Looking for Buying Advice

Hello everyone! I am looking to purchase a new SUV, and the 4Runner is one of my choices. The vehicles will be my wife's primary driver, as well as used for camping, fishing, etc., which is the easy stuff, but also for long distance road trips.

Although it's been around ten years, I am definitely wanting the current platform. I like the body on frame, the looks, the 4.0 vs. 3.5, etc., etc., and I like the 2020 updates to the interior.

• I am primarily looking at the TRD Pro, but, the OR and ORP are less money, and I am wondering if the TRD Pro is worth it? What does the TRD get that would be hard to replicate for the difference in cost, keeping in mind the TRD would have those things with a warranty.
• Suspension - I do plan on running 285s....does the Pro come with a stock lift? If not, is lifting a TRD Pro going to ruin the upgrades that make it a TRD Pro? What are the go to suspensions for the 4Runner?
• I live at 7,400 ft, and am a little concerned about on road performance. I realize the supercharger is no longer a dealer option, but is it still an option in the aftermarket (compatibility with newer calibrations, etc.)? Are there any pitfalls to running a supercharger? I am ok with running premium, but am I cutting engine/tranny life down? Etc, etc, etc....
• What are the known issues with the current platform? Anything I should look out for?
• Purchasing - The Toyota dealerships in my area are among my least favorite people....they are almost the same as a Honda ATV dealership, in that every response to every question is "Hey bro, it's a Toyota....." For Ex: How does the Fox suspension work? "Hey bro, it's a Toyota, it goes wherever you point it." How does that 4.0 run? "Hey bro, it's a Toyota, you'll never have any problems." I am well aware of the reputation, but I hate that approach from the dealerships. When I ask a question, I want a real answer. Is it that way in other areas? I have no problem jumping on a plane and driving it home. So, my question is where are the big places to buy? When I bought my CTD Ram, everyone knows that Dave Smith Motors has the best deals....where is the Dave Smith of the Toyota world? Does such a thing exist?
• Any other comments on the TRD Pro vs the OR or ORP?

Thank you for any help!

 

The pro has exclusive color, wheels, fox suspension and pro skid plate. Around 1” higher than other trims. Only worth it if you don’t want to do any mods or want the color.

the pro will also hold slightly better value.

 

Welcome from Austin!!! By the list of things the vehicle is utilized for, the ORP should be somewhat overkill. True, it won’t hold its value like a TRDPRO but if you have intentions on modifying the vehicle, why spend >10k to justify swapping out components. Budget suspensions start around 1k (for performance and go all the up to 7k or more).

Next, you’ll have the giddiness of being a PRO owner but, in the grand scheme of things, upon your use, spend the 10k on a trip with the runner after you buy it.

I expect someone to chime in with a different perspective however, this is a long debated topic and there people that will let their opinion be known but, yours is the only that matters.

I bought a 2020 TRD ORP and yes, I think about whether purchasing a PRO would have been a better choice. In the end, I decided to do some after market mods and took the money I saved for said mods and an all inclusive trip to Disney Word for the wife. Feel like I’m winning the life game pretty hard right now!!

best of luck and cheers!!

 

I think I read that a SC isn't ready for the 2020 yet due to some changes in the ECU with safety sense and developing a tune for it. URD and Magnuson are the only ones making one that I'm aware of. This was in an email back in late may from Magnuson:

Thank you for contacting Magnuson Products.

Currently not available at this present time however, we know the supercharger system and components will be the same while Toyota has changed their computer/ECU architecture on the new 2020 4Runner models.

We have received several computers/ECU’s in for testing but have not been able to read/write and we’re still waiting for the aftermarket software companies to provide tuning capabilities so we can then provide our calibration for the supercharger system. Unfortunately, we do not have a time table for availability, and feel free to sign-up for our newsletter: Mailing List it’ll keep you informed on new products as they become available.

Kind regards,



Kevin Woodruff

Field Sales Manager
Magnuson Products LLC.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you everyone for the comments, as well as the welcome! There is definitely a lot to think about. I come from the Jeep world (not leaving it....just looking to add! ), which I am very famiiar with what the aftermarket has to offer. I know the 4Runner has a huge following as well, but I still need to learn, what's available, what to avoid, what to consider, etc. Great forum, great info.....thank you everyone!

 

Let me just tell you something important. BUY. THE. PRO. Don’t try to save few thousand on such an important purchase. It will hold value better than any other vehicle. I bought a Venture and while it’s an amazing truck, if I went back I’d get a Pro.

 

Welcome aboard!! Me personally I prefer the Pro. I have owned a lot of Toyota trucks over the years. I’m all about numbers when it comes to owning a Toyota truck. I traded my 17 Pro in on my 2020 AG Pro. I got almost what I paid for my 17 Pro. Yes I made some changes to my 2020 Pro but not a big expense. I removed the roof rack and sold it. No use for it. Yes I wanted to run 285’s and for $350 you can add the new Eibach springs to your fox suspension to lift it high enough. Which is a bargain considering your going to spends a couple thousands of dollars to add a lifted suspension. I’m very happy with my Eibach springs. If you plan on holding onto the vehicle the Pro is going to hold its value better. Good luck on your decision.

 

Hey Agar426. A Pro and an Off Road are basically the same vehicle, except the OR has KDSS. The best way to find out what KDSS is, is to YouTube it. I wouldn’t want a 4 Runner without it, personally. The suspension on the Pro can easily be duplicated on the OR if that’s what you want. These vehicles are tough and reliable. 8 air bags. You can’t go wrong buying one. If you decide you don’t like it, it’s easy to sell, and you won’t lose much money on it. Good luck!
BTW, welcome from Canada to the forum!

 

buy the pro...if you can, etc....welcome to the forum...and hello from memphis.

 

Thank you everyone for the welcome!

Any thoughts on which dealerships, or areas of the country tend to have the best deals? Toyota seems to operate differently than other brands. Whenever I go in and try to talk about having one ordered, they don't seem to be interested. They seem to be more interested in finding one that matches the order specs at another dealership. That tells me their network is more closely tied than the other brands, making it difficult to find a deal that's much different.

 

For a long time the Pro was a bullshit packed of port installed accessories slapped onto an Off-Road. That’s not the case anymore. The new Pro has a few things you can’t get with Off Road Premium (not including the regular Pro stuff they are known for obviously) like auto headlights, LED high beams, premium JBL audio, dual zone climate control, heated sidemirror glass, and I’m not 100% on this but I believe the Pro gets smart key now and Off Road still does not? For the first time a valid argument can made for the value of a Pro.

Edit - but you also have to factor in Pros don’t get discounted like Off-Roads do, and Toyota finance deals don’t apply to TRD Pro models.

 

I was recently down at my dealership getting state inspection. First oil change and alignment done because of lifting it. Chatting with my salesman. Been dealing with him for last couple of years. They have a Lunar Rock 4runner Pro coming in. 2 people were interested but turned it down. I was joking with him maybe I would be please. Then I said no thanks. I like my AG Pro. Not going anywhere.