Need 4runner buying advice, coming from Landcruiser

I have been searching online for days to try to get this answered, but still need more input…

First the background:

I’ve been in a 2004 Landcruiser for 8 years. The winter traction has been amazing, and it has gotten me safely through blizzards and more. I do not off-road more than driving into ditches to park while hunting upland birds.

The road conditions I travel on are highly variable in the winter, from clear tar to iced over dirt roads, often back and forth in the same drive.

My 4runner options:

So I’m ready to buy a 2020+ 4runner and am trying to decide between a Limited for the AWD all the time (that I am used to now) or a TRD Off-Road Premium.

My questions:

1. Which would you advise based on my background? I’m leaning Limited…

2. I like what looks like more ground clearance (at least on the front end approach) of the TRD option. But I cannot run this one in 4wd at highway speeds (60+), correct?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

There are several builds on here converting the front end of a Limited to the SR5/OR look. This was the first one I found.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/daytonaviolet’s-blizzard-pearl-build.11655/

 

Yes, you can drive in 4WD above 60+ mph. The limitation is this: to shift from 2WD into 4H has to be accomplished at 50MPH or below. Once in 4H, can be driven any speed you want to.

 

I’d get the Limited and immediately put 17” wheels and more aggressive tires on it. Then you’re good to go.

 

2. I like what looks like more ground clearance (at least on the front end approach) of the TRD option. But I cannot run this one in 4wd at highway speeds (60+), correct?

Thanks in advance for the help![/QUOTE]

You can absolutely run in 4wd at 60+, you just can't shift into 4wd above a certain speed (around 60). If you engage 4wd at 40 mph, there is no issue whatsoever running 75 (if conditions permit).

 

Well, here’s what I can offer. I haven’t had a TRD but I did have a Limited. The Limited will be closer to your LC than the TRD will. It’s very refined (for a 4Runner), leather, some creature comforts, upgraded sound system, etc. Think of it this way, the Limited excels on pavement, and can hold its own off road (especially if you upgrade the tires). The TRD will be the opposite, it will excel off road and will be able to hold its own on pavement.

Something else that I would like to add, the Limited comes with XREAS suspension. There are many people that don’t care for it, but I loved it even though it started to crap out around 80k miles. The XREAS makes the 4R feel great on paved roads. It’s crazy expensive to repair or replace with new ($4k+). You’d be far better off upgrading to an entire different suspension system when the time comes…and it will come.

If you loved the LC and you don’t spend much time off road, choose the Limited.

 

Thanks for all the input so fast! Part of the dilemma in this market is availability, but I have found a new ORP at MSRP close me, available March 1. The price is only $3k more than 30k mile used ones!

 

I'm going to stir the pot here... The Land Cruiser probably has KDDS on it - another reason to love the ride on pavement. If the OP looked for an Off Road Premium, it would match the ride of the Land Cruiser for the most part.

 

Very valid point. Regardless of subjective opinion, there is no question that some configurations are “better” on road than others.

 

4wd/AWD doesn’t help at speed. I’d go with AWD in a snow environment especially if you just street drive it.

 

Yes the Limited full-time 4wd is really nice to have. Yes a suspension lift and 17in wheels with 33in tires is very nice to have on the Limited. But the low hanging bumper and thicker rocker panel may not be offroad friendly. Limited also missing quite a bit of offroad tech unless you want to get aftermarket lockers.

If you go Offroad premium with KDSS you might want to get an aftermarket KDSS by pass device to get a nice softer ride like TRD Offroad without KDSS driving on trails /gravel roads or any kind of rough roads. Also have some patience to clean regularly to avoid rust on KDSS . Also few more reasons I prefer KISS(Keep It Simple S...) over KDSS

I still think keeping the LC100 for offroad might be a better choice.

Here's a pic of a Limited with a little lift and 17in wheels and 285/70R17 tires. Notice the bumper and rocker panels are little low. The thicker rocker panels needs to be cut or remove to get sliders. The bumper will also be a challenge to get a low profile winch bumper.

 

buy it

 

TRD for off road ability.
Limited if that does not mattr

 

I think the Limited has a genuine advantage in snowy climates due to the center differential. Part time 4wd can be great in snow as well, but full time is going to be nicer for driving through varied conditions.

The biggest off-road advantage the off-road offers is the rear locker. But, if you're not going rock climbing, it's not worth buying the trim specifically for better off-road capability.

As far as KDSS: I believe X-REAS has similar benefits for on road stability, and it doesn't sound like @Upnorthmn will benefit from the added articulation. As @kmeeg mentioned, KDSS requires a little extra maintenance to avoid failure caused by corrosion or rust.

The downside to X-REAS is the cost of replacement. But, I'm guessing the stock shocks will have a reasonably long life.

 

Isn’t the XREAS superior than KDSS on pavement?

from what OP described I would suggest limited for the full time 4WD

 

I have no experience with XREAS. I was referring to the stability of KDSS on pavement regarding elimination of body roll.

 

For your intended use, hands down the Limited with good tires.

 

It sounds like the LE would be a good fit for you. Here is what mine looked like when I put it on 17” wheels.

The body cladding was a pain as was XREAS. I think everyone’s comments correlate with my experience. I ended up with LT after XREAS died. My point is that when it’s all said and done, there is a 4Runner under there.

 

I really like this ^^^

 

I agree! What are you waiting for. If you want a better deal, like invoice pricing, you’ll have to order one and wait. Or maybe wait for the Landcruiser Prado to be released in the states.

 

X-REAS should have similar benefits regarding body roll, and also have the added ability to help with nosedive.

So, it should actually provide better overall stability. I've never driven a Limited, though, so I can't comment from experience.

 

I initially drove a few Limiteds in 2019 when checking out 4R for first test drive and loved it.

Then one day I drove SR5, Limited and ORP all on same day on same stretch of road which had a lot of bumps all within a two hour period.

To my suprise I liked the SR5 and ORP the best. The ORP did not have kdss either.

Perhaps tire size and thickness has something to do it with it and suspension but for me when I thought I wanted a limited I quickly changed my mind.

It’s subjective obviously for each individual. If a dealer had two in stock which is tough i know, I would try them both out on the same stretch of road and try to find some bumps also

Best of luck with your decision

 

With my spouse driving my rig on our ice/tar/ice/snow roads (all in the same mile) I do want something as close to the Landcruiser as possible. Unless I leave the ORP in 4wd for weeks at a time…

 

All trims are great but here's another vote for the Limited. The full time 4WD is a huge benefit in the conditions you describe. Otherwise you'll be switching back and forth between 4WD and RWD and you'll no doubt encounter conditions when you're in one but really need to be in the other. And using a part-time 4WD system on dry pavement causes drivetrain binding -- that's bad.

Also love the XREAS. It's incredibly effective at preventing both body roll and brake dive. It's a night and day difference from the other trims. It's amazing how flat and composed this top heavy beast is while cornering. As others have noted, it's stupid expensive to replace when it starts leaking, but you can replace it with new shocks for the same price as new shocks on any other kind of 4Runner. Lots of people go with Bilsteins and are happy with them.

Also, it's easier to turn the Limited into something that rivals an ORP or PRO (not that you need that) than it is to turn an ORP or PRO into a Limited. You'll never realistically be able to make another trim into full-time 4WD. But you can chop or replace the bumper on a Limited and even add a rear locker (not that you'll ever need one). Plus on the Limited there's the leather, heated and ventilated seats, dual zone climate, power seat with memory, better stereo, etc. And the full-time 4WD system with locking center diff is awesome. Like the other trims, it also has a low gear.

Finally, if you need it, the Limited can be bought with a third row. That's a common configuration in the Limiteds in stock near me. The third row has the added advantage of leveling the floor when all seats are folded. And you just fold them. No need to flip the seat bottoms up behind the front seats, which robs useable length for sleeping back there or longer cargo. In this setup the second row also slides forward and back. The only downside is that the floor is a few inches higher, so you lose some vertical cargo room while gaining length.

Oh, don't know what availability is like near you, but in my region there's always some Limiteds in stock. I doubt you'd have a hard time finding one. It's the PROs that are most scarce.

 

Or another suggestion is have you looked at Lexus GX? I am just throwing it out there. Can anyone comment on suspension setup on that vs LE and Land Cruiser?

 

Here's what my Limited looks like with 17" rims and AT tires. If you get the Limited you'll prob want to at least upgrade the tires. Actually, that's the case on a lot of trims. Toyota seems to have gotten a million Bridgestone Dueler HTs for free, cause they sure use a lot of them on their 4Runners. And they suck beyond measure in the snow.

 

Same as what? The most recent LC had a 5.7 V8, while the GX has a 4.6. All 4runners have had the 4.0 since they stopped offering the 4 cylinder version in 2011.

Or, are you referring to the full time 4wd transfer case?

 

Ahh, gotcha.

Now, if they would just bring back multi-mode.

 

Personally I would go with the GX460, but if that's not an option definitely the Limited. I'd then put some 17 or 18 inch wheels with a 32-in tire and call it a day.

 

I know many love the GX460 v8.
But isn't the 4runners trusty 4.0V6 1GR-FE the workhorse of the globe even used for newer land cruiser J300 to old school land cruiser 70series petrol to Prado, Hilux? ​