Yep my bad. Just trying to help and was too quick.
I knew you knew, figured you were just in a hurry. Noted w/o comment because I'm not sure what I would do if it were me.
I've been driving my Toyota's (2 Tacomas, 1 4Runner) off road for 7+ years - not hardcore like some of these guys, but I use my 4wd frequently. Purchased my wife's 4Runner (2013 SR5) in the spring of this year. I purchased the SR5 over the TE for the following reasons:
I didn't want KDSS, planned to upgrade suspension
SR5 4wd's were plentiful, the dealer was willing to deal. At that time, in my area TE's were harder to come by and there was less wiggle room on the price.
The SR5 had ATRAC. I have found the ATRAC on my '12 TRD OR Tacoma to work really well and offer a major off road performance boost. I knew if I had ATRAC on the 4Runner I would have a strong off road performance.
At the time I purchased, I had never needed the locker on my '12 TRD OR Tacoma - every difficult traction situation I had encountered was handled nicely by 4Lo ATRAC.
The few TE's in my area all had the sun roof - I didn't want the sun roof (reduces head room, I never use).
My wife didn't care about the appearance differences in the two vehicles. It is "her" 4Runner, so the cheaper, easier to get, very capable off road SR5 is what we got!
Flash Forward a few months. I was driving my Tacoma off road, crawling uphill through big rocks. The trail was wet and muddy (rained recently). About 3/4 of the way up the hill, I lost concentration and broke momentum, came to a stop. I tried for 5 minutes to get going again in those rocks in 4lo ATRAC engaged. I was gentle as possible w/ the throttle - no go. I tried punching and spinning all 4 tires vigorously to the point of smoking 'em a little - no go. Maneuvered, turned, etc., I just couldn't get going again.
I was about to back down the hill (not fun!) and try another run at it, hopefully without stopping this time. Then I remembered the locker! Locker engaged, a little gentle throttle, a little maneuvering, a little wheel spin and I began to climb again. I made it to the top w/o further incident. ATRAC is very good, but its not a locker.
Now that I have been in that one situation where the locker made the difference, I wish I would have sucked it up and bought a TE instead of an SR5! Rarely needed, but I want it when I need it! The wife's SR5 will probably be my daughter's vehicle in a few years. When it gets replaced, it will most likely be the TE, non KDSS (because we will upgrade the suspension).
David
