Torn between a TRD Pro and the Venture Special Edition

Interesting because my work car is a RAV4 hybrid and it sounds like the window is always cracked too. I tell others this and they think I’m crazy. Glad I’m not.

 

if you are planning to mod the rig don't by a Pro unless you want that special color, you can use that $$$ that you save to mod your ride the way you like it you can by pretty much everything that is add to the Pro at the Dock and add it your self for allot cheaper but not the Color or the Ven# that identify it as a Pro

 

Off road premium all the way they are both off road animals but the price of admission for a Pro is too much hype and removing badges and they really are the same so buy an orp and individualize it at the time of selling it if your add ons are good the difference in price is marginal
I love mine because I made it mine many pro drivers always give me a long second look
J

 

I was in a similar situation when I was looking to buy a 2020 4runner although I considered Pro only in AG. The rest of the Pro stuff was a bonus. Got dicked around by multiple dealership around SoCal with one wanting $20K over MSRP for a AG Pro with 500miles on it. Ended up buying a silver Venture cause I liked the black/silver contrast and have no regrets.

The paint is a breeze to look after compared to anything else except maybe white, and yes, I've already spend the almost the same $$ for mods on my Venture then if I would've gotten a Pro assuming I got the Pro at MSRP and kept it stock. Except in my case I knew I was going to start modding the Pro too. Sliders are a given and no way I was going to leave the rack and tires alone on the Pro. The only thing that I would've possibly left alone on the Pro are the shocks. Just change the coils for some lift maybe. But then again I really like the KDSS on my Venture.

Whatever you get you are going to like it. I do give a second and a third look when I see a AG Pro though lol

 

Pshhh yeah. We drink the sh*t out of case of white claw.

 

I tried the Costco Auto Program for the Venture Special Edition. The closest dealer was 1 hour away from me and in NY. I called to make an appointment but wanted the price first. The dealer kept jerking me around wanting me to drive all the way there to make a deal for a truck they told me they didn't even have in stock. I called the Auto program directly and explained my situation. They said they were supposed to give me the price before I went to the dealership. I asked if they can just assign it to another dealership in NJ if at all possible. They put me on hold for about 10 minutes and came back on the phone telling me that not one Toyota dealer in NJ is participating for that trim level! They told me to check back in 2-3 weeks.

 

I like the Pro, but not for the prices these jokers charge for them. The Venture/ORP is more than enough rig for anyone. And you can't lift the Pro without tearing out the one thing that makes it truly special. Again: nice rigs. But the air of unobtanium that surrounds them confuses me.

 

I would go with the Venture/ORP with KDSS if it is a daily driver. That is the path I went down when I bought mine back in 2016. I had similar issue finding available 4Runner with KDSS (it was around this time of year ironically). There was one at Koch Toyota and also one each at dealers in Hartford and RI. Problem is that no one would work with me to hold it for me to get there to show-up and test drive it, even though I was planning to be there within 24 hours. I wound up going to Koons Toyota in DC. I spoke to them the Friday after Thanksgiving, and they let me put a hold on it with a small refundable deposit. Settled all the insurance on Saturday, flew down Sunday AM where they picked me and wife up at airport. I test drove it, loved it, and finalized the deal and drove back to NYC. They took care of all the DMV stuff. I only had to get an inspection once new plates came in. I would use them again in a heartbeat as apparently what I did is not uncommon for them. I have zero affiliation with them btw.

 

I wound up going to the local dealer again. He found a Venture out in PA that was exactly what I was looking for. He gave me a tiny bit off the MSRP but I was able to get a better finance rate that was originally quoted and also got a couple extra thousand dollars on the trade in of my 2013 Rav 4. I did try to deal with a couple of out of state dealers and I had the same situation you had. They wouldn't hold it unless I bought it sight unseen. I wasn't comfortable signing anything for something I couldn't inspect first. Even the local dealer wanted me to leave a large deposit. I said sorry but I'm not "paying" for something I couldn't inspect first. We settled on a $100 refundable deposit to get the ball rolling. Hopefully it comes in this week.

 

Just my personal opinion;

I always mod anything I have. That includes cars/trucks/motorcycles. Hell, I've even shelled out the cash for boob jobs on my ex gf and my present wife.

I bought my 2019 Pro in March of 2020 brand new, paid $50k USD. How did I choose a Pro? I went online looking for the top-of-the-line version of the 4Runner, the Pro was it. I didn't want to lift/modify the suspension whatsoever. Every single 4x4 I've lifted acted squirrely after the lift, and I've been 4-wheeling since 1978. No more for me. Yeah, I added fat ole tires/rims to her, but didn't touch the suspension at all.

Most Pro nay-sayers don't own a Pro. Never necessarily owned one either. I honestly believe it's a question of envy. Not everyone has the luxury of plunking down an extra $10k for options that 90% of people will never take advantage of. I did, and honestly, no regrets at all......to date

 

That's what my local Toyota dealer mentioned. I know the Assistant Service Manager personally. He said a PRO does not stay on their lot past 3 days. LOL
Based on the 2021 MSRP the TRD/ORP when ordered with a sunroof, TRD wheels and skid plate, and other smaller TRD accessories still comes out $5,645.00 less than a TRD/PRO. That's enough to cover the sales tax, new A/T tires, and probably a TRD/PRO front grill change over.
And if the dealer is willing to discount the TRD/ORP by $2-3,000.00 (which I've noticed they will), now you are 7-8 grand ahead. Maybe add rock sliders and a bull bar ? LOL

Rick

 

Now that Toyota made the 2021 with AG in another model I have 5000 miles on my Pro and own it. I think I will sell it for 49,000 Lol and buy off road for 40,000 and use the 9000 for the mods. Lol. I think about it since Toyota made AG again.

 

What sold me when I bought mine was that a pro DIDNT have a sunroof if I’m going outback I want to see stars and scope a site from my hatch
J

 

Lol trust me: that's not it.

 

Maybe in some cases. In other cases, people probably just don't consider it a good value.

In my case, I used the extra $10K to make my off-road way more capable than a PRO. And, I wanted KDSS. My lifted OR probably handles better than a PRO, even with 500# of armor and recovery gear.

 

Im also from NJ and bought a Venture in August. I'm super happy with it. I do not have KDSS. If you don't have plans on modding suspension, get the KDSS, If you do, don't get the KDSS. Most of what the KDSS takes care of will go away with an improved suspension. You can do a full Bilstein lift/level for under $1000. After a few months, I think the basket is kind of useless, but it is far superior to the Pro rack. The pro Rack makes no sense at all. The Yakima rack is actually very nice, but limited because of it's size and how its made. It also adds a lot of height to the truck. I'm ditching it soon and putting on a flatter full size rack. I absolutely love my Venture though. Where in NJ are you? If its not too far,I'd be happy to meet up so you can really go through it and see what you like and don't. I've done a few mods already(grill, sliders,switching system etc.). Inside, there is no difference between the Venture and Pro. The difference is suspension and tires. I guess wheels too but I like the Venture wheels better too.

E

 

I actually think the PRO is not a good deal at all. The roof rack on it is useless and the other differences can be changed out on another model for $2500

 

This is incorrect. There is no aftermarket suspension that does what KDSS does.

 

Its pretty much a done deal. The local dealer wound up finding one with KDSS with the color that I preferred. I dont plan on modding the suspension at all since it will be my daily driver. That could change like anything else in life. I will definitely make use of the rack with weekends down the shore. I'm in Northern NJ in the Wayne NJ area.

 

Exactly so. Not sure how this myth persists. I think Toyota has done a poor job of explaining KDSS to the masses.

 

As with many things, the salesmen probably don't have any idea how it works, either. So, they give a half assed explanation, and customers don't really get the whole story.

Aside from that, it does seem like you really have to do some research to fully understand it. It's definitely a unique feature.

 

Oh yeah. Most people I talk to seem to think it involves the shocks -- something like GM's magnetorheological dampers. The fact that the Pro exists, and has expensive/unique shocks (but no KDSS) doesn't help the confusion.

For people who know Jeeps, I explain it as being "sort of like" the e-disco for the swaybar on a Rubicon. That usually gets their brains in the ballpark.

 

I’d somewhat agree with this but not completely. Independent front suspension vs solid axle are night and day when it comes to articulation. I will still stand by the thought that I wish my Pro had kdss but it’s not a huge deal off road. Now cornering/roll and nose dive I’d say it’s extremely useful and again I wish mine had it because I don’t do “extreme” off roading but mild to moderate around the farm and occasional fishing trip or camping trip. I’ll also say the suspension in the Pro is extremely nice and I think underplayed by most unless you have it. It’s so smooth and soft and the bumpy roads. It’s a game changer. Just my two cents though but I think Toyota leaves it off the Pro because it’s value does not come in off roading but more handling and such which is why Lexus has it. I might be off but I do know one thing, IFS and solid front axle with disconnect are night and day in terms of articulation.

 

I've owned two Jeeps with the e-disco, and I'll agree that SFA is superior as far as articulation goes. However, I was still impressed with the T4R KDSS RTI, as measured by Autoblog. It beat a non-e-disco Gladiator Mojave, for instance. And it beat the Rubicon Gladiator with the swaybar connected.

 

This makes me suspect that you don't actually know what it does. You mention nose dive, which is not affected at all by KDSS. you might be confusing it with XREAS.

KDSS essentially acts as a sway bar disconnect off-road, which is a huge advantage. It allows the suspension to articulate over uneven surfaces without fighting the sway bars.

So, in addition to the better on-road stability, it is beneficial off-road.

If you need the kind of articulation allowed by a solid axle, you would remove your sway bars altogether. In this case, I wouldn't bother with KDSS.

 

Just my opinion I was never worried about the KDSS if my Pro had it or not. I liked how it rode but not handled so much. The way to improve it. It don’t help Toyota puts on 7 inch wheels. Since adding my new Eibach springs my Pro rides and especially handles better with my SCS 8.5 inch wheel and 285’s. The wider track gives it the better handling. I had the same wheels on my 2015 Tacoma and lifted and it handled much better than stock.

 

And, the Landcruiser has KDSS, And beat everything else.

 

That makes sense and no I’m not overly familiar with it. My buddy’s has it and I’ve read a couple on here discuss how it helped with that. Like I said it’s not a deal breaker for me because as he just mentioned I love how the Pro drives but I’m sure it would help even more. I also agree with the last post that prob the most critical part to the handling is the narrow ass wheel. No clue why such a narrow wheel. That to me is the biggest problem and is immediately fixed with a wider wheel or different offset. Regardless I feel most love what they have with no regrets.

 

I wanted a LandCruiser couldn’t justify that much money on a non daily driver. Even though I did fork over for mine