Honest advice to new 4Runner buyers who go offroad

Lame excuses Let's put an end to this. Peace!

 

Helpful video.

I was in Northern Cali couple of days ago. I had A-Trac enabled and it kicked in a few times when I lifted a wheel. Skip to 09:00 if you are in a hurry6

https://youtu.be/AfTDvzbgqvg?feature=shared

 

Who here is saying that Toyotas never break? I think the general idea is that they tend to break less than other vehicles, which is pretty well known. Even Jeep guys I've talked to will admit that.

As for your list, @FN2187 was spot on with his response.

I'll add that X-REAS is not designed to be a lifetime system. It's part of the shocks. So, when the shocks fail (as all shocks eventually do), the system needs to be replaced or abandoned.

The failure rate of KDSS is extremely low, and almost always caused by a lack of maintenance, or other self inflicted causes as mentioned above.

My locker is most likely malfunctioning because of repeatedly driving through muddy water, and I'm sure it will be a simple fix.

Our CV axles are some of the toughest around, but potential failure is just a part of having IFS. And, between myself and all of the people I know who wheel these things, I don't actually know anyone who has broken one on a trail.

 

When you use thebar set by Chevy and Ford to prove a vehicle’s reliability, I’m not sure I can take you serious.

Tundra is not amazing, but out of the 4, but the one I would probably be the most likely to buy sight unseen.

 

Well this thread went to shit.

One thing I wanna add is that we should just enjoy our 4Runners to the best of their ability. Yes let's all be aware there are limitations, but if you want a top of the line off-road machine get a 2-door Wrangler or SxS or ATV, that's what I will do in the near future.

Also, the PW is amazing, but the breakover angle idk man it's too long, you need some serious skid plates.

 

It started as an sr5 vs offroad/pro thread. It was already shit when it started.

 

I do and here's why.

Let's say you fully lock a vehicle and are climbing up a gravel hill with plenty of ruts and moguls. There's going to be plenty of situations when using that mechanical locker that one tire or the other is spinning, providing zero traction to that side and thereby no benefit. You're wasting torque by having that wheel spin.

With Atrac, as soon as a tire spins it gets locked by the system so that all the torque gets transferred to the other tires with traction so they can do the heavy lifting. Very minimal loss of power compared to a mechanical locker.

 

Shit is in shitty people's minds

 

Biiiiig fanboys with lil lil testicles(Some even missing one) liking each others comments and tagging each other back and forth, to feel big

 

Most in here are just having a cordial discussion about the nuances of our 4Runners.

It is possible to disagree without slinging mud.

 

Okay Mr. $20,000 less for an sr5. I dont even know where you got that number lol

 

This thread was started with a beautiful intention BY a TRD owner, saying, save some money, build a better rig if you go offroad. And then some clowns who don't know what the f they are talking about started saying a stock TRD Pro will take you very far. A TRD Pro will lose its plastic ass, its not taking you anywhere. I wonder if these people have even seriously wheeled in their lives.
When your whole point is for disagreement for the sake of disagreement, that's when things get shitty. You can't reason with such people

 

I will give you that.

 

The cheapest SR5 2WD I saw was at the dealer where I bought my ORP is was $39k, but the SR5 4WD was $43k... and my ORP was $45k.

 

Must be optioned with some stuff. Basic 2WD might be $37k and 4WD $41k. But like I admitted very early in this thread, not worth it. I had 2020 prices in mind and things have changed a lot. I really thought a basic 4wd SR5 was under 40 grand. My TRD had a sticker price of $52k and the dealer sold it at $48,600 to me.
But still, if offroad use is the goal, even the $43k SR5 is much better deal than the Pro that goes almost at $60k. You can do a lot to your SR5 with the saved up 17 grand.
I have spent 11k on my ORP/KDSS and it is more capable than a stock TRD Pro. I didn't need fancy sound system, exhaust and all that. A winch is more important to me than a noisy exhaust.

 

Maybe some of us like the rational comments and ignore the idiocy coming from the nutless wonders that act like they’re 16 years old as soon as people disagree with them.

 

"Stock TRD Pro will take you very far" So much rationality there
"26 and 33 degrees are among the best"
Only a fool can make that statement, and only fools can agree with that statement.
Don't forget, fools are always in majority.

 

Must be the one with cloth seats and no sunroof. 127 days at the dealership, it is starting to hurt them. $39k can be negotiated?

 

To be fair you also said sr5 vs offroad. We pretty much all know the Pro is going to be much higher thats just the way they always have been.

 

I said Pro too, and said it first. But I will again give you that.
No deals going on in my area on TRDs right now. So a full $52k is being demanded. I could get that SR5 shipped from Ohio and save 10 grand that I can play with.

 

No regrets on the Off Road Premium. The rear locker has got me out of some tight situations. I'd even venture to say that if you know you're gonna stick with the stock suspension, the Pro might be worth the extra coin. (If you can find a good deal)

With that said, if you're gonna go lift the thing, bigger tires and regear, a Pro makes less sense.
Reason 1 for building up an SR5: Spending more for the Fox suspension and badges makes no sense if you're going to lift it.
Reason 2 for building up an SR5: Air lockers are superior to E lockers, and you'll be "there" when you're regearing.
Reason 3 for building up an SR5: You'll save money and have a more capable rig purpose built for what you need.

However, I will add the people who tout ATRAC like its Gods gift to the world have not wheeled hard next to someone with lockers. The minute you are sideways, looking over a cliff, with limited traction, and the only thing you can do is "Give it some wheelspeed"... That sh*t could get you killed. Lockers allow slow, controlled, and precise movements. Lockers are superior in every way.

ATRAC is a great system but it is no match for lockers.

The Off road variants aren't much more money and you get an E locker and multi terrain select. This is a pretty damn good combination if you're looking to keep your truck in mostly stock configuration.

Also, keep in mind, the SR5 VS the TRD Off Road is a 1000 dollar difference according to MSRP. You get a lot for that thousand bucks.

 

I find A-Trac sufficient, MTS not needed. Play with A-Trac more, practise, practise, practise, MTS won't be missed.

MTS can run in 4Hi(With its first option, works great in snow), and a locker is more effective, so I agree with those two points.

 

ARB air locker can be engaged super fast, in 4Hi and in 2WD, which is amazing. Saved up 10 grand can go towards BP-51s, air locker, 34s, viper cut, a dirt cheap rear steel bumper(I got one for $700), and mud flap deletes. And you will end up when an SR5 on steroids, an SR5 Pro

 

I can see going for an SR5 if you need to mod for rock crawling or heavy off-roading. But any normal daily driving with some decent offroading the TRD Off Road is ideal, KDSS for better articulation and handling plus rear locker. It would be super expensive adding KDSS and a rear locker to an SR5.

A-trac is great in a pinch, but its not to be used continually on a trail like a locker.

 

KDSS is no match to the swaybar removed all together. KDSS doesn't do a ton of difference offroad. You may not even notice it offroad unless you focus real hard, its not like feeling a solid axle working under you. KDSS shines onroad. And this thread is all about offroad.

That's all you gonna get from KDSS offroad, ground was still missed, A-Trac was still needed

 

Here, KDSS let me down by not only lifting the front passenger wheel but also the rear driver wheel, so A-Trac was needed. I was told here that less rear travel is another KDSS thing.
I love KDSS, but for its onroad manners where its action is super obvious

 

I agree with your sentiment but the numbers are inflated. According to KBB the value differenced between the SR5 and the TRD Off Road is sub 3000 in the used market. Substantial, but not 10k.

 

Current market is not following KBB. I got a $52,000 truck for $48,600. Now same truck going again for sticker. There are a lot of shenanigans going on. Look for a desperate dealer unable to move their truck that is still on the lot for 100+ days.