New Guy question: Trail vs Pro (wince)

N

namsag

New member
Hello, new guy on forum. Have never owned a Toyota but looking to jump in pretty soon with either a Trail Premium or a TRD Pro. Trail looks nice and practical, that orange Pro looks awesome! Ruled out an FJ because I got two growing girls. Now I know this has been hashed to death on here. I did some reading of old threads but frankly I don't have time to wade through the 200+ page thread on the Pro, or the multiple threads on KDSS, so I wonder if I can throw myself on the mercy of the court and ask just a couple of simple questions. If anyone wants to criticize for not finding the answers myself by searching, all I can say is, you got a lot more free time than I do!

What I need is a reliable 4WD vehicle for making it back and forth from home to work in bad conditions like what we just went through here in north Mississippi. Snow and ice on the roads doesn't happen that often here but it shuts this area down when it does. In addition I live down a quarter of a mile of sloped gravel road that I keep in pretty good shape but in snow and ice all bets are off. Also can get muddy in heavy rains. Under these conditions I still got to get through. Calling work and saying I can't make it to the hospital is Not An Option. My old 2WD F-150 left me wanting last week so I need to do something. 4Runner seems like the thing I need.

I would like to ask a couple of questions:

1. I read a lot about the KDSS, and what a great feature it is supposed to be. I have decided I would like to have it on my 4Runner, which would seem to rule out the Pro. Question: If it's such a great feature, why isn't it available on the Pro?

2. From my reading here, the Toyota website, and other reviews, it seems like what I really need is the Trail. I haven't seen this explicitly stated but I keep seeing "high-speed off-roading" and "desert" in articles connected with the Pro. The Trail seems to be more the thing for snow and ice and mud. Do you think this assumption is correct?

Two simple questions, but they will help make up my mind. Appreciate any advice/info/experiences. Sorry for the length, but thanks for reading.

namsag. :hiding:
 
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namsag said:
1. I read a lot about the KDSS, and what a great feature it is supposed to be. I have decided I would like to have it on my 4Runner, which would seem to rule out the Pro. Question: If it's such a great feature, why isn't it available on the Pro?

2. From my reading here, the Toyota website, and other reviews, it seems like what I really need is the Trail. I haven't seen this explicitly stated but I keep seeing "high-speed off-roading" and "desert" in articles connected with the Pro. The Trail seems to be more the thing for snow and ice and mud. Do you think this assumption is correct?

Two simple questions, but they will help make up my mind. Appreciate any advice/info/experiences. Sorry for the length, but thanks for reading.

namsag. :hiding:
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1. It's a great feature for everyday driving, but a complicated one and if off roading which you are more likely to do in the TRD. . can become expensive to replace. For this reason they went with which could take a better beating the tried and true shocks, coils, and springs.

2. The trail I believe to me more capable mechanically whereas visually the TRD looks more capable. I am not dogging on the PRO as I am with you and agree I love the paint color, the subtle design cues, but really for the price you could buy a trail and dump the difference into that and have something better performing and modified personally. If daily driving and occasional trails I think the trail would be better. If desert racing and wanting a sweet color the PRO.

Hope it helps with this brief synopsis, but have been my thoughts on the matter of comparing the two in depth.
 
+1 on the sr5...dont sleep on its capabilities, especially if you are not going to go super hard core or have 5 feet of snow to overcome. know that the same 4WD system in the trail is also in the SR5, minus the KDSS and rear locker.

i have a 2014 SR5 living in maryland, and i get thru the snow just fine...upwards of a foot or more at a time. you can read reviews about it being bouncy, but to a newbie, me included, its as smooth as anything i have ever driven short of my 96 Land Rover Disco.


but many will chime in...you cant go wrong with the Trail...its manly and capable...and has just enough bells to make you grin.
 
Thanks very much guys for the responses....maybe I do need to check out the SR5 again...as to a lift, yes, more than likely... at least a front leveling and possibly a little more 2 - 3" and some tires on the Trail.
 
namsag said:
Thanks very much guys for the responses....maybe I do need to check out the SR5 again...as to a lift, yes, more than likely... at least a front leveling and possibly a little more 2 - 3" and some tires on the Trail.
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If you plan to lift then you'd just be wasting your money on the Pro, unless you just have to have the inferno. Most of what you're paying for is the suspension.
 
I'd go with the Trail Edition- as an owner of both an SR5 and TE- get the TE for the rear locker. No need for the TRD if you will lift
 
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Guys thanks very much for the advice. It's gonna be the Trail Premium...gonna get serious about looking.

Comment ca va cjacob, I was born and grew up in Jennings...Allons a Big Lafayette!
 
mnofpeace said:
t the same 4WD system in the trail is also in the SR5, minus the KDSS and rear locker.

but many will chime in...you cant go wrong with the Trail...its manly and capable...and has just enough bells to make you grin.
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While I agree the SR5 is capable I believe the trail with the rear locker will make a world of difference for that one time you need a year. Better to have it just in case then not at all. I agree with PRO looks great and a pretty cool vehicle, but the Trail makes more sense.

...I own an SR5 :typing:
 
Since you think you might lift it what about a base trail. Would save considerable $$$ thay you could then put into some very nice coilovers/tires/rims.

Just a thought. The base's lack of leather and sunroof could definitely be a deal breaker though. I truly wish I could've afforded/found a TE Premium when buying mine but then again my 'runner would be stock right now if I did that.

Tough choice though and wish you the best! Premiums are awfully nice and yet the Pro's are unique enough I can see that being one tough decision make.

Sure youll be happy either way though!!
- Jeff
 
Thanks, the reason I am interested in the Premium is for the seats; I could completely do without the sunroof. Just another hole in the roof, and holes leak.
 
namsag said:
Thanks, the reason I am interested in the Premium is for the seats; I could completely do without the sunroof. Just another hole in the roof, and holes leak.
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I hear ya! While I've enjoyed sunroofs at times on previous vehicles, when I'm honest with myself I've got them closed with the shade drawn 90% of the time. Now the seats.....oh how I miss my leather ones and it's not really an easily added option. (I know there's katzkins which are amazing but awfully pricey).

Good luck in your hunt for the right 4Runner!
- Jeff
 
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