RRS to 4Runner

[High Country Nomads]

Hi All, so I need just a bit of guidance here. I've been driving LR's for a decade and my most recent an 06' Sport has been a great truck, but at 160K miles the repair costs are out weighing the experience. My wife is the anti LR and wants something more dependable and less expensive too repair. So last week sight unseen I put a deposit down on a 2015 4Runner TRD Pro. I figured that would be the next best thing with a smaller engine of course. My question to you experienced 4Runner owners, is the TRD PRo going to be much different than the trail limited? The sales guy isn't so helpful, but the cost difference is is around $5K I believe. Once I have the 4Runner, it will immediately get sliders, Gobi or Eezi awn rack and fridge in the back from my current truck. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I'm 10 days away from delivery, also anyone that has gone from a V8 to a the Toyota V6 - is there still some power? I've never owned anything less than a V8.

 

[Ryanmb21]

The 4runner is fantastic, search "long term cost of ownership" for a thread that I started regarding cost to own. Pretty unbeatable.

My understanding of the Trd pro is you get:
Wheels
265/70/17 nittos
Suspension
Lots of "looks" things
Skid

Minus kdss

I would rather have the trail with Kdss. I would choose no sunroof and add an icon suspension (based on my experience). Black wheels also do little for me. I think the Trd pro is a good value, but I don't need the look and would rather have a different suspension, the new BFG all terrains and kdss.

Super nice truck either way though.

 

[bjowett]

FWIW, the Lexus GX 460 is essentially a V8 4-Runner. The nose on the 2014+ is a little much, though.

 

[Applejack]

I have little experience with LR's except for a 5 month stint with an '05 LR3 HSE which was nice and felt quicker than it actually was. Still it was more fun on the road than any truck based toyota I have owned. That being said, I do not look back with fondness at my Land Rover experience. Having owned several toyota's over the years I know why they have such a terrific reputation. I think you may feel slightly underwhelmed at first but over time you will come to appreciate the trade offs that at first may seem disappointing. I have zero experience with the new version of the 4.0 V6 which is more powerful than the earlier 4.0 I am used to. So maybe it wont seem so comparatively blah on the road. And personally I would just stick with the Trail rather than the Pro

 

[fifthcircle]

You'll be happy with it! Do the Trail Pro's have KDSS? I would make sure its got that, and if it didn't, I'd get a Trail Premium with KDSS.

 

[Bighead]

The TRD Pro 4Runner does not come with KDSS.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Arktikos]

FWIW, the Lexus GX 460 is essentially a V8 4-Runner. The nose on the 2014+ is a little much, though.

Oh my, thanks for the heads up on that one. WTH? That's really ugly. LR guy should take note that even the Toyota V8s are relatively under powered, compared to other brands of V8s, so power hungry drivers may be disappointed. Like other Toyota truck engines, they're intentionally under built for HP in order to be more durable. Though if I were driving 160K miles in 8 years, I'd be going with the 6, or even a 4 if available.

 

[grampswrx]

My wife drives a 2012 4runner limited. The power is adequate but really feels strongest around 4k rpm, which feels pretty high in an SUV.

 

[ebg18t]

It's tough. I went from my LR D2 to my 4Runner. The 4Runner is definitely low maintenance and quirk free but we are looking at a RRS, LR4 or LX460 for 2015.

 

[codename607]

Just recently purchased a 2014 Trail 4Runner. I've driven some V8s in the past but I've never owned anything larger than a V6. But I must say that the V6 in the current model 4runners are amazing. They have the same engine that my FJ had but for some reason the 4runner seems to be a lot more faster and smoother.

As far as KDSS goes, I wanted one without it since I plan on installing a long travel lift in the future.

 

[AxleIke]

Not that I'm in the market, but for those with the newer 4runners, and who have lifted them, how are they fairing?

I ask, because, I've always wanted a pickup, and always had a runner. At some point, I might like a new Tacoma, but I see all these posts online about the new tacomas getting bad vibrations and weird issues when they are lifted. Is the same true of the 4runner, or is the 5 link and coil set up different enough to avoid these issues.

Those vibration issues have made me think the TRD Pro would be a better choice in the pickup form, so you can just give it back to Toyota if there are issues. Perhaps the 4runner doesn't have that sort of problem, but if it did, I'd rather have smooth, vibration free driving than KDSS.

If they drive just as well lifted, I'd probably opt for a 4runner, even if it becomes the wife's vehicle, on the chance I might get to lift it someday

 

[High Country Nomads]

FWIW, the Lexus GX 460 is essentially a V8 4-Runner. The nose on the 2014+ is a little much, though.

You aren't kidding about the nose of that Lexus. Yikes.

 

[Abe Froman]

Not that the 2014 4runner trail nose is attractive or anything.
Current Toyota design language is awful.
They look like riced out body kits from fast and furious episode one.
4runner is the best platform in USA that is less than 40k tho.
I saw a new jeep Cherokee trailhawkfire and that thing was horrible.
Cars keep getting uglier and uglier.
I would totally drive a 2014 trail.....can't see the nose from the inside.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Not that I'm in the market, but for those with the newer 4runners, and who have lifted them, how are they fairing?

I ask, because, I've always wanted a pickup, and always had a runner. At some point, I might like a new Tacoma, but I see all these posts online about the new tacomas getting bad vibrations and weird issues when they are lifted. Is the same true of the 4runner, or is the 5 link and coil set up different enough to avoid these issues.

Those vibration issues have made me think the TRD Pro would be a better choice in the pickup form, so you can just give it back to Toyota if there are issues. Perhaps the 4runner doesn't have that sort of problem, but if it did, I'd rather have smooth, vibration free driving than KDSS.

If they drive just as well lifted, I'd probably opt for a 4runner, even if it becomes the wife's vehicle, on the chance I might get to lift it someday

I've got a 3/2 inch front/back lift, still on 265 tires though. No problems with vibration at all.

The new Tacomas have a C channel frame and the 4runners are still fully boxed. Maybe that explains it?

 

[AxleIke]

I've got a 3/2 inch front/back lift, still on 265 tires though. No problems with vibration at all.

The new Tacomas have a C channel frame and the 4runners are still fully boxed. Maybe that explains it?

Could be. When it first came out, I assumed people had driveline angle issues, but I assumed this would be obvious and an easy fix. When the problems kept being reported, I got concerned, and made me strongly consider the Pro when it was announced.