New Vehicle...Considering 2014 4Runner Trail

[01_Bullitt]

Hello-

I am currently in the market for a new vehicle. I currently have a Ford Ranger, and while it has been a good truck, I am looking for something bigger.

I was orignally interested in a new F150, and had always planned on getting one, but recently I drove a 4runner and was pleasently supprised.

I have almost convinced myself that I do not actually need a full size truck. I rarely used the truck bed on the ranger and have access to 8 full size trucks if I would ever need one.

I am currently looking into a Trail Edition. If you were to build a Trail, what features would you add. I would like the remote start and the hitch, but would you upgrade the the TRD Beadlock style wheel, i.e. are they worth a whopping $1700 (do you get better tires)?

Also, what are your thoughts on the 4runner? Has yours been reliable, gotten the advertised gas millage, and if you had a truck prevously, are you able to live without it?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your responses.

 

[NoDak]

1. skip the factory remote start
2. trd beadlocks are fake and are for show imo, they are just like any other rims, looks
3. dont ask people what you want, no one knows your desires except you.

ymmv


edit to clarify :

1. you get better features for less cost on 3rd party but hey thats me.
2. for 1700 i get better looking rims and tires installed for less/same for just the price of those bare rims. and i could care less for that "TRD" inflation and look.

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

Yeah, skip the wheels. I'm coming from a Ram 1500 to the Trail...wanted more enclosed space & a vehicle that's more suited to expeditions/overlanding. In the end option-wise though, it comes down to personal taste & what you're planning on doing with it.

 

[3wbdriver]

They all come with a 2" receiver hitch standard now. Mine even came with an insert minus ball in a box in the back. I traded down from a 2011 Tundra to my Trail Edition a month ago. I spend most of my drive time commuting 500 miles each way to work on a land drilling rig. The ride is really nice, and with the back seats down I have just as much gear storage as I used in the Tundra. I very rarely need a full size truck, and I have an 07 GMC at home for that need. Mileage wise, I am averaging 17.5 or so after a month and 2,000 miles, but the majority of that is on 75mph interstates. No true truck - I don't care what it is - get's really decent gas mileage at 75. When I do get off the interstates and onto county/state roads with a 60 mph limit it will average 20 mpg easily. About the same as my 4.6L Tundra, so I am breaking even there as far as I'm concerned. Ask me again in a month after I put some slightly more aggressive tires on it...... :welcome:

 

[Maz]

I am currently looking into a Trail Edition. If you were to build a Trail, what features would you add. I would like the remote start and the hitch, but would you upgrade the the TRD Beadlock style wheel, i.e. are they worth a whopping $1700 (do you get better tires)?

Also, what are your thoughts on the 4runner? Has yours been reliable, gotten the advertised gas millage, and if you had a truck prevously, are you able to live without it?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your responses.

I get at least the advertised gas mileage, and so will you if you stick with the ECO light (I'm assuming the '14 has the green ECO light on the dash my '13 has?)

I went from a Tahoe to a double cab 2006 Tundra and really missed having everything inside, so we got a new 2009 4th Gen T4R. Found that to be a little cramped in side, so now we're in the 5th Gen Trail, and find it as roomy as a full sized truck. In fact the tilt back rear seats (are they in the '14 I assume?) make the T4R as good or better to ride in for your passengers than any pickup you're going to find.

As for options instead of the $1,700. for the TRD Beadlock wheels (which are faux beadlocks and not functional) get the KDSS option, which is about the same price. It makes the rig drive so, so much better both on and off road. I can all but guarantee you won't be sorry if you get it, but may well be sorry if you don't.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

As for options instead of the $1,700. for the TRD Beadlock wheels (which are faux beadlocks and not functional) get the KDSS option, which is about the same price. It makes the rig drive so, so much better both on and off road. I can all but guarantee you won't be sorry if you get it, but may well be sorry if you don't.

One thing to think about with the KDSS, while it does really improve the handling, it is another expensive system that can go wrong.

My wife's 2006 GX470 with 83k miles on it has KDSS, and the rear actuator has a small leak. The cost to replace the actuator and bleed the system is $1500. Every time the KDSS system is touched, it needs to be bled which is about $600. Only Toyota and Lexus dealerships will touch the KDSS system, and even within the dealerships, there are few that know much about the system, or have much experience working with it. Just something to think about if you are going to be keeping it for a long time.

Even though the GX handles like a sports car on the road thanks to KDSS, I wish it didn't have it.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I am also in the market for a new vehicle although, I am waiting for Toyota to announce the price on the TRD pro 4runner. I am going get either a TE or the TRD pro runner.

Anyway, don't get the OEM remote start. The range isn't that good but the worst thing is while remote started, when you unlock the doors to get in the vehicle shuts off. Then you have to restart the vehicle. The Honda remote start is this way too. IMHO, this is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Go aftermarket. Do your research for good installers in your area.

The TRD wheels are way over priced for what they are.

Just my 2¢.

 

[NoDak]

if you want to subscribe to the K.I.S.S. method, the bare bones SR5 is your cheapest long term option.

LE has the xreas system, just as $$$ as the kdss system when you have issues.

 

[pacho]

if your coming from a truck, even the barebones SR5 is luxurious by comparison., and its not really "barebones" in the real sense of the word, considering your shelling out at least mid-$30,000s

i have a 2 wheel drive 2014 SR5 which I choosed since it does not have kdss or xreas( less moving parts, less repairs down the line), and I have been happy with it. the only thing i wished i had sometimes is the trail hood that has the fake hood scoop, but even that you can always buy later to replace the SR5 hood.

 

[01_Bullitt]

if your coming from a truck, even the barebones SR5 is luxurious by comparison., and its not really "barebones" in the real sense of the word, considering your shelling out at least mid-$30,000s

i have a 2 wheel drive 2014 SR5 which I choosed since it does not have kdss or xreas( less moving parts, less repairs down the line), and I have been happy with it. the only thing i wished i had sometimes is the trail hood that has the fake hood scoop, but even that you can always buy later to replace the SR5 hood.

Thanks all for the advise. Going to go drive one today.

I got a quote from a dealer 150 miles away for a 2014 Trail for 34,418. Going to see if I can get my local dealer to beat it.