The MOTHER of all Trail vs Limited Threads

[overbo0st2k4]

Hey guys,

New member here, first post. I'm in the market for a 2011/2012 Trail or Limited but have hit a wall in terms of what I should get. A little background: I currently have a heavily modified 2005 Nissan Xterra (4x4, bumpers, sliders, full skids, roof rack, the list goes on and on) and like to wheel at GWNF, Rausch Creek, etc. Unfortunately due to work and lack of free time, I haven't really had a chance to wheel in the past few months. I live in Northern VA, so bad weather isn't really a factor. Part-time 4wd does not scare me as I have grown accustomed to this on my Xterra.

I've read through all of these:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97642-trail-vs-limited-clearance.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...rences-between-trail-edition-limited-sr5.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/56194-trail-w-kdss-pack-vs-limited-w-torsen-2.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/76560-trail-limited-snow-city-roads-3.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81122-need-input-ride-quality-ltd-vs-trail.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/73485-trail-limited.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/77973-should-i-buy-limited-trail-please-help.html

From what I've read:

Trail

Pros:
KDSS
Stiffer/bigger sway bars
Rear locker
Crawl control and multi-terrain select dials
BudBuilt/Shrockworks Sliders fit with less issue (no need for spacers or need to remove/adjust rocker panels)
Higher clearance
Black fender flares
Black (Graphite) interior
Black rails on roof rack
Sliding luggage tray
No chrome badging (except for the Toyota emblems front/back)
No cut-out in rear bumper for exhaust (if going to aftermarket with side exit exhaust)
Part-Time 2wd nets you extra mpg (albeit 1mpg)
Party Mode
17" wheels

Cons:
No heated seats
No indicators on side mirrors

Limited

Pros:
XREAS
Torsen
Full-Time 4WD
Push-Button Start
SmartKey keyless system
Dual Climate Control
Leather seats
Heated seats
Indicators on side mirrors
SOS safety connect system

Cons:
XREAS (ability to lift or upgrade suspension down the road)
Less clearance due to rocker panels and bumper fascia (need to remove front air dam if you want comparable approach angle)
20" wheels
Chrome roof rack rails

Anyone notice anything that I missed?

If you could go back and had the option of LE or TE, would you stick with what you have or switch?

And yes, I know about the LE/TE hybrid that harper7 has (which I am envious of).

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[overbo0st2k4]

FYI, this is the Trail that I've been eyeing:

New 2011 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 4dr V6 Trail (Gray SUV) Leesburg

 

[DizzyV6P]

Wow..that Trail's still there? I saw it online back in Dec. Carmax in Laurel had one in the Red Salsa but that got sold recently.

IMHO if you are going off-roading, the Trail is probably the best choice. The only off-roading I do is driving around downtown DC and hopefully I'll never need KDSS downtown. I think you answered your own question with your Limited listing. If you want luxury thrills, the Limited. If you not, then Trail.

 

[Intruder]

If you want to wheel it a lot and don't care about the Torsen then get a Trail. That way you don't have to spend money getting onboard air and a locker and can use the money you saved on skids, sliders, lift, tires, bumper, winch, etc. With the Trail you can also just put the bigger tires on the factory wheels as opposed to getting smaller aftermarket wheels like you'd have to do with a Limited. Not knocking the Limited in any way, just saying that it'd be less monetary investment to wheel a Trail.

 

[2011T4RLE]

If you want to mod the suspension on an LE then XREAS really isnt a con the way I see it. I got the LE because I like the gizmos, and in my personal opinion the rockers and painted bumper look nicer.

 

[1engineer]

You do realize that TE vs LE is apples and oranges. They are not meant to compare. Different demographics even. If you are even considering a 4Runner of any type you are not a hard core off roader. Those guys go spend 5K on a beater Jeep and thrash the hell out of it, break it and do it next weekend. Very few spend 40K to tear it up.

If you like the luxury touches, buy the LE.
If you like the more spartan cab but like the "off road" look, buy the TE.

Simple.

 

[4Run4YourLife]

You do realize that TE vs LE is apples and oranges. They are not meant to compare.

Simple.

:iagree:This was my first reaction.

 

[NorthGa4R]

I've always liked limited runners. The trails are bad a$$, don't get me wrong. I like lifted limited because its like white trash in a fine smoking jacket.

 

[scanny]

If I were in US I would buy Trail for sure. Just because removing chrome is too much trouble to me. Personally I don't care much about nice things Limited has except Torsen and autolights. Torsen is really nice, but I got used to part time 4x4 by now and don't see full time 4x4 as a must. After awhile I discovered that I can turn lights on when they are needed and light go off automatically.

And Trail is a little bit better equipped for offroad with rear locker and basic skid plates. So I vote for Trail.

 

[Jesse1983]

these threads always make me wonder...when I'm looking for a new vehicle, I typically go look at them and research any model differences directly from the source, ie Toyota. On Toyota's website you can compare all three models, at the same time. as you can see you can compare exterior, interior, safety and convenience, and price. I'm closing this thread because not only is the information readily available, but it has been discussed on here at length.