SR5 vs. Trail Edition TE
- Thread starter NYSLC93
- Start date
CF_Machete
Senior Member
If I had to do it over again, I would have gotten a trail Premium. I Prefer the trail exterior styling, however I got lucky and was able to do a Zero cost hood swap. I'll probably never use the E Locker or crawl controls as I work a lot of crazy hours and rarely have time to use them but I like to have every tool in my tool box so I can fix what ever situation that I'm in.
That said, E lockers are around a grand, General Grabber AT2s for $800 and will be lifted suspension for about $1300 after alignment. unless you must have crawl control, the SR5 is very cost effective to get you to where ever you want to go.
That said, E lockers are around a grand, General Grabber AT2s for $800 and will be lifted suspension for about $1300 after alignment. unless you must have crawl control, the SR5 is very cost effective to get you to where ever you want to go.
Vinsil
New member
I've used and had ARB lockers on all of my Landcruisers. Lockers, as most traction adding items (tires, longer travel suspension, ect) get you into places you want to go or shouldn't be in depending on both your skill level as well as comfort.
The other side of them is less stress on the drivetrain. While Ricky rat rod floors and red lines his rig up obstacles using momentum and wheel spin, a locked rig will usually crawl up the same thing depending on terrain of course. Seen a lot of broken axles, u-joints and diff from the hold my beer crowd.:flame: Now atrac and other electronic goodies might change some of this but I'm old school where throttle, brake and hands on control is king in off-roading.
Now, if your not the type to have ever wanted or needed the locker....well, the sr5 will go farther than you might take a 30-40k rig.
Easy enough to add down the road though.
I had a vision with this one and it doesn't include dropping the thirds out for a r&p swap so a factory elocker was a nice option to start with. I also liked the interior better and the other goodies, felt it was worth it as mine was only 2k more in the end than my neighbors base sr5 so the TEP package was a deal for the locker alone IMHO.
The other side of them is less stress on the drivetrain. While Ricky rat rod floors and red lines his rig up obstacles using momentum and wheel spin, a locked rig will usually crawl up the same thing depending on terrain of course. Seen a lot of broken axles, u-joints and diff from the hold my beer crowd.:flame: Now atrac and other electronic goodies might change some of this but I'm old school where throttle, brake and hands on control is king in off-roading.
Now, if your not the type to have ever wanted or needed the locker....well, the sr5 will go farther than you might take a 30-40k rig.
Easy enough to add down the road though.
I had a vision with this one and it doesn't include dropping the thirds out for a r&p swap so a factory elocker was a nice option to start with. I also liked the interior better and the other goodies, felt it was worth it as mine was only 2k more in the end than my neighbors base sr5 so the TEP package was a deal for the locker alone IMHO.
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Blitzkrieg
New member
Yeah, see that's opinion. I absolutely hate the Plastex (my slang) and even though I wanted a sunroof specifically did not buy a TEP because of it.
Toyota's fabric seats are bullet proof (experienced opinion).
To each his own. I'm wagering after 50-60K miles of typical abuse you will see seam's starting to pull, little Billies cleat holes and God forbid you let Aunt Mary smoke her Dorals in the back seat because that stuff will light off like Hillary Clinton at an inquisition.
But we'll see. My experience is good vinyl (which Softex is) never lasts as long as good cloth.
Vinsil
New member
You win the internet tonight. :trophy:
I thought that too and time will tell. I wanted real leather and figure if the faketex doesn't last, I'm $1500 away from some good leather that will last 20+ years easy.
JSparky
New member
..or lack thereof. I nearly swapped hoods on my old Trail to get rid of the drag multiplier. I'm so happy my Limited doesn't have one. Blocked vision, reflected the sun in awful ways, and had no functionality other than forcing you to explain what the heck a drag multiplier is.
I went with a new TE mostly because of the cost vs. the SR5. I think I only paid about $1800 more for a TE than a base SR5 and got:
Nicer wheels (IMO)
Locking Diff, crawl, terrain
hood scoop
4wd lever over the knob
I also felt like the TE would be easier to sell, and sell for more $, in the future. Largely because of the additional off-road features.
Nicer wheels (IMO)
Locking Diff, crawl, terrain
hood scoop
4wd lever over the knob
I also felt like the TE would be easier to sell, and sell for more $, in the future. Largely because of the additional off-road features.
mybabydaddy
New member
...welll DUH!?!.... wait, I own one...
Seriously, my TEP choices were the following:
1. KDSS (I like the road manners... test drove with/without, preferred with)
2. I could be completely wrong, but I don't recall the SR5 being offered with all the options I wanted (can't really remember what all that entailed... maybe the softex or sunroof or something?... who knows).
And 3, THE HOOD SCOOP!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Maybe opinion - but it is considered a premium upgrade over the cloth. Could debate all day about longevity but without facts we get no where. Fact: get mud/coffee/juice/rain on the cloth seats and you are scrubbing and shampooing. Softex gets wiped up and wipes clean. That was the selling point for me. I would call that way nicer.
2016 TE Premium here 3" lift w/33's and prior Wrangler JK highly modified. I use them offroad.
tldr = if you have good shop for the locker and enjoy modding your stuff, go the SR5 and air locker route. That's the only thing missing of value. If you want it done for you then Trail.
From just a capability standpoint you are missing a locker and the noisy traction control features. The locker is big, the noisy traction control is not. Maybe if I got stuck in sand it would help out. I'm in a rock environment with sandy washes but it's not deep enough to get stuck in and I air down to 13 PSI.
Coming from a JK Rubicon with 35's I haven't had to perfect my offroad driving. I mean lock it and hit the gas... gently.. really. The 4runner I can't see my tires directly and over the hood has blind spots when you are going up and down the hills on trails. So I really like knowing the locker is there and it gets me out of spots that some I could avoid and some I could not. So if you want capability get the locker.
Many people really good at modifying vehicles will tell you to just get an ARB locker. Okay fine but it's not just the locker, it's the air compressor (which you want anyway for airing up so get a good one). Then it's the switch to control it in the cab, then it's running the lines. Most people here love doing that stuff. So if you have good shop for the locker and enjoy modding your stuff, go the SR5 and air locker route. That's the only thing missing of value. If you want it done for you then Trail.
tldr = if you have good shop for the locker and enjoy modding your stuff, go the SR5 and air locker route. That's the only thing missing of value. If you want it done for you then Trail.
From just a capability standpoint you are missing a locker and the noisy traction control features. The locker is big, the noisy traction control is not. Maybe if I got stuck in sand it would help out. I'm in a rock environment with sandy washes but it's not deep enough to get stuck in and I air down to 13 PSI.
Coming from a JK Rubicon with 35's I haven't had to perfect my offroad driving. I mean lock it and hit the gas... gently.. really. The 4runner I can't see my tires directly and over the hood has blind spots when you are going up and down the hills on trails. So I really like knowing the locker is there and it gets me out of spots that some I could avoid and some I could not. So if you want capability get the locker.
Many people really good at modifying vehicles will tell you to just get an ARB locker. Okay fine but it's not just the locker, it's the air compressor (which you want anyway for airing up so get a good one). Then it's the switch to control it in the cab, then it's running the lines. Most people here love doing that stuff. So if you have good shop for the locker and enjoy modding your stuff, go the SR5 and air locker route. That's the only thing missing of value. If you want it done for you then Trail.
Throwback
New member
Plus the Trail locker means you're covered by the factory warranty and any Toyota dealer should be able to repair it for you if you have issues.
If you get a specialty shop to install the ARB locker you're on your own. Also for resale - I personally would not buy a daily driver vehicle that someone had installed an aftermarket locker in. Just my opinion but there's no reason to risk a bad install job when I could just move on to the next stock one.
If you get a specialty shop to install the ARB locker you're on your own. Also for resale - I personally would not buy a daily driver vehicle that someone had installed an aftermarket locker in. Just my opinion but there's no reason to risk a bad install job when I could just move on to the next stock one.
Muskrat14
New member
I wheeled for a few years with my 74 bronco with open diffs front and rear. With picking the right line, feathering the gas, my locked up friends were shocked where I was able to go. I'm sure the same can be said for an SR5.
I did install a locker in the front of my Bronco, and left the rear open. What I discovered having at least one locker, is that I really reduced the frequency of potential trail damage. I had way more control, less chances of slipping into damaging obstacles, less stress and more fun.
When I bought my 4Runner, the intention was to use for DD and wheel it, maybe actually when the payments were done, use it as my primary wheeler and retire the Bronco to weekend pavement activities. That is what convinced me to go with the Trial with the locker.
My Bronco wheeling friends were tearing me apart when I first arrived with the 4Runner for a weekend wheeling trip. Mind you it was bone stock. "you'll slow us down all day". "we'll be pulling you out all day." "don't forget to stop and pick up your mud flaps when they get torn off." Two hours into our trip on some difficult trails, they were either speechless or very complimentary of the 4runner.
Why not just get the TE and have the options if needed.
I did install a locker in the front of my Bronco, and left the rear open. What I discovered having at least one locker, is that I really reduced the frequency of potential trail damage. I had way more control, less chances of slipping into damaging obstacles, less stress and more fun.
When I bought my 4Runner, the intention was to use for DD and wheel it, maybe actually when the payments were done, use it as my primary wheeler and retire the Bronco to weekend pavement activities. That is what convinced me to go with the Trial with the locker.
My Bronco wheeling friends were tearing me apart when I first arrived with the 4Runner for a weekend wheeling trip. Mind you it was bone stock. "you'll slow us down all day". "we'll be pulling you out all day." "don't forget to stop and pick up your mud flaps when they get torn off." Two hours into our trip on some difficult trails, they were either speechless or very complimentary of the 4runner.
Why not just get the TE and have the options if needed.
Muskrat14
New member
And don't underestimate the CRAWL control. It is the real deal. Having the control of super slow really cuts down on potential trail damage also.
wfo9
New member
I try to avoid pushing people in one direction in threads like this... but I can't resist responding to this.
It's not the real deal. Not even close. The real deal is a properly geared transfer case (at least 4:1) along with full lockers.
Crawl control does not work in extreme terrain where the driver needs to be 100% in control at all times. If you polled all the built 5th gens who have actually put their rigs through the paces of real extreme off-roading, you would see they almost never use it. It's pretty much useless. I say pretty much, because it does have some slight utility that someone might find the need to use. But if you did not have it.. you would never miss it.
The reason is simple. Difficult terrain (both descending and ascending) requires constant change in speed. You learn the feel of the truck and know when to nudge it a bit and also when to stop slide down certain obstacles.
The main use of it is just being lazy on easy stuff that could be done in 2wd... but even then it sucks because of all the noise it makes.
Glad you like it... but don't try to convince people it is the real deal.
I've tried using it many times, just to see if it could possibly emulate lockers... it fails every single time. Best mode in a trail for really difficult stuff is A-Trac plus rear locker...
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hayde89
New member
I don't like being that guy but you sure love to hate on every single feature of a trail. It doesn't matter which feature it is you seem to always chime in and state that you have experience with it. Yet I see that you drive an SR5. Not sure what your end game is... other that trying to justify your purchase. Saying it doesn't work is a pretty bold statement. I understand you're pretty passionate about off roading but I've got to say you're pretty negative. I enjoy crawl control. I can say this because I actually own a rig equipped with it and have used it a handful of times. Could I have gotten by without it? Of course, but I have it, enjoy it and know that it works. So please stop being a broken record and trying to correct or bash, everyone who enjoys the features on their rig.
wfo9
New member
Glad you enjoy it. Just giving opinion. I think some of my opinions are helpful.
Sorry you don't see it that way. Everything that comes out of my mouth won't make everyone happy.. Not here to pump sunshine.... I know a lot of young folks are not used to being told things without a trophy and a pat on the back, but my comments are tame compared to most of what you will see here.
I've used crawl control way more than a handful of times...
I see this forum as a place to share knowledge and experience, not worried about offending anyone. And I really don't think I use any harsh tones at all.
BTW, where do I hate on every single feature. Here was my first response in this thread. Where is the hate.
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ToyoDriver
New member
For sure.
My bone stock SR5 (at the time) on OEM tires crawled up a broken wooden bridge while the T4R was half submerged in a swamp - from a stop.
Ended up bending a rear chain hook on the hitch but the T4R didn't even struggle. Blew my ****ing mind.
MeefZah
New member
Just to point out, the SR5 is available with a manual T-case. Most seem to have the knob but the sticks do exist.
