Would we have been better off going with the TRD Pro?

Good afternoon,

We bought our first Toyota about 10 months ago. We opted for a 2017 4Runner TRD Premium Off-Road. We went with the TRD Premium instead of the PRO because of $$$. This past week we installed a a 3 inch Toytec suspension lift with Bilstein 5100 coils and shocks in the front, Toytec rear coils and Toytec Boss rear shocks. Additionally, we swapped the factory Upper control arms for the SPC upper control arms. We swapped out the TRD Premium wheels for the 17 inch matte black TRD Pro wheels with 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires. We swapped out the factory running boards with N-Fab step bars.

We did a little bit of research before deciding on our modifications up to this point. A couple of questions though. Was it essential to swap the upper control arms with the 3 inch lift? Additionally, we spent about $3800 (parts and labor) on everything. Would we have been better off going with the TRD Pro right off the bat?

 

As far as the upper control arms and the 3" lift, I say yes, a necessary mod. Running stock upper control arms with 3" of lift sucks.

For the part about making the right decision TRD Premium vs Pro, we'd have to know what you paid for your 4Runner. Essentially the only difference between your rig now and a Pro is the suspension, and front grille. You have a 5100 series lift, the Pro has a 6112 series. The Pro's suspension is better, but yours is taller. The Pro can be lifted for about 400 bucks with a specific lift from Toytec. The TRD Pro grille is around $500.

The one thing you have going for you is you have a moonroof, which the Pro doesn't.

Lift looks great by the way.

Curious as why you didn't opt for 285's for the tires?

 

I have a Toytec Ultimate and did not change UCA. Dealer installed and aligned. The dealer said the alignment was correct. It handles and drives just fine with no wandering, etc., so I would say that you did not need UCA's.

Most of the Pro's deal is cosmetic with the exception of the suspension and it appears you have covered that with what you have for less than the price difference between the two vehicles. So unless you are really impressed with a grill and a couple of badges, you are good. As far as the wheels go, I wouldn't have gone with factory pro wheels at only 7" wide. What if you want bigger tires? I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they picked these wheels for a "PRO" off road vehicle.

On my OR I had the dealer install the Toytec, running boards, and an SSO front bumper with Smittybilt 20x 10,000 winch with syn. rope for about 4,500. I added a blackout kit for 150.00 and am really happy with the result. My only other upgrade will be FNFX Pro wheels. They look just like the factory Pro wheels, only cost 799.00 and are 8" instead of 7".

I got my OR Premium with KDSS and moon roof for under 40,000 so with my add on's I'm at about list for a Pro, and where can you buy a Pro for list.??


Bill

 

I bought my pro at list.......


OP, don’t sweat it, you wanted a lift, so you would’ve ended up spending more and ripping out all the suspension you would have paid a premium for anyways. Plus, if you like the moonroof option, it’s not available for the pro.

 

Is it possible to mount those running boards flush with the body? Or is that gap the only way they can be installed? How big is the gap? 2-3"?

 

No you did not make the wrong decision. You have the same vehicle as the appearance package PRO with a better suspension and you are still under the price of the appearance package. An I would have put upper arms with that much lift also.

The only place I think you could have improved was to go with sliders instead of steps and to keep the stock off road wheels since they are better for actually going off road and they are wider vs the PRO wheels which are mainly for looks. I do like the look but I'm sticking with the Trail wheels for the reasons listed.

An great job on picking a silver one, it's the best color.

 

Nope... you done did good..!