Would a 5th gen TRD ORP make a decent Daily Driver?

[RobS10]

I live in a subdivision and work in the city. My ORP is my favorite daily driver I've ever owned, hands down. Parking garages and parallel parking are a breeze. If I need to drive OVER a parking block, I can do that too. :evil:

Upgrade your suspension and it will drive basically just like a car. Like a nice car too. Stock suspension is mush with blah body roll and nosedives horribly when braking, but with $500 worth of shocks, a complete 180' turnaround. I don't know if KDSS helps with those problems or not, I don't have that option.

Yeah it sucks on gas, but literally no one buys a 4Runner if they're worried about gas mileage.

Thank god we don't commute or the mileage might be an issue. I have always driven 4x4 pickups, so I know the drill. Our '99 4Runner gets around 20 on the highway, which to me is decent. Better would be better, but this isn't a Highlander Hybrid, so it's what I expect.

 

[Pedro367]

Another vote here for a TRD with KDSS. I love mine as a daily and it's comfortable on long drives. It handles pretty well for a body on frame SUV. It's big inside too. Much bigger than a lot of the other SUVs in its size class like a Jeep GC.

Only real downside in MPG, but it's not that far off from the others. I'm averaging 2 MPG less with my 4R than I had with my GCs and Wrangler. Obviously the interiors are long in the tooth at this point, but that's subjective to what you like/want in a vehicle. I like the "old school" over all the new tech. The better offroad capability and features and being bigger make up for it.

 

[RobS10]

I take my 2015 limited to the city every now and then. It is great for the crap roads, crazy expansion joints, giant pot holes.

The bad is I can’t do any parking garage that doesn’t have 6’9” clearance. I have a Yakima rack with bike trays. Also if you do find a garage and parking it is tight. It’s a test of your body flexibility to open door and crawl out.

Also whenever I take it to the city one of the 3rd row windows always gets smashed.

Ymmv. So far in the South Bay I like it. In the city I’m so so with it, but the truck frame and beefed up suspension is good on the 101 and around the city.

We do have to be careful of those garages if our Yakama rack is on, but so far, we've made it into all of the ones we have tried. Snaking out of the door happens in my Dodge pickup all the time, not too bad in the 4Runner, but realize the 5th gen will be a little wider. NOT looking forward to getting our windows bashed in, but won't be surprised. Someone knocked the little triangle one in the back door out of ours, but we never even opened the door to steal the nothing we leave in it. Will probably take the '99 if we go downtown. It's freaking ridiculous we even have to think about this.

 

[RobS10]

Another vote here for a TRD with KDSS. I love mine as a daily and it's comfortable on long drives. It handles pretty well for a body on frame SUV. It's big inside too. Much bigger than a lot of the other SUVs in its size class like a Jeep GC.

Only real downside in MPG, but it's not that far off from the others. I'm averaging 2 MPG less with my 4R than I had with my GCs and Wrangler. Obviously the interiors are long in the tooth at this point, but that's subjective to what you like/want in a vehicle. I like the "old school" over all the new tech. The better offroad capability and features and being bigger make up for it.

I wish there was a free lunch on gas mileage, but what I expect.
I peeked into a Jeep GC yesterday, and while it looked very spiffy, I think I prefer the more business-like cockpit of the 4Runner.

 

[RobS10]

Exactly what I did. $2k for the 6112/5160 combo and Element UCA. Bump stops too. for under $2k and 2021 TRD Pro rims for $750 and my ORP is better than a Pro, in my opinion. Why? Because the Element UCA provides a much better ride, more stable than stock. And my lift is 2.5" in the front and 1" in the rear. Nearly completely level look, which I like much better than the hot rod rake. And cause it's damn near the same vehicle for $8k less, AFTER the upgrades. I'm really enjoying blowing that extra $8k on guitars and guns though. lol

The Pro is definitely not on our list. Just too expensive for extra suspension stuff we don't need, and WITHOUT the KDDS it sounds like we really want.
BTW, what's a "UCA"?

 

[RobS10]

Yeah San Fran has gone insane. I’d be afraid to leave it unattended unless it’s in a secured parking lot or with an armed guard.

I'm a 3rd Gen S.F. Native and sick of this shit. We have had this problem for far too many years and the Mayor is FINALLY "getting it"? We'll see. If we go downtown or to anything remotely "touristy", will definitely take the old '99!

 

[RobS10]

I wish the 4runner fuel tank was bigger so it could do more than 300miles. I can make it from San Jose to LA non stop on I-5 going 85ish. But the fuel light comes on usually as I'm getting to a hotel.

Someone on this forum posted about buying a new '22GX460. I remember when I bought my 2015 MY limited in 2014 the price diff between the limited and a 2014 new GX with tow package was very little, like less than $2k. I wonder how much now the price difference is. I hear Of 4Runners being marked up over msrp. But the 4Runner is popular and the GX is not. Pre pandemic you could get Lexus certified preowned GX for mid 30s with less than 30,000miles.

The 4Runner is definitely a Niche vehicle, but it's a huge Niche and Toyota knows it, especially with inventory low.
Yeah the dealers around here are charging a "Dealer adjustment" on $3,000 on the ORP, $10,000 on the Pros!

 

[Pedro367]

The reason to go with the KDSS was to avoid having to do too many mods. The system sounded like it lets us have our cake and eat it too:bounce:

If you aren't seriously 4 wheeling it a stock TRD OR with KDSS and a good set of tires will get you anywhere you need to go. I've gone back and forth on this so much over the last year and a half and I still can't justify spending the money to lift it anymore than the 1" level I put on to make it look a little better with the KO2s. I've modified a bunch of offroad vehicles over the years and they are NEVER the same, as much as people say they are. I've always had the itch to mod with my 4x4s, but not with this. I enjoy driving it so much in stock form that I don't want to touch it until I have to when I need new struts. Again, this is my opinion and I don't do any serious wheeling.

 

[Somnospeed]

The Pro is definitely not on our list. Just too expensive for extra suspension stuff we don't need, and WITHOUT the KDDS it sounds like we really want.
BTW, what's a "UCA"?

Upper Control Arms. The aftermarket variety are a big improvement in handling, and necessary upgrade if you want 3" lift or more. Sounds like that's not an issue for you but I read that UCA improved highway driving. Less sway, more stable, etc. so I definitely wanted the UCA upgrade. I have found that what I read was right. The new UCA did improve highway handling, as well as literally all other types of driving. A lot of people connect UCA with lift, which is definitely the majority use, but there is still handling improvement at any ride height, including stock.

 

[RobS10]

If you aren't seriously 4 wheeling it a stock TRD OR with KDSS and a good set of tires will get you anywhere you need to go. I've gone back and forth on this so much over the last year and a half and I still can't justify spending the money to lift it anymore than the 1" level I put on to make it look a little better with the KO2s. I've modified a bunch of offroad vehicles over the years and they are NEVER the same, as much as people say they are. I've always had the itch to mod with my 4x4s, but not with this. I enjoy driving it so much in stock form that I don't want to touch it until I have to when I need new struts. Again, this is my opinion and I don't do any serious wheeling.

You're reading my mind. If we lift it, would be mostly for looks rather than to fit dramatically bigger tires. I have never modded anything except my motorcycles, and my Camero when I was in college. The older I get, the more practical I become LOL! I'm glad Toyota did the R&D work on the KDSS and other suspension/drivetrain components so I don't have to do much. Seems like it's definitely worth the extra $$, and making sure whatever vehicle we buy has it.

 

[RobS10]

Upper Control Arms. The aftermarket variety are a big improvement in handling, and necessary upgrade if you want 3" lift or more. Sounds like that's not an issue for you but I read that UCA improved highway driving. Less sway, more stable, etc. so I definitely wanted the UCA upgrade. I have found that what I read was right. The new UCA did improve highway handling, as well as literally all other types of driving. A lot of people connect UCA with lift, which is definitely the majority use, but there is still handling improvement at any ride height, including stock.

Thanks for the info, will keep that in the back of my mind for the future if it seems like the stock truck still needs help. I have to laugh at myself a little though, as I'm so used to the stock Dodge 4x4 pickup I currently drive most of the time, getting in our '99 4R almost feels like driving a Porsche by comparison. Just want a new one to feel at least that good :bounce:.

 

[Cheers!]

A lift in a dense urban city is not a good idea. You will never get it into a parking garage. A lot of SF residents live in condominiums. If not post ww2 houses with tiny garages also with low ceiling heights. Then going places around the city means again parking garages. Most are 7’ max.

If you don’t wheel I’d say the limited is the way to go. I’ve taken it off-roading on the 20” wheels with the stock Yokohama and now with Toyo AT2 also in 20”. I’m not rock crawling it and I have no shame taking the easy path.

If it is a daily driver get the one with nicest trim level. Limited or GX. A full size pickup like tundra or f150 or Silverado is not going to fit anywhere.

Other consideration for nice daily driver is to lease a Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, bmw x5

 

[RobS10]

A lift in a dense urban city is not a good idea. You will never get it into a parking garage. A lot of SF residents live in condominiums. If not post ww2 houses with tiny garages also with low ceiling heights. Then going places around the city means again parking garages. Most are 7’ max.

If you don’t wheel I’d say the limited is the way to go. I’ve taken it off-roading on the 20” wheels with the stock Yokohama and now with Toyo AT2 also in 20”. I’m not rock crawling it and I have no shame taking the easy path.

If it is a daily driver get the one with nicest trim level. Limited or GX. A full size pickup like tundra or f150 or Silverado is not going to fit anywhere.

Other consideration for nice daily driver is to lease a Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, bmw x5

Any lift would be minimal for that exact reason.
A good friend of mine has a '15 LTD and loves it. But we rarely drive in snow or rain, so think the AWD would be more of a hindrance to mileage for times it would be a benefit. I have heard that while the XREAS is nice, it has more problems and more expensive to deal with than the KDSS. Also, doesn't the LTD skip some of the Offroad enhancements like the driving modes and the locker? Not nuts about the grill as much, looks like the pre-2014 models before the facelift.

My wife wants another full size pickup, but when I ask her if she will take it to work and find parking every day, she goes all silent LOL! My Dodge is a full size PU with a regular cab and 7' bed, and sick of it around town.

 

[Cheers!]

I heard about the xreas potential for leaking at around 150,000 miles.

I’m 8 years in for my limited and only at 70,000 miles. So far I’ve done tires and brake 3 times. Then motor oil changes every 10k. I just did all diff and have to do the transaxle still.

I test drove the sr5, TRD off-road kdss and limited in 2014. The limited drove the best on pavement. Sadly I couldn’t try a TRD pro as they were just freshly introduced and back then they used bilstein and not fox.

I vote for a Lexus GX for you.

 

[Somnospeed]

Any lift would be minimal for that exact reason.
A good friend of mine has a '15 LTD and loves it. But we rarely drive in snow or rain, so think the AWD would be more of a hindrance to mileage for times it would be a benefit. I have heard that while the XREAS is nice, it has more problems and more expensive to deal with than the KDSS. Also, doesn't the LTD skip some of the Offroad enhancements like the driving modes and the locker? Not nuts about the grill as much, looks like the pre-2014 models before the facelift.

My wife wants another full size pickup, but when I ask her if she will take it to work and find parking every day, she goes all silent LOL! My Dodge is a full size PU with a regular cab and 7' bed, and sick of it around town.

Damn! Sounds like SF hates 4x4s. :tsk: I live and work in a large university city. Not a giant city, but a decent size one. I've only gone to three parking garages since my lift, but I have had no problems at all. I can also say for certain, my 4R is not the highest lifted vehicle in the garage.

 

[Cheers!]

It’s just a matter of population density. SF is no different than NYC. No different than Boston or Chicago. All places with lots of dense high rises and little land. Every inch counts.

 

[RobS10]

Damn! Sounds like SF hates 4x4s. :tsk: I live and work in a large university city. Not a giant city, but a decent size one. I've only gone to three parking garages since my lift, but I have had no problems at all. I can also say for certain, my 4R is not the highest lifted vehicle in the garage.

Many of the garages have plenty of clearance, and most of the times we got out to check, there was a good 12" to spare. But occasionally places like Kaiser are super close, especially with a roof rack on.

There are plenty of big PU trucks in S.F., but they have removed a lot of parking for huge rental bike kiosks and Red Zones on corners for pedestrian visibility. A quad cab pickup limits choices, and with the re-striping of grocery store parking lot spaces, the thought of ditching my Dodge for a smaller rig is very appealing.

 

[RobS10]

It’s just a matter of population density. SF is no different than NYC. No different than Boston or Chicago. All places with lots of dense high rises and little land. Every inch counts.

Absolutely. San Francisco is declaring a war on cars right now and making things worse. I won't go into it all, but some folks around here have really lost their freaking minds.

 

[Unit 91]

I've had issues parking in and around LA/OC even with a minimal lift. But you add a rack, some traction boards... gets tall pretty quick. I just avoid garages where possible.

 

[dflowerz]

I bought a 2021 TRD Pro about a year ago and have ended up using it as a daily driver more that I planned. Not the ORP you are asking about, but I have found mine to be very useful and versatile. Not sure about KDSS as mine does not have it. Cornering is not great but it's a truck and not sure KDSS would make a huge difference. Only real downside is poor gas mileage and size. My stock Pro with the 1 inch lift, slightly larger tires, and rack still fits in most parking garages, sometimes with only a couple of inches to spare. I have ended up doing a number of one day 800 mile drives and the 4Runner does OK. The adaptive cruise control has been very very useful for those drives. Also the Pro suspension is really nice on pavement and even better off pavement. Not sure I would want to drive a 4Runner around SF. At least not downtown! My 2 cents.