TRD / SR5 capability comparison?

There is an increase in articulation off road as well. And more importantly balance. It actively balances weight among the tires. It's a somewhat effective implementation of the holy grail of offroad suspension design (forced articulation). It's more than just soft sway bars. There's a lot of information on this forum about it. If you search you'll find more than you probably ever want to know. In the video below ("current Prado = non KDSS 4Runner, "New Prado" = KDSS 4Runner). You can see how significant

Cool. Good info!
 
I have a 2017 TRD OR with KDSS. For me, I really wanted the KDSS because of where I live and how often I drive curvy mountain roads. For me, it makes me feel a lot better when the car stays relatively flat through corners instead of rolling side to side.

In most cases I use A-Trac to get through most obstacles and only turn on my rear locker when that isn't enough, which is pretty rare.

As others have said, unless you really plan to wheel the crap out of your truck A-Trac is probably more than enough. KDSS was much more important to me than having a rear locker or Crawl Control but I have used every feature on my car and am happy to have it all.
 
Biggest difference is the $$$$$
For an SR5 $$: you can add a roof rack, front bumper, winch, better suspension, brakes, lights, rear locker, sliders, and still spend less then TRD pro money.

***Yes If you go most expensive for some of these (such as stage 4+ Icon suspension, Rigid industries lights) your cost will exceed TRD pro $$.***

Some states, lower insurance rates. Some states don't recognize sub models (SR5 vs TRD, Lancer vs Evo)

Yes you do not get the crawl control, KDDS, or the Toyota E-locker (which i wish all models but the limited came with). But that can be over come by good driving technecs.

Not bashing on the Pro guys by any means.

My main reason for SR5 was: I knew I was going to be building it out, budget (my last consideration), and I needed the 3rd row seating.
 
Biggest difference is the $$$$$
For an SR5 $$: you can add a roof rack, front bumper, winch, better suspension, brakes, lights, rear locker, sliders, and still spend less then TRD pro money.

***Yes If you go most expensive for some of these (such as stage 4+ Icon suspension, Rigid industries lights) your cost will exceed TRD pro $$.***

Some states, lower insurance rates. Some states don't recognize sub models (SR5 vs TRD, Lancer vs Evo)

Yes you do not get the crawl control, KDDS, or the Toyota E-locker (which i wish all models but the limited came with). But that can be over come by good driving technecs.

Not bashing on the Pro guys by any means.

My main reason for SR5 was: I knew I was going to be building it out, budget (my last consideration), and I needed the 3rd row seating.


The real problem with TRD pro vs SR5 is that it's the same truck. Suspension and locker. When an Evo vs a lancer is a whole different car from the drivetrain to the engine and of course the suspension. But a trd pro is 15k more but without being a whole different vehicle.

Go with what suits your needs, some guys can take advantage of the trd pro equipment and if you want the voodoo blue it's a no brainer. All the same it's going to get damaged on trail if your wheeling with it.
 
TRD Pro isn't worth the cost difference from SR5, but TRD Offroad is worth the cost difference if you want a rear locker and/or KDSS
 
If you consider the re-sale value of the Trail/TRDOR/Pro models compared to the SR5, then the additional features and capability are essentially free. Better to have and not need than need and not have.

Plus... NON FUNCTIONAL HOOD SCOOP.

You will forever have an inferiority complex about your SR5 when you get passed by another 4runner with their hoodscoop. They ARE looking down on you.

Fixed hehe
 
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I think that for the price of the Pro Bro, I'd go GX for the V8 and AWD.

Biggest main practical difference between SR5 and models with a locker is payload. 850 with locker and 1150 SR5

Some of the off road car camping types seem to use every bit of payload and then some

Good info. Toyota doesn't list payload on the site or in the brochure.
 
I highly doubt anyone said ATRAC was better than lockers. Are you sure they weren't comparing ATRAC and crawl control?

Also, this guy is talking about traction control versus lockers. NOT ATRAC vs lockers.

ATRAC doesn't just cut power when a wheel is spinning, it uses ABS to cut power and then delivers the power to the opposite wheel.
 
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Yup, I know what the rear locker is and does and I've read about the KDSS. My SR5 doesn't come with CC obviously but I have ATRAC. What I was looking for was side by side field comparison of the TRD and the SR5 going through obstacles/mud/climb/sand/etc, to see if there was any compelling reason to go with a TRD. I'll go with Samwhich's answer. Thanks to all who answered.
 
Very elitist!

I don’t know if I would call that elitist talk, he has a point, but I don’t think I necessarily agree with what he said about lockers either.

Lockers, and other things like it are tools. Many people can own tools, but it still takes experience and skill to use tools correctly.

Adding fancy wiz-bangs are fine, but it doesn’t replace driver skill, but it might help the driver become more effective at the task. I’ve seen idiots with lockers do a lot worse and then an experienced driver with open diffs because of the line they took. You can’t buy experience and seat time, only earn it.

On the flip side, even if the computer (crawl control) was better at the task, it takes away from the driving experience as a whole… it’s no different than owning a manual transmission when a modern sports car automatic like the Porsche PDK can shift faster and better than a person, but it isn’t as fun to drive. Some people just like a more pure / raw experience when doing a recreational task like off-road driving. Some people will take every edge to gain some time on a lap.

Different strokes for different folks… I personally don’t care about CC or other computer assists for off-road pleasure, I don’t find value in it, primarily because I feel disconnected from the task of driving. Lockers on the other hand is a very powerful tool, but used incorrectly can get you into even more trouble.
 
I highly doubt anyone said ATRAC was better than lockers. Are you sure they weren't comparing ATRAC and crawl control?

Also, this guy is talking about traction control versus lockers. NOT ATRAC vs lockers.

ATRAC doesn't just cut power when a wheel is spinning, it uses ABS to cut power and then delivers the power to the opposite wheel.

ATRAC is traction control. It stands for Active TRACtion control. It's brake based traction control. The Tundra in the video has ATRAC. I think all 4x4 Tundras have it. All 4x4 Tacomas do not. It should be standard in all 4x4 Toyotas IMO.

You have to option up to a TRD OR in a Tacoma to get ATRAC. So the minimum price of entry is about $37k for ATRAC in a Tacoma - but it also comes with a rear locker and crawl control. Oddly - All Rav4s 2019+ with awd have MTS - the selectable version of ATRAC. So a $25k Rav4 will have ATRAC and a TRD Sport tacoma doesn't.
 
I don’t know if I would call that elitist talk, he has a point, but I don’t think I necessarily agree with what he said about lockers either.

Lockers, and other things like it are tools. Many people can own tools, but it still takes experience and skill to use tools correctly.

Adding fancy wiz-bangs are fine, but it doesn’t replace driver skill, but it might help the driver become more effective at the task. I’ve seen idiots with lockers do a lot worse and then an experienced driver with open diffs because of the line they took. You can’t buy experience and seat time, only earn it.

On the flip side, even if the computer (crawl control) was better at the task, it takes away from the driving experience as a whole… it’s no different than owning a manual transmission when a modern sports car automatic like the Porsche PDK can shift faster and better than a person, but it isn’t as fun to drive. Some people just like a more pure / raw experience when doing a recreational task like off-road driving. Some people will take every edge to gain some time on a lap.

Different strokes for different folks… I personally don’t care about CC or other computer assists for off-road pleasure, I don’t find value in it, primarily because I feel disconnected from the task of driving. Lockers on the other hand is a very powerful tool, but used incorrectly can get you into even more trouble.

I was just referring to SR5 owners getting butthurt over an opinion in another topic, then trying to explain that an SR5 is just an OR without a rear locker. In other words implying that OR owners were dumb spending thousands more on gimmicks like Crawl Control that are worthless. One person called it "Mall Control".

I don't think most are going to turn on Crawl Control unless they get stuck. And I don't think Toyota would have engineered Crawl Control just as a tool for the lazy who don't want to use the gas pedal on a 4x4 road. As you can see by the video that someone posted showing Land Cruisers going up a dirt hill, a professional driver can go further with more tools that he would otherwise. If it was all about the driver and not the machine, everyone would buy the Wrangler Sport over a Rubicon.
 
Yup, I know what the rear locker is and does and I've read about the KDSS. My SR5 doesn't come with CC obviously but I have ATRAC. What I was looking for was side by side field comparison of the TRD and the SR5 going through obstacles/mud/climb/sand/etc, to see if there was any compelling reason to go with a TRD. I'll go with Samwhich's answer. Thanks to all who answered.

Did you watch the first video I posted. It' should be pretty much that. ATRAC in a 100 series vs lockers in a 100 series. That's as close to a side by side example as you can get. ATRAC works really well. A Locker works a little better. For me KDSS was the reason to buy a TE. Otherwise I'd have bought a limited and put lockers in both axles.

Here's another example:
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<iframe width="1483" height="672" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YNFacsKnswM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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I was just referring to SR5 owners getting butthurt over an opinion in another topic, then trying to explain that an SR5 is just an OR without a rear locker. In other words implying that OR owners were dumb spending thousands more on gimmicks like Crawl Control that are worthless. One person called it "Mall Control".

I don't think most are going to turn on Crawl Control unless they get stuck. And I don't think Toyota would have engineered Crawl Control just as a tool for the lazy who don't want to use the gas pedal on a 4x4 road. As you can see by the video that someone posted showing Land Cruisers going up a dirt hill, a professional driver can go further with more tools that he would otherwise. If it was all about the driver and not the machine, everyone would buy the Wrangler Sport over a Rubicon.

First off... he said mall crawl, which has been jokingly used 1 billion times before.

Second, your comments in both threads so far has done nothing but try to bash the SR5, which I am fine with if it makes you feel better about your purchase.

I personally have never been on a trail that 4lo, ATRAC, ATs, and Maxtrax hasn't been able to solve the problem. In the other thread you basically said "SR5 owners don't need sliders".

WHAT!!?? LOL. What does having protection (sometimes even going DOWN stuff) have anything to do with a rear locker and crawl control? Should we not have skids too? I guess I should have left the highway tires as well. It's just pretty silly.

Again, if it makes you feel better about yourself, whatever. A stock 4runner alone is a pretty gottdang capable vehicle alone, sr5 or the all hail TRDOR and above!
 
Here we go again! The SR5 crew will insist their rigs are every bit as capable as the Trail/OR with a rear locker because they have “never” been in a situation where it is needed. The Trd versions are more capable...end of discussion! Rear lockers are more capable than no lockers, and front/rear lockers are more capable than rear only. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no clue what they’re talking about...IMO
 
On the flip side, even if the computer (crawl control) was better at the task, it takes away from the driving experience as a whole… it’s no different than owning a manual transmission when a modern sports car automatic like the Porsche PDK can shift faster and better than a person, but it isn’t as fun to drive. Some people just like a more pure / raw experience when doing a recreational task like off-road driving. Some people will take every edge to gain some time on a lap.
.

No offense bro, but when I’m stuck out in the woods with my family, and if sh*t ever hits the fan and my only option is rear diff/CC, I’m not concerned with “driving experience”. We’re talking about a 4X4 SUV here...you want to experience something prolific while driving, buy a Ferrari.
 
The locker isn't really a un sticking tool so much as a get up smooth steep high grip rock like moab.

The locker on my trd Tacomas never got me unstuck usually using it on snow covered road.

Casual buyers dont often see 4wd or lockers as off road joy riding tools but as emergency tools. I joy ride off road mountain biking I dont see the 4runner as a trail rig just a 4wd truck with a covered bed. Taking a 50k 4runner down actual trails getting body damage? Takes balls
 
Honestly, there has been many good points brought up...

1. With all things being equal a TRD Offroad will is without any doubts be better for off-roading than the SR5 due to the rear locker...there really is no argument to be had here.

2. Driver experience DOES play a huge factor in off-roading, on roading, highway driving, driving in traffic etc etc. In the Northeast I wouldn't lend a go kart to half of NY/NJ/CT/PA drivers.

3. It is very debatable if the price difference is worth it especially if you aren't doing hardcore off-roading. As an SR5 owner I do agree the TRD offroad is a better looking truck...but I don't regret for a second having an SR5 and for hunting trails or driving on the beach is the TRD Offroad that much better for the money? (I know unless you get stuck...I get it...). But I have to ask this because its a significant jump in price probably anywhere from 3 to 4 thousand.

4. I do agree there are members than SEEM to have a lot of dislike for the SR5's and I don't understand that...its more capable than the vast majority of so-called suv's on the market.

Going back to #3, I had a 2012 TRD Sport (and before I get flamed I am not going to put that in the same category as the TRD Offroad 4Runner) and honestly I really got poop for the extra money I spent. It had TRD shocks which rode like crap in NYC, other than that it was all cosmetic upgrades. Outside of KDSS (my step father has it in his TRD which admittingly it does ride "slightly better") and a Locker what else do you get? I average 25k miles a year and I work in NYC so for me I wanted to spend the least amount of money (33k-bare bones no extras) on a 4Runner. I put high mileage on the vehicle, its going to get pretty banged up , and the suspension is going to get the crap kicked out of it.

Ultimately no 4Runner is a BAD 4Runner...and I did read in another thread that sliders should never go on an SR5 :hand: don't know what that is about...it comes down to what the owner needs out the vehicle.

I love all 4Runners! :guitar3:
 
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