I'm actually leaning towards a trail premium. Apparently the TRD Pro doesn't have KDSS. Which as much as I like the suspension on the TRD Pro, the KDSS is more important to me. I live in a much rockier area vs a desert environment.

I have heard that they will be offering the TRD Pro suspension to buy separately but I wonder if it will work with the KDSS?

 

[kevinpt]

I'm actually leaning towards a trail premium. Apparently the TRD Pro doesn't have KDSS. Which as much as I like the suspension on the TRD Pro, the KDSS is more important to me. I live in a much rockier area vs a desert environment.

I have heard that they will be offering the TRD Pro suspension to buy separately but I wonder if it will work with the KDSS?

i did hear thats the pro is going to have kdss as an option but the ones that you see in reviews dont have it

 

[Iron Oak]

Well, just talked with the dealer and told them we would like the TRD pro and will put down a deposit.

Told them it was contingent upon the TRD Pro coming with KDSS and or the msrp being exuberantly more then anticipated. (40k-43k is what I have been seeing).

If either of those things are not met we would put the deposit money towards a trail premium.

 

[VoodooTitan]

Well, just talked with the dealer and told them we would like the TRD pro and will put down a deposit.

Told them it was contingent upon the TRD Pro coming with KDSS and or the msrp being exuberantly more then anticipated. (40k-43k is what I have been seeing).

If either of those things are not met we would put the deposit money towards a trail premium.

Congrats. I think you've made a great choice. Don't forget to thoroughly test drive them.

 

[Pierce22]

I am also looking for a TRD Pro, but ever dealer in my area is telling me that delivery could take until Jan for the model. This will be my first 4runner and I am not sure of the Toyota product cycle. I know I can place orders for other brands and it will be here in the fall. Anybody know when the TRD Pros are expected to be released?

 

[Iron Oak]

My best guess is they will do an initial intro (limited number of each model) at the beginning of the fourth quarter this year. And the remainder during the first/second quarter of next year.

I used to work for VW for many years and that's usually what they did with limited production runs on special models.

Speaking with the sales team for Toyota, they seemed to think that they would be receiving them at the beginning of the 4th quarter this year. (October). They expect only about two per store. Except maybe some of the higher volume stores may get more but not many.

 

[cbielat]

I drive the SR5 version and have had no complaints of the part time 4WD system. It's easy enough to use the lever to put it into 4WD when needed. I'm in sales and my territory is all of New England. I spend a lot of time in Maine as well. I've driven from Worcester, MA to Burlington, VT in a snow storm all the way up in 4WD. Conditions only allowed me to drive at a speed where I could keep it in 4WD. Just need to use common sense on knowing when and how to use it.

 

[Jhalko]

I sure appreciate having the AWD, especially when I go back and forth from wet roads to snow. I did rip out the Xreas shocks and springs for a lift as well, the ride is actually better compared to before, IMHO.

 

[philsey]

Only you know how well your wife will handle the PT 4WD of the TE. I'd suggest you give that serious consideration (my wife wouldn't know how or when to use it on a bet). If I lived in ME, and my wife drove the 4R, it'd be the LE.

The TE/Pro is gonna be very pricey and very hard to get.

You've not said what requirements you have that requires a TE.

 

[Iron Oak]

Only you know how well your wife will handle the PT 4WD of the TE. I'd suggest you give that serious consideration (my wife wouldn't know how or when to use it on a bet). If I lived in ME, and my wife drove the 4R, it'd be the LE.

The TE/Pro is gonna be very pricey and very hard to get.

You've not said what requirements you have that requires a TE.

The wife is a good driver. I think she may just need a booster in the confidence of how to react in a loss of control situation. The best way honestly I have found is to put the vehicle into those situations in a controlled manor to see, 1. How you as the driver react and 2. How the car reacts. Then you can work on them together to keep your calm and know how to counter act the action with the correct reaction. Nowadays, most traction control systems are pretty smart. Hard to do in July though. Come winter though, we will be finding a nice empty parking lot.

As far as her knowing when to put into 4wd versus 2wd, we have addressed that too. I rather she put it in 4wd and burn some more gas when there's 4+ inches of snow on the ground then leave it in 2wd.

As far as my requirements, I want a locking rear diff, KDSS, I really like the terrain select and crawl control. A great suspension set up is key too.

I think people are overlooking how much of an improvement the suspension on the TRD Pro is. It's really quite impressive. If it ends up being the same price as a limited, I'm all in. One less thing to upgrade.

We plan on doing some overlanding in the coming years.

The biggest let down of the new 4runner for both of us is the lack of a V8 as an option. The torque is really nice. I wish they at least had a supercharger available for the V6 or even better, would be a diesel. Probably see a hybrid 4Runner before we ever see a diesel one though.

We both really liked the Land Rover LR4. V8, super rugged chassis, all time awd with low range and available rear locker. Adjustable air suspension with terrain select. A well thought out cabin and ergonomics. The fact that they have so much useable space in a fairly small package with a usable third row seat.

The down fall is I can get a brand new loaded 4Runner with almost all the same features for the same price new, as a used LR4.

I'm not against used but I couldn't find enough long term users of the LR4 to get solid feedback on engine longevity, common wear items etc.

Brakes every 15-35k miles and tires about the same. Pretty expensive general maintenance even with me doing the work. The 4Runner is the smarter choice. I can put that money to better use.

Plus 12-17mpg in the LR4 is horrible but considering it weighs over 7000 lbs, I guess it's understandable.

I still like the LR4, just not enough to buy one.