New Member from Washington

Hello All!

First post here! I just moved to Washington (Snohomish area) from South Carolina. Looking for advise!!

I am currently looking to buy a 5th Gen 4Runner. After doing a lot of research, I have narrowed it down to either TRD Off-road or SR5! Eventually I will find a purpose built vehicle for moderate to heavy off-roading but the vehicle I am looking to purchase now is to be a daily driver with light off-roading (forestry roads, trails) and camping atleast two weekends a month. I know I don’t want to do a lot of modifications to the suspension, maybe just Eibach Stage 2r, dobinson UCA, upgrade tires to an all terrain set. I know there is a big jump in price right now between the two models but would love to get some advise from all of you!

 

Welcome

 

We bought a 23 TRD Off Road because my wife wanted lunar rock. She also wanted 3rd row seats but that’s not available in the OR…so she had to decide and for her the color was more important. The TRD options are nice in my opinion such as the crawl control and what not. I never thought I’d use it in my Tacoma but have found it just allows the truck to go more places and do more things that the driver doesn’t have the instant throttle control to do. It’s really up to you if you want the bells and whistles of the TRD stuff or if the SR5 will do just fine with some added mods.

 

welcome

 

Welcome from just north of you. Lots of great FS roads around these parts.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

For the off road use he describes, the SR5 should be more than adequate. I am on my 4th SR5 and never had a problem with them as stock in what he describes, including deep soft beach sand

 

I would tend to agree. For my wife’s 4runner I wanted to get a SR5 and then if she wanted more of the off road stuff build it out for her that way, the color was her deciding factor.

 

I think the big driver is the added options of the crawl control and terrain selection that comes in the OR for added comfort. I’m not too familiar with forestry roads in this area, I come from SC where you make your own trails and mud holes. The color is not a large factor (magnetic grey is what I’d prefer).

 

I’ve lived in Washington most of my life and honestly most of the roads can be handled in 2WD. If you want to get out with snow and what not 4WD is a must. There are of course some side roads or roads that are less traveled where 4WD is nice to have. The SR5 is probably the route I’d go honestly.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome! I love my SR5 Premium

 

Thank you all for the input.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Both will suit you fine. Maybe the Off Road would bring a bit more allowance on re-sale, do to crawl control(crawl control works) and color options perhaps. Both are very capable in the off-road mode, so really you can't go wrong.

 

Welcome

 

I have far less experience than you, since I've only lived here 2 years, but out of the two forest service roads I've been on so far, one absolutely required 4x4 (and I was extremely glad to have crawl control), and the other I used 4WD plenty of times, and I'm not sure it would have been doable without it. Maybe I just got lucky in my road selection, but I'm 2 for 2 on needing 4WD.

 

I guess it’s all on selection and what you’re looking for. I think if you’re a casual FR driver then I see plenty of 2wd around. I really have only used 4wd when I’ve looked to use it or during the winter when the snow starts coming in. I spend a bit of time in the woods hunting, fishing and camping.
I guess more or less what I’m trying to say is, I’d always get a 4wd as it not only opens up a lot for you, it is also a safety factor while out and about. If you get stuck in a 2wd and that’s what you have, you’re stuck…the 4wd and added features just add additional tools to the box. That all being said, a good GMRS radio linked to a good repeater is another great tool to have in the box.

My personal opinion is…I would not own a truck or SUV here in the state of Washington without it being 4wd. My 1985 4Runner doesn’t have crawl control and I’ve put a rear locker in it, had it for the last 30 years…it does great.

 

I’ve narrowed it down to two vehicles. One’s a 2023 and other a 2024 OR. For the prices they are asking for on SR5s and OR, not a significant price increase. Gonna go look at them this weekend!

 

Good luck and keep us posted! Exciting times!

 

Pulled the trigger on a 2024 OR!

 

Congrats! Hopefully you’re gonna love it!