Best trim for dirt roads and snow

I got to test out my Limited in the snow for the first time yesterday. I recently picked it up in May and was completely impressed with how well it handled the snow and slick roads. The AWD feature worked flawlessly. I did drop the 20” rims for a set of ORP 17” with all terrain tires and really appreciate the way it drives and handles the weather.

 

LoooooooooooooL..!! Ok ok. TRD Pro is way more expensive than Limited..
I guess its not that hard for Toyota to add all these aftermarket parts because TRD Pro is half assembled in USA.

 

That’s the way the limited should come.

 

Wow I guess the prices have really gone up. My 2020 Limited was $49K MSRP -- and that's with the third row / sliding second row package that added like $1300. Also the all weather mats and bug guard thingamajig. Plus I got it for somethin like $44,700.

All the more reason to add that 40th Anniversary Edition to my stable lol. They seem to sticker around $47K. I know it's an appearance package but I really dig it!

 

I give you credit. I’d move. No way would I want to have any of my vehicles that dirty all the time.

I agree limited does make the most sense. Just be aware of the Xreas suspension issues depending on how old of one you buy. As other threads suggest it is pricey to repair

 

The dirt makes it look rugged.

 

I wouldn't have any dealer apply a ceramic coating. Even on a brand new car you'll want to do some paint correction and iron removal.
You should research and talk to a few quality detailers.
A proper high quality ceramic coating will take a detailer about two and a half days to prep the vehicle and apply at least 2 coats and then a Sio2 top coat.

 

Looks great!! ✨

 

Good to know. Id like to get a new one but can’t find one locally, waiting lists are long. But there are a couple slightly used with good amount of warranty left that Im considering.

 

Slightly used would be great. These things tend to last so long that there’s little difference between new and slightly used. But whether slightly or much used, just do what you can to see all service records. Don’t rely on carfax — I know from personal experience that cars with major problems and extensive repair histories can look pristine on carfax. It’s a joke. Get all dealer records instead.

 

FYI the XREAS issues are just shocks that get old and wear out, people like to make a big stink about it when wear items wear. However the XREAS suspension is prohibitively expensive to fix. The dampeners are hydraulically cross linked to their opposite corner and they system isn’t serviceable. Once it leaks that entire circuit has to be replaced, however, they system is purely mechanical with no electronics or sensors. Once a shock leaks replace the suspension with someone else’s pretty much brand new factory take offs you can pick up for $50-$100 of upgrade to any of the aftermarket setups for a 2010-2023 4Runner

 

Totally agree on Carfax what a bunch of nonsense other than maybe identifying where a vehicle was registered in the country and maybe used if near a hurricane area etal.

I had a whole engine replaced once in an Accord pulled a car fax for it myself and it send something generic like “Vehicle Maintenance performed”. What a joke.
Sadly many uneducated buyers lit to much faith into those

 

More "doo-dads" the more to go wrong. Driving gravel (if not mud!) shouldn't require 4WD. It's not like you have to get out and lock the hubs anymore like we used to! I have an SR5 Premium in Nautical Blue with 3rd row seating. One of the biggest jokes was an old commercial; showing a guy in the middle of a creek locking his hubs=EVERYONE knew you locked your hubs BEFORE leaving the pavement .

But, I'm an "ole coot" and been driving 4WD for 50+ years, so what do I know!

 

May be out of topic..
Does anyone know why part time 4wd with lockable center diff didn't make it to 5th gen 4Runner? Any problems? I check that on one of my office mates 2006 4Runner, It was very nice to have in winter days.

 

What exactly are you asking? It sounds like you're describing a transfer case.

 

Yes, transfer case with 2H, 4H, 4L with a separate center diff lock button.

 

There are part time 4wd systems with center diff. That is why underlined that part with lockable center diff for anyone doesn't know.

My question was why did 5th gens did not get the part time 4wd system with a center diff. Was there any problems with it not making it to the 5th gen?

 

I had a similar situation and appreciate this additional opportunity to warn people about the scam that is CarFax. I had a car with engine trouble (stalling etc) that the dealer could not diagnose or fix. It was in the shop multiple times at the dealer. Every failed diagnosis and repair attempt was documented in their system and in the invoices/reports I received in writing. Because it seemed unfixable I traded it in to the same dealer on a new car. That same dealer put it up for sale on its used car lot. I saw the ads for it and pulled up the attached CarFax. It showed multiple oil changes etc but not a single one of the tests or repair attempts for the engine.

A service manager later told me that a poor woman bought it and quickly brought it back for the very same problem. Sleazy of the dealer of course, though he said they ultimately took the car back and refunded her. Sheesh.

EDIT: PS it’s experiences like this that have made be extremely wary of used cars. I get that a lot of people have no choice, especially at today’s prices, but our last 7 or so purchase have all been new. The 4Runner is one of the few cars I’d be relatively comfortable buying used, but again I’d insist on knowing the actual service history as best I could.

 

The fact that engaging 4WD on the 5th gen “locks the center diff” is proven by the fact that you get drivetrain binding when turning on dry surfaces. That’s how you know the front and rear axles are locked together in this mode. If binding did not occur, this would be an AWD system instead of 4WD. The Limited is the only trim that needs a control to lock the center diff specifically, because it otherwise behaves as if AWD instead of RWD. Sheesh.

 

he is referring to on the 4th gen limited, there was a center diff-lock button.
Did the all-time 4wd change from 4th to 5th gen? that is what meegs is asking.

 

Yep, it allows to have 2wd as well. These 2 seems not know about this system so I kept quiet so at some point they will learn

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is85zpv1MRY

 

The current Limited also has a control to lock the center diff. There's one setting for normal speeds and one that engages low gear. But both lock the front and rear axles, preventing the normal torque shifting in AWD systems that gets in the way of good traction in certain conditions.

Maybe what @kmeeg is really asking for is a system that can be either 1. RWD or 2. AWD or 3. locked 4WD. I agree that would be cool. But as it is you can either get a 4Runner that does the first and third (SR5, ORP, PRO) or a 4Runner that does the second and third (Limited). No trim can do all three.

 

I'll quote myself. Maybe some generation of 4Runner had something like this? I have no idea. Don't know if any vehicle ever has. But best I can tell this is what he's getting at. Seems he wants to be able to choose any of those three modes?

 

Cool thx, our posts crossed. That's what I was getting at.

 

Should I call that full time 4WD that can run in 2WD? That's why I stop commenting on dumb comments you post. Same as the "you don't need a lift for 33's" thread. LoL
Enjoy with your useless comments on this thread as well..

 

That’s not physically impossible but it would be a very effective way to add cost without reason or any real benefit.

 

Here's what I'm talking about. 2WD, 4WD Center Diff locked/unlocked. How hard it is to use your brain to understand a question? Simply why 5th gens don't have 2wd & 4wd with center diff? Was there any problem? Simple as that. Why useless questions?

 

I guess then cost may be the reason why we don't see it in 5th gen stopped from 4th gen. Would have been awesome to have it though.