Your Typical Newbie Questions, or may be NOT

[Wildvet]

Help Cooosing a 4WD T4R 5the Gen, Which edition?

Hi,

I am new to the 4Runner world. And this is my first post on this fine Forum. I needed some advise as I could not find right kind of information about the 5th gen 4Runners. I may be using slightly different/ wrong terminologies here; Please bear with me.

My Background- I spend a lot of time off the paved road due to many reasons. Wildlife photography, Primitive camping, hiking and some herping too. Or just following a particular bird in the sky to where ever it may take me.

Last Christmas I got stuck in a very shallow mudpool (I have driven through that one at least 10 times earlier). but it rained for 2 days before Christmas and then it snowed. Although it was not a lot of snow, it was enough to mask the mudpool and I entered the pool at a wrong angle and speed. Result - the Santa fe got stuck in a shin deep pool. (It has Served me well before this on exactly the same and other more difficult terrains. I have decent tires (not daily commute tires) and am sane enough to not expect an Off Road performance from a Santa fe.

So I asking all you guys who have been doing this for some time. I am not looking for a serious Off Roading machine right now. but I want it to be able to make it capable of doing that in future. At present it has to be a daily commuter plus support my weekend activities that I mentioned above. I cant think of a better vehicle than a 4Runner to do all this and still be daily commuter. I know the T4R has earned its stripes. but thats for the older Generations. Not much is said (I couldnt find my answers) about the outdoor/ moderate off road capabilities of a stock 5th Gen 4Runner and its stock options etc.

I am looking to buy a 5th gen as I need finance and so cant buy anything older than 5 years. cant afford a new one. So looking for a decent used one. There are a LOT of them out there . The all say they are 4WD but I am not sure the dealers know what they are talking about. Even if they do I know they are more concerned about the sale.

1. Do I need a Locker (front/ back/both) for my moderate off road activities? I am not into rock crawling etc (yet... )
Moderate for me Means - sandy dunes, Snow in yellowstone and Yosemite. Hiking trails where allowed, flat wetlands of Florida like the Everglades . Texas deserts with loose sand. (I am not looking to conquer the terrain but to negotiate it as far as I can without needing to halt/ return right away).

2. As I understand the newer 4Runners do not come with lockers. Has Toyota replaced lockers with something else (E-Lockers?) for the same/ similar job? If Not what do I need to do to make the stock 4wd vehicle capable of doing what I need?

3.Can I just buy a stock used vehicle which has "4WD" and get away with it?

4. I am looking to buy a 4Runner upwards from 2009 to may be a 2012 if I get a good deal. What version/ edition should I be looking at? ie- SR5/Trail/Limited. My only cosmetic requirement, so to speak, is to have a moonroof/Sunroof.

5.Do I need to lift the 5th gen vehicle right away. Or it comes with decent height ? I know its very subjective but would like your thoughts.


Amol

 

[tamerunner]

I think if you look at build threads and owners rides you will see that for the most part the runner is a very capable rig out the box. For example look at this thread, Hofs05's "GATOR" build thread, Its right by where you posted and you can see the terrain that she has been through with only a cheap lift. No lockers or the likes. If I am correct the TE have locker(s) and the LE has the has all time 4wheel. I have the SR5 with part time 4 wheel. We all love our rigs. Do some more reading on here and think you will find all the info you need for an informed decision, right down to the price that many have paid for theirs. Welcome by the way.

 

[philsey]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a 5th gen as I need finance and so cant buy anything older than 5 years. cant afford a new one. So looking for a decent used one. There are a LOT of them out there .

The all say they are 4WD but I am not sure the dealers know what they are talking about. Even if they do I know they are more concerned about the sale.

I'm only going to comment on the two items above, as there are many, many experienced off-roaders here. (Guessing right now recommendations you'll get: 0% LE, 5% SR5, 95% TE).

The 5th Gen started in 2010, so that's the oldest you find.

Get well informed here, you are correct about the dealers. They are not only poorly informed, but some will intentionally misinform you.

Caveat emptor.

Check the Forum Classifieds.

Good luck, and welcome - you've come to the right place.

 

[philsey]

For those of us less smart than 1-E:

Wikipedia: Herping is the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles.[1][2] The term, often used by professional and amateur herpetologists, comes from the word "herp", which comes from the same Greek root as herpetology, herpet-, meaning "creeping". The term herp is a shorthand used to refer to the two classes of ectothermic tetrapods (i.e., amphibians and reptiles).


ps: 1-E will recommend the TE, now that he finally has one.

 

[Curt Sauve]

In stock form all 3 models of the 5th gens. have the same off road capability, same ground clearance,same a/d angle if you remove the front air dam,same amount of suspension travel. The rear locker is available on the TE but can be added to other models if you think that you need it, but with ATRAC it doesn't seem worth it. Just get a set of AT tires and wheels and you are set.

 

[msommers]

I have an SR5 and it's a very capable vehicle. For work, some of the locations I'm asked to go to are...less than ideal. I've never gotten stuck or even had to put it in 4-lo. Last time up to location, I got ran off the road and into a snow bank. Part of me was pretty confident I'd get out in 4-lo...didn't happen (she was in there pretty good) but it was the first time I was in 4-lo haha.

 

[Wildvet]

I think if you look at build threads and owners rides you will see that for the most part the runner is a very capable rig out the box. For example look at this thread, Hofs05's "GATOR" build thread, Its right by where you posted and you can see the terrain that she has been through with only a cheap lift. No lockers or the likes. If I am correct the TE have locker(s) and the LE has the has all time 4wheel. I have the SR5 with part time 4 wheel. We all love our rigs. Do some more reading on here and think you will find all the info you need for an informed decision, right down to the price that many have paid for theirs. Welcome by the way.

Thanks for the quick reply and the welcome note. That is one kind of terrain is what I had in mind when I was describing mine. The 'Gator' is Impressive and inspiring. I didnt read it in detail but I will later, I think I am gonna need an armor too...

What was your reason to go with the SR5?

 

[Wildvet]

I'm only going to comment on the two items above, as there are many, many experienced off-roaders here. (Guessing right now recommendations you'll get: 0% LE, 5% SR5, 95% TE).

The 5th Gen started in 2010, so that's the oldest you find.

Get well informed here, you are correct about the dealers. They are not only poorly informed, but some will intentionally misinform you.

Caveat emptor.

Check the Forum Classifieds.

Good luck, and welcome - you've come to the right place.

Thanks for your reply. Thankfully and being left with no other choice I was looking for something later than 2009.

I am experiencing the later part of your statement about dealers for almost a month now.

So I decided to jump here earlier than I thought. and I am loving it here already.

 

[Wildvet]

Herping

For those of us less smart than 1-E:

Wikipedia: Herping is the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles.[1][2] The term, often used by professional and amateur herpetologists, comes from the word "herp", which comes from the same Greek root as herpetology, herpet-, meaning "creeping". The term herp is a shorthand used to refer to the two classes of ectothermic tetrapods (i.e., amphibians and reptiles).


ps: 1-E will recommend the TE, now that he finally has one.

HI,

Thanks for that. I just assumed all are adventurers here, more or less. So would be knowing about it at least the word....;0

 

[Wildvet]

In stock form all 3 models of the 5th gens. have the same off road capability, same ground clearance,same a/d angle if you remove the front air dam,same amount of suspension travel. The rear locker is available on the TE but can be added to other models if you think that you need it, but with ATRAC it doesn't seem worth it. Just get a set of AT tires and wheels and you are set.

Thanks For your reply. That kinda answers my one question.

Is there a difference and preference between Factory Loackers and after market lockers? if I cant get a TE?

 

[Wildvet]

I have an SR5 and it's a very capable vehicle. For work, some of the locations I'm asked to go to are...less than ideal. I've never gotten stuck or even had to put it in 4-lo. Last time up to location, I got ran off the road and into a snow bank. Part of me was pretty confident I'd get out in 4-lo...didn't happen (she was in there pretty good) but it was the first time I was in 4-lo haha.


I have had to return change my plans in a terrain like in your pix. Hauling heavy camera gear through that kind of mud is a REAL pain (I am talking about Grimsby, Ontario). Thats when I had started looking o 4x4s but the Christmas episode really made me serious about it....

 

[SCSPerformance]

I had the opportunity to wheel with a 5th gen Trail Edition this past Sunday and I was thoroughly impressed what its capabilities. All the owner had was an OME 3" lift kit and BFG AT tires. We went through many trails where quite a few of the 2nd gen Tacomas had difficulty, but the 4Runner kept on trucking along. I'm not too familiar with the terms, but he mentioned a "crawl mode" button/switch that he selected that made going through certain parts of the trail a breeze.

We weren't doing any hardcore trails, but the TE 4Runner seems definitely capable for what you need. Good luck!

 

[ImOnAPlain51]

Welcome to the party. I think you will find the 4Runner a very capable offroad vehicle off the lot, it's a whole different type of vehicle than a Santa Fe. I agree with Curt Sauve though, the stock tires are pretty worthless...a good set of tires is gonna make a big difference. Of course the sky is the limit when it comes to modding these...there are some pretty amazing off-road machines on this forum.
[MENTION=69815]msommers[/MENTION] - that looks like a fun parking lot at work!

 

[1engineer]

Hey welcome! I am on my phone so typing is limited. Somebody explain what ATRAC is for me will ya? Oh the SR5 would be just fine with good tires.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I would go to say any of the models would suffice for what you want, at least for now. I have an SR5 and am super happy, alas I have put quite a bit into mine. Even stock my truck was great minus the terrible suspension but I knew I was going to be ripping that out.

Knowing what I know now from this website and from wheeling, if I were to do it again, I would actually get a Limited. That is right a Limited and not a Trail. My reasoning is I want the Torsen center diff. Then I would do exactly what I have done with my SR5 and continue the build from there. I will be adding lockers front and rear down the road when I re-gear for 35s. But the odds of me trading my truck in and getting a Limited is slim to none.

Good luck with the purchase and welcome to the forum.

Oh if you get a Limited I would recommend getting rid of the 20s and putting on 17s with a nice AT tire.

 

[Curt Sauve]

2012 Toyota 4Runner - Active Trac (ATRAC) video from Answers.com Videos

Hey welcome! I am on my phone so typing is limited. Somebody explain what ATRAC is for me will ya? Oh the SR5 would be just fine with good tires.

Have you read the manual?:suspicious:

 

[philsey]

2012 toyota 4runner - active trac (atrac) video from answers.com videoshave you read the manual?:suspicious:

bazinga!!

 

[Curt Sauve]

Thanks For your reply. That kinda answers my one question.

Is there a difference and preference between Factory Loackers and after market lockers? if I cant get a TE?

Aftermarket lockers are just as good or better than stock, but unless you are doing a radical lift/suspension mods, you shouldn't need it.

 

[Jeremy556]

Buy the Trail Edition now, cheaper than trading for it later. All TE have 4WD and rear e locker, some fancy traction control stuff the other models lack, and the option of KDSS which gives you giant sway bars for great on road handling, while still offering excellent articulation.

 

[phillyd2]

Some bad info posted in this thread.

The Trail has rear E-Lockers and has better approach and departure angles. After market air lockers (ARB) will do the same as the OEM Lockers but you will also need on board air. ATRAC is great but only you can decide if lockers are required based on where you are driving. I've been places where lockers where indeed needed. As with most things in life, its better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Regardless of which model you get, any and all mods can be added later.

Good luck.