SR5 Vs Trail Off Road Capability
- Thread starter Mguts
- Start date
Thai
Elite Member
Newbie question...how hard is it to take off the plastic spoiler on the limited bumper?? Can you show me a picture of the Limited front bumper and show me which part that needs to be taken off? (Mental note: need to examine the SR5/Ltd bumpers next time i am at the dealership.)
So, with the hitch bumper installed, the departure angle is solely determined by the hitch, right?
Hmm, this does make me rethink the whole debate...but i guess if the above is easy to do, then it comes down to KDSS vs. having a center diff (aka full-time 4wd)...damn, Toyota does not make it easy to decide!!
XREAS is OK, but i prefer KDSS for sure...hmmmm....
harper7
Senior Member
Hey Thai........I have the pieces I took off out in my shed and can shoot you some pics when I get a chance. It's about a 2-3 inch air dam that hangs down below the bumper cover in front on the SR5s and Limiteds.There are plenty of pics in the owners section too.Best to just look at the dealers.Newbie question...how hard is it to take off the plastic spoiler on the limited bumper?? Can you show me a picture of the Limited front bumper and show me which part that needs to be taken off? (Mental note: need to examine the SR5/Ltd bumpers next time i am at the dealership.)
So, with the hitch bumper installed, the departure angle is solely determined by the hitch, right?
Hmm, this does make me rethink the whole debate...but i guess if the above is easy to do, then it comes down to KDSS vs. having a center diff (aka full-time 4wd)...damn, Toyota does not make it easy to decide!!
The hitch receiver determines the rear departure angle and is the first to drag. The receiver comes off with either 4 or 6 bolts but then the bumper plastic will then be the low point and could get ripped off. I'll stick with dragging the steel receiver instead.
KCcarguy
New member
PHP:
I think its also worth mentioning some practical advantages of the TE/ disadvantages of the sr5. I've noticed the paint on the rear bumper lip is scratching/ pitting from me stepping up on the bumper to access cargo....this wouldn't happen on a TE's black plastic bumper. Also note that if you plan on using a hitch- mounted cargo rack (like me) your cargo/ game will have hot exhaust blowing all over it (TE can much more easily be modded to a side exit exhaust). Recovery hooks are also very difficult to access on the Sr5...especially the rear. My advice after learning the hard way is buy a TE if you plan to really get out there and use/ abuse your 4runner.
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Thai
Elite Member
Isn't there a "bumper protector" accessory that you can glue on top of the rear bumper to prevent this?? Even my Prius has it!!
Ghost Runner
New member
I love the factory locker so far. W've it 7-8 times and each time, it is notably engaging faster and easier.
I noticed people referncing the part time 4wd system to be slow to engage versus the fulltime/centre diff selection to 4wd; every time I engage 4X4 it seems to come in quicker and easier every time. I cannot imagine this being much of an issue off road or in winter driving when you want 4x.
I personally love the manual style shifting between 2X and 4x4. I had a 91 toyota truck (that was my previous trail rig) that had a similar part time system but with a more electronic shifter and to be honest I prefer the more bare bones setup on our new TE better. I love the mechanical nature of it.
Sure you could buy an aftermarket ARB locker but the factory e locker has a decent reputation in older toyota products and it comes ready to go!
I got some great footage showing the KDSS on an off camber washout. I got some footage pre radflo lift and post-lift installed, and I will be sure to post a link to the video once its done in the videos thread.
I think people will be impressed with the KDSS on off camber, loose terrain (in this case loose rocks in a river bed) combined with a locker. I've crossed this washout many times in many vehicles and I've never felt it go down this easy...without the locker you always get some spinnage/rocks shooting out but with the rear diff locked its like a joke.
I agree with many that have said Toyota should offer full time in TE and lockers in Limited/SR5's...but they don't so you just have to choose what suits you the best!
Whatever you choose, think about what YOU prefer not what we all say on the internet. That's most important.
I noticed people referncing the part time 4wd system to be slow to engage versus the fulltime/centre diff selection to 4wd; every time I engage 4X4 it seems to come in quicker and easier every time. I cannot imagine this being much of an issue off road or in winter driving when you want 4x.
I personally love the manual style shifting between 2X and 4x4. I had a 91 toyota truck (that was my previous trail rig) that had a similar part time system but with a more electronic shifter and to be honest I prefer the more bare bones setup on our new TE better. I love the mechanical nature of it.
Sure you could buy an aftermarket ARB locker but the factory e locker has a decent reputation in older toyota products and it comes ready to go!
I got some great footage showing the KDSS on an off camber washout. I got some footage pre radflo lift and post-lift installed, and I will be sure to post a link to the video once its done in the videos thread.
I think people will be impressed with the KDSS on off camber, loose terrain (in this case loose rocks in a river bed) combined with a locker. I've crossed this washout many times in many vehicles and I've never felt it go down this easy...without the locker you always get some spinnage/rocks shooting out but with the rear diff locked its like a joke.
I agree with many that have said Toyota should offer full time in TE and lockers in Limited/SR5's...but they don't so you just have to choose what suits you the best!
Whatever you choose, think about what YOU prefer not what we all say on the internet. That's most important.
Spent some time on youtubo videos and thought these two are worth to watch for people debating the pro/cons on the models.
First, the SR5 off road driving:
YouTube - 2010 Toyota 4Runner off-road review
Notice that at a time, the rear-right wheel is completely in the air, and it stopped perhaps by Atrack. It proves SR5 has amazing off-road capability.
the 2nd one shows a 4runner stucked in mud, and it is a Trail. This shows that even the most serious off road model still has limitation.
YouTube - 2010 Toyota 4Runner gets stuck offroading!
First, the SR5 off road driving:
YouTube - 2010 Toyota 4Runner off-road review
Notice that at a time, the rear-right wheel is completely in the air, and it stopped perhaps by Atrack. It proves SR5 has amazing off-road capability.
the 2nd one shows a 4runner stucked in mud, and it is a Trail. This shows that even the most serious off road model still has limitation.
YouTube - 2010 Toyota 4Runner gets stuck offroading!
Ryan_S
New member
Well they must have some good electronic layer "gear grind" simulation because it feels pretty mechanical to me, especially shifting high to low.
I know there are some American companies that pull the ol' fake 4wd lever trick, but this one is the real deal.
Thai
Elite Member
Tires...that is the problem in the 2nd video...it really does not add much to the discussion IMO. If you have ever experienced LOCKER off-road, then you would think otherwise about this. Off-road, the Trail with the rear locker (and KDSS) will kick butt SR5/Limited anywhere over any terrain. This is fact. But, in my old age (36), i am not looking too much into pure off-roading, but more into having a vehicle that gets me to beautiful places. And i like the flexibility of a center differential. So, this debate (for me) comes down to KDSS vs. center diff. Tough one.
Thai
Elite Member
SR5 and TE use the same size tires, right?
Limited has the center differential, and a sport alternative suspension with self level adjustment, which sounds more sophiscated the KDSS. Have you looked at it? I didn't looked at limited very much, but one thing I don't understand: it uses 20in wheel vs 17 inch in SR5/TE, yet the ground clearance is the same as the others. Is that because of the center differential?
Thai
Elite Member
1st video shows some guy testing out the SR5 on light terrain. 2nd video shows the 4runner ALREADY stuck in mud up to the frame. Trust me, the Sr5/Limited would have been stuck too. And the Trail would have done just as good in the 1st video.
XREAS is not really an off-road suspension. It is good for on-road handling...Audi uses a similar setup. It cross-links diagonal shocks together so that the diagonal opposite tire can maintain contact with the road surface. This does not really help off-road. There is no electronics involved...all hydraulic.
KDSS is a better system IMO. KDSS uses BIG anti-roll bars...bigger than SR5/Limited's anti-roll bars. This allows for better handling on-road because of the thicker anti-roll bars. Big anti-roll bars are usually bad off-road because they limit suspension travel. HOWEVER, KDSS counteracts this by disconnecting the anti-roll bars at low speed (aka off-roading), thus allowing the suspension to fully travel. So, off-road, a KDSS-equipped 4runner would have more suspension travel than SR5/Limited. So, it is the best of both worlds...better handling on-road, and more suspension travel off-road. It is a better system than XREAS.
The only minor negative of KDSS is that there is more hardware underneath the vehicle, which can scrape against a rock. It is protected i believe with skidplates but a nasty bang may damage it.
Rim size matters little to the overall tire size. The Limited's 20" rims means that the sidewall is thinner. SR5/Trail's 17" rims has thicker sidewall. So, the overall diamter is similar...thus, the ground clearance is similar.
:iagree: That's why I waited 3 months for my trail..
Thanks Thai for explaining this! As I said before I don't have much off-road experience, so the first video is already quite amazing to me but perhaps still not up to your standard for serious off-road-
. I also agree that TE will out perform the SR5/limited with the rear diff lock. I am just curious how often do you need the lock. Like in the case of 2nd video, I would put some rocks or tree branch into the mud if I really have to go through it. On the other hand, if you just want to know where the limits are, it is a differnt story.
Thai
Elite Member
When i had my 4x4, i would lock the rear locker almost 80-90% of the time i was off-road. With most lockers, you do not want to wait till you're stuck to turn it on. It is a "preventive" feature.
I think that the 2nd video is that of journalist during their intro to the 5th gen. In other words, it was driven by someone inexperienced...probably went the wrong route and lost momentum. In deep mud/sand/snow, a locker is superior to ATRAC.
But, yeah, proper tires would make a world of difference.
I think that the 2nd video is that of journalist during their intro to the 5th gen. In other words, it was driven by someone inexperienced...probably went the wrong route and lost momentum. In deep mud/sand/snow, a locker is superior to ATRAC.
But, yeah, proper tires would make a world of difference.
1000MPH
Senior Member
A rear locker doesn't do much good when your high centered on your rear diff housing. Ask me how I know.:wow:
ATRAC got me out of it.
The shifting on the transfer case definitely seems mechanical but there also must be some electronic clutches or hub locks going on?
Just watched the video, I didn't hear any of the noises you would hear when using ATRAC or CC. Doubt it would've helped but just sayin'...
ATRAC got me out of it.
The shifting on the transfer case definitely seems mechanical but there also must be some electronic clutches or hub locks going on?
Just watched the video, I didn't hear any of the noises you would hear when using ATRAC or CC. Doubt it would've helped but just sayin'...
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