TE for Mall Crawling & Snow

Just got a '13 TE a few weeks ago. Living in SoCal, I drive 90 miles round trip everyday M-F on the freeway. I can get ~23, 24 mpg going 70. When it comes time for the winter trips to the local mountains or Mammoth 5 hours away, I know I can just throw it in 4WD. For me, the TE suits me perfectly for "mall crawling and snow!" The Limited would've been a few thousand more...
 
:high5:
Pulled the trigger on the TE.

Looks alone...I just couldn't resist.

I did drive the Limited followed by the TE to try and have a chance to really compare the ride.

IMO the trail just "felt" better when driving.

Plus its fun to look out over the hood at the scoop [functional or not]:thumb3:

:thanks:
 
I finally made it to the bottom of that extreme ledge...

Good thing you had the presence of mind to engage DAC before the descent.

That probably made the difference between us hearing the story from you or reading about it in the newspaper.
 
Good thing you had the presence of mind to engage DAC before the descent.

That probably made the difference between us hearing the story from you or reading about it in the newspaper.

I always liked creative writing lol.
 
I am going to have to switch roles with [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] for the day and point out that:

"There's so much mis-information in this thread!" :doh:

:behindsofa:
 
Don't buy the TE for mall crawling!
I was at the mall yesterday and went to cross a curb. I put it in 4Lo, engaged the rear locker and all hell broke loose. Using ATRAC, I finally got to the top of the curb where there was a flat piece of sidewalk. Must have been, oh, a good 6-8" climb from the flat parking area. I got to the top and did what any good 4Wheeler would do and that is engaged the DAC in preparation for dropping off the other side. After several moments of trepidation, with both hands white knuckled on either side of the steering wheel I began my decent, while anxiously looking out towards my spotter (wife with her bag of purchases) to make sure my line was correct. I finally made it to the bottom of that extreme ledge, went to turn the wheel and promptly put the differentials in a bind. Not knowing what to do, the adrenalin flowing, I panicked and floored the accelerator! That thing started hopping and bobbing and skidding all over the madacam! I think I passed out for a moment from all the rapid movement the 4Runner made. When I came to my spotter was impatiently tapping the window wanting help loading packages. I disengaged everything and calmly drove to the stoplight, already thinking what my next conquest would be.

The moral of the story is "Unless you are going to be extreme mall crawling, a Highlander is in your future."

that had to be the best post i've seen today. too bad we dont have COTD like they do on jalopnik.com.

this would get my vote.
 
One word.

Hood scoop.

Three words: fake hood scoop.

Limited wins. :behindsofa:

I suggest that you get a Limited. Then get yourself a set of 17" wheels and mount a set of real snow tires for the winter. Winter driving is all about the tires.
 
Three words: fake hood scoop.

Limited wins. :behindsofa:

I suggest that you get a Limited. Then get yourself a set of 17" wheels and mount a set of real snow tires for the winter. Winter driving is all about the tires.

As has been said before on similar topics - If I can touch it, its real!


David
 
One word.

Hood scoop.

None on Limited, one on TE.

Case closed.

:thumb3:

When I was buying my TE I mentioned to the kid who was "selling" it to me that the hood scoop was fake. He didn't believe me so he popped the hood to prove me wrong.

The hood scoop serves one, and only one purpose: to reflect sunlight directly into my eyes on sunny days. It's annoying as hell and I'm still trying to settle on a blackout method that I can live with.

But, it does look *awesome*!
 
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The hood scoop serves one, and only one purpose: to reflect sunlight directly into my eyes on sunny days. It's annoying as hell and I'm still trying to settle on a blackout method that I can live with.

But, it does look *awesome*!

Yup, I did experienced that today
 
The hood scoop serves one, and only one purpose: to reflect sunlight directly into my eyes on sunny days. It's annoying as hell and I'm still trying to settle on a blackout method that I can live with.
Yep, and starting to get worse again as the sun is lower in the sky for longer, again.
I plan to have mine wrapped in matte 3M vinyl, as I think Harper and a few others have done.
 
When I was buying my TE I mentioned to the kid who was "selling" it to me that the hood scoop was fake. He didn't believe me so he popped the hood to prove me wrong.

The hood scoop serves one, and only one purpose: to reflect sunlight directly into my eyes on sunny days. It's annoying as hell and I'm still trying to settle on a blackout method that I can live with.

But, it does look *awesome*!

Yup, I did experienced that today

I'm sure its a problem for you guys but I never had any issues with sunlight. How tall are you? I'm tall so could that be the difference? If it were a problem with me I would get a wrap in a flat color to put over the scoop. Try to match the paint somwhat. A good stripe guy could do it easy.
 
I'm sure its a problem for you guys but I never had any issues with sunlight. How tall are you? I'm tall so could that be the difference? If it were a problem with me I would get a wrap in a flat color to put over the scoop. Try to match the paint somwhat. A good stripe guy could do it easy.

I'm 6' 1". The problem is compounded because my TE is silver. I did find Harper's post the other day. That's the route I'm headed. It's a minor problem...until you can't see. Then it's kind of a big deal.
 
I'm 6' 1". The problem is compounded because my TE is silver. I did find Harper's post the other day. That's the route I'm headed. It's a minor problem...until you can't see. Then it's kind of a big deal.

Understand. I'm 6'4" and have a silver TE with no problems. Has to be the angle of sight. Good luck and post your fix!
 
I'm sure its a problem for you guys but I never had any issues with sunlight. How tall are you? I'm tall so could that be the difference? If it were a problem with me I would get a wrap in a flat color to put over the scoop. Try to match the paint somwhat. A good stripe guy could do it easy.

i'm at 5'11", my TE is black.
 
6'3" and it's a huge problem. It tends to be at angles requiring 4WD, which we know, 1E only uses in mall parking structures.

I think I'm going to go with the flat wrap and do the whole hood.
 
6'3" and it's a huge problem. It tends to be at angles requiring 4WD, which we know, 1E only uses in mall parking structures.

I think I'm going to go with the flat wrap and do the whole hood.

I'm only an inch taller but seriously I have never had an issue with the reflection. As I said above if it were an issue I would have it wrapped with a flat, non reflecting color. I think you can get a matte clear wrap.
 
It sounds like some of you didn't eat your Wheaties for breakfast. I'm just 5' 17" and have no problems with this. On the other hand, I see a bunch of reflected light off of other people's windscreens.
 
I'm 6'3".

I almost never get the scoop reflecting light in my eyes, but the once or twice a month it happens it's blinding and I literally want to get out of the truck and smash the scoop down into the hood to stop it.
 

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