New to 4Runner's need advice on purchase!

[Mr4Rings]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new 4Runner.

I've been lurking on here for some time now just gathering information on various lifts and mods as it will not be stock for long.

I guess what my main question is, if I'm not a serious off-roader just occasional dirt runs and camping trips, should I worry about making sure I get the trail?

Are the trail features worth paying out of pocket (~3k or more depending on accessories I wanted added) as opposed to coming up with no extra money down and minimum extra a month and having a lifted sr5 premium?

Will the ready lift spacers cause any problems down the road being a top loaded lift?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I know this is a "if you can afford to buy the parts" question. But I'm only 22 and obviously I would love to not have to outlay any cash. Just looking for some opinions on my situation, being brand new to 4runners.

 

[philsey]

OP. You'll get good help here, but you need to boil all that down to some short, succinct questions.

 

[Mr4Rings]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not new to forums but I guess some want a bit more back story than others. Clearly by my lack of responses this forum doesn't like reading all that much without pictures.

I edited my original post. Hopefully that helps

 

[AZrunner11]

I bought a SR5 T4R in 2011. I joined here and got the non curable disease caused by the builds here....modidis. However, I quickly realized that I should have purchased the trail since it didn't come with the yuppie chromed rocker panels. I didn't think I needed the trail edition at first either. A year later I sold the SR5 and picked up the trail. So look at the build threads and see what has been done from TE exterior conversions to the removal of the rocker panels and such.

Spend more up front what you may need now as opposed to having to sell and buy the other trim line.

As far as the '11 SR5 it had a bad noise dive during braking and the trail with KDSS did not. The KDSS also had a more responsive steering feel. However, the heated leather seats were a feature I miss from my '11.

For what you would be doing with it. I think the non-trail would be just fine for you. Upgrade to something like the Duratracs that look good, but also offer good rain and snow traction. This stock '14 SR5 did everything we did and only scraped a skid or hitch receiver a time or two. In the off road section - broken arrow trail 12/19/14.

Don't know anything about spacers-

 

[ic0517]

You buy the Trail Edition because of the extra cooling to your engine thru the hood scoop.

Or is it you can put a turbo charger on it quicker.

OK seriously I thought the number one off road mod to any 4Runner are the tires, and the second are the shocks or lifts. Or is it a bug deflector (there I go again). I would wait for someone else's opinion on lifting. 1engineer has something thing about tire sizes, rims, offsets, will it rub, does it need to be lifted.

I have done no suspension or wheel mods. My 4Runner will be having to do round trips from Chicago to Bloomington, Indiana starting next September, and mileage and low noise is what will count then.

The Trail Edition gives you an electronic rear locker, and maybe its gives you some of the downhill/uphill 4Lo speed control stuff that nobody uses. You can also get KDSS but to be honest I am glad mine doesn't. You will get many opinions on KDSS here.

For model year 2013 the only way to get heated seats stock was with a Limited. If I was getting a 2015 TE I would for sure get heated seats with the Premium, I was FMAO (freezing my ass off) this week.

The sliding cargo tray has grown on me, really helps for work, I have to take military alternators to testing labs every once in a while. Again, opinions on the tray are like a-holes, everybody has one.

I like the entertainment system, but I hate I have to grab my ankles to update the maps. Bluetooth hands free rock, can keep it legal in Chicago. Sirius is a serious joke. $10/month could get me Netflix instead. Another opinion thing there.

 

[Mr4Rings]

I'm thinking the downhill/uphill will help with snow covered hills. I live in a heavy snow area. Half the time I spend off-roading is in snow. Sometimes deep snow. Will the trail aid in those areas with the rear locker/ uphill downhill fratures

 

[AZrunner11]

Since the rear differential lock was brought up(basically all models of Toyota 4WDs need the off road package for it) you may want to go with the trail merely for this jewel.