Limited vs TRD Pro

Ok...new guy here looking to purchase his first 4 runner and need some advice. I’m hung up between the Limited and the TRD Pro. I live in upstate NY where we get a fair amount of snow....so my understanding is the “full time” 4WD on the limited is better? I like the look of the Pro much better but can someone tell me how it does in snow and how easy it is to flip into 4WD while doing 45-55? My Jeep Grand Cherokee can just flip with a button to 4 high but a physical shifter knob like the Pro has me questioning that. The only off-roading I’ll really be doing are our crappy wintertime roads and the occasional hunting/retrieving of a deer from the middle of a muddy cornfield. It’s not like we have the mountain climbing options here that some have out west. I’m going to get one or the other but would prefer not to make a 50k mistake, lol.

 

You can shift in 4WD on the go but recommended is up to 60MPH I believe. No tight turns etc.

I think Limited is more suited for what you are looking for. Plus you probably can find one on the lot sooner than you could a pro.

 

Welcome to the forum!

The full time 4wd would probably be best in snow. I had it on my '03 and that thing was awesome in snow!

But, the Pro will be good as well. Get whichever on you like better. You won't be disappointed either way.

 

I’m leaning towards the Pro but in reality it’s only due to looks. I drive a fair amount for work, probably 25k a year so I know the “right” choice is probably the Limited....but the Pro looks so much more manlier, lol. What I don’t want is to buy a beast like the pro and then be sliding all over the road with everyone else’s Camry, lol.

 

Limited 4wd is like awd , all 4 wheels run separately such as all other small SUVs etc , you will get 4 wheel option in limited and A track which is a kind of 4wd and help you in stuck environment , where TRD PRo have different goodies , they are full time rear wheel and when you engage 4wd high you must not go faster then 50Miles per hour and must be in mud or pure snow , back wheel run separate and front its own .
and have some shake issues , Limited is great choice , its like Lexus , but on 4runner body .

 

So if I’m understanding you guys...the Pro would be in 2WD normally right? Where I live people do 60-65 down the interstate in a blizzard....but in 4WD or AWD....the Pro might not be the best choice then (which sucks). Maybe that’s why the dealerships around here don’t have any....I thought it was pure demand but it might simply be that they aren’t good for the roads here.

 

@Chris13027 you are absolutely right , but why you want 4runner , you have many other options such as highlander etc .
if you really dont want off road go for other options because 4runner is not gas friendly

 

A&P - exactly...resale is a big reason why I want a 4 runner and a Pro. My company will reimburse me mileage, etc but not once the truck goes over 80k miles. So I’ll never have it more than 3-4 years. Even with 10k down you’ll still be upside down in a Grand Cherokee after 3 years....and it will be in the repair shop as much as your garage. I’ve always wanted one and I figure I can keep swapping it in every 3 years for another one and not get killed too bad at the dealership.

 

I’ve got a Highlander in the garage....that’s the wife’s “grocery getter”....it’s like riding a tricycle.....fun until your friends see you doing it.

 

complete detail listed in toyota 4runner manual
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35B54U/pdf/OM35B54U.pdf

 

my mom got a new loaded one about this time last year. She passed away in March so when I went down to Texas I drove it while I was there. That thing was really nice, I think it was a limited or platinum (whatever they call it on Camry) with lots of options, if I were a car guy I would have kept it. I got hit by an 18 wheeler though when I was in college...in a Corolla.....so I hate driving cars, I feel totally exposed and unsafe....I think I still have PTSD, lol.

 

those little Acura’s will fly...but your balls will hit when you go over a railroad track, just sits too low for me.

 

It sounds based on your usage the Limited would be a better choice for you. Another thing to consider is it will be harder to find a PRO and you will also run into dealers who are asking a premium over sticker.

 

For on road usage Limited is really good. Limited's full time 4wd is way better than crossovers AWD systems.
Part-time 4wd on SR5, TRD Offroad, TRD Pro can be driven in snow as well but little inconvenient to switch back an forth 4wd to 2wd.

 

Buy the Pro! Get appropriate tires & enjoy the hell out of it until you get to enjoy the resale value! If you know how to drive a 4x4 not AWD you will be fine.
If you gun it around a slippery corner in 2wd is the only time the tail will swing & that can be fun in an empty lot! Lol
My $0.02,
Ryan

 

You’d be totally fine in a Pro, too. Just learn when you need 2wd vs 4wd. You can totally drive 65mph in 4wd as long as you’re not making tight turns on dry pavement (which you won’t be doing on a snowy highway).

Most of the high speed risk in slippery conditions is running 2wd and having the rear end kick out on acceleration (never use cruise control). When it’s snowing and this seems like a possibility, throw it into 4wd. You’ll be fine.

Wasn’t long ago, and there was no “AWD”. Just the trusty old 4x4’s and you simply learn how to use them. It’s not a lot to learn.

 

You need to switch back to 2wd when there is no snow. The days you have minor snow there are snow areas and dry areas on the road, so you have to switch back and forth 4wd and 2wd.
Also 4wd selector in TRD ORP is tiny bit harder than SR5 with rotating 4wd selector. With Limited you don't have to select anything, just drive when you are on the road.
(Just my personal experience with our SR5, TRD ORP & Limited)

 

Welcome. If you need to buy cool, buy cool. I bought a Limited because of the following: I live in the desert, lots of play time but going to a city is 1 hour or more highway driving, and cooled seats are a big plus, as well as leather, dual climate, sunroof (wife). A-Trac has saved me a tow once, and haven't had any real issues in the desert or the Gila. I can build this thing out to whatever I desire and still have my interior goodies. All about comfort for me...pick what suits you, and have a blast. Really hard to pick a "wrong" 4Runner.

 

look at it this way one vehicle but two different options all together Limited is more of Luxury 4X4 and the Pro more of a Off Road 4X4 both capable off offering you what you need but in different ways limited has great conveniences packages like dual climate, sensors and 3rd row and few more goodies & Pro has multi train and better suspension and special color
they offer a Night Shade in Limited hope this helps you out

 

If you're driving on snowy roads all the time, snow tires will make all the difference. The best 4WD system in the world is useless the minute you hit the brake pedal and, in my experience, that's when things get interesting driving in snow.

What I'm saying is: I'd go for a Limited and get good snow tires. You'd have a snow beast, and you'd pay a metric ton less than you would for a Pro.

 

I've lived in Michigan nearly all my life, so I am no stranger to awful winters. I drove a Honda Civic Sport (2017 Hatchback) for 3 full winters and as mentioned above, tires make the world of a difference and I really only had one or two occasions where I would've liked to have left the Honda in a snowbank, but considering it was super low to the ground and front wheel drive, I was not surprised. My Wifes X1 would always outperform since it has AWD, so I was aware of the significant difference in handling between a couple of different systems. Anyway, all of that to say, if I can survive 3 full winters in a Honda Civic, you will have NO problem navigating the roads in any 4R you choose - limited, TRD, you name it.

 

The Limited will be better in the winter conditions than a Pro. Either one with winter tires will be better than the other one without winter tires. Pro has better resale, but you’ll pay a lot more out the door money to get it, especially with an annual exclusive color.

 

I agree snow tires make a big difference, my work truck is a F150 4x4 and every winter I mount snow tires. It is pretty impressive the traction that truck has in the snow given the lack of weight in the back.

 

+1 to these comments! I"ll take my girlfriend's TC on Hakkapeliittas over the 4runner on 3PMSF AT's anyday in the snow. The 4runner on winter tires would be downright fun!

 

Talking about 3PMSF AT's, Consumer Reports talk about 3PMSF on A/Ts. (If you recognize that crazy fellow who asked the question..)

09:27 - Question #1: Is it possible to buy mud-terrain tires suitable for winter weather driving?

https://youtu.be/mWUunEojDTs?t=567

 

I'm putting my money on a big "no" to question # 1. I'll update after I watch.

 

Seems like I was right.

 

Ha ha.. Yeah, I knew their won't be any M/Ts with 3PMSF rating. I post that video to see if they had any other options like some sort of hybrid tire option.
I'm thinking to try Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac A/Ts next.

 

Duratracs are supposed to be great in snow! I read that they're good in mud as well.

 

We have 3 vehicles with Duratracs and 2 friends with them! They are on all our plow trucks.
The only areas they are not great is in light rain (when oil is atop the water) & ice as they are not "winter" tires.
Been running them since 2009 & they are a great tire!
Ryan.