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Which 2014 trailer 4x4 or SR5 4x4

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Steven, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. Aug 25, 2014 at 12:40 AM
    #1
    Steven

    Steven [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Hey All,

    I need some direction!

    I'm in a market of purchasing a 2014 4runner and I have reached to the point which I need some advice.

    Which 4runner should I go with.

    1. SR5 4x4 premium
    Or
    2. Trail premium

    Also, if I'm not mistaking there is $5-6k price diff between this two vehicles.


    I will be using the vehicle for:
    1. Everyday highway commuter.
    2. Camping 4-5 time a year.
    3. Fishing and outdoor activities every other weekend and no extreme off-roading.

    I will appreciate your advice and also give me some pro and con between this models.

    Thanks
     
  2. Aug 25, 2014 at 5:50 AM
    #2
    misterquad

    misterquad New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2014
    Member:
    #240
    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner TE
    OME lift, Duratracs, Sliders, Headers, URD MAF, AFE CAI,
    First, let me say, I have not looked at the 2014 SR5. I have looked at the Trail Premium in black with leather and it was gorgeous. I know there were changes to options on the 2014s compared to 2010 - 2013s but I don't know all the specifics. I can talk to the 2012s because I own one.

    Well, I have the 2012 Trail and I wanted a Trail since 2010. There are several reasons I wanted the Trail and not just the SR5 4Runner. But first a bit of background. I do most of my miles commuting but I do wheel it about 4 trips a year. Plus, I camp, hike and mountain bike. I have also owned the 2008 Tacoma, 4dr. Offroad Edition and the 201o FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition. Prior to my 2008 Toyota conversion I had Jeeps, Dodges and Ford 4x4s.

    Now for my reasons for wanting the Trail over the SR5.
    1. I passionately wanted the transfercase shift lever. It may be drive by wire and the shifter serves no purpose but to make me feel good that I am shifting the transfercase into 4wd. The Limited and SR5s had a twist knob as did my Tacoma.
    2. I wanted Crawl Control. I thought it seemed like a cool feature that I never had before.
    3. I had to have a rear locker.
    4. I wanted the rear sliding tray.
    5. I wanted the blacked out bumper trim, fenderwell trim, mirrors, door handles, etc. It is a cosmetic thing. I wanted it to remind me that I wanted to be outside. Plus, I know I am going to scratch it and get brush marks. And for unknown reasons in my head, it is okay to scratch it.

    The things I did not need were as follows:
    1. The third row seat. It took all my storage area.
    2. Chrome accents

    Below are the minimum features I had to have and I believe they increase the cost of the Trail. That being said, The FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition had similiar features that cost $6k more than the standard FJ but the dealer quickly dropped that difference to $2k in the negotiation process.
    1. Rear Locker
    2. A-Trac
    3. Crawl Control
    4. Traction Control
    5. Sunroof

    I hope I helped.
     
    Steven[OP] likes this.
  3. Aug 25, 2014 at 9:00 AM
    #3
    Steven

    Steven [OP] New Member

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    This is great! Thank you.
    I could tell you most of the reasons that you point out are almost same reasons that I'm more leaning forward the trail edition.
     
  4. Aug 25, 2014 at 10:54 AM
    #4
    misterquad

    misterquad New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2014
    Member:
    #240
    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner TE
    OME lift, Duratracs, Sliders, Headers, URD MAF, AFE CAI,
    Thinking about this more I realized I do lots of mods. If I were buying an FJ again, I would get it stripped down enough to get a locker and A-Trac because I stripped all the good stuff off later anyway.

    I just pulled up the 4runner brochure. I don't think you can make a bad choice eitherway. For my taste on the 4Runner, I see a lift, rims and tires and sliders. Put that stuff on the 2014 Ultimate Trail or SR5 with a locker and A-Trac and I would be excited. And you are lucky, I think 2014s have a much better color selection. I would love that dark blue.

    You looking for a 5 or 7 passenger? Looking to get a Nav system? Anything special you have to have?
     
  5. Aug 25, 2014 at 1:17 PM
    #5
    Steven

    Steven [OP] New Member

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    7 passenger is not must because I use to have Toyota Highlander with 3rd row seating and I only used it once in 3 years. In my experience the Nav that come with vehicles are not all that and I usually end up using Google map if needed, but its nice to have the touch interface.

    Noting special that I need to have but I guess I don't want to have any regrades or what ifs in the long run. I will never know when I will be needing or using Locker / A-trac / 4x4 / crawl troll or Multi train selection, but I like to have theme for just in case if I need it.

    Yes, the color selections are better for 2014, but I can't help seeing my self in all blacked out 4runner except the wheels. The wheels and tire could stay stock.
     
  6. Aug 25, 2014 at 5:21 PM
    #6
    misterquad

    misterquad New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2014
    Member:
    #240
    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner TE
    OME lift, Duratracs, Sliders, Headers, URD MAF, AFE CAI,
    Let me know your impressions after you get it. I am sure you will be pleased.
     
  7. Sep 6, 2014 at 12:20 PM
    #7
    RingSteel

    RingSteel CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Member:
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    Gender:
    Male
    Texas Eagle-Ford Shale area
    Vehicle:
    14' 4Runner Trail Edition Premium Nautical Blue
    Weather Tech visors and floor mats Sylvania Ultras
    WE looked at the Limited and wife test drove it and loved it. It was a 4wd loaded. She had no problems with entry/exit.
    Fast forward, me the genius of this covert Ops found a 14' Naut. Blue TE Premium and it was a few $k less then the Limited. (Yep deciding factor)
    End results is the TE Prem. was just as loaded as the Limited (well with what wife was happy with) w/o the shiny wrap around trim up from, sits much higher (has hood scoop) and now wife struggles on entry/exit.
    The nerf bars up against the rocker panels are not low enough to be of much help.
    She still loves it cause it is a bit taller driving visibility is nice.
    The Trail handles the roads at 80 with no issues and make a quick scoot when passing.

    I'm looking forward to our retirement trips to the upper Midwest from Colorado to Montana taking off road trails and not worry about incitement weather being a restricting factor. That was my thinking process for the Trail. Sounds like what your looking at doing as well. The Limited was 4wd but did not have locking diff. and the Trail does.

    Summary sit and drive both, look at trim and see what essential creature comforts you can live with/out and then get buy in from the CFO before deciding....lol.....

    I am now not quite in hot water but I have to find a solution for her entry/exit struggle and the nerf bars.on edit our TE has the features you are looking for:
    1. Rear Locker
    2. A-Trac
    3. Crawl Control
    4. Traction Control
    5. Sunroof
    Not sure about protocol here but if you send me a PM I can share the price with you.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2014

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