Trailhunter vs TRD pro

[GreiWlf]

Ok - we’ve beat the picture labeling thing to death. Here’s some pictures of the TH and PRO out in the wild:

TH at Palo Dura Canyon:

TRD Pro at the mall:

Hopefully this gives you an idea of each trim’s distinctive competency. Ok Pro folks, your turn.

Okay that is flat funny!!! Well done.

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[sixfourgarage]

This is exactly what I did. I went into the dealer hoping to reserve a trailhunter, but saw a ORP gas sitting on the lot and the price difference was $14500 with the dealer discount of $4500. I went home with the ORP. I've spent the savings to build out the ORP to the trailhunter level or better. So far, here is what I have.

OME Trailhunter Suspension with the TRD Billet UCA
RCI Rockslider and aluminum skid plates
Method 703 wheels with Toyo Open Country 285/70r17 C load

I am missing the on-board compressor and some interior trim upgrades, but this is turning out to be a better vehicle than the stock TH. Plus, I don't need to endure that snorkel and get to enjoy my sunroof for the rest of my ownership.

All for $8k so far and $6.5k in my pocket for future upgrade.

YMMV. I am doing most of my labor except for the suspension and tires.

you missed the part where TH is a hybrid powertrain vs ORP gas... the whole point of TH is that all the parts are under warranty.

 

[sixfourgarage]

personal feedback.. couldn't stand fake carbon trim and TRD logo vomit so I went with TH. Gas mileage sucks... dont really know how snorkle will perform in heavy rains... but will find out this season (hopefully wont break my motor)... Look into weight capacities and how much you're going to carry and pull and then compare those numbers to hybrid / non hybrid models --- hybrid battery in the back does prevent you from dropping crazy weight into your cargo area. No sunroof on TH was a must for me - 1. they leak after a while 2. my tall ass wouldn't be fitting w. sunroof. (through sunroof maybe).

 

[Undisputed_0369]

The Pro appears to be holding value better and the market at least where I’m at it’s the more desirable trim.

You can walk in to a dealer and get a TH the Pro is waitlisted and might have a markup.

The interior color scheme on the TH doesn’t really look good tbh.

Also the Pro stands out more and looks more unique. I have seen 2 TH’s on the road and until i seen the snorkel i though they were off road trims.

Gas mileage appears to be better on the pro as well.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Dr_Al]

I have a pro on order that maybe will come in this year, maybe not. I doubt you will be able to test drive both of them side by side to determine which one has the ride you prefer. Even if you could it would be difficult to get the dealer to adjust the PRO's shocks to try out each setting. So just pick the one you like and accept that it's not perfect.

Personally I decided by looks. Both had features I liked but I liked the Pro's wheels over the bronze TH wheels. But wheels can be swapped out easily so it wasn't a huge factor. In the end the air intake made the decision. If I could drive one and hear the wind noise and see how noticeable it was I may have gone differently but I couldn't. I wouldn't mind some of the features on the TH like the skid plate and compressor but I can add them if I want.

In the end my use is for driving in deep snow and muddy roads. My days of going off road are over but I went with the maximum ground clearance. Sure I could add the stuff I want and make a premium close to the pro but when I sell it it'll just be an ORP that I modified.

 

[3rdRunner]

I can certainly appreciate your perspective and priorities. I think aesthetics are a lot of folk’s main concern so by all means get what you like - especially at this price point.

 

[OvrLnd99]

One quick thing to note, you can get a Pro with the onboard air compressor from the factory. Mine has the air compressor built in. So if that is one of your deciding factors, it may not actually be an issue if you find the right truck.

 

[Undisputed_0369]

One quick thing to note, you can get a Pro with the onboard air compressor from the factory. Mine has the air compressor built in. So if that is one of your deciding factors, it may not actually be an issue if you find the right truck.

Yeah mine came with one as well !

 

[Nodak]

One quick thing to note, you can get a Pro with the onboard air compressor from the factory. Mine has the air compressor built in. So if that is one of your deciding factors, it may not actually be an issue if you find the right truck.

personally if it doesnt have an air compressor, i would go and install a viair setup.

under hood for non hybrid and rear cargo area for hybrid setups.

but im super lazy and carry one of these when i go visit mom in ATL from ND. but i may be looking into the new ones as they are smaller and more compact. this one is super bulky and takes up a lot of storage space in the back.

runs off 1 or 2 18v batteries

 

[morsk]

I'm a little surprised by how much people want an onboard air compressor which costs like $1,200 if I'm not mistaken. You're really just going to use this for tire inflation, right?

I have a Milwaukee portable inflator and it's rather small, lightweight, fast, and efficient. Costs like $200, maybe less during sales season.

What am I missing?

 

[OvrLnd99]

I'm a little surprised by how much people want an onboard air compressor which costs like $1,200 if I'm not mistaken. You're really just going to use this for tire inflation, right?

I have a Milwaukee portable inflator and it's rather small, lightweight, fast, and efficient. Costs like $200, maybe less during sales season.

What am I missing?

But that’s just not as cool as saying you have on board air. Haha. In all honesty, I wasn’t searching for one with the compressor, I just lucked out. I always carried a small portable one with me prior to getting my Pro, and we always carry a portable one in the wife’s Jeep GC. It’s convenient but not required, in my opinion.

 

[Bryce0291]

I'm a little surprised by how much people want an onboard air compressor which costs like $1,200 if I'm not mistaken. You're really just going to use this for tire inflation, right?

I have a Milwaukee portable inflator and it's rather small, lightweight, fast, and efficient. Costs like $200, maybe less during sales season.

What am I missing?

Can't beat the look of an on board, it's oem, and the main reason because it super cool saying you have an on board air compressor. It basically certifies you into the cool man group.

 

[Nodak]

the one i use can power an air impact to loosen lug nuts, hence why its so bulky.

i also carry a breaker bar and torque wrench to tighten to spec if i do a tire change to spare.

that is the sole purpose of it. i usually check tire pressure on the weekend and when i get up to i have a good baseline to check psi.

also i have to readjust psi for winter time since i lose about 2-3 psi during our cold winters from when i put air in during the summer.

 

[CO/ZA]

My fav remains the harbor freight bauer 12v compressor

Right now it's $129 and is a dupe of the Smittybuilt that is popular here in CO.

 

[Keyzdreamin]

I'll weigh in since I tortured myself for months over which trim starting at ORP up to PRO. Part of my issue was comparing/wanting features we have in our Tundra OR Platinum that don't exist (or not all together) in the 4runner.

I highly recommend using pre-owned sites to find one of each to test drive if at all possible before making a final decision.

After driving the TH, I couldn't get past the sound from the "snorkel". It drove fine, and better than the ORP and LImited I drove, but the sound! I wish I could remember if it rode better than the PRO but honestly the sound just overpowered all memories of the TH! LOL

That left the TRD PRO. My local dealership got a White '25 in on trade. By the time we made it from the lot to a side road, I already knew this was going to be the one. Not just "okay" or "meh" like the other trims seemed to me. Nothing wrong with them, but again, I kept wanting the feel of our Tundra Platinum in my 4runner. The PRO was more like "I can honestly live with the price tag on this one for the ride comfort and enjoyment". I went on a mission to find a 2026 to get a deposit on and wait it out. I wasn't over the moon with the all gloss black either, but in the end that is what I ended up with. I may wrap it one day and stop fretting over every little speck and swirl!

The latest and greatest features and such matter to me because I do plan on keeping her for a LONG time.

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