New Member considering 4Runner TRD Pro

First post here. I currently own a '21 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, and am considering adding another Toyota to the stable. I've been drawn to the '21 4Runner TRD Pro, mainly for its looks, reliability, simplicity and capability.

I'm wondering if anyone here also owns both a LC and 4R, or has experience with both. Would it be a good choice to purchase a 4R, or would it be a let down from the LC? I plan to keep the LC for the long haul, so I'd just be adding a vehicle, not replacing the LC. I'd be using the TRD Pro mainly for family hauling, moderate off-roading, fun weekend drives, etc.

I posted the same question on the Land Cruiser forum and (not surprisingly) got an overwhelming response of "No, you've been spoiled by the Land Cruiser and you'll be disappointed with the 4R." I test drove a couple of 4 Runners recently (a '21 Limited and '19 TRD Pro). They were fun to drive. The power felt adequate but not great.

A lot of the answer also depends on whether or not I can find a TRD Pro at a reasonable price. The market is nuts now, but if I can purchase one at or near MSRP, what do you guys think? Should I go for it, or just keep the LC for now and maybe start building it to be a more capable trail rig.

Thanks in advance.

 

Not sure if anyone on here does. However check out Untamed Motors on youtube.
He has both + an FJ cruiser. He replies to comments regularly too.

 

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I've watched some of Untamed Motors videos. He goes through cars like Kleenex! That's a good idea though, I'll message him.

 

He sure does lol and they are all pavement princesses from what I have seen.

 

Yeah, that's a good point. Seems like he stays on pavement only, even though he installs AT tires. Not sure how useful his opinion will be since I'd actually be using the vehicle for its intended purpose.

 

Owned a 100 Series and several family members own 200 Series.
As it appears a T4R will be in addition to your LC, provided you like how it drives and so forth, why not?
Goes without saying with the LC costing damn near twice as much that it will be smoother, quieter, more powerful, et al.

That said, goes without saying the the Pro market is batpoop crazy. Simply, should you be able to find one for at or near MSRP, it would be exceedingly difficult to not come out ahead.

 

Yeah, it's not a fair comparison as the LC is far more expensive than the 4R.

Since you've had experience with both the LC 200 and the 4R, what are your thoughts about the two? Does the 4R feel like a dumbed down version of the LC that is just built to a price? That's the impression I got from reading the LC forums, but they're obviously biased towards the vehicle they own.

Eventually I'd want to keep one vehicle as a more dedicated trail rig. If the 4R can handle 33" tires and a moderate lift without feeling like a total slug, I'd consider going that route.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Right now you will be hard pressed to find a 21 Pro for MSRP, most are going for way over not to mention that 22's will be coming to dealers real soon. But if you can easily afford t, then why not but I would wait until the 22's are in the dealer lot and the lots start filling up and prices go down. Probably won't happen this year but are you in that much of a hurry?

 

I don't own LC but have experienced with Lexus flavor LC200 (I know it's more likely to get damaged compared to LC)

4runner is definitely something you would have to get used to especially on mountain highways (test drive on local roads might not give you how it feels on mountain highways.). As for Offroad 4runner is definitely tempting to do stupid stuff than a LC200 and scratch you head on the first trail damage. (Mine was damage to front mud flap. I know it's minor but when it's your first your brain says "you stupid")

As for the trims TRDPRO is good to keep stock. I prefer TRD Offroad without KDSS and install high-end adjustable extended travel shocks. (But some of the members here like KDSS). However my wife likes her Limited, but we can't take it on trails as the front bumper is a problem more than it looks. But Limited is the best for winter onroad driving.

If you think of TRDOffroad you might have to think about speaker upgrade yourself or go with 4runner specific kits like TacoTunes or OEMAudio+ as TRD Offroad don't have JBL audio option.

If you go with TRDPRO there's aftermarket spacers to give a lift but the TRDPRO wheels are not recommended to go bigger than 275/70R17 vs TRD Offroad wheels can go bigger 285/70R17 or 285/75R17 as they are wider.

Have you also thought about other 4wds since you already have reliable LC200? I'm thinking of adding a diesel Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4door for trail use while keeping the 4runners as daily drives or long drives. Did look at Bronco videos but wasn't too impressed as a Jeep. A local dealer told me that he has a Bronco available to test drive if I want here in Denver, but was too lazy to go. Just shared other options because you already have a Toyota and if you ever think about 4x4 performance.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Thanks for all the replies!

kmeeg, thanks for the detailed feedback. I owned a couple of 2 door, 6 spd Rubicons in the past. Had a 2010 JK and a 2019 JL. They are fun vehicles. The 4 door Wranglers don't interest me. I'm married with a 2 year old, so the 2 door Wranglers are off the table. The Bronco looks nice, but it's an unproven platform and apparently has a lot of issues to iron out.

There's certainly no rush to buy a new vehicle now, especially considering the insane prices. But if I were to find a '21 TRD Pro at sticker, maybe it's worth pulling the trigger. Driving on mountain highways would be an adjustment for sure, coming from the V8 in the LC.

Sounds like the TRDP is better to just keep stock. I'm ok with that, provided it can do moderate trails without damage?

 

Just out of curiosity, why are you interested in the 4Runner? I love my Pro, so I wouldn't try talk you out of it, but if you're keeping the LC for the long haul, it would seem to be perfect for all the uses you mentioned. That said, if you like the 4Runner, go for it. Mine is the best vehicle I've owned.

 

AgentKooper, very fair question. I am planning to keep the LC for the long haul. I realize there is a lot of overlap with the 4R in terms of capabilities. Our family currently has two vehicles (the LC and a '17 F350), so purchasing another vehicle right now isn't necessary. The 4R is just a want, not a need.

I like the design and durability of the 4R, so I thought it would be a fun and practical vehicle to add to the fleet. I also think the Lunar Rock TRDP looks sharp. I'd only pull the trigger if I can find one at MSRP though. No way I'd pay a markup for a vehicle we don't need.

 

Fair enough -- go for it! I've got it in Lunar Rock, and I think it looks great too. And you might be one of the few people for whom adding a 4Runner increases your fleet's average fuel economy!

 

Ha! The fuel economy is pretty abysmal on the LC. But the V8 is sublime and the vehicle is a joy to drive, so I don't mind.

Curious to know, why is the 4R the best vehicle you've owned? And is your Pro stock or modified?

 

Well, it's a pretty low bar to meet, in terms of other cars I've owned - a Mercury Lynx, a couple Honda Civics, a couple Honda Pilots, and a Subaru Outback. The Outback was okay, but I made the mistake of getting the 2011 4-cyl CVT instead of the 6-cyl regular transmission, so it was pretty boring to drive. All solid cars, but nothing exciting, and nothing that was very capable off road. I love the TRDP's looks, the way the Pro suspension rides, its ability to get up 4x4 roads my previous vehicles couldn't -- and, last but not least, the ability to ride with the rear hatch window open!

Mine is stock. The only thing I added were a couple front recovery points. If I feel like I need it, I'll do what's necessary to fit 33-inch tires on it eventually, but that's not a short-term priority. Thinking about a new roof rack at some point, but the stock one has been fine so far, so also not a priority now.

 

That's great to hear! Thanks for the feedback. I also love the TRDP's aesthetics. And the rear hatch window is a cool feature.

I'd probably do the same - leave it stock for now, and eventually consider adding 33's.

 

Another possibility is if you were willing to do a wrap to change color, you could get a slightly better deal on a Pro in a lesser “desirable “ color if you are set on that color specifically.

 

When you say a better deal, are dealers going below MSRP on Pros in other colors?

In other words what would be considered a good deal on a TRD Pro in this market? Sticker price, or below?

 

Right now if you could get msrp you’re doing great on any color. Lunar seems to be the hardest to get for anywhere near msrp though However, 22s are coming pretty soon. You possibly could get a 21 in the non lunar rock color with a better deal and wrap it in whatever the hell you want.

 

Yeah that’s a good point. The 22’s will be here soon. I like that they have BSM and RCTA. But I’m not into the Lime Rush color.

Most dealers I’ve called are asking over MSRP on Pros, regardless of color. So it may be a tall order at this point to find a deal, but I’ll keep trying.

 

It will definitely be a tall order. I’m just figuring if you find a 21 in a month or so when 22s are hitting the lots in a non exclusive color, you’re likely at a better bargaining point to bring up lack of the BSM or trail cam and possibly be in a better position to get a deal. Happy hunting!

 

Thanks, that makes sense. Worst case I can hold out for a ‘22. Though I doubt there will be many dealers selling them without a markup.

How important is BSM in the 4R? I see some people have installed the RAV4 mirrors as a workaround.

The trail cam would be nice. The LC has it, but to be honest I don’t use it all that much when I’m off-road.

 

Personal preference honestly. My last Jeep I declined it as an option because well, I’m 46 and while it’s nice, I’ve gone my whole life without needing it. The trail cam would be nice but it’s still not as good as an experienced spotter regardless. I pick my 21 up in lunar next week that I ordered several months ago. I still have the option to just let the dealer sell that for a large markup and wait probably 5-8 weeks more for a 22 lime rush but I just can’t seem to get into that color at all.

 

Most of my vehicles haven't had BSM either. I'm 44, and was taught to do a shoulder check when changing lanes. My wife likes the BSM in the Land Cruiser, but I never really rely on it.

Congrats on getting your Lunar Rock soon! Must be exciting. I hear you on the Lime Rush. I showed my wife the renderings and asked if she'd prefer that over Lunar Rock. She said, "no way, I'm not driving a bright green car."

 

I have a 21 Lunar Rock Pro and have been very satisfied with it! Looks good, rides good and drives well. I have been most impressed with the suspension / ride quality. At the end of the day it is just a vehicle - but checks all of the boxes for me. I live in Maryland and am currently in Bozeman, MT for four days and there are 4R's and Tacoma's everywhere. I have only seen two LR's and they might have been the same two for all I know.

 

Yeah, here on Long Island I’ve only ran into white and black pros a handful of times and an army green once. Very infrequent considering how many drivers are out there but not many pros at all. I do know there is another lunar rock somewhere locally since I happened to stumble upon it before he or she took delivery about a month ago.

 

Sadly there will be a ton of Lunar Rock 4R's next year since the other trim levels will be available with it.

 

Yeah. I’ve come to grips with it. Still doesn’t take away from my pro with the differences between other trims.