Ordering a 2016 4runner to get exactly what you want?

[bluecollarjock]

I have been trying to read up on these TRD Pro vs Trail Base vs Trail Premium threads (and I have not even figured out what the SR5 Premium is that jacks up the price big time)... If you really want to get exactly what you want, is ordering a 4runner what you guys do? Or try to search dealers until you find close to what you want, even if it has options tacked on for extra money you do not really want?

I am considering a 2016 4runner after the New Year, because finding a 3rd Gen with low miles turns into a full time job which I am sick of burning up the time, and then dumping all the money into it I would for gears, locker (if I can't find a low mileage with a locker), lift, bumpers, skids, sliders, winch, etc I am like wow I will be basically falling for my addiction to make it a wheeling vehicle and I already have an 05 Rubicon that I did all that to. What I really need is a reliable, long road trip hunting, camping, throw the girlfriend and kids in vehicle for a vacation with zero worries about reliability. Something I can wheel lightly, but be more comfortable, quieter, more lockable security, and faster than a soft top Jeep TJ! I will most likely keep the TJ for around town and if I want to go on trails it might get banged up on and have the 4runner as my "commuter". If I buy new, I will get to keep it forever, and it seems newer used 4runners or Tacomas are seriously as much or slightly less than brand new they hold their retail so well. Why not pay a few grand more and get zero miles and a full warranty?

Seems like the TRD Pro is hard to get, and if you can get it, many places jack the price up above MSRP which I assume would be my case in LA. Last year I was looking at TRD Pro Tacoma's casually, and the salesmen walked up and told me immediately $3k over MSRP...

Anyhow, there is a slight chance I can get the family pricing dealio. If so finding a TRD Pro might still be a nightmare, but I do appreciate the lift and not touching a thing yet still being covered under warranty without any potential hassles. So if I could get the employee pricing, and find one in Sandscript, I might be tempted to do it.

However, I like what many of you say about the KDSS being so great. So perhaps a Trail or Trail Premium would be a good bet. Next some of you that have pics of your lifted Trail/TP look super nice, and you say it can cost less to do a better lift and new rims and tires than getting the TRD Pro? Looking at ToyTec it looks like ballpark $900-$3k just for parts, not including labor (for those of us who do not install our own parts). Add in new tires (~$1k for Toyo Open Country ATs) and rims (say ~$600 for Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II), it seems it would be more expensive than the TRD Pro? What am I missing about the lift, tires and rims being installed for less than the minor price jump to a TRD Pro? And possibly if something went wrong in the front end during the warranty someone could claim your lift caused it? Or if you paid out the a$$ for a Toyota dealer to install your lift (which not sure I would trust them?), does that avoid the worry of anything being voided in a warranty? In other states (TX and Indiana I think) when I was shopping for Tacoma's there were dealers who installed the same lift and rims as the Baja or TRD Pro and covered it under warranty. So it seems in some rare places there are 4x4 friendly dealers who install lifts on Toyotas and warranty covers them. Not near me as far as I know.

Then if I am understanding the threads correctly and the Toyota website, the Trail Premium has the "pleather" as some of you call it, but the base Trail has cloth. I love cloth all the way. But Trail base you cannot get a sunroof? I would love a sunroof!

Depending on the availability of the TRD Pro in my area in Sandscript, and if the timing of when I want to buy lines up when it is available...it could be a roll of the dice. But if there was a way to get a Trail with KDSS, cloth, and a sunroof (I am not so sure I trust having a sunroof installed aftermarket or at the dealer), AND install a lift, tires and ATs without voiding the warranty for less than a TRD Pro I would be all for that. I do not care about the badge stuff or exterior differences. I also love that red color they have. Most likely I would have a front bumper and sliders installed anyhow, and whether Trail or TRD Pro, the 4runners i have seen on the forum and running around my part of LA with a lift, bumpers, and sliders, look freaking sweet. But I do not have the fat wallet these folks do to dump $15k into a brand new $40k 4runner or Jeep Rubicon right off the showroom floor, and funny it is typically their 3rd "extra" vehicle. ha!

Thanks for any input or opinions. I do keep trying to do searches and read more up on people's experiences with the 2014 and 2015 4runners. I am just sick of shopping for used 3rd Gens with what little free time I have, and one of my friends realistically pointed out to me that getting a 3rd Gen will likely turn more into another toy for me like the Jeep, rather than a more practical, reliable, long term road tripping vehicle that I need.

 

[ncflyer]

Basic answer but unless you are willing to go out of state, the only ones/options you will be able to get is what comes up when you "build" one on the Toyota sight for your region. Different regions offer different set-ups. Willingness to travel may get you more of what you want and likely a lower price vs LA. If you can find a 2015 you would likely get a better deal than

Get brochure and look it over but best I can recall from my search and what bit I've learned after...

SR5 - Base with "button" 4wd, no offroad assist options or manual 4x4 like on the Trail and Pro, just 4H and 4L. Cheapest route for adding aftermarket and it looks like all the others when you add stuff - I think the Premium version adds the same as the Trail P. Also has the 3rd row

Trail vs Premium - Same basics except the Premium has the upgraded "leather like" seats, heated seats, sunroof. KDSS optional of both, rear slider optional of both and no 3rd row available.

You could also look in For sale section here. Great, already set-up moderate to low mileage 5th gens pop up

Pro - Is what it is - One package, no pick and choose but already has lift and wheels/tires, seats, no KDSS, rear slider on all.

 

[JayToo]

I had to wait a couple weeks, and stay on the salesman's case but I got exactly what I wanted. It's a black Trail Premium,with remote start and floor mats as the only options. They traded with the dealer to which it was originally allocated, and were able to specify the options I wanted before it arrived in port.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Too many choices, so little time

You pack a lot into a post. Not sure what your question is, but I speak LA so I'll try to answer.
The TRD Pro is also loaded up with lots of accessories. The price automatically goes up way over a basic Trail Edition.
The TRD suspension is modified in Long Beach and one other spot on the east coast. I wouldn't expect the typical dealer to install the same lift correctly.
Either you want cloth seats or you want a sunroof. You don't get both. You can try ordering the T4R with both but I don't know if you'll be able to. And it will take the dealer a week or two to hear back from Toyota that you can or can't get it that way. Happened to me trying to order my 2015 TE without NAV.
You can't get the TRD Pro with KDSS. The KDSS is totally worth it so consider buying the Trail Edition. You could order a TRD Pro in the color you want but you won't get KDSS on it.
With the SR5 you get 7" rims. With the Trail Edition you get 7.5" wide rims. It makes it easier to swap out larger tires without changing the rims. The rims look good to me and replacement rims are not cheap.
If you install a new steel front bumper you'll need the lift and heavier springs. If you add some of these things you're getting into your dreaded range of $15k + $40k for the vehicle.
Lots of people here have said the TRD Pro offers an ordinary lift for a lot of money. These same folks say you can add a decent lift to a Trail for less money.
Any accessories and aftermarket parts you buy from the dealer with the car, or have them add your parts at their hourly service fee, is going to cost you much more than what it costs to purchase directly from a supplier and have installed by the typical auto shop.
I ordered my Trail Edition without any accessories. No floor mats, cargo tray, cargo cover, roof rack cross bars, running boards, etc. I plan to replace the roof rack with a Gobi or Baja Rack and I want better WeatherTech or Husky floor mats. I'll get the lift and rock sliders eventually. No heavy bumper though.
Good luck. You have a lot to decide before you're ready to buy. And AAA or Costco can help you get the best price on the car.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thank you all so much for your replies!!

Well if I could get the TRD Pro, it might be easiest since the lift is done, has a locker, turn key ready to wheel and with a warranty.

As far as cloth OR sunroof, hard choice but I actually may prefer cloth so much I would pass up a sunroof.

A base Trail model with KDSS would seem to work well for me other than I am guessing adding a lift and tires would bump it up to the same price range as the TRD Pro...but waiting to see if people chime in to explain what better lift they installed or could install for less than getting a TRD Pro. My math even without the labor factored in seems to indicate it would be more to add a "better lift" than factory TRD Pro, rims, and tires than to just splurge on the TRD Pro.

 

[ShortytheFireman]

When I went to buy mine, I was initially thinking TRD Pro in Super White. I do a lot of research before my purchases and learned about KDSS. The majority of my driving is done on the highway, and after driving an SR5 and a Trail with KDSS back to back, I ditched the idea of the PRO and went with a Trail Premium and couldn't be happier with my decision. If you're doing a lot of highway driving, KDSS is great for on-road handling.

 

[ic0517]

If my 2013 Trail no KDSS was to get totalled, I would get a 2016 TEP. Up to you on KDSS. If reliability is #1, then I say no KDSS.

I so do not like that "Kiss my @ss and I will let you buy this vehicle" stuff. If you can't just walk out of the dealership with a "f**k you, I will buy it some place else" attitude, they got you by the boys.

I will admit at one time I lusted after the Inferno. The one time I went to look at one, it was already sold.

Not sure where you live, but anything 4WD is harder to find right before winter. Then throw in the new model year. You will more likely get a better deal in the spring. Even then, don't expect 4Runners to set around like a Buick Regal (they even make Buicks anymore?)

Bonus thought - kids - they will find a way to dent and scratch and stain your vehicle. Just saying, speaking from experience.

 

[kingofZroad]

I don't think it's just Toyota that is moving to "packages." I've spec'd out several vehicles here at work, all the manufacturers are moving to the package system.

That said, I chose the Trail Premium when it came time to buy my 4Runner (which should be here next week). I was able to find one that was being build for a dealership here in Colorado. I laid claim to it, as there were NONE on the lots within a two state radius... It was worth the wait to get what I really wanted, as I will drive it for about ten years.

I should be part of the 4Runner club in about 10 days!!!

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thanks for the continued feedback. As for timing, spring is better for me anyways. I am in LA, no snow and no need for 4x4, other than it is a status symbol for people to have a 4x4 or two in their fleet, and many of these people do own ski houses. But for the most part lots of pimped out new 4x4s just to look cool, and plenty of 2x4 trucks too lifted and modded out for looks. I just have to grin when I see a full size 2x4 with huge lift and 37" aggressive mud tires, and they are all over the place here. I assume most are not regeared either. So, you are killing your drivetrain, mpg, ride, and reliability...just to look cool...

As much as I might lust after the TRD Pro, a Trail/Trail Premium with KDSS probably is the more practical choice. I four wheel in my head more than I do in reality, and I already have a Jeep for more serious trails. I need something that is cozy on the highway and good for long road trips with room for people and gear.

 

[MTN4RNR]

I have been trying to read up on these TRD Pro vs Trail Base vs Trail Premium threads (and I have not even figured out what the SR5 Premium is that jacks up the price big time)... If you really want to get exactly what you want, is ordering a 4runner what you guys do? Or try to search dealers until you find close to what you want, even if it has options tacked on for extra money you do not really want?

I am considering a 2016 4runner after the New Year, because finding a 3rd Gen with low miles turns into a full time job which I am sick of burning up the time, and then dumping all the money into it I would for gears, locker (if I can't find a low mileage with a locker), lift, bumpers, skids, sliders, winch, etc I am like wow I will be basically falling for my addiction to make it a wheeling vehicle and I already have an 05 Rubicon that I did all that to. What I really need is a reliable, long road trip hunting, camping, throw the girlfriend and kids in vehicle for a vacation with zero worries about reliability. Something I can wheel lightly, but be more comfortable, quieter, more lockable security, and faster than a soft top Jeep TJ! I will most likely keep the TJ for around town and if I want to go on trails it might get banged up on and have the 4runner as my "commuter". If I buy new, I will get to keep it forever, and it seems newer used 4runners or Tacomas are seriously as much or slightly less than brand new they hold their retail so well. Why not pay a few grand more and get zero miles and a full warranty?

Seems like the TRD Pro is hard to get, and if you can get it, many places jack the price up above MSRP which I assume would be my case in LA. Last year I was looking at TRD Pro Tacoma's casually, and the salesmen walked up and told me immediately $3k over MSRP...

Anyhow, there is a slight chance I can get the family pricing dealio. If so finding a TRD Pro might still be a nightmare, but I do appreciate the lift and not touching a thing yet still being covered under warranty without any potential hassles. So if I could get the employee pricing, and find one in Sandscript, I might be tempted to do it.

However, I like what many of you say about the KDSS being so great. So perhaps a Trail or Trail Premium would be a good bet. Next some of you that have pics of your lifted Trail/TP look super nice, and you say it can cost less to do a better lift and new rims and tires than getting the TRD Pro? Looking at ToyTec it looks like ballpark $900-$3k just for parts, not including labor (for those of us who do not install our own parts). Add in new tires (~$1k for Toyo Open Country ATs) and rims (say ~$600 for Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II), it seems it would be more expensive than the TRD Pro? What am I missing about the lift, tires and rims being installed for less than the minor price jump to a TRD Pro? And possibly if something went wrong in the front end during the warranty someone could claim your lift caused it? Or if you paid out the a$$ for a Toyota dealer to install your lift (which not sure I would trust them?), does that avoid the worry of anything being voided in a warranty? In other states (TX and Indiana I think) when I was shopping for Tacoma's there were dealers who installed the same lift and rims as the Baja or TRD Pro and covered it under warranty. So it seems in some rare places there are 4x4 friendly dealers who install lifts on Toyotas and warranty covers them. Not near me as far as I know.

Then if I am understanding the threads correctly and the Toyota website, the Trail Premium has the "pleather" as some of you call it, but the base Trail has cloth. I love cloth all the way. But Trail base you cannot get a sunroof? I would love a sunroof!

Depending on the availability of the TRD Pro in my area in Sandscript, and if the timing of when I want to buy lines up when it is available...it could be a roll of the dice. But if there was a way to get a Trail with KDSS, cloth, and a sunroof (I am not so sure I trust having a sunroof installed aftermarket or at the dealer), AND install a lift, tires and ATs without voiding the warranty for less than a TRD Pro I would be all for that. I do not care about the badge stuff or exterior differences. I also love that red color they have. Most likely I would have a front bumper and sliders installed anyhow, and whether Trail or TRD Pro, the 4runners i have seen on the forum and running around my part of LA with a lift, bumpers, and sliders, look freaking sweet. But I do not have the fat wallet these folks do to dump $15k into a brand new $40k 4runner or Jeep Rubicon right off the showroom floor, and funny it is typically their 3rd "extra" vehicle. ha!

Thanks for any input or opinions. I do keep trying to do searches and read more up on people's experiences with the 2014 and 2015 4runners. I am just sick of shopping for used 3rd Gens with what little free time I have, and one of my friends realistically pointed out to me that getting a 3rd Gen will likely turn more into another toy for me like the Jeep, rather than a more practical, reliable, long term road tripping vehicle that I need.

You might want to give this a look. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...mium-w-kdss-san-luis-obispo-ca-$60-000-a.html A 2015 with less than 18K on the odo, and is already fully built. [MENTION=115332]theway131[/MENTION] is the owner, and it's a decent deal if you start adding things up. Plus it comes with all of the stock equipment if you want to sell it for extra $. Just a thought.

 

[4RnR Grl]

[MENTION=71973]bluecollarjock[/MENTION]

These threads might be helpful

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/186247-5th-gen-features-models-differences.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/199857-2016-4runner-changes.html

Also, there is a thread about lifts and a thread about tires and, and, and.... you just have to read.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html

Oh and these....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/201731-what-did-you-pay-out-door-your-4runner.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/205579-what-did-you-pay-your-2016-a.html

 

[DesertCanyons]

4x4 or 2x4

Thanks for the continued feedback. ... I am in LA, no snow and no need for 4x4, ...

As much as I might lust after the TRD Pro, a Trail/Trail Premium with KDSS probably is the more practical choice. I four wheel in my head more than I do in reality, and I already have a Jeep for more serious trails. I need something that is cozy on the highway and good for long road trips with room for people and gear.

I believe in LA the Trail is only going to be sold in a 4x4 version. I could be wrong. My primary reason to buy the Trail was for the locking rear diff' and 4x4 gear shifter. I do go 4 Wheeling to Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, Big Bear, the Sierras, Death Valley and all points in between. If you're going to visit your friends with the snow cabins you'll want the 4 wheel drive and eventually, AT tires.
A scuba diving buddy of mine bought a 2x4 4Runner a few years ago and it takes him everywhere we go diving just fine.
For just trips on the highway and efficiency the SR5 will get you there for less cost. So will a Highlander or Sienna. If you're keeping the Jeep Wrangler then you don't have to have a 4x4 T4R.
I only have room for our two cars in the garage and I'm not going to register and insure more than one car so my off-road vehicle also has to be a daily driver. We've been up to Santa Cruz twice, the Sierras and the Refugio Beach above Santa Barbara in the T4R TE with KDSS and I can say it is great for road trips. While working on our old Craftsman house I've hauled lumber and equipment in it and it's a good utility truck. It's truly an SUV.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Wow thanks again for keeping the help coming in...

I will read those threads...

And that rig in SLO looks gnarly, just way out of my price range. I guess even if I had the cash I would have a hard time spending that much and justifying it to myself. Sure seems amazing though for sure!!! I would be rubber necking if that thing passed me on the road!

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thanks DesertCanyons.

Well if I kept it for a decade, it would be seeing more than snow roads to cabins. I would want to take it on wheeling trips and hunting trips that require 4x4 and I do want the locker. If the SR5 could be ordered with the upgraded 4x4 system on the other models, KDSS and a rear locker for significantly cheaper price I would have no problems with an SR5.

It may not be the most practical but I have never owned a car or 2x4 in my life. My first vehicle was an 87 Chevy K5 Blazer, and from there the only things I drove were full size Chevy/GMC half ton 4x4s, another K5, Jeep TJs, Jeep WJ, 3rd Gen 4runner. Although I currently live in LA and its harder to get away to wheel or find snow without taking an entire weekend to do so, I still always want to be capable of wheeling or hunting trips especially if I move to Colorado in a few years (tentative plans, as much as I love LA, the gun laws here are absurd and cost of living sky high). Plus in a Jeep TJ if you want to do a weekend of trail riding and camping with a group, you cannot bring more than one person in a Jeep and be comfortable plus fit all your gear. And if you do decide to grab a hotel room or cabin when away for a weekend wheeling or enjoying the outdoors, with a soft top Jeep you have to unload the entire contents of the Jeep because there is no security. I LOVE my Jeep, it does things in the woods none of my K5s could do, but perhaps I am getting old that if its more then a local drive (unless I am going to Big Bear specifically to wheel) I would rather be in an SUV and save my ears and kidneys.

I believe in LA the Trail is only going to be sold in a 4x4 version. I could be wrong. My primary reason to buy the Trail was for the locking rear diff' and 4x4 gear shifter. I do go 4 Wheeling to Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree, Big Bear, the Sierras, Death Valley and all points in between. If you're going to visit your friends with the snow cabins you'll want the 4 wheel drive and eventually, AT tires.
A scuba diving buddy of mine bought a 2x4 4Runner a few years ago and it takes him everywhere we go diving just fine.
For just trips on the highway and efficiency the SR5 will get you there for less cost. So will a Highlander or Sienna. If you're keeping the Jeep Wrangler then you don't have to have a 4x4 T4R.
I only have room for our two cars in the garage and I'm not going to register and insure more than one car so my off-road vehicle also has to be a daily driver. We've been up to Santa Cruz twice, the Sierras and the Refugio Beach above Santa Barbara in the T4R TE with KDSS and I can say it is great for road trips. While working on our old Craftsman house I've hauled lumber and equipment in it and it's a good utility truck. It's truly an SUV.

 

[Donovan1]

Thanks DesertCanyons.

Well if I kept it for a decade, it would be seeing more than snow roads to cabins. I would want to take it on wheeling trips and hunting trips that require 4x4 and I do want the locker. If the SR5 could be ordered with the upgraded 4x4 system on the other models, KDSS and a rear locker for significantly cheaper price I would have no problems with an SR5.

It may not be the most practical but I have never owned a car or 2x4 in my life. My first vehicle was an 87 Chevy K5 Blazer, and from there the only things I drove were full size Chevy/GMC half ton 4x4s, another K5, Jeep TJs, Jeep WJ, 3rd Gen 4runner. Although I currently live in LA and its harder to get away to wheel or find snow without taking an entire weekend to do so, I still always want to be capable of wheeling or hunting trips especially if I move to Colorado in a few years (tentative plans, as much as I love LA, the gun laws here are absurd and cost of living sky high). Plus in a Jeep TJ if you want to do a weekend of trail riding and camping with a group, you cannot bring more than one person in a Jeep and be comfortable plus fit all your gear. And if you do decide to grab a hotel room or cabin when away for a weekend wheeling or enjoying the outdoors, with a soft top Jeep you have to unload the entire contents of the Jeep because there is no security. I LOVE my Jeep, it does things in the woods none of my K5s could do, but perhaps I am getting old that if its more then a local drive (unless I am going to Big Bear specifically to wheel) I would rather be in an SUV and save my ears and kidneys.

This sounds like we are brothers somehow. My first car/truck out of highschool was a '83 4X4 Toyota SR5 pickup. I had several more pickups and a bunch of 4Runners and the FJ which I still have. Somewhere in there I bought a '94 RX7 which I still have too. I never really wanted anything that wasn't a real 4X4 (save for that awesome sportscar) and I've always driven a lifted truck of some kind. Getting older the tire size decreased and my comfort increased. I just wanted something to drive around but still get me through the snow and trails in the Sierras.

We plan to move probably to Montana in a few years too, although CO would be really nice and my brother lives there. Gun laws. Tax. Cost of living. It's insanity.

Right now we have my '10 JF which is awesome but not a great family car. It feels like I have to wrestle that thing everywhere too. My RX7 which is like my spoiled mistress and totally useless other than fun, and the 4Runner which we got the the TEP trim as well. I find reasons to drive that thing I like it so much. I don't think I would be happy in a Highlander or something like that. We even turned down the GX because it was too lux over SUV. I just love my trucks I guess.

 

[nglayton]

Back in the Day....2011

Here's the whole explanation of my experience in 2011 in "ordering" what I wanted. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89540-special-order-eta.html#post781353

But just real quickly..they don't do special orders or at least they didn't in 2011. Things might have changed, I hope so.

Basically I had to wait for one off the boat that matched my criteria and then my dealer requested it be sent to them.

My dealer told me a few things.
1) They (Toyota) base the production runs on what was sold last year. Black was not popular in 2010 I guess.
2)They only make "special orders" if you request something that is offered but not standard. ???? I know that sounds crazy, so I said, "huh, what" and they explained it this way, I would have to order a Black TE w/ Purple interior but since they don't offer purple interior on the T4R it could never happen. So to get a special order you would have to want some quirk in the major options, that was odd. Major options are like the paint/interior/engine/drivetrain/2 vs 4wd, etc.

So in other words, I took that to mean, Toyota does not do "Special Orders", they just make every available mix of options on every available color.

3) All the misc options like running boards, floor mats, remote start, blu logic, cargo net, etc are not factory, the dealer adds them to get the biggest bang for the buck. That's not to say some models don't have these options from the factory, because i guess some do, with the make one of everything scatter shot approach.

So in my case the '11 TE w/Nav was bare bones no added floor mats, cargo nets, running boards, nothing. The dealer added the floor mats for me at cost since I had to wait so long. If I wanted running boards it was like $1000, when I knew I could get them myself for a 1/3 of that price or less, I passed on them.

It's kind of the "If they build it, You will buy it mentality"

Hope that helps

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Thank you all so much for your replies!!

Well if I could get the TRD Pro, it might be easiest since the lift is done, has a locker, turn key ready to wheel and with a warranty.

As far as cloth OR sunroof, hard choice but I actually may prefer cloth so much I would pass up a sunroof.

A base Trail model with KDSS would seem to work well for me other than I am guessing adding a lift and tires would bump it up to the same price range as the TRD Pro...but waiting to see if people chime in to explain what better lift they installed or could install for less than getting a TRD Pro. My math even without the labor factored in seems to indicate it would be more to add a "better lift" than factory TRD Pro, rims, and tires than to just splurge on the TRD Pro.

TRD Pro comes with Softex seats so if you are dead set on Cloth, cross that one off the list. Sounds like a base Trail Edition is what you are looking for... the lift on the pro is little more than leveling compared to any of the standard kits people use on here. Good Luck!

 

[05Rrunner]

I have been trying to read up on these TRD Pro vs Trail Base vs Trail Premium threads (and I have not even figured out what the SR5 Premium is that jacks up the price big time)... If you really want to get exactly what you want, is ordering a 4runner what you guys do? Or try to search dealers until you find close to what you want, even if it has options tacked on for extra money you do not really want?

I am considering a 2016 4runner after the New Year, because finding a 3rd Gen with low miles turns into a full time job which I am sick of burning up the time, and then dumping all the money into it I would for gears, locker (if I can't find a low mileage with a locker), lift, bumpers, skids, sliders, winch, etc I am like wow I will be basically falling for my addiction to make it a wheeling vehicle and I already have an 05 Rubicon that I did all that to. What I really need is a reliable, long road trip hunting, camping, throw the girlfriend and kids in vehicle for a vacation with zero worries about reliability. Something I can wheel lightly, but be more comfortable, quieter, more lockable security, and faster than a soft top Jeep TJ! I will most likely keep the TJ for around town and if I want to go on trails it might get banged up on and have the 4runner as my "commuter". If I buy new, I will get to keep it forever, and it seems newer used 4runners or Tacomas are seriously as much or slightly less than brand new they hold their retail so well. Why not pay a few grand more and get zero miles and a full warranty?

Seems like the TRD Pro is hard to get, and if you can get it, many places jack the price up above MSRP which I assume would be my case in LA. Last year I was looking at TRD Pro Tacoma's casually, and the salesmen walked up and told me immediately $3k over MSRP...

Anyhow, there is a slight chance I can get the family pricing dealio. If so finding a TRD Pro might still be a nightmare, but I do appreciate the lift and not touching a thing yet still being covered under warranty without any potential hassles. So if I could get the employee pricing, and find one in Sandscript, I might be tempted to do it.

However, I like what many of you say about the KDSS being so great. So perhaps a Trail or Trail Premium would be a good bet. Next some of you that have pics of your lifted Trail/TP look super nice, and you say it can cost less to do a better lift and new rims and tires than getting the TRD Pro? Looking at ToyTec it looks like ballpark $900-$3k just for parts, not including labor (for those of us who do not install our own parts). Add in new tires (~$1k for Toyo Open Country ATs) and rims (say ~$600 for Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II), it seems it would be more expensive than the TRD Pro? What am I missing about the lift, tires and rims being installed for less than the minor price jump to a TRD Pro? And possibly if something went wrong in the front end during the warranty someone could claim your lift caused it? Or if you paid out the a$$ for a Toyota dealer to install your lift (which not sure I would trust them?), does that avoid the worry of anything being voided in a warranty? In other states (TX and Indiana I think) when I was shopping for Tacoma's there were dealers who installed the same lift and rims as the Baja or TRD Pro and covered it under warranty. So it seems in some rare places there are 4x4 friendly dealers who install lifts on Toyotas and warranty covers them. Not near me as far as I know.

Then if I am understanding the threads correctly and the Toyota website, the Trail Premium has the "pleather" as some of you call it, but the base Trail has cloth. I love cloth all the way. But Trail base you cannot get a sunroof? I would love a sunroof!

Depending on the availability of the TRD Pro in my area in Sandscript, and if the timing of when I want to buy lines up when it is available...it could be a roll of the dice. But if there was a way to get a Trail with KDSS, cloth, and a sunroof (I am not so sure I trust having a sunroof installed aftermarket or at the dealer), AND install a lift, tires and ATs without voiding the warranty for less than a TRD Pro I would be all for that. I do not care about the badge stuff or exterior differences. I also love that red color they have. Most likely I would have a front bumper and sliders installed anyhow, and whether Trail or TRD Pro, the 4runners i have seen on the forum and running around my part of LA with a lift, bumpers, and sliders, look freaking sweet. But I do not have the fat wallet these folks do to dump $15k into a brand new $40k 4runner or Jeep Rubicon right off the showroom floor, and funny it is typically their 3rd "extra" vehicle. ha!

Thanks for any input or opinions. I do keep trying to do searches and read more up on people's experiences with the 2014 and 2015 4runners. I am just sick of shopping for used 3rd Gens with what little free time I have, and one of my friends realistically pointed out to me that getting a 3rd Gen will likely turn more into another toy for me like the Jeep, rather than a more practical, reliable, long term road tripping vehicle that I need.

I allways have to order my 4Runners , it's no big deal . Get what you want . Just be patient . I special ordered a 2016 trail premium a few weeks ago as I did not want it loaded . If your in love with the KDSS system you haven't been reading my posts so I will leave that subject to the fan boys. Good luck with your search

 

[Desert_Runner]

I will say, I am not a fan of the Toyota ordering process. It appears they allow different procedures in different regions. No one in the Western Region could "order" any TRD Pro, in any color. They said the best they could do was put in a request for allocation, that custom orders were not allowed for their region for this truck. However when I was back in OK/TX/AR/TN I was told they could custom order anything I wanted, and actually most dealerships had one or two TRD Pros just sitting on the lot waiting to be purchased. With that being said I had 3 deposits down in LAs Vegas, all ended up telling me they didn't think they could get a white TRD until 2016 so I pulled the trigger while in OK as I found just what I was looking for in Memphis. The only negative is that I had to pay for LoJack which was already installed before delivery. I guess Memphis has a little bit of an auto theft problem, actually the dealership said they just had almost a dozen cars taken right off the lot the week before.

Bottom line is, I really wish they had a more straight forward ordering process. Calling multiple dealers and being told completely different things about their allocation and ordering process was exhausting and frustrating to no end.

 

[05Rrunner]

I will say, I am not a fan of the Toyota ordering process. It appears they allow different procedures in different regions. No one in the Western Region could "order" any TRD Pro, in any color. They said the best they could do was put in a request for allocation, that custom orders were not allowed for their region for this truck. However when I was back in OK/TX/AR/TN I was told they could custom order anything I wanted, and actually most dealerships had one or two TRD Pros just sitting on the lot waiting to be purchased. With that being said I had 3 deposits down in LAs Vegas, all ended up telling me they didn't think they could get a white TRD until 2016 so I pulled the trigger while in OK as I found just what I was looking for in Memphis. The only negative is that I had to pay for LoJack which was already installed before delivery. I guess Memphis has a little bit of an auto theft problem, actually the dealership said they just had almost a dozen cars taken right off the lot the week before.

Bottom line is, I really wish they had a more straight forward ordering process. Calling multiple dealers and being told completely different things about their allocation and ordering process was exhausting and frustrating to no end.

All that has nothing to do with Toyota and everything to do with the dealer . It tells you right on the Toyota website that option packages are for different regions and if you want something out of you region no problem just contact your Toyota dealer. The Toyota process is very simple but the dealers don't like it because it takes a allocation away from them while they wait for the order . Its stupid but the short sided dealers just don't get it or care sometimes . Any dealer from any region or state can get what's available in any other region or state in the USA ! .Again no options are limited by Toyota based on region or state if you special order. Also all 4Runners even have the same emmisions equipment so they are all 50 state legal. If your told anything other than this , find a different dealer !