Trail w/ mods or TRD pro

[DrewJoseph]

Hey,
I am new to T4R forums as I plan to purchase a 4runner in the next few weeks. My car, Subaru Legacy Spec.B is for sale on

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fs-mi-west-bloomfield-2009-subaru-legacy-spec-b-232903.html?p=4976202#post4976202

Anyway, I'm looking for a truck now and the 4runner has my attention. I am wondering what the best 4Runner option is for me. I really don't know the 4runners yet and would like an honest opinion on what I should do.

Option 1: 2015 4Runner Trail ($35k)
I plan to add a toytec ultimate lift (1-3") and larger tires (285,70,17) - $2000

Option 2: 2015 4Runner TRD pro ($40k)

I plan to mostly drive the car on road and off-road a little on the weekends (seasonal trails). I like the look of a lifted 4runner with big tires. Can I add those 285 tires to the TRD pro without lifting it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I plan to make a purchase fairly soon. Thanks.

 

[GabrielM]

Hey,
I am new to T4R forums as I plan to purchase a 4runner in the next few weeks. My car, Subaru Legacy Spec.B is for sale on

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fs-mi-west-bloomfield-2009-subaru-legacy-spec-b-232903.html?p=4976202#post4976202

Anyway, I'm looking for a truck now and the 4runner has my attention. I am wondering what the best 4Runner option is for me. I really don't know the 4runners yet and would like an honest opinion on what I should do.

Option 1: 2015 4Runner Trail ($35k)
I plan to add a toytec ultimate lift (1-3") and larger tires (285,70,17) - $2000

Option 2: 2015 4Runner TRD pro ($40k)

I plan to mostly drive the car on road and off-road a little on the weekends (seasonal trails). I like the look of a lifted 4runner with big tires. Can I add those 285 tires to the TRD pro without lifting it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I plan to make a purchase fairly soon. Thanks.

What will make you chose a TRD Pro over a Trail with mods for a 3000$ difference?

 

[Ky4Runner1]

Hey,
I am new to T4R forums as I plan to purchase a 4runner in the next few weeks. My car, Subaru Legacy Spec.B is for sale on

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fs-mi-west-bloomfield-2009-subaru-legacy-spec-b-232903.html?p=4976202#post4976202

Anyway, I'm looking for a truck now and the 4runner has my attention. I am wondering what the best 4Runner option is for me. I really don't know the 4runners yet and would like an honest opinion on what I should do.

Option 1: 2015 4Runner Trail ($35k)
I plan to add a toytec ultimate lift (1-3") and larger tires (285,70,17) - $2000

Option 2: 2015 4Runner TRD pro ($40k)

I plan to mostly drive the car on road and off-road a little on the weekends (seasonal trails). I like the look of a lifted 4runner with big tires. Can I add those 285 tires to the TRD pro without lifting it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I plan to make a purchase fairly soon. Thanks.

If I had to do it over again, if there had been a Pro on the lot, I would have looked real hard at it instead of the Limited just because the Pro is so rare.
The Pro should have a better resale value as well over a lifted Trail.

 

[Swarty]

Depends on how long you keep it and use it...

Option 1: 2015 4Runner Trail ($35k)
I plan to add a toytec ultimate lift (1-3") and larger tires (285,70,17) - $2000

You are underestimating just a little. 285s with a lift will almost definitely require a body mount chop and new UCAs to fit and be in alignment. Unless you are running highway tires with no tread.

I keep cars until the wheels fall off and abuse the hell out them so the Pro isn't worth it for me as any bump in resale will be minor by the time I sell, plus I can dial it in how I want. OTOH if you keep your car for less than 5 years it could be worth it for the pro.

 

[nguyenn]

If the Pro was available the time I bought my '14 TEP, I would have pick the Pro and still mod it. Only reason I want the Pro cause of its rarity.

 

[Shawk00]

Hey,
I am new to T4R forums as I plan to purchase a 4runner in the next few weeks. My car, Subaru Legacy Spec.B is for sale on

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fs-mi-west-bloomfield-2009-subaru-legacy-spec-b-232903.html?p=4976202#post4976202

Anyway, I'm looking for a truck now and the 4runner has my attention. I am wondering what the best 4Runner option is for me. I really don't know the 4runners yet and would like an honest opinion on what I should do.

Option 1: 2015 4Runner Trail ($35k)
I plan to add a toytec ultimate lift (1-3") and larger tires (285,70,17) - $2000

Option 2: 2015 4Runner TRD pro ($40k)

I plan to mostly drive the car on road and off-road a little on the weekends (seasonal trails). I like the look of a lifted 4runner with big tires. Can I add those 285 tires to the TRD pro without lifting it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I plan to make a purchase fairly soon. Thanks.

It's of course completely up to you. If you are worried about resale, buy something stock and don't put any money into it (because generally you won't get your $$ back). If you want the coolest 4runner on the planet, peak through the mod threads here and mod your 4Runner to whatever your heart desires. I'd choose one of the modded trucks here over mine, a TRDP or any other stock any day of the week because they are truly unique. I find myself looking through the modded threads now far more than the TRDP threads. Now for me, I'm boring and chose a stock TP and will likely keep it pretty close to stock. In reality it's more than what I need capability wise (as was the LE I traded in for it) and I was able to buy a TP for several thousand under a TRDP. Good luck!!

 

[Landy]

I recently had this very debate. I ended up going with a Trail Premium for $5K+ less than I would have gotten TRD Pro. My reason is I really wanted a sunroof and I wanted to mod it myself. The parts I would have payed for I will replace anyway! Good luck making your decision!

 

[Mooney]

Drew,

I believe there are quite a few here that would be driving TRDP's if stock was readily available. The wait gave me time to reflect on how I would utilize the 4r and which model best suited my needs.

It sounds like your comparing a modified TE with a stock TRDP, however in the end you'll have two different outcomes. Again . . . need to better understand the need. The trail will ultimately be lifted and with bigger tires, the TRDP will have better suspension but lower and smaller tires.

If you plan to buy a TRDP, lift and add bigger tires I would definitely suggest the modified TE. If your happy with a stock TRDP . . . it's a one-stop-shop with full warranty and ready to roll.

The TRDP doesn't have KDSS or a Sunroof, nor is it available. For some these features are either a non-issue or not deal breakers.

I decided to modify a TEP, in the end I spent nearly 2.4k (however the number still growing) more than I would have paid for the TRDP . . . but it fits my needs.

If you share more info on how the truck will be used, I believe you'll get some very specific and helpful responses.

 

[LandCruiser]

Trail with KDSS is substantially cheaper and then you can buy the most pimp suspension and still come out less than a Pro.

 

[Mistaken]

I would do the Trail and mod it.

:banana:

 

[Biggcrisp]

Trail with KDSS is substantially cheaper and then you can buy the most pimp suspension and still come out less than a Pro.

Every time I read one of your post, I hear bubbles.

 

[LandCruiser]

Every time I read one of your post, I hear bubbles.

I think a Trail can haul more shopping carts out of a pond than a Pro.

 

[3wbdriver]

I tend to buy a more base level trim and then add the appearance/performance mods I desire instead of what the dealer wants to offer me in an expensive "package". This way I build what I want and not what they think I should have. YMMV

 

[9lb taco]

I think a Trail can haul more shopping carts out of a pond than a Pro.

Neither one is a match for Food Mountain.

 

[Sunriser]

Like others here, I debated the same thing, and chose a 2015 TEP with KDSS. Same reasons as others have noted... the extra money for the TRDP could be spent modifying my TEP exactly the way *I* want, and I'm not paying for bling. (Which you could argue the TRDP is mostly, minus the suspension.)

That said, there are plenty of reasons to go with the TRDP. Good luck.

 

[GRN285]

I was on the fence between sr5 and trail. Briefly thought about pro-

If I was to do it again, I would get what I got minus kdss and maybe white or blue.

Sr5 would fulfill my needs but trail fulfilled my wants.
Pro is pro and way overboard for me-(too much cash for what ya get)

Good luck deciding.

Wife told me to get a new ride and I went over and over everything for months before I decided.

 

[Maverick]

I went TRD Pro because I absolutely didn't want the sunroof due to decreased headroom in the front and the rear. My head was within 1/2" of the roof with a sunroof. The rear seat head area is also much reduced with the sunroof. I also wanted the softex seats. The only model with no sunroof and softex was the TRD Pro. I also wanted the TRD Pro because it is the best looking model in my opinion, will hold the resale value the best, and because I didn't want to be tempted in to pouring thousands in to mods. I have done the mod thing in the past on several vehicles and it always leads to some sort of compromise that then leads me wishing for something different, then leads to me trading the vehicle for something else 1-3 years down the line. I'm hoping I can keep the TRD Pro totally stock (well, maybe sliders...haven't decided yet), but I know myself well enough that if I would have bought a different model I would have a mod list way too long. Oh yeah, I also like the idea of a factory designed suspension system with good looking wheels and better than stock tires.

 

[DrewJoseph]

Thanks for all the responses. I went with the trail w/ KDSS! Now it's time to mod it! I'm working with $2000 to get things rolling. Please feel free to steer me in a certain direction.

By the way, the KDSS option is definitely worth it. I just took a short 6500 mile road trip to break-in the truck, and after driving through the canyon roads in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, I was completely sold on the feature. The KDSS makes the truck handle like my previous subaru sports car. The truck stays flat around corners (very little to no body roll).

 

[Loving My TRD Pro]

The 2015 4Runner TRD Pro is amazing on AND off the road

I was lucky enough to snag a 2015 4Runner TRD Pro (in Inferno Orange) and I absolutely love this thing. This is the coolest vehicle I have ever owned. They are extremely hard to find, but if that is what you really want, don't give up. Just expect to pay full MSRP if you find one. You won't get a discount on this baby.

The stock suspension, TRD wheels and tires are totally awesome, and the stereo sounds better than anything I've ever had in a vehicle previously. I only off-road once in a while, but as far as I'm concerned this thing shines in the city and the suburbs also. Remember potholes, speed bumps, speed humps and large piles of snow? You don't even have to slow down for them. And curbs? HA! I laugh at them now. You will get a lot of heads turning and compliments from complete strangers. It is one seriously mean-looking machine.

If anyone has any questions about the TRD Pro 4Runner, I'll tell you whatever I can find out just by looking at mine.

My ONLY criticism is that the gas milage is not as well rated as Toyota claims. They say it gets 17mpg in the city, but the true rating is about 13mpg (Although I admit that some of that is completely attributed to the way I drive.:naughty I don't live very far from where I work, so a long commute is not an issue for me. Therefore, I really don't care about gas milage. If gas milage is important to you, then you don't want this truck.

 

[4Rager]

Thanks for all the responses. I went with the trail w/ KDSS! Now it's time to mod it! I'm working with $2000 to get things rolling. Please feel free to steer me in a certain direction.

By the way, the KDSS option is definitely worth it. I just took a short 6500 mile road trip to break-in the truck, and after driving through the canyon roads in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, I was completely sold on the feature. The KDSS makes the truck handle like my previous subaru sports car. The truck stays flat around corners (very little to no body roll).

If you're wanting 3" of lift, make sure to budget for new upper control arms to make sure the handling and alignment will still be in spec. Also you might want to consider saving up a bit more and doing everything at once. My budget to do a 3" suspension lift (with stock wheels) is about $3500 which includes UCA's, OME rear springs, Fox external res rear shocks, Fox external res front coilovers and 285 Duratracs. That's going with mid-level components, but will still be very capable. Also that's not including labor since I intend to do it myself.