SR5 vs. Trail Edition TE

[Brandonium]

The AC in my '77 International Harvester works.. but I'll be damned if that can't be approved upon. Being old school shouldn't deny that some advancements are good even if what is being replaced 'still works'.

Sometimes old school is also known as stubborn. But hey, that Scout has top notch tech for....1977.

KDSS isn't only useful for corning at 65mph but I could see where this could be construed from all the posts that state this as being the reason for the existence of KDSS. :baby:

I have a '13 SR5 4X4 - stock except for E rated TOYO MTs. If I had it to do over again I would buy the exact same vehicle in a minute.

The lever vs the knob: I spent a week in Utah driving my cousins' '10 SR5 which has the lever - I could find absolutely no advantage to the lever over the knob. In fact , my previous Land Rovers had the lever shifters no advantage.

Crawl Control and MTS: Fluff - No need for it at all - If you pick the right gear in low range you're good to go.

A Rear Locker: For years I've been leading every kind of 4X4 you can name out in the boonies (Toyotas, Jeeps, Chevies, Dodges, Fords, Land Rovers) some with rear lockers and some without. With A-TRAC (Land Rover has been calling it 4ETC for almost twenty years) you really can go anywhere that the locker will go without snapping axles.

KDSS: I really don't care if you can go around a corner at 65 mph on pavement. I bought it for going around corners at 5mph on dirt, rocks and sand.

A Hood scoop: BFD - My old Subaru had a hood scoop bless it's little heart - So do Camaros, Mustangs, GTOs, AMXs, Road Runners, etc - - at least some of those are functional.

THIS IS NOT A HATE REPLY - It's just that I'm of the old school, "If it works then leave it alone".

BTW: I don't know why Toyota even has a switch on the A-Trac in 4LOW; I keep it on all the time.

Now if Toyota in their wisdom would only put some real steel bumpers on both ends instead of all the plastic - - - -:der:

 

[5ontheFloor]

Thanks for the support..

No prob. I guess that's what I meant to say by my post. The 5th gen crowd from base SR5s to TEs to Limiteds and Pros are capable rigs. Many times it seems like we ourselves impose limitations on these vehicles that do not come near exceeding the potential of what these 4runners can do. I am one of those people. You say it was moderate but it really tested my nerve that day because of my inexperience. As you guys saw, you can give me a flat, muddy field and I'll hit that VSC button and have fun all day long!
As for KDSS, I remember the salesman trying to sell me on it, but since I had been driving a Ford Econoline service van for 6yrs before I bought the 4runner, I knew how to deal with a tall vehicle and the inherent roll that comes along with that and learned to deal with it. I won't say on here publicly how fast I will take a curve in my 4runner, but that doesn't mean someone else can't like it.
Just like anything it has its flaws and I think sharing an opinion, based on fact and or experience is helpful whether people agree with it or not.

So OP, let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[NYSLC93]

Op here....

Still no purchase yet, but looking at used 2015 SR5's with 35k miles for $25,500 vs. Brand New 2016 TEP KDSS for $39,000.

Is $14k really worth a sunroof, kdss and heated seats?

I suppose I'm reluctant being that the 2018 is coming out in a year. Just don't want to get hit on resale in a couple years.

 

[p nut]

Op here....

Still no purchase yet, but looking at used 2015 SR5's with 35k miles for $25,500 vs. Brand New 2016 TEP KDSS for $39,000.

Is $14k really worth a sunroof, kdss and heated seats?

I suppose I'm reluctant being that the 2018 is coming out in a year. Just don't want to get hit on resale in a couple years.

For your uses, I'd save money and get an SR5. They can handle the trails just fine. At least what you'll be throwing at it. Save the money for mods, gas, and trips.

Here is a vid of an SR5 going through Moab.
https://youtu.be/E3K9T_YTNWw

 

[Ron4RNevada]

I had my '04 LR Discovery for 10 years with heated seats. Used the seat heater twice - Yes northern Nevada is snow country. Don't waste your money.

 

[Sleeter]

I had my '04 LR Discovery for 10 years with heated seats. Used the seat heater twice - Yes northern Nevada is snow country. Don't waste your money.

Did they break after the second use?

 

[p nut]

I had my '04 LR Discovery for 10 years with heated seats. Used the seat heater twice - Yes northern Nevada is snow country. Don't waste your money.

I'm no wimp (in my head, at least), but when the temps are in single digits or negatives, I use my seat warmer. AND the wife loves it and keeps her happy, so it was a great Investment!

Did they break after the second use?

Zing!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Op here....

Still no purchase yet, but looking at used 2015 SR5's with 35k miles for $25,500 vs. Brand New 2016 TEP KDSS for $39,000.

Is $14k really worth a sunroof, kdss and heated seats?

I suppose I'm reluctant being that the 2018 is coming out in a year. Just don't want to get hit on resale in a couple years.

$14k could be gas for the entire time you own the vehicle. I have a Trail, and I can tell you that if it were $14k more than an SR5 I would not have gotten it. That being said, the SR5 is used so that can come with an entirely different set of worries. IMHO, no they are not worth the money.

 

[scanny]

In my opinion SR5 is capable enough, rear locker is a nice feature but you you want to get in the places when rear locked is a must you probably need to do some upgrades such as sliders, better skid plates and maybe a lift. If you are not into serious offroad SR5 would be enough to get over the obstacles you probably wouldn't dare to try : )
If you are into serious offroad SR5 is easier to upgrade. You can always get ARB locker for SR5 by the way if you're really need a locker.
Saying that however I think my next truck will be Trail : )

 

[LandCruiser]

When it's -10 and you're wearing scrubs, your nuts will wish you had a seat heater right before they retreat into your abdominal cavity--never to be seen again.

If I had to go do it again, I'd get the CHEAPEST SR5, maybe one that's been sitting on a dealer lot too long, throw in air lockers, bumpers, and armor, and LT that *****.

 

[p nut]

When it's -10 and you're wearing scrubs, your nuts will wish you had a seat heater right before they retreat into your abdominal cavity--never to be seen again.

If I had to go do it again, I'd get the CHEAPEST SR5, maybe one that's been sitting on a dealer lot too long, throw in air lockers, bumpers, and armor, and LT that *****.

I wish Toyota made an "SR" trim for 4Runners (like Tacomas). Mostly manual everything, rubber floors. And make the e-locker available across all trims, like they did with 3rd Gens back in the day.

 

[LandCruiser]

I wish Toyota made an "SR" trim for 4Runners (like Tacomas). Mostly manual everything, rubber floors. And make the e-locker available across all trims, like they did with 3rd Gens back in the day.

And omit all the skid plates, put some really cheap wheels on it, maybe even unpainted plastic bumpers.

I bet you they would sell every single last one.

 

[p nut]

Right, black plastic cladding all around, steel wheels. I'd definitely buy one, instead of the TE.

 

[Seattle206]

Got my SR5 and with the money I saved I added an arb locker, armor, TRD/Trail cosmetics, and other little things. I did all the installs myself so I saved a bunch of money. If your goal is modifying it for off roading I'd pick up the cheapest 5th gen I can find regardless of model. No problems running with other modded Trails even with their fancy MTS electronic settings.

 

[oljedi11950]

When it's -10 and you're wearing scrubs, your nuts will wish you had a seat heater right before they retreat into your abdominal cavity--never to be seen again.

If I had to go do it again, I'd get the CHEAPEST SR5, maybe one that's been sitting on a dealer lot too long, throw in air lockers, bumpers, and armor, and LT that *****.

I like my nuts warm also !!!! :whip:

 

[Matteblack]

OP, have you considered looking into an earlier 5th gen TE? You may find a nice deal that gives you the added features of the TE for a better comparable price versus a new TEP. If you are really on the fence you may end up wishing for the TE if you go SR5.
MB

 

[CbatEngineer1371]

yeah tough call here I got the trail for a steal and wont look back. I only plan minumum upgraded (lift tires, sliders, winch, lo pro front bumper) The lockers and gadgets sold it for me. Mainly so the wifey can wheel it without regret. The sr5 premium has the sunroof and leather that my wife wishes she had but we got what we got. Plus the wheels are awsome and wont have to spend the bank on wheels

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[05EVORS]

I had buyers remorse in first few weeks picking up my mag grey base SR5 4x4 w 3rd row(wifes nag!) but now im psyched I got an SR because of 3rd row+kids. I thought all versions had 3rd row when we hurriedly purchased w limited time for me to research and I knew a locker woupd be nice stock and plan on it when we start going harder on trails. Had mine 6 weeks now and used 3R seats a bunch on trips its waaay handy giving kids space to themselves. This whole fantasy idea "my trail is rare and will have better resale" is unicorn fog. SR5 3RD row values will be there next to a trail down the road...and even more so w good air locker systems/good parts on build quality planned out. I bought a 4R to mod and keep a long time so resale wont matter - all trim levels are good in that respect.

I never could stand fake hood scoops on these 4Rz even 15yrs back. I have an Sti w real functional hood scoop thats heavily modded + I dont need KDDS electric sways to feel like a slotcar on pavement i got the car for that. Im going up a few inches and 33-34's soon + not afraid to chop/cut/weld on my stuff under warranty. None of em have HIDs(1st mod so worth it). Old saying, less is more. Get what your priorities call for 1st then build from there. Vanity/insecurity about not having a locker while talking to coworkers at water cooler? Get a trail or a turd pro and swap in a 3rd row. We all gotta cough up $550+ for that sick legacy pro grill setup LOL

 

[RamFab]

We purchased our TE cheaper then the SR5. To me it was more of a resale value. With the TE you will get more money when the time comes and we upgrade to a new one 4 years down the road. Chances are the TE and TRD Pro will hold their value better then the SR5!

 

[RUNTHAT]

OP, have you considered looking into an earlier 5th gen TE? You may find a nice deal that gives you the added features of the TE for a better comparable price versus a new TEP. If you are really on the fence you may end up wishing for the TE if you go SR5.
MB

This is the route that I took. I got into a low mileage '12 TE w/ KDSS and TRD Pro wheels. It has all of the mechanical bells and whistles that I was after. A nice mix of all worlds :grouphug: