Why so little talk about Limited/Nightshade models?

I can't wait damn will be fun crawling with it.

 

This is easily the most comprehensive, rational, useful summary on pros/cons of grabbing a Limited (even the gangster bit - you're not wrong; I love mine and might just go offroad in a fedora).

 

wtf is "LE"? cause last time i checked, the only toyotas with an "LE" trim were all unibody... Limited or Nightshade have a higher price point, for things that people don't necessarily want, why spend it for it if youre just going to be replacing with aftermarket to better suit your needs.

 

LE (Limited Edition) is WTF it is. Not LE like an old Camry. What did that stand for? Low End. Lesser Edition. Lingering Embarassment?

Who knows.

Why spend it? Real answer: because Toyota plays games like Apple by keeping creature comforts out of the TRD editions. No one wants Softex or little blank inserts where the features should be. It's time for a Pro Limited Edition or...Pro "LE" if you will.

I offroaded a supercharged GX for years and loved it. V8 zip and torque, high quality interior (even if the styling was dated). If Toyota can make an IS500 with a V8, they can use up some of that econobox cachet to make us a V8 4Runner Limited Pro at the prices currently charged and MPG currently spec'd.

 

That’s why I built my own Pro Limited Edition

 

Hell I dig my Nightshade, even though it's looks a little "gangsta" and is called a "mall cralla".

Aim high Willis...AIM HIGH is what I says

 

Not to be pedantic but Limited models do not have full time 4WD. It has full time AWD with the ability to put the vehicle into true 4WD (high and low). I owned a '15 LE until I traded it earlier this month for a '21 Venture and I've already discovered the difference AWD makes. I was at a stop sig yesterday on a road I've traveled hundreds of times in my LE and when I gunned the Venture to get out into traffic from that stop, I lit up the tires a bit--something my LE never did. Now I have to be more careful. The AWD of the LE is a nice feature, particularly in New England where we have crappy winter weather. Only in significant snow storms did I ever put my LE in true 4WD and you can definitely feel the difference in how it drives when it's in 4WD.

 

That’s an interesting observation, do you have an auxiliary transmission temperature gauge to back this up or have you actually had the warning light?

I haven’t noticed this problem with my LC200, so I wonder what’s happening.

 

You succeeded in being both pedantic and wrong.

 

I can't wait to get my hands on a Limited 4runner (trading in my Tacoma). They are just hard to find at the moment. Looking at 2022 models mainly because used ones are just as expensive.

My parents have an 2005 v8 Limited 4runner they bought new. Thing is a beast and has had like zero problems. I think the only thing outside of regular maintenance they've had to do is replace the rear main seal and re-upholster the two front seat bottoms. Its at well over 200k running like a top!

 

Just because Toyota marketing department calls it full time 4WD doesn't mean it's accurate. It's a torque vectoring setup ergo it's technically AWD. When you put an LE in H4L on the dial, then it is truly in 4WD mode. 4HF on the dial is AWD. And you don't need to be a keyboard jerk either.

 

On one level this is semantics and a silly kind of debate (which is why your point was pedantic) but it's commonly accepted that the presence of a locking differential distinguishes "full time 4WD" from "AWD."

This is not a distinction created by Toyota's marketing department, but one that enthusiasts have typically used to differentiate 4WD-based systems like this from the less capable AWD systems common in crossovers. The presence of a locking differential (and arguably a low gear) makes the difference real, not just wordplay.

So calling systems like this AWD, simply because they are in what one might call "AWD-mode" when their center diff is free, is both pedantic and misleading. This is my point.

I'll give you that my reply came off as a bit harsh. But there's a reason "pedantic" has a negative connotation despite its literal meaning: it irritates people.

 

Do the Limited's come from the factory with more sound deadening that other trims?

 

Hmmmm interesting question. When I drove my Limited back to back with the ORP I’d first considered buying, I was struck by how much more refined the Limited felt. It had remarkably less body roll and brake dive, but also seemed smoother over bumps. At the time I assumed it was all related to the XREAS, and it never even occurred to me there might also be more sound deadening.

For some reason I doubt it really does have more deadening — and I certainly haven’t read anything saying it does. But for what it’s worth I also haven’t experienced the level of NVH that some other 4R owners have complained about on this forum.

One thing I would note for sure is that models with AT tires are almost certainly going to be louder than models with touring tires like what usually comes on the Limited and SR5.

 

I have a 2020 nightshade I never planned to take it off road. They cost too much. I use my old Chevy for that stuff just like the street look to it knew it would be a one and done. They’ll never bring it back. I think I remember right they made 3000 each year 19,20 and 21. They all blacked out interior. The black chrome look is different I got rid of the Bicycle size Yokohama they came from the factory replaced them with Nitto, NT 420s a couple inches of width and height much nicer street look.

 

This is a 4R enthusiast forum. 4R enthusiasts mostly prefer the more off road oriented trim instead of luxury.

 

Mostly. We spend most of our time on the street. My wife and I have a 1978 Jeep CJ5 and a 2015 Wrangler unlimited that have been set up for offroad use. The CJ is pretty much a dedicated trail vehicle with an antique registration. Our 4Runner is basically our family car now. We liked the TRD Offroad and the Pro but have no need for their capabilities.

 

I test drove a 4Runner Limited Nightshade and it sure did seem a lot more quiet that a typical OffRoad model. Especially at highway speeds. I read that there is additional sound damping materials used in the Limited models

 

I felt that too. But kept quiet about it as its hard to believe Toyota put more money towards just one trim. But I agree with you, Limited seems lot more quiet than other trims.

 

I'd say it is mostly due to the tires. The all season highway tires on the Limited 4Rs are significantly quieter than the all terrain tires on the other 4R trims - especially at highway speeds.