Which T4R would you prefer in Arizona? Trail or Limited edition ?

[Superman]

I'm moving to Arizona,Gilbert in a few months with my family and I always had the '11 Limited edition in mind but I've been doing some research on the Trail edition lately and I'm loving the KDSS,Craw Control etc.. options on it. But at the same time I'll be doing lots of reg driving too since I'll be using it to go to work so the only time I could go off-road really is on the weekends which most likely will not even be an every weekend activity.

Under these circumstances, which one do you think would be more beneficial in the long run, both, for me and my family? :lookout:

 

[Hawkdog21]

I'm moving to Arizona,Gilbert in a few months with my family and I always had the '11 Limited edition in mind but I've been doing some research on the Trail edition lately and I'm loving the KDSS,Craw Control etc.. options on it. But at the same time I'll be doing lots of reg driving too since I'll be using it to go to work so the only time I could go off-road really is on the weekends which most likely will not even be an every weekend activity.

Under these circumstances, which one do you think would be more beneficial in the long run, both, for me and my family? :lookout:

Well, it really depends on how much, and how hard you really will be wheeling it. Lots of people will buy the trail over another thinking they want all the off-road electronics and then never leave pavement. If you can be honest with yourself about how much and what kind of wheeling you will be doing that should help alot.

Also depends on your family, if you have a bunch of kids the 3rd row would be a big plus...

 

[GG Beast]

There are so many off-roading opportunities in AZ. Plenty of stuff right in town, and plenty more just a few hours away, and a ton of great opportunities for camping/national park visits where it's always a good idea to have a well equipped vehicle - Enjoy AZ! There's tons to offer here no matter what vehicle you choose (but I definitely recommend getting a 4WD one)

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I off road all over Arizona and the 4runner is starting to show this abuse. Either the limited or the trail will work. The limiting factor on either is ground clearance and tires. At stock heights both are to low to go over very big rocks and the stock tires are to easily cut. I like the trail for better approach/departure angles and the limited for it torsen diff. The atrac on the limited will pull you through more than people realize. If you are just going to stay on fireroads/graded roads then anything including a Higlander will work. If you are going to do harder Jeep type trails expect some undercarrage damage from the rocks, you may want aftermarket skid plates and sliders. Are you willing to take a new vehicle and trash it in the desert? It beats the crap out of the suspension all day, bottoms on rocks, more dust than you can imagine and it gets inside even with the windows up, brush and cactus scratching the sides etc. That is why most harder core off roaders use a older Jeep etc. for playing in the desert. Most newer suvs I see in the desert do not do much more than very easy trails as people are afraid to break something or get them dirty. If that sounds like you get what will suit your needs the other 99% of the time. That crawl control stuff would be useless to me. Learn how to read the terrain and apply the gas and brakes as needed. Eventually you will look at a obstacle and know if low range is needed, how fast and how much gas to apply etc.

 

[Superman]

I off road all over Arizona and the 4runner is starting to show this abuse. Either the limited or the trail will work. The limiting factor on either is ground clearance and tires. At stock heights both are to low to go over very big rocks and the stock tires are to easily cut. I like the trail for better approach/departure angles and the limited for it torsen diff. The atrac on the limited will pull you through more than people realize. If you are just going to stay on fireroads/graded roads then anything including a Higlander will work. If you are going to do harder Jeep type trails expect some undercarrage damage from the rocks, you may want aftermarket skid plates and sliders. Are you willing to take a new vehicle and trash it in the desert? It beats the crap out of the suspension all day, bottoms on rocks, more dust than you can imagine and it gets inside even with the windows up, brush and cactus scratching the sides etc. That is why most harder core off roaders use a older Jeep etc. for playing in the desert. Most newer suvs I see in the desert do not do much more than very easy trails as people are afraid to break something or get them dirty. If that sounds like you get what will suit your needs the other 99% of the time. That crawl control stuff would be useless to me. Learn how to read the terrain and apply the gas and brakes as needed. Eventually you will look at a obstacle and know if low range is needed, how fast and how much gas to apply etc.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. Looks like I'll be getting the Limited for now and do light trails on the limited at first since my wife really want's the limited as well.


I'll eventually get an older model 4x4 as a second vehicle for exploring the desert in depth which might take a couple of days or more depending how far out I go. But just thinking about it makes me happy. :jump: I love the outdoors,camping etc...

 

[harper7]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. Looks like I'll be getting the Limited for now and do light trails on the limited at first since my wife really want's the limited as well.


I'll eventually get an older model 4x4 as a second vehicle for exploring the desert in depth which might take a couple of days or more depending how far out I go. But just thinking about it makes me happy. :jump: I love the outdoors,camping etc...

Good choice....happy wife =happy life

There are plenty of us that take the Limited/SR5's offroad without KDSS and Crawl Control .It matters MORE on how you outfit it for offroading with lift,tires,sliders ect.
Matter of fact there are hundreds of thousands of previous Gen 4Runners and not to mention all the FJ's that wheel the hell out of them without KDSS and CC.

The approach angles differences he mentioned are just 2 inch removable plastic pieces that Toyota put on the front as garnish. Take that off and they are EXACTLY the same angles for approach and departure. That is if you don't have the shiny exhaust tip option sticking out. All the 5ths have the same aluminum and steel bumpers underneath that plastic garnish.

You can explore the desert in depth with these 5th Gen Limiteds as they are more then capable and built super tough.You don't need an old beater unless you are going to do some serious rock climbing.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

As I said you can not go wrong either way with a 4runner. When mine was new i was so carefull not to hit a rut or small rock to fast as I did not want to hurt my new vehicle. I mean at times we were going 1-5 mph. As the years go by you realize the vehicle is a lot tougher than you thought and pick up the pace to normal off road speeds (not racing etc.). After all these years mine still does not sqeak and rattle even off road. My 4runner has been covered in dust so thick I had to clear off the taillights and license plate so I would not get pulled over for this. I also use my old air filter to replace my new ones when I know it is going to be dusty, this save the new filter. This ussually happens when you are following someone else and there is no wind to blow the dust away. You will love the torsen diff on the limited and it will do the easy trails just fine. If you find you want to move on to harder trails then get a lift etc as your needs demand it. If you are venturing out very far it is best to have 2 vehicles. There is no cell phone service after several miles into the desert. You may want to start out on easy trails like the Appache trail west of Phoenix to get a fell of things. The problem with this trail is it is to easy and there is sometimes cars on it and overcrowding. I recommend you buy the Arizona version of the Backcounrty Adventure book. It describes a lot of trails as to difficulty, senic rating etc and gives details directions. If you head of on your own then have a good gps and track where you go so you can get back out. It is easy to get lost after a long day.

 

[4Robber]

Limited.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I hate posting for the 3rd time here but you may want to consider a offroad set of wheels and tires for a limited. 20s on the limited do not flex much on rocks and could easily damage and wheel or tire. Find some take off trail wheels and get some BFG all terrains or equivelant and use them off road. stock tires and sharp rocks do not mix. Air the tires down and traction and ride greatly improve.
Also my stock wheels are getting pitted bad from all the gravel thrown on them over the years.