New Pending 4Runner Purchase

Hi all
I’m new to this forum.

I am looking to buy my first every 4Runner and I think I have narrowed it down to a TRD Off-Road Premium (verses the TRD Pro). I plan to use it for Overlanding and I want to be able to build this vehicle the way I want (rack, lift kit, wheels and tires, bumpers, etc...) and this seems to be the one to do it with, verses a TRD Pro that is already somewhat built, but maybe not with what I want. And I don’t want to pay for something with the TRD Pro that I might just discard in a later build. The TRD Off-Road Premium seems like the vehicle to start builds with. Do you think the TRD Off-Road Premium would be the right choice?

I am working with Liberty Toyota in Colorado Springs to find me the 4Runner. Once found, they have offer what they call a “Spec Build 1” kit to do the roughly the below for $13,000. Are these dealership builds any good and worth the cost even though there warranted?
3” Lift
Adjustable front links
Different wheels and larger tires
TRD Pro Grille
1 or 2 other minor things I can’t remember

Should I just buy the vehicle stock and build it myself (with the assistance of a good 4Runner specialize build shop)? Will I get a better build and more for my money this way? If yes, what are some outstanding 4Runner specialized build shops in the Denver/Colorado Springs area?

Thanks

 

$13k seems excessive for what they are giving you. Depends on the type of suspension going into that 3" lift....

You can do A LOT with $13k

 

Watch this video. They're in your neighborhood and can check all your boxes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br2KcZHbtVY

 

Thanks 4runneroffroad
The cost does seems excessive.
Did you go with the TRD ORP for the same reasons I stated?

 

Yes, if you plan on doing all those mods in the future might as well save the money and get a TRD ORP. That was my reasoning at least. The difference between a TRD Pro and a TRD ORP is what about $10k? Maybe more depending on dealer mark ups? Spend that money on mods you choose and build it the way you want is my opinion

 

I would definitely build it yourself! In my own opinion. Depends on what type of suspension, front links, wheels-tires, and other parts you are wanting to purchase.

Suspension kits can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Bought my Runner brand new from the Toyota Dealership already lifted with wheels and tires. Scored a hell of a deal, but I wanted better suspension and more upgrades.

Shop around and price your options out. Look at sites like YotaMafia, 4Runner Lifestyle, Rouge Off-Road, etc.....

I found my new suspension set up on YotaMafia at a killer price. A lot of these companies also offer discounts. I am sure you can get the upgrades you are mentioning elsewhere for under $13k.

Good Luck on your build!

 

Thanks Moon Landing
I know who TFL is and if they are talking to Toytec then I feel good about them.
A 4Runner TRD ORP and Toytec for my builds seem the way to go then.
Should I be concerned about dealership warranty voiding with my builds? Should I hold off on any certain build during the warranty period?
Thanks

 

Any changes you make will automatically void your warranty on anything associated with the mod. That's just the way it goes. Whether to wait or not? How long you gonna live? jk

 

Thanks again 4RunnerTRDoffroad

 

Thanks stunner_4runner
Nice to hear others confirm my thoughts.

I can’t believe how hard it is to find a new 4Runner of my choosing from a dealership (seems that I have to wait for Toyota to manufacture one that fits my desires (can’t special order Toyota’s) and then hope the dealership I am working with will be allocated it or they find one somewhere else.

 

Understood. Good point Moon Landing

 

Thanks Squatting Pigeon

 

Agree with your position on warranty repair. Service managers can make or break you.

 

Stay the hell away from Liberty Toyota’s overpriced lifts.

Give Jed @ Armorology a call.

 

This is why I say buy TRD ORP vs TRD Pro to any new buyer. That's the lift I got and Hugo is the one who introduce me to this suspension. They are buy far better than TRD Pro suspension.

With my experience Toyota dealerships don't have much knowledge on lifts. Last time with the collision repair Toyota dealership didn't know jack sh*t about this ELKA suspension. These guys are amazing. I have 3 lift kits with them (OME, Bilstien 5100 & This ELKA 2.5DCs). Guess who I will go for my TRD Pro work? Toytec without a doubt.

 

Thanks kmeeg
I think I will definitely NOT go with a dealership lift/suspension, wheel/tire kit solution.

 

Feel free to call Hugo or go in person and have a chat with Hugo. I have spend so much time with Hugo discussing about lifts. He will give to multiple solutions on your requirement. Have multiple options on paper and take your time before making final decision.

 

I haven’t talked to Toytec yet, but I just got off the phone with Jed at Armorology.
Very impressed with what I found out about him and his business from a phone call.
Drawback is that he is a one man shop and scheduled 9 months out, but he sounds like he is worth the wait.

 

RSG Offroad is also a big shot for CO. Talk to them also if you like. Jason Sampson is my contact person from RSG. He is very nice person as well and has given me and my friends some discounts. They have amazing builds as well.

 

Thanks again kmeeg
I will be calling all shops mentioned in this thread.

 

I have gotten from all of you exactly what I requested in my questions.
You have all been very helpful.
This forum rocks!
Thanks everyone.

 

I’m sure I’m just echoing what others have already said but do not let a dealer handle that, especially if you are in an area like Colorado where off-road shops are a plenty.

id also be weary if you are working with a Larry Miller Toyota. They mark up a lot. I had called one of their saleswomen out once when she tried saying that they don’t mark up pros by showing her pics of her dealerships marking them all up lol

 

Thanks Keirek

 

I have another question.
Should I get the 4Runner TRD ORP with KDSS or not? Will I benefit from this?
I think I saw somewhere that it can require special sliders and skid plates.
Thanks

 

I would say search around for both benefits and problems. Then decide..

 

All I can tell you is that it was really cold and I didn’t feel like changing the differential fluid myself and I asked them to do a front and rear differential fluid change at 60,000 miles.

At about 100,000 miles, the front differential was completely black like it hadn’t been touched, they only did the rear. But they charged me for both.

I have no way of proving this, but I’ve been doing diff fluid changes myself up until that time and I know what the differential fluid is supposed to look like after 30k miles.

 

Does anyone else have an opinion on the need for KDSS. I believe the TRD PRO does not come with it. Does that mean it really is not needed?
I plan to use the TRD ORP for only Overlanding. Probably a 50/50 mix of highway and dirt.

 

No, just because it’s the supposed ultimate version of the 4Runner doesn’t mean it doesn’t need it.

I think it’s a complex mixture of factors that simply boils down to that Toyota does not trust port techs to do a suspension lift and not bugger up the KDSS.

 

This is a Ford vs Chevy, Electric Car vs Turbo. You won't find an definitive answer but you'll find alot of hardened positions on either side. Just search the forums here, there's a lot of discussion on this already and you can read up on it and make your own decision.

Many of us don't have KDSS, many of us do. In the end the 4Runner is super capable in just the "base" SR5. When you're in the Offroad, you add lockers, MTS, crawl. When you add KDSS, you get slightly better articulation and some roll control on road.

That said, even with a "lowly" SR5 you'll run out of skill before it runs out of capability most of the time.