SR5 vs. Trail Edition TE
- Thread starter NYSLC93
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Check out on the site, it's been covered over and over the differences.
If you plan to do much actual off-roading, it's worth it (IMO) to go for the trail mainly for the rear locker. I like having the manual transfer case as well.
If you just want 4wd for snow or dirt roads, an SR5 is more than adequate. There is no use in paying for features you won't use.
If you plan to do much actual off-roading, it's worth it (IMO) to go for the trail mainly for the rear locker. I like having the manual transfer case as well.
If you just want 4wd for snow or dirt roads, an SR5 is more than adequate. There is no use in paying for features you won't use.
Americas High Five
New member
If you are asking the SR5 is completely capable for whatever you will throw at it.
agreed. Rock on with it.
Seattle206
Senior Member
I have an SR5 and kept up with every KDSS Trail, TRDPro, FJ, and Tacos w/ e-lockers when we've hit the trails and offroad parks. Of course, we all mainly just have 3/2" lifts and 33's. Modded JKs in the rock garden I cannot hang.
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Lindenwood
New member
There are of course situations where the Trail's features will get it further than the SR5, specifically as terrain gets more and more uneven. But, overall it would take pretty extensive and controlled side-by-side testing to make an objective decision. Theoretically, there will be obstacles over which the Trail driver can comfortably crawl while the SR5 driver might have to rely more heavily on momentum. Still, dollar for dollar, you can certainly do a lot with a lifted SR5 on aggressive tires!
That said, I went into the 4Runner purchase thinking I was going to buy a basic $32k SR5. After learning a bit more about the Trail version, especially the locker, I was happy to spend the 5-6k premium.
Then 3 days later we paid $500 off MSRP for the last quicksand TRDP in a 500-mile radius
. I must really love my wife haha.
That said, I went into the 4Runner purchase thinking I was going to buy a basic $32k SR5. After learning a bit more about the Trail version, especially the locker, I was happy to spend the 5-6k premium.
Then 3 days later we paid $500 off MSRP for the last quicksand TRDP in a 500-mile radius
. I must really love my wife haha.
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wfo9
New member
Tough call.
The trucks are almost identical from a capability standpoint. The exception being the rear locker on the trail. It adds quite a bit in extreme terrain, but something as simple as tires and a mild lift can make a stock sr5 more capable than a stock trail. The trail also comes with some electronic gizmos like crawl control, but they are mostly just convenience and don't really add any true capability IMHO.
27k for a 4x4 sr5 with 20k sounds like a great deal. You could add tons of stuff that would improve capability and still be well under a trail. If you find the need for a rear locker, one can be added for ~1500. But there is a lot to be said for a factory warranty.... thus the main reason to get a trail over the sr5.
Elevatorman8615
New member
I wanted all of the trails 4x4 features including the locker. No immediate plans to modify a new truck so the trail made sense for me. Plus I absolutely hate the graphite interior on the sr5. No locker and no black on black were deal breakers for me. No 4x4 should be sold without a locker imo.
justwoody1
New member
I want with the TE because it was only a couple hundred dollars difference from the SR5. That and the interior is different on the TE.
3wbdriver
New member
My sole reason in opting for the Trail was that super duper, genuine, simulated, imitation hood scoop!
EVERYTHING ELSE WAS JUST BONUS!!!arty:
Honestly, unless you are thinking about some serious 4 wheeling the SR5 will be fine. But the additional features on the Trail are nice confidence builders. I do find myself using the e-locker less and less as I get more comfortable with what it can do.
EVERYTHING ELSE WAS JUST BONUS!!!
arty:Honestly, unless you are thinking about some serious 4 wheeling the SR5 will be fine. But the additional features on the Trail are nice confidence builders. I do find myself using the e-locker less and less as I get more comfortable with what it can do.
Cymon
New member
I went SR5 for the 3rd row. If I didn't need the 3rd row I would have gone TE for the locker...just to have. FWIW I have gone and done more off road then I ever thought I would be able to, and that's with a stock SR5 (even the crappy dunlops). 4-Low with common sense, A-trac and a little driving skill will get you into and out of all but the most extreme off road/rock crawling situations. The main limitations I have found are breakover/departure angles, ground clearance, and the stock tires....all are the same for both the trail and SR5 in stock form.
I went with TE because basically it has everything you'll ever possibly need. I have updated the front suspension to make it a little stiffer and to level it out and I did put on a Southern Slimline bumper and Warn winch with a Gobi rack, but have to say the only other thing I really plan on doing is when I need new tires get the BFGs KO2 and probably some sliders. Other than that, this thing is awesome and I LOVE it!! Interior is so much nicer and manual transfer case is nice as well..
Attachments
I needed a 4runner without a sunroof (non-premium) for the headroom, and the cloth interior on the SR5 I viewed was the deal breaker for me. Also didn't care for the SR5 wheels which I would have spent more to replace with after-market wheels. So I went with the Trail. Plus it came with the 4x4 gadgets, cool looking non-functional hood scoop, and kdss on the one I opt'ed for.
mrevilandy
New member
I love my trail. The rear locker and hell even the crawl control has been awesome. Proper driving and the right lines will do more than lockers would but for those oopsies moments or the times you get stuck, who knows maybe that locker button or the crawl control can get you unstuck.
With that being said if your not or trying to do anything too crazy or potential paint scratching trails sr5 won't let you down.
With that being said if your not or trying to do anything too crazy or potential paint scratching trails sr5 won't let you down.
Throwback
New member
I previously had bought a base 4x4 Tacoma because I thought I wasn't ever going to want/need a locker or any of that fancy ATRAC stuff. I later found that I definitely wanted the traction aids and rear locker, but I'm not one to modify an expensive late model vehicle outside of better tires. I learned then that it's better (for me) to have features I may not need than to buy a featureless vehicle and risk wishing I had features down the road.
Knowing that I decided I wanted the Trail 4Runner for the locker. The manual transfer case was a huge plus because I've seen plenty of our fleet trucks' 4x4 selector switches fail over time. Then there's the better looking wheels, better cloth interior, and of course better/easier resale value later on since the Trail is more rare than the SR5s.
If you're one to actually use the stuff I say it's absolutely worth it. If you're just going to use it as a commuter/family rig it may not be worth the additional cost.
Knowing that I decided I wanted the Trail 4Runner for the locker. The manual transfer case was a huge plus because I've seen plenty of our fleet trucks' 4x4 selector switches fail over time. Then there's the better looking wheels, better cloth interior, and of course better/easier resale value later on since the Trail is more rare than the SR5s.
If you're one to actually use the stuff I say it's absolutely worth it. If you're just going to use it as a commuter/family rig it may not be worth the additional cost.
How about a trail premium? Way nicer interior, I armor all my seats clean... Softex rocks for ease of cleanup. But the biggest selling point is kdss... Its better off road but its really better on road. Drive an sr5 vs a trail with kdss for 20 miles each - back to back .. in real world situations and you will probably end up with kdss. Its night and day. There's a reason it costs almost 2 grand extra.
DesertFish
New member
Try checking out some videos of locker vs no locker, see for yourself what capable 4x4 vs a capable 4x4 with a rear locker can do. While a 4x4 without a locker is plenty capable, a rear locker is at the very least an insurance policy. Then again if you don't see yourself ever being in a situation where the peace of mind knowing you have another tool at your disposal will be the difference of getting to where you're going, or getting home, save yourself the money.
