If you’re on the fence about a PRO…

Here are my initial impressions after owning our 2022 pro for a couple weeks now, and having taken it on a moderately gnarly off road camping trip. This is my first toyota, first brand new vehicle, and first vehicle that isn’t a truck. This isn’t a 4Runner impression though, just more of a “should you get a pro or off road” kind of thread.

I bought this 4R for my wife, and it’s so beautiful and badass that I now want one. If I were to buy again I’d go with an off-road though. Here are some reasons:

The MTM kind of sucks. We rented an economy cheapo car that had better camera resolution than this $59k pro. I’ve never owned a car with cameras, but wanted the front camera for wheel placement on rocks and stuff. Maybe it was the color of our ground, but it was almost worthless when we off roaded on rocks that color matched the dirt.

The rack is also kind of dumb. I’d much rather a full length with better attachment options. I can maybe find a way to drill some rivnuts in there to mount Plano boxes better, but using tie downs is a PITA.

The side steps come down pretty far, and I don’t even find myself using the step. My wife who’s much shorter said the exact same thing. I’ll be selling both the rack and side steps for sliders and a full length rack.

While I was extremely impressed off roading it in stock form, I would want lift and bigger tires. This is kind of a problem with the fox shocks. I can do lifting spacers (or whatever Westcott thinks their lift is that they say isn’t a spacer…), but is that really the best way to lift it? It may have been a better move to save money on the OR and spend it on a nice full suspension setup.

Lastly, the pro so so freaking nice looking that I almost don’t want to modify or touch anything. I bought it for my wife with full intentions on overlanding and off-roading it, but now I’m too scared to scratch it or damage anything. I’m now jonesing to get a used off road or something and make it my own off roading machine. Dual A/C controls is also very very nice to have! Overall, I’m more than stoked on the 4R in general, but maybe a little sad the pro is so sexy that I don’t want to modify it. I have no regrets since I bought it for my wife, but maybe if one of you are on the fence this thread may help.

Also, yes… I do look down upon you peasants that get the Pro grill, pro skid plate, etc on your peasant level trim levels. Lol just kidding! Happy to finally join the 4R community!

 

well you can always sell the Pro, get an ORP, and you won't lose any money unless you paid a big ADM on the Pro.

 

Oh I’m keeping the pro. I love it for my wife. I’m just trying to help others. If I were buying for me, which I’d be off roading more, then I’d get an off road with moon roof. It’s awesome for my wife though and mild off roading trips

 

Thanks for the honest feedback.

I'm the same......I'd rather get an OR and modify it with really good suspension, a full length rack, bigger tires, ect.....

Forego the Westcott spacer lift and get some Eibach lift coils for your Pro. They're actually cheaper than the Wescott spacers too!

 

yeah, I enjoyed reading your post. I just came out of a 2021 Tundra Pro into 2022 4Runner ORP. My natural inclination was to buy a Pro but I couldn't find one locally. If I had got one, the first thing I would have done is take the roof rack off.

 

The stock suspension and ride height is more than sufficient for what the majority of people do.

i agree with the rack being useless.

the side steps are a dealer add on.

The pro offers the best resell value. Outside of that, as of 2022, I’d never buy one again. The exclusive color you get with a pro isn’t really a thing anymore. Same with tundras, they start offering them on next year lower trim models.

 

The pros are nice and some of the color options are nice as well. I wanted a pro but the first drawback for me was not having the 3rd row seats and the added costs I could not justify. So I saved money and got an SR5 premium with 3rd row and
modified it heavily from there. With the lift, bigger tires, and I was towing I decided to go with .488 regear and while they were at it I had them throw in ARB lockers.

I am waiting on my C4 rear bumper and while I have a good amount into it I am around the same price as the price you listed for your pro. If I sold mine right now it would probably be the only time I will ever get my money back out of it. But I don’t plan on ever selling it. It is our fun family overlanding rig.

Depending on what you want to do just be prepared how this forum will make you want to go all out.

I posted this pic one too many times to this forum but hey I like it very much.

 

For the rack, look at Yakima mighty mount 23h. (I think it is 23h). You can get bolts from Home Depot that fit them and attach things better. I use them for my traction boards and a Plano case. You can also get old fj rack mounts at places like purefjcruisers and such. It is not as useful as a full length, but it can be ok.

if you are planning on overlanding, I would consider trading for an off road and redoing the suspension. The pro fox suspension is only rated for something like and extra 750lbs or so including passengers.

I own a pro and love it, but it’s uses for most are limited.

 

not sure where your number came from, but even if that’s the case, one could just buy heavier springs instead of trading their truck in

 

I've had a Pro and now have an SR5P. I loved my Pro, but now I know the Pro is not needed. I like my SR5P just as much. The only thing I wish I had was the sliding cargo tray. I haven't used 4WD in the SR5P yet, but based on my uses it will be more than enough.

 

The sticker inside the door next to the tire pressure sticker. I could be wrong. Will check again next time I am getting in. The problem is there are not a lot of options to change things out on the pro and keep the fox shocks without really changing the way it rides.

 

''Lastly, the pro so so freaking nice looking that I almost don’t want to modify or touch anything"
The pro, and a low end sr5 is the same rig. the exact same looking rig, spite a decal or whatever, look wise.... I really dont know why anyone would buy a pro,.. unless its to say " i have a pro".. or some one will bring up the resale, well they all resale great,... and the only other person that would buy a used pro, for that money, is someone that doesnt know any better..to say the same stuff.
Get a OR , a bit of aftermarket stuff, that is better than anything oem the pro has,...pocket the rest,.. go actually use the thing,.. and done.
Just me...

 

I get the reason to buy a pro. For one, we all want “the best” right? Then everyone and their mother with an sr5 gets the pro grill, pro wheels, pro skid plate to look like a pro right? It’s damn good looking stock.

I got my pro for the dual zone a/c, moon roof standard, fox shocks, decent tires stock. It’s for my wife, and I figured she wouldn’t want to modify it too much, so I got her something pretty damn capable stock.

BUT, as said earlier and the whole reason for this thread, I think for more serious off roaders it may be more wise to get an off road. I’d get off road over sr5 for the lockers and off road features (not too sure if sr5 has locker and a-trac and stuff, I don’t think it has a locker at least). Then I’d upgrade the suspension and UCAs to fit 33s the proper way. I’d get the pro look-alike aftermarket wheels that are wider to properly fit the 33s too. Get a full length rack and some lights with that spare money.

 

Well, to me, the pro, isnt the "best".... you can get a moon roof ( not to mention,moon roof, is the last thing many want, i also dont care for the pro wheels/rims) and your wife needs a rear locker? hell, when is the last time shes even used 4wd on the trail,.. ever?) on several other platfroms, the fox shocks, meh, they are the first thing to go, imho, and id rather have the cheapest tires on it, so i can put on what i want.... for less cost.
Also, i did the exact same you said. Bought and paid for a OR, put some suspension on it (vated coils front, and OME in the rear) slapped 285 70 17s, with some after market rims, and have beat the shit out of it since. And have loved it. To each their own, but most pros i see driving around, are in the wallmart parking lot, not out in the trail, (ya dont need fox shocks, nor, any locker) and its not because of the rig, its because of the person that bought it. Just seems a waste, to me, but hey my guy, do you. You dont need to validate shit to me, or anyone else. I would have got her a lexus, by the sounds of it, but, again,... its your coin.

Cheers,... see you out on the trails my guy.

 

Wow man coming off a little harsh lol. I thought we were agreeing here.

Also, women off road too man. My wife had an older 4Runner she off roaded a lot before I met her, and she owned a Jeep right before this that she’s done some stuff most of y’all wouldn’t do in.

 

I’d probably trade my 2018 pro for a 2020+ pro just for the dual AC if the price is right.

 

The dual zone a/c alone is almost worth it haha. I got mine for msrp and about a 2 month wait, so not too bad!

 

If I was going to buy a Pro, I’d leave it stock. I think it would hold its value better.

 

Toyota must have dual zone climate control figured out better than Mazda because my wife’s CX-5 has it and I find it worthless. The setting for one side always impact the other side negatively.

 

I have had several 4Runners in my life. I traded in my lifted 2020 TRD Offroad Prem for my now 2022 Limerush Pro. I would have not gotten it except for the fact that I got it for a price I could not refuse.
That all being said... TOTALLY LOVE the color! Always a Mag Gray guy but this color is very cool in person with lots of black trim. Its hard to really see the dirt and almost looks like green aluminum when cold fog hits it.
The pros come with the Pro exhaust. With a very open K n N intake and a pedal commander, people think its supercharged when they drive it...No Kidding. Westcott Designs lift with the same Nitto tires just in a 285 size and it look right and tight. Drives like butter on washboard roads. Love the new Pro rims and the factory sound system!
I would never add side steps to a 4Runner unless your not really going to wheel it off road.
The rack is great! I have had other racks on top and they make noise, I don't get that on my Toyota designed tubular rack.
Front camera.... Yeah not very clear but still cool. I will be modding it with a better resolution camera in the near future.

The only stinking problem I have with this rig...I just rack up the miles on it! I really love driving it and very hard not to put the skinny pedal down as it really sounds like a small block v8 with a large carb!

 

If you really need it, you can retrofit the dual climate control into other models. @Old Red has a writeup for how to do it. The modification is more extensive than some of his other mods, but it is possible.

 

My theory: Dual-zone climate control is about psychology and not climate control. Think of all the tensions dissipated and arguments avoided when there is no apparent need for agreement and compromise . . . both persons in the front row believe they have gotten exactly what they wanted.

I think it's genius.

Jason

 

The dual zone AC in my Infiniti worked better than the system in my CX5. It’ll never be perfect in such a small non-partitioned environment. But my GF is a stage IV cancer survivor. Because of all the treatments she endured she’s often very cold. She keeps her seat heater cranked and prefers much warmer air on her side. Her preferred settings sweat me out.

 

Wish it worked that way for me, but I’m an ideal world our climate control would only have three settings with no temperature display. My wife only sets it to 60°, 72°, or 80°, so just give me a min, middle, max. I think that’s why dual climate doesn’t work for me. If our settings were only a couple degrees apart it would be great, but when I want 72° and she wants slightly cooler and sets it to 60°, I basically get no airflow on my side and the whole vehicle ends up cold.

 

My sr5 will eat a pro. All for less money

 

I bought the TRD/ORP/MR over the PRO since it had everything I wanted, and nothing I didn't want. In stock form, it fits my driving perfectly (Although I'll probably change the Dunlaps out for KO2's latter this year). My thoughts were that the 8K+ difference in price would allow for a lot of mods. That said, like many others here, I really like the front grill on the Pro.

Post #7 above: Great looking rig !!!!

 

I love my pro, yes she's damn sexy but I'm not afraid to get her dirty or scratched up a bit. Perfect vehicle for my needs.

 

Here ya go memories!! If I did it over I would do the same and have a Pro. But for now I’m enjoying my Tundra Pro.

 

Here’s my ORP lookin’ like a beefier pro! All I’m missing are the fox shocks, pro exhaust and dual climate control as far as I can tell…. So super happy with her!