Not going rock climbing. Sr5 or trail?

[alext72888]

All I want is a cool looking 4runner that's never going rock climbing. It might do light trail off roading for going camping and such, and also dealing with the snow in the north east.

A trail edition is three plus thousand dollars more than an sr5, and I don't know if it's worth it. I'm going to get aftermarket wheels later on anyways, and maybe do the trd pro valance conversion later on as well.

Is the extra equipment that the trail edition comes with worth it? I like being able to never get stuck..

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

No.
Buy an SR5.

 

[cutty01]

You may not want to do those things now but you may change your mind as time goes on. I bought a LE and am already searching lockers because I too don't want to get stuck somewhere during my "back roads" adventures. TE comes with many things you may want to help you out in a jam.

 

[ScotchMau5]

I looking to do more to my 4runner but from what I have been told and as I do research to prove this. Your better off getting SR5 and putting the work into it. ARB air lockers are going to be better than the stock electronic locker on the trail editions. Not to mention to lift and deal the KDSS can be a pain. I haven't experienced these things first hand but I know some people that have. Sometimes a little simpler is better, just my opinion... I'm glad to have a manual transfer case, when they put them in the SR5 (2010)...

 

[Matteblack]

IMHO If your buying '10-'13 Id get the TE because its the coolest looking T4R :eyebrows: But if you are going '14-'15 go SR5 and save the $ since they pretty much look the same now as the TE's. TE's used to stand out from the others, now not so much unfortunately.

MB

 

[MSinDC]

In my experience base Trail models were comparable in price to base SR5's. I obviously prefer the Trail, but just wanted to note that if go with a non-KDSS Trail it shouldn't be that much different.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Had the same dilemma for the same reasons. I bought an SR5 Premium instead of a base Trail.

 

[cjacob316]

I mentioned this in a thread earlier, the Trail with KDSS drives well on road. For what you seem to want, a Trail with KDSS and better than stock tires is all you need, and I think you'd find it rides better on road than the SR5 or trail without KDSS.

 

[Phoenix4R]

Buy what you want. The only opinions you're going to get here are a bunch of people defending whatever it was they personally chose. The SR5 guys are all going to bash the TE because they're all badasses that plan to sink dozens of thousands of dollars into their trucks so they can go drive around in shallow muddy puddles, so the TE is a waste. KDSS is a piece of garbage and will break on you and who needs the stock lockers because *everyone* here spends a couple g's on air lockers(said no one ever...). TE guys will tell you to quit being a broke dick and buy the better baseline, which is true.

If you just want to soft road and drive on dirt roads, I'm sure a cute little 2WD SR5 will be fine.

 

[wfo9]

Two useful features on the trail.
1. Rear locker (standard)
2. KDSS (optional)

Crawl control... IS BS Gadgetry IHMO. Can't imagine ever using it.

 

[off-road runner]

I think both models look "cool". The TE looks sportier with the hood scoop and sweet rims but as was said, not as much different in aesthetics compared to the '10-'13 years. For what you're gonna do for wheelin' you probably would never need E-diff lock. I gotta say... KDSS is great for on-road handling. If it (KDSS) is not an option you're interested in, ask yourself if the non-functional hood scoop is worth the difference in coin.

 

[alext72888]

Some fascinating responses here. Thank you everyone for the feedback.

 

[wanderMT]

And all those responses are garbage - what you need is a Limited!!

 

[1engineer]

Buy what you want. The only opinions you're going to get here are a bunch of people defending whatever it was they personally chose. The SR5 guys are all going to bash the TE because they're all badasses that plan to sink dozens of thousands of dollars into their trucks so they can go drive around in shallow muddy puddles, so the TE is a waste. KDSS is a piece of garbage and will break on you and who needs the stock lockers because *everyone* here spends a couple g's on air lockers(said no one ever...). TE guys will tell you to quit being a broke dick and buy the better baseline, which is true.

If you just want to soft road and drive on dirt roads, I'm sure a cute little 2WD SR5 will be fine.

Who are you? Are you out of middle school yet?

OP, I have had both. Since you are not going off road buy whatever you want because even though all these guys are flexing their internet muscles very few ever go off road to any extent. I can personally attest to the fact that any 4wd model will take you places you never dreamed it would go. Also there is no such thing as a vehicle that won't get stuck. They all will depending on the stupidity of the driver. Vehicles never get stuck. Drivers do.

 

[alext72888]

Who are you? Are you out of middle school yet?

OP, I have had both. Since you are not going off road buy whatever you want because even though all these guys are flexing their internet muscles very few ever go off road to any extent. I can personally attest to the fact that any 4wd model will take you places you never dreamed it would go. Also there is no such thing as a vehicle that won't get stuck. They all will depending on the stupidity of the driver. Vehicles never get stuck. Drivers do.

best response. ty. :dancin:

 

[3wbdriver]

I can personally attest to the fact that any 4wd model will take you places you never dreamed it would go. Also there is no such thing as a vehicle that won't get stuck. They all will depending on the stupidity of the driver. Vehicles never get stuck. Drivers do.

Word!!!! arty:

 

[Phoenix4R]

Who are you? Are you out of middle school yet?

OP, I have had both. Since you are not going off road buy whatever you want because even though all these guys are flexing their internet muscles very few ever go off road to any extent.

Look guys, they have computers in nursing homes now.....

I'd wager I take my truck out more often and and on harsher terrain than you do. But what do I know? I'm just the idiot that bought the overpriced TE.

In all actuality, if you want a truck that you can buy and forget about and will get you out of most situations in mild off-roading, the TE is the best, not the worst. I sincerely doubt someone that only has a passing interest in off-roading is going to want to dump thousands of dollars into an SR5. Not to mention, you'd be just talking out of your butt here anyway when 95% of people do a lift, sliders, tires and wheels and call it a day. Air lockers? Please.

If I wanted a rock crawler, I would have bought a JKUR anyway.

 

[Jeremy556]

It's an "assisted living facility!" :yell:

If it was an option, I would have removed my e-locker and replaced it with an air locker when I installed gears and a front air locker.

 

[etc.]

If you want a Trail , get a Trail. I made the mistake and bought an SR5. I wanted a Trail, but I couldn't stomach the nearly $40,000 price tag. Two weeks after the purchase I started having regrets. To top things off, the payment wasn't that much more. So, I was essentially paying for a vehicle I no longer wanted.

 

[alext72888]

If you want a Trail , get a Trail. I made the mistake and bought an SR5. I wanted a Trail, but I couldn't stomach the nearly $40,000 price tag. Two weeks after the purchase I started having regrets. To top things off, the payment wasn't that much more. So, I was essentially paying for a vehicle I no longer wanted.

very good advice. Thank you.