Which 5gen to get?

[wbpolk]

My wife is trying to decide which she wants, sr5 premium or the TEP, and maybe a Pro. i am trying to help her, I have always been a fan of the manual 4wd selection, just feels better and less to go wrong, but outside of that, I am trying to decide if we need the fancy electronic for the trail portion. We are planing a a trip from WNY to Prudhoe Bay, AK with our son. We will be outfitting this for our travels to AK and other places, will be vehicle we hope to hold on to for many years, my parents had a 3gen with 258k before the Trans started slipping and they traded.
Thanks for the help.

Dan


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[jwkilgore]

The SR5 is the basic option. It's the cheapest. Fully functional, and arguably you can take the savings with this option and apply the money to tons of aftermarket upgrades. For example, will you want things like a roof-top rack or bumpers for your trip? Upgraded suspension? Upgraded tires?

You didn't mention a Limited, but they (and early 5th-gen SR5's like mine) have low-hanging plastic trim that gets hung up off road. Don't get one for off road unless you plan on making modifications. That said, if you do plan on making mods, some people like to start with a Limited because they want the full-time 4WD option.

Both Trail and Pro add a rear locker, really useful for off road, plus a few other bells and whistles. It will cost several thousand $$$ to break into an SR5 or limited rear diff to add a locker.

The Pro adds lots of "looks", a sticker, and a minor front lift/level with upgraded shocks.

If you don't plan on doing any aftermarket modifications but plan on expedition-style traveling, and if you can afford it, then definitely spring for at least the TEP. If you want the bigger shocks, factory lift, and cool stocker you can spring for the TRDP.

Also, where is "WNY"? I was assuming "Western New York" (state).

 

[NautiBlue]

The first step for me would be to see what kind of budget you have. You can swing almost $10,000 from an SR5 to LE.

But if you are going to be doing any sort of off-roading, then I would recommend the trail only because you get the rear locker and extra goodies with it like crawl controls and terrain select. I like the manual 4wd too, and with a LE you are full-time 4wd if I'm not mistaken which will put a damper on gas mileage on long trips.

I bought a TE Premium as it's my DD. I wanted a few extra options for the wife, but not the price tag of the LE. I really like the Softex fabric so far. It's supposed to be as durable as the leather, but more resistant to spills and offer good ventilation. Plus you'll get a sunroof and heated seats. It's a good compromise between a base model and a LE.

Good luck with your search!

 

[philsey]

Is this your wife's car? If yes, is she OK with part time 4WD? Shifting in/out according to road conditions? WNY has some hella snowstorms.

I ask because my wife would be totally clueless with mine.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

My requirements were -
Rear Locker.
Manual Shift for transfer case. I don't trust dials.
Sunroof.
Flat Rear Fold down seats.
I really like the Softex too. As others have said - They are cooler than expected. Austin is hot, hot and more hot too. The temp that is.
These were musts for me. If you off road at all the TEP would be a great choice.

 

[<<<<]

If you want manual 4WD shifter and no Bilstein Shocks or any fancy hype up low production TRD then get Trail and add TRD goodies later such a shift knob and TRD wheels.

 

[wbpolk]

Location, is western Nee York.
Snow storms are not a concern, my wife is very mechanically inclined and this would be taking away 6-speed gear box for a box she would shift 15x a year.
We do want to add a Rack, RTT, bumper(rear), tires,
Rear locker is very nice, looking around here looks like that's a $2k option to add aftermarket. So if I get it stock it would be nice.
I was looking at a stage 2 icon suspension kit, think that would meet our needs.
We have a child so the synthetic seats would be welcome, she has the VW leatherette, seats now and they are great. But the LE just has items on the outside I don't really need since will be changing things out.

Guess question is now TEP or PRO?
How robust is the PRO suspension? Is it equivalent to the Icon stage 2? Lift and capabilities?





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[jwkilgore]

Guess question is now TEP or PRO?
How robust is the PRO suspension? Is it equivalent to the Icon stage 2? Lift and capabilities?

The TRDP front shocks are basically custom, non-adjustable, Bilstein 6112's (I saw an unconfirmed rumor that future models may have FOX shocks). If you want that suspension on a TEP you can get just the Toyota OEM parts for around $1400 or so, IIRC. I don't recall what rear shocks are used. NOT rebuildable like Icons.

It only lifts the front by about 1"; the rear stays stock height with the TRDP upgrade.

If you're installing a rear bumper and planning on loading down with expedition gear I'd recommend upgrading your springs and shocks anyway, so paying extra for the TRDP suspension may be throwing money away. Were I spending your money I'd get the TEP, a Metaltech Stage 2 Long-travel rear (uses Icon shocks and variable-rate springs) and Icon Stage 2 front.

 

[e60ral]

My requirements were -
Rear Locker.
Manual Shift for transfer case. I don't trust dials.
Sunroof.
Flat Rear Fold down seats.
I really like the Softex too. As others have said - They are cooler than expected. Austin is hot, hot and more hot too. The temp that is.
These were musts for me. If you off road at all the TEP would be a great choice.

i have a trail and love it, but even with the manual transfer case level it's worth noting that you will still have electronics involved on the front axle

 

[Bikemedic]

SR5 Premium here and I took the money and added all the aftermarket stuff I wanted. Hidden winch, lift level, roof rack, HID/LED lighting kit, New BFG Ko's, blackout kit, etc, etc. And still was much less than a Trail. The electronic shifting to 4W is not an issue. If you are worried about electronics think of everything else that is controlled with some type of electronics in the 5th gen. Ignition, injectors, auto transmision, it goes on and on. With that said if you want and or need a locker than that is a different story.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

i have a trail and love it, but even with the manual transfer case level it's worth noting that you will still have electronics involved on the front axle

Only if you use those features while in 4x4 mode. They are not required, but are electronically controlled. Which I am not a fan of, but I do test them often.
I think that was a suggestion I got on this forum. Use them to keep them from getting stuck.

 

[e60ral]

Only if you use those features while in 4x4 mode. They are not required, but are electronically controlled. Which I am not a fan of, but I do test them often.
I think that was a suggestion I got on this forum. Use them to keep them from getting stuck.

No, you can't avoid the electronic axle engagement unless you replaced everything in the front with manual hubs or something

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[Muzzle of Bees]

No, you can't avoid the electronic axle engagement unless you replaced everything in the front with manual hubs or something

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Then point me to a schematic where I can compare how the lever vs. knob work?
There has to be a difference in electronics.

 

[elemint]

Go with the SR5. Unless you are an idiot you can go anywhere a TE will be able to go. I see no point to spend another 10k for a limited when there is no value to those added options. Even the base SR5 rides better than the most expensive 99% of vehicles 30 years ago.

 

[jstim]

My wife is trying to decide which she wants, sr5 premium or the TEP, and maybe a Pro. i am trying to help her, I have always been a fan of the manual 4wd selection, just feels better and less to go wrong, but outside of that, I am trying to decide if we need the fancy electronic for the trail portion. We are planing a a trip from WNY to Prudhoe Bay, AK with our son. We will be outfitting this for our travels to AK and other places, will be vehicle we hope to hold on to for many years, my parents had a 3gen with 258k before the Trans started slipping and they traded.
Thanks for the help.

Dan


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If you're planning on going to Prudhoe bay, do yourself a favor, carry no less than 2 spares, an easier way of changing the tires. Because as the truckers tear past you on the dalton you're going to want to get off the side of the road quickly, and about 6x the insect repellent you think you'll need. Unless you plan on carrying insect mesh suits and those don't even work so well. And I seen what you said later, you won't need a lift to do it, just tired and extra fuel.

 

[e60ral]

Then point me to a schematic where I can compare how the lever vs. knob work?
There has to be a difference in electronics.

they are different at the differential, but both have a front automatic differential disconnect actuator

just pointing out that the trail isn't an all mechanical setup

 

[blakjack23]

I understand the Limited isn't for everyone, but to say there is no value in the added options it provides is simply not true.

 

[dimodin]

SR5 Premium here and I took the money and added all the aftermarket stuff I wanted. Hidden winch, lift level, roof rack, HID/LED lighting kit, New BFG Ko's, blackout kit, etc, etc. And still was much less than a Trail. The electronic shifting to 4W is not an issue. If you are worried about electronics think of everything else that is controlled with some type of electronics in the 5th gen. Ignition, injectors, auto transmision, it goes on and on. With that said if you want and or need a locker than that is a different story.

That doesn't sound right, I think the Trail base model is only ~$1k additional to a base SR5 (4x4 that is). The same goes for SR5P and TEP models.

However, in the Trail you have the option of getting KDSS, which makes it much more expensive. Personally, I think if you don't want or need KDSS, the cost of the Trail model is a bargain compared to the SR5. It all depends on your needs though.

 

[Mac_5]

We were in the same boat a couple months ago. We didn't know much about the different models. After driving all of them ended up with a TEP w/KDSS because we liked the way it handled compared to the others. Not to say it's any better, but just our preference.

 

[wbpolk]

Well I think the price of the locker alone has eliminated the sr5, I am sure I will need/want it at some point, and you look at selling down the road, the locker is desirable.
Well guys think I have reached the decision, it will be the TEP.
The wife and I will keep eye out for the right one and make the move then.
We still have her diesel gate car for now also, but I could just buy it for me!


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