SR5 or TE?

[pepowdylan]

I'm looking into buying a 5th Gen T4R. Very Excited!

My question is that I am somewhat on a budget, and the SR5 has some features I like.

I'm torn between the SR5 that has leather, heated seats, and possibly NAV

or

A TE that looks better

If I was to buy a SR5, what is the cost to make it look like a TE? I'm not going to be doing any serious offroading so not worried about all the offroad features of the TE. Mainly will be used for a Daily Driver, as well as driving on flat dirt roads, rain, and snow.

 

[philsey]

2014?

 

[pepowdylan]

I am looking at used 2010 - 2011

 

[ryan87]

my 12' TE has nav

 

[pepowdylan]

Well plus I've read the NAV is disappointing...

 

[Socco]

To convert an SR5 to a faux TE isn't cheap to do. If your not going to use any of the "Trail" options of a Trail Edition, that seems like a big waste of $$ to me.

 

[MikeDUBS]

Here's a link that [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] put together from his trail conversion. Prices and part #'s included.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81939-te-parts-needed-convert-sr5-limited-exterior.html

 

[philsey]

Like I tell my wife when she's shopping shoes: "You wanna look good, or feel good?"

 

[Maz]

To convert an SR5 to a faux TE isn't cheap to do. If your not going to use any of the "Trail" options of a Trail Edition, that seems like a big waste of $$ to me.

I've gotta agree with Socco on this one. If you want to get the "look" of a Trail, then GET the Trail and save yourself a huge headache...not to mention the contents of your wallet.

That being said here's my take on the choice between a SR5 and a Trail:

1. If someone is doing a serious build, the SR5 makes a lot of sense because you're not paying extra a Trail then pulling the bumpers anyway

2. If someone isn't going off road and is only mildly interested in the off road "look" (A.K.A. Trail), that is also paying for something that doesn't benefit you

3. If you want to go off road and are NOT doing a build, the Trail is more or less a no brainer

4. If you want the off road Trail style look then getting one up front is also a no brainer...especially while buying used where the TE may not cost that much more

Good luck on your search !

 

[Intruder]

Are you looking at a TE with KDSS? For non-off road drivers the biggest difference between the TE and SR5 beyond the appearance is the on road handling difference that the larger sway bar in the KDSS TE has. If I were in your shoes I'd probably get the SR5 and use the money I saved to upgrade the shocks to Bilsteins and upgrade the tires if they're still stock. You can always do the TE conversion later on, but a shock and tire upgrade will improve your ride quality right away.

 

[6-0 Prolene]

I'm looking into buying a 5th Gen T4R. Very Excited!

My question is that I am somewhat on a budget, and the SR5 has some features I like.

I'm torn between the SR5 that has leather, heated seats, and possibly NAV

or

A TE that looks better

If I was to buy a SR5, what is the cost to make it look like a TE? I'm not going to be doing any serious offroading so not worried about all the offroad features of the TE. Mainly will be used for a Daily Driver, as well as driving on flat dirt roads, rain, and snow.

I just bought a '13 TE in November.

I liked the look of the TE better too, but what sold me on it was the KDSS. It's a little counterintuitive, but the on-road handling of the TE was far superior to the SR5 in terms of body roll and overall ride quality. And while I'm not going to be doing a ton of serious off-roading, I do like the extra bells and whistles that could help get me un-stuck if I find myself in the middle of nowhere.

Also, if you're going to be moving dogs/bikes/skis/using a rooftop box/driving on a lot of gravel/dirt roads, I like that the TE uses black ABS instead of body-colored or chrome parts in areas that are going to take a beating.

The extra cash for the TE buys you function and form, while the $$ on a pimped-out SR5 is all for form. Just my newbie thoughts.