Trail vs limited 4wd

Hey,

This is probably already answered but buried now. I am trying to decide on a 2022 limited or 2022 trail 4runner used. I know the limited is full time all wheel driver with a selector just in front of the gear shifter. I know the SR5 is part time 4WD with a smaller shifter instead of a the limited's selector. However, the trail model has what's looks to be the same as the limited selector but the options are H2 H4 and L4.

Does the trail model have the same 4WD system as the SR5 but for whatever reason Toyota gave it an electronic selector like the limited instead of the shifter?

Thanks,
Justin

 

The Off-Road formally called the Trail has a manual controlled transfer case (lever). The SR5 and Limited have a servo controlled transfer case.

It comes down to personal preference.

 

I bet OP meant the Trail special edition one. The one came with roof basted, TRD cooler, The SR5 based model. Not the older Trail which is like TRD Offroad nowadays.

 

Turn a knob or pull a lever. Overall it's the same truck since 2010.

 

Oh ok, thank you for the correction. I didn’t know about that trim level. I can’t keep up.

 

I just realized it auto corrected to roof "basted"

 

If they are priced similarly, you'll get a lot more with the Limited. Unless you don't like the looks and don't want full time 4wd.

The Trail special edition is basically an SR5 made to look more off roady, and came with a roof basket.

 

FWIW - The Limited is full-time 4WD, not AWD. The difference in full-time 4WD vs. AWD is covered in several threads here in the forum and essentially it relates to the ability to lock the center diff. AWD won't do that. The mechanical philosophy and the way it operates is quite different in the Limited vs. part-time 4WD (ie any other 4Runner that's not a Limited). My wife and I own one of each (22 Limited 4WD and 21 Venture part-time 4WD). The roads near our house are muddy lots of the time and hilly - it's great not to have to worry about her sliding around.

I have to say that the Full-time 4WD system on the Limited is awesome. As Slopemaster mentioned above, it really comes down to personal preference. Also, BTW, the full-time 4WD in the Limited is also found on the Lexus GX-460.

 

I’d vote for the LE, we sort fit in better. Now where is that Mall?

 

If they are the same price and you like the look of the limited go for it. The full time 4WD is nice to have. I have a SR5 and a limited. If the weather is bad I take the limited.

 

If you absolutely want the Limited then go right ahead. Otherwise the trail trim is perfect, you won't need to cut your bumpers to go over obstacles.

 

Limited will stop you from doing these kind of shenanigans

 

Thank you for the replies! Yeah, limited seems the way to go. Trail is basically base model that looks cool. I did think the SR5 had the stick shifter for 4WD but after looking at some pictures, it was actually the off road version I was looking at that has the 4WD stick shifter.

I used to have a 2006 V6 sport edition 4WD so had the 2WD option compared to the V8 that only had 4H and 4L. The 5th Gen is a little more confusing to me coming from a 4th Gen but I think I got it now. I wish they kept the 4th Gen 4WD. It got me through three years in Alaska. I would leave 4H and center diff lock (to force ACS off) on through the entire winter (10 months) and it handled it like a champ. 4WD was still running great on it but the head gasket blew and after looking at a couple of videos replacing it for the V6, had to let it go. Didn't trust myself to tear down half an engine to get to it nor pay a mechanic 5K+ to do it. I still miss her

Thanks again for the help!

 

I’m going to be all nerdy and note that it gets pretty murky. Crossovers typically have a clutch pack or two for AWD and it sometimes they have an outright “lock” function (apply above-normal/maybe maximum force) when requested and generally should be treated like 4H to not damage anything. (not to be confused with drive modes that abstract it a bit)

Still light duty systems - but then we see that same style (but not layout) system put into what are typically 4WD pickups where a clutchpack in the transfer case is disengaged (2H), in auto mode (4A, behaving like most crossovers) or fully engaged (4H).

To make things even wonkier, I’m seeing low range became optional on 4WD Silverados, maybe others too.

 

Fortunately, 4Rs don't have to deal with all that. If it's a 4wd 4R, it's either full time 4wd with a locking center differential for additional 4wd modes, or part time 4wd with a 2-speed transfer case.

No telling what the future may hold, though.

 

I really wish it was carried over to 5th gen 4runner.
I really wonder why they didn't do it? Cost? Reliability?

 

Not easy to cut Limited bumper my friend. There's parking sensors down there.

You would have to cut or replace rocker panels if you need sliders in a Limited.

20in wheels also not help much.

There would be quite a list if one want to have fun with a Limited like you do In offroad dept with your TRD ORP.

 

Luckily the LE has a Torsen center diff. No clutch packs involved and no special additives needed for the oil.

 

Had to Google. That looks bad for wheeling

 

OP would need a unique viper cut

 

I don't want to be the one always throwing bad side of everything. Maybe I'll throw one more challenge. When Limited rocker panel is changed to SR5/TRD style low profile rocker panel it's not easy to get a flush finish in the back because even this part highlighted is different.


So working with the plastics (bumpers, rocker panels, etc..) to make it like SR5/TRD is no joke. Unless one is OK with unfinished gaps and trim pieces.

 

OP needs to take his time. Is full time 4WD so important that you get a 4Runner that is not trail worthy?

 

this^

 

Happy to see loads of help come in, 4R .com is a beauty.
I gotta say, the 4wd stick shifter is pretty rad tho

 

classic whippersnapper keeping it snappy

 

There’s only two part numbers for each fender flare on the doors. One that’s black (assuming 2010-2013 trail edition) and one that is primed and labeled as “body color.” Changing trim levels on parts websites still returns the same part number

 

I had to cut the bottom part of the door plastic to clear my rock sliders.

 

I’d recommend buying a salvage full-time, 4 wheel-drive transfer case from a limited edition 4runner. Then buy an SR5, swap the transfer case over, And do whatever else is needed to convert it to full-time four-wheel-drive.

i’m kidding, but not kidding. It might be easier than doing all the work on the plastics to convert a limited to the sr5 bodywork

 

I bet if you replace that rear fender flare it will have a perfect finish with SR5/TRD rocker panel. Not sure if you'd have to paint match.