New to forum, 5thgen trim/4wd question

[Fasttimes]

Hola, im new to posting to the forum, but have been reading a good bit over the last few months. i am looking into getting a 5th gen 4runner soon. i just had a couple of questions about the trim types and the 4wd options.

aside from the wheel wells, are the front and rear bumpers on the trail models significantly different? it looks like it in some pics i see but is hard for me to tell. i seem to prefer the way the trail looks to the other models. maybe just my preference

Also, i just realized the limited is the only model that has all time 4wd. does anyone with a trail or sr5 seem to have any problems with that or is just more of a preference thing? one of the main reasons i would like to get a 4runner is for the 4 wheel drive, i guess i just kind of assumed they were all time 4wd. thanks for any insight.

 

[limamike]

Hola, im new to posting to the forum, but have been reading a good bit over the last few months. i am looking into getting a 5th gen 4runner soon. i just had a couple of questions about the trim types and the 4wd options.

aside from the wheel wells, are the front and rear bumpers on the trail models significantly different? it looks like it in some pics i see but is hard for me to tell. i seem to prefer the way the trail looks to the other models. maybe just my preference

Also, i just realized the limited is the only model that has all time 4wd. does anyone with a trail or sr5 seem to have any problems with that or is just more of a preference thing? one of the main reasons i would like to get a 4runner is for the 4 wheel drive, i guess i just kind of assumed they were all time 4wd. thanks for any insight.

If you aren't buying for a few months you'll likely be getting a 2014 model, which are a bit different than the current models. For specific details, read through the sticky thread up top: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/140201-2014-4runner.html

On the current version of the 5th Gen 4Runner, the SR5 and Limited have similar bumpers and exterior trim: lower hanging front and rear bumpers along with lower rocker panels. On the 2014, the SR5 and Trail have similar bumpers and trim, and the Limited is a bit different.

On all-time 4WD, since you live in Alabama I doubt you would have a real "need" for it. Unless you're turned-off by having to move a knob to engage 4WD, you won't have a problem with the SR5 or Trail.

 

[Fasttimes]

Thanks Mike. I probably won't be getting a 2014 model, im looking at some used 10s and 11s currently. Certainly don't "need" the 4wd in alabama (well maybe at/on the beach), but i would like to have it for the few times i might need it or when traveling to rougher terrain. also, my personal opinion is that a truck without 4wd kind of defeats the purpose. thanks again.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Thanks Mike. I probably won't be getting a 2014 model, im looking at some used 10s and 11s currently. Certainly don't "need" the 4wd in alabama (well maybe at/on the beach), but i would like to have it for the few times i might need it or when traveling to rougher terrain. also, my personal opinion is that a truck without 4wd kind of defeats the purpose. thanks again.

One thing about the SR5 and Trails Part Time 4WD is you don't want to engage use it on dry pavement, you basically just use it when you need it.

Here is a good thread to read:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/76488-part-time-4wd-question-how-dry-%93dry-pavement%94.html

Here is a thread on Full Time vs Part Time 4wd:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/95045-5th-gen-vs-4th-gen-full-time-4wd-etc.html

Also, if you can, stick with the '10s-'12s, as they have made some undesirable changes to the '13s, like the Air Injection Pump and removed the 4wd shift lever on the SR5, and replaced it with a knob.

I agree, getting a truck/real SUV without 4wd doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

 

[JB.]

Since we're on the subject, I'll pimp this thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

 

[Fasttimes]

Thanks Willy and JB. appreciate the other threads. i have been finding myself reading thread on this forum for hours. so much info. especially for diy mods, should i decide to get into that one day. i already dabble in rifle building, God knows i don't need another expensive hobby, but this looks like so much fun. haha