Please help me decide SR5 vs Trail. Also, Q about 4WD use.

[RichinRidgewood]

If you need it for your business, then a 2WD or 4WD Limited is your best bet as it qualifies for IRS Section 179 deduction.

I have seen a few lists that show all 4Runners as 179 eligible since they all have 6300 GVWR.
I have also seen a list that just has the Limited listed. Confusing.

 

[Bumbo]

I have seen a few lists that show all 4Runners as 179 eligible since they all have 6300 GVWR.
I have also seen a list that just has the Limited listed. Confusing.

I see what you mean. I was looking at “the list” which shows the Limited only.

As long as the GVWR is greater than 6000 lbs on the door sticker it should be good to go.

I see some restrictions related to passenger SUV, but nothing that appears to block the other trim levels. Sounds like a good question for a CPA.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

^^ solid advice

I was in and out of 4x4 about a half dozen times today to go to the bank and back. As much as I'd like to leave it in 4x4 on these shit roads; parking lots, clear highways and tight turns are still something I need to contend with.

My future inevitable GX will have me covered

Ive never had an automatic 4WD. I don't mind switching into 4x4 when I need to.

My wife's '18 Acura TLX with SHAW (super handling all wheel drive) is pretty great. Like the MDX it uses software and clutches in the rear differential to modulate the power to wheels.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I see what you mean. I was looking at “the list” which shows the Limited only.

As long as the GVWR is greater than 6000 lbs on the door sticker it should be good to go.

I see some restrictions related to passenger SUV, but nothing that appears to block the other trim levels. Sounds like a good question for a CPA.

Thanks yeah. I have and Accountant. So far he's been good with what we are doing.

15/15 posts! Now I can start a thread

 

[seanW]

Having owned a gen5 limited and a gen5 SR5 premium, I will just add these observations. While the SR5 I have is a nice vehicle, it is nowhere near as nice as the limited or the Trail or Pro for that matter. The leather isn't as nice and the quality of the parts in the interior are inferior. One of the main things I've had a problem with is the suspension in the SR5. It sucks. I was aware of that when I bought it and planned on doing the Bilstein upgrade but haven't yet. Personally I don't do much off roading so I didn't really need the upgraded suspension of the Trail or Pro and figured I could just save some money adding aftermarket shocks at a later date. Looking back now I probably should've gone with the Trail.

 

[Bumbo]

Ive never had an automatic 4WD. I don't made switching into 4x4 when I need to.

My wife's '18 Acura TLX with SHAW (super handling all wheel drive) is pretty great. Like the MDX it uses software and clutches in the rear differential to modulate the power to wheels.

I am not 100% familiar with the Acura / Honda SH-AWD in terms of mechanical operation, but from what I understand it is an always on solution and is designed to be used primarily on-road.

The 5th gen 4Runner (excluding the limited) 4WD system is designed primarily for off-road use. The comments [MENTION=122813]nb rob[/MENTION] made are really more to do with the irritations of that system when used on-road / pavement / high traction surfaces as it does not allow slip like a regular AWD car. When in 4WD making tight turns, like in a parking lot, you will notice some binding in the drive-line and resistance when turning. You can experience some scrubbing of the tires, chatter, or jerky motion from the truck. It does that because the front and rear axles are locked 1:1 in rotation, a positive thing when off-road, but has limitations on-road.

The Limited allows you to unlock the center differential, making it ideal for use on-road in any type of driving condition as the front and rear axles are not locked in a 1:1 ratio. It won’t scrub, bind, or chatter on road. Without getting into the details, it functions just like any other AWD car on the road… Audi, Subaru, Acura. You still have the option to lock the center diff, which then functions the same as the 4Runner trims off-road.

The solution in the 4Runner for the most part is fully mechanical. There isn’t any “transferring” of power using clutches. It is done using a network of gears called a Torsen differential. This is what is also on the 4th Gen, GX, and Land Cruiser.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I am not 100% familiar with the Acura / Honda SH-AWD, but from what I understand it is an always on solution and is designed to be used primarily on-road.

The 5th gen 4Runner (excluding the limited) 4WD system is designed primarily for off-road use. The comments [MENTION=122813]nb rob[/MENTION] made are really more to do with the irritations of that system when used on-road / pavement / high traction surfaces as it does now allow slip like a regular AWD car. When in 4WD making tight turns, like in a parking lot, you will notice some binding in the drive-line and resistance when turning. You can experience some scrubbing of the tires, chatter, or jerky motion from the truck. It does that because the front and rear axles are locked 1:1 in rotation.

The Limited allows you to unlock the center differential, making it ideal for use on-road in any type of driving condition as the front and rear axles are not locked in a 1:1 ratio. It won’t scrub, bind, or chatter on road. Without getting into the details, it functions just like any other AWD car on the road… Audi, Subaru, Acura. You still have the option to lock the center diff, which then functions no different than the other 4Runner trim levels off-road.

The solution in the 4Runner for the most part is fully mechanical. There isn’t any “transferring” of power using clutches. It is done using a network of gears called a Torsen differential. This is what is also on the 4th Gen, GX, and Land Cruiser.

Thanks. I do understand how a mechanical 4WD system works. I had a '94 F-Series with 4WD with push button engagement. Driving around with 4WD always on wasn't an option however when the weather was bad or I was off-roading I had it on. I have had a RWD for over 10 years in all kinds of bad weather. Basic 4WD is all I really need.

That Eddie Bauer F150 cost me a bundle back then. The "automatic hubs" quit working a couple times. It was rusting POS by the time I broomed it.