VIN Decode: JTEVA5 vs JTEVB5

[HotWheels4]

I used the allocation lists here o the site and AI to track down a mostly clean build and a dealer that is transparent, does not raise price over msrp or add on the 3k dealer options.

So my argument with AI started and im curious how much is true and not true. is PT4wd a platform code or part time 4wd indicator. Do certain builds have dual transfer cases?

an example vehicle i visited in person showed 2wd trd sport prem also having the JTEVA5 vin.

According to AI A5 is 2wd and B5 is 4wd only.
I can see many A5 ORP 2026 allocations and a few B6, Dealers list it as part time 4wd and AI says its their form and its wrong.

Wanted to ask real owners to review this and give feed back if the A5 is really a part time 4wd and the button that looks like a Diff Locker is really A-TAC or traction control on A5 vins vs B5 that have true lockers?

This is the AI statement or hallucination if you can confirm or deny any of this nonsense.

"

The key characters are:

A5BR

• A = 2WD
• 5 = gas engine
• BR = TRD Off‑Road Premium body code

If it were a real 4WD with a transfer case, it would be:

B5BR
↑ B = 4WD

There is no scenario where an A‑series VIN has:

• A transfer case
• 2H / 4H / 4L
• A locking rear differential
• Crawl Control
• Multi‑Terrain Select
• Downhill Assist Control

Those features only exist on B5BR VINs.


2. So why does the build sheet say 4WD with transfer case?
Because Toyota’s internal system uses generic trim descriptions, not VIN‑specific equipment.

Here’s what happened:

The system saw “TRD Off‑Road Premium”
and automatically printed the 4WD version’s description, even though your VIN is 2WD.

This is extremely common with:

• TRD Off‑Road
• TRD Off‑Road Premium
• TRD Sport Premium

Because these trims can be 4WD, the system often defaults to the 4WD description.

But the VIN determines what the vehicle actually is.


3. The build sheet is NOT VIN‑specific
It’s a trim‑level spec sheet, not a VIN‑decoded equipment list.

It describes what a TRD Off‑Road Premium 4WD would have, not what your specific VIN has.

That’s why it lists:

• Part‑time 4WD
• 2‑speed transfer case
• A‑TRAC
• MTS
• Crawl Control
• DAC

Those are correct for a B5BR VIN — but not for A5BR.


4. Your VIN cannot physically have those features
A 2WD 4Runner:

• Has no transfer case
• Has no 4H or 4L
• Has no locker
• Has no Crawl Control
• Has no Multi‑Terrain Select
• Has no Downhill Assist Control

These systems require hardware that does not exist on A‑series VINs.


5. The VIN is the final authority
Toyota VIN coding is extremely strict:

JTEVA… = 2WD
JTEVB… = 4WD
There are no exceptions.

If the VIN starts with A, it is not 4WD — no matter what the build sheet says.


Bottom Line
Your build sheet is showing the generic TRD Off‑Road Premium 4WD description, but your VIN is 2WD, and the VIN always wins.

The sheet is wrong
The VIN is correct
Your vehicle does NOT have:

• 4WD
• Transfer case
• Locker
• Crawl Control
• MTS
• DAC

If you want those features, you need a B5BR VIN.

ow to read the engine type in a 2026 4Runner VIN
Toyota encodes the engine family in the 5th character of the VIN:

5 = Gas (i‑Force 2.4L Turbo)
6 = Hybrid (i‑Force MAX)
So the patterns look like this:

VIN Pattern	Meaning
A5BR / B5BR	Gas turbo (NOT hybrid)
A6BR / B6BR	i‑Force MAX hybrid

• A = 2WD
• B = 4WD
• 5 = gas
• 6 = hybrid

Apply it to your VIN
JTEVB5BR      ↑       5 = gas engine

So this VIN is:

• JTEV = Toyota SUV
• B = 4WD
• 5 = gas turbo
• BR = TRD Off‑Road Premium body code

This is a 4WD gas TRD Off‑Road Premium — not a hybrid.

Bonus: TRD Off‑Road Premium is never hybrid
Toyota does not offer the i‑Force MAX hybrid on:

• TRD Off‑Road
• TRD Off‑Road Premium
• TRD Sport
• SR5

Hybrid is only available on:

• Limited
• Platinum
• TRD Pro
• Trailhunter

So even if the VIN did look confusing, the trim itself tells you it cannot be hybrid."

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[Dead Horse]

I'm sorry you did what.

 

[NotApplicable]

Go based on build sheet, ignore AI given its obviously wrong about other things in that clip

 

[BonRunner]

What a dumb post & incorrect response, as usual, from AI.

My local dealership has the ORP with Hybrid engine.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well I was really bored or out of it tonight so I looked up about 25 of the TRD Offroad premiums and they all have the same j t e v a 5br. Just for record these all wear gas models. When I did look at the Hybrid version this is what I got consistently. So it looks like the hybrid has that naming convention.
JTEVB5BR = hybrid
jteva5br = petrol

 

[MikeD]

Well I was really bored or out of it tonight so I looked up about 25 of the TRD Offroad premiums and they all have the same j t e v a 5br. Just for record these all wear gas models. When I did look at the Hybrid version this is what I got consistently. So it looks like the hybrid has that naming convention.
JTEVB5BR = hybrid
jteva5br = petrol

yes - can confirm that my TRD ORP I force Max starts with JTEVB5BR - meaning, of course, that the Ai is hallucinating on at least that last point. But really, should anyone be surprised at that?;>)

 

[Nodak]

unfortunately i cant find a newer decoder breakout sheet but here is the closest i can find

 

[kekecarioca]

JTEVB5BR.....TRAILHUNTER here...

 

[HotWheels4]

What a dumb post & incorrect response, as usual, from AI.

My local dealership has the ORP with Hybrid engine.

My post is dumb? Ill dumb it down for ya. I took a data set of VIN numbers sorted it and searched nation wide to find the best and closest deal for my target. Texas prices near me are WAY over priced. Do i want a cargo bag, vpp, usb cables, etc etc for 70k for a ORP NOPE. You have to consider TX we do not pay state tax we pay sales tax that makes car prices soar with all the fluff.

When you look at a large vin grouping and then put money down on an allocation you want to be sure you are getting what you think you are getting. I appreciate the feed back that AI is hallucinating and that all ORP's gas or hybrid are PT4wd and not even available as RWD 4x2 like you could find on a sport premium.

Appreciate the site sharing the data and helping me find my deal
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/2025-4runner-allocations-list-spreadsheet-gas-hybrid-msrp-vs-list-price-vin-eta-ship-status-dealer-hold-status-.2707/

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Go by the build sheet. Ignore that AI stuff it’s wrong.

 

[jayT]

lol..my VIN# JTEVA5BR...is a 2025 SR5 PT4WD..

 

[Dead Horse]

My post is dumb? Ill dumb it down for ya. I took a data set of VIN numbers sorted it and searched nation wide to find the best and closest deal for my target. Texas prices near me are WAY over priced. Do i want a cargo bag, vpp, usb cables, etc etc for 70k for a ORP NOPE. You have to consider TX we do not pay state tax we pay sales tax that makes car prices soar with all the fluff.

When you look at a large vin grouping and then put money down on an allocation you want to be sure you are getting what you think you are getting. I appreciate the feed back that AI is hallucinating and that all ORP's gas or hybrid are PT4wd and not even available as RWD 4x2 like you could find on a sport premium.

Appreciate the site sharing the data and helping me find my deal
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/2025-4runner-allocations-list-spreadsheet-gas-hybrid-msrp-vs-list-price-vin-eta-ship-status-dealer-hold-status-.2707/

They said the response from AI is dumb. Not your post.

 

[spyder40]

My ORP hybrid is jtevb5br

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