Confirming my research

Hey all,

As many state, long time lurker and coming to the tipping point for a new (to me) sequoia. I currently have a '14 Jeep GC overland that I have had since '16. I was really lucky to get a deal on it back in the day as the repairs (like 3 radiators and a tranny) have put me back to a decent deal. I live in Colorado and often take my GC up into the mountains. It has always served me well, I have always felt safe and I have often scooted past much more expensive vehicles which have been struggling. (most likely due to the worn shoes, but it still gives me pride in my rig). I am looking at '18-'22 sequoias and want to make sure that I am thinking thing through, so much knowledge on this site and I have spent close to 10 hours reviewing many posts. Running through my thoughts and hope some can help.

My bigger issues is my GC was the first of the WK2 model, meaning it was loaded. Heat/Cool seats up front, heated in back, air suspension, heated & folding mirrors, black leather seats etc. I know I will be swapping some luxury, but I want to get a reliable vehicle that I can bug out in if needed and haul my family where we need to go. We have a '23 CRV as a second car and I want to get something larger so we have 2 options depending on where and what we are doing.

For the longest time I thought I would snag a platinum, and use the tandem pucks to lift the rear to get my AC seats. The more I think about this being a long time vehicle the more I don't want to worry about the airbags, reliable or not. This has pushed me to a TRD pro, as I require BLACK leather seats, heated seats, captain chairs. I drove a '20 trd pro and enjoyed it.

If I want:
Black leather & Captains chairs
Lift 1-2" (only have 4 inches to my garage door opening with the stock TRD pro)
Put on some new wheels and tires for minor poke
Have the TRD pro-grill + fogs.
No fake wood accents
Power rear gate
Autostart

Do I need a TRD pro?
If the difference in 5-8k and I can afford that should I go for that in terms of body armor already being there & the pro grill?
To achieve 1-2" would it be best to rip out the fox suspension and replace UCA etc?
If I got a platinum for AC seats but had to rip out the rear suspension is that idiotic?
Is the audio that much better with the JBL system?

I appreciate any feedback, some of the builds here have been a major motivating factor for me moving forward with a Sequoia.

 

This claims to lift Sequoia's FOX suspension 1.5" in front and 1" in rear: https://westcottdesigns.net/product/2020-22-sequoia-fox-trd-pro-lift-kit/

Wife has a TRD PRO Sequoia. I think I'd be happier with Platinum, because it has airbags, and I could do better front suspension myself. Now I have to deal with rear negative camber each time we load for the trip. Timbren SES somewhat mitigate the issue from being too bad, but I have self-leveling suspension in my battle Volvo wagon, and it is awesome.

 

Thanks for the reply VTL, I have actually been looking at videos of those collars since I posted this! That would be ideal, specially to start seeing it would be easiest on the pockets. I am not towing anything, and if I ever did I would most likely add in the airbags after the fact. I am looking for my sequoia to be my "if the world goes to shit" vehicle and that means I need less things to fail.

 

Buy a

$29 2014-2021 Tundra Driver Side (Chrome-Left)

2014-2021 Tundra then Unless you have more than 2 kids.

What I like in our TRD PRO Sequoia:

- same/very similar bulletproof drivetrain like my Tundra has
- ton of space for passengers
- the only vehicle in my memory I enjoy sitting in the second row more than in the first
- can seat in third row all day long, no problem
- second and third rows fold down flat, can sleep in 2 adults + kid
- FOX suspension is real nice and capable
- I've heard TRD PRO keeps the value the best. But we'll drive ours till gas ends

What I dislike:

- rear end kills me every time I look at it
- no cargo space. Mitigated with Yakima LoadWarrior roof basket + 2 extension I took off my Volvo wagon, plus Yakima EXO hitch system with 2x 10 cu.ft boxes, but, man, Tundra + 6.5 ft bed + cap is more versatile
- interior was not updated in 2014, like Toyota did for Tundra
- wife does not like unheated steering wheel

Everything else is pretty much the same.

JBL sounds okay for classic music, however some metal tracks with blast beat and high pitched guitars sound crap.

 

Not wanting to derail your topic, but the world pretty much crapped the bed a long time ago. Oh BTW, for the final festivities, find a nice restored good ol International Scout.

 

Everyone I know wants me to get a truck... I just find the bed wasted space, though I do quite a bit of hauling from home depot still can't get behind it. I like the sequoia for the reasons you stated, I only have 1 child now, but plans for the 2nd and our dog just make the larger vehicle and roll down window ideal. When we travel/camp etc, I have to use every ounce of my packing skills to fit things in the CRV or GC. Having the space would be great and utilizing the rows of seats for multi-family trips is ideal. The rear end is tough at times no doubt. I love the fold flat seats, if the '23 had roll down rear window and fold flat seats, I would be taking the first car note I ever had, instead I'll stick with the 2nd gen and pay cash.

I am also into this as driving until gas ends, electric is quick, but I just can't get behind it.

 

HA! that is has... Have been watching some apocalyptic movies recently around modern issues- no water/power/food etc. Sequoia would be a financially viable option for me to pack and go. I am not hoping for it but my grand cherokee won't get my vote.

Once I hit the lotto I'll just forget all of this and get my chevelle collection going in my underground mountain bunker

 

EMP would disable all computer-controlled vehicles. Perhaps even older vehicles as well (starter, coil, distributor). You may want a military diesel truck from 1950s for SHTF

Sequoia has quite small tank for its thirst - 26 or 24 gallons, I forgot. Tundra has 38 gallon tank.

No electricity, no gas. In Tundra's bed you can put a wood gasifier with enough fuel for hundred miles, then chop more.

Tundra is simpler and sturdier (part time 4x4, solid rear axle, leaf springs).

But a solid running vehicle on the road is the first target in SHTF. I would rather take a hike.

 

These are all valid points.... and if I really sat down and thought out my SHTF plan it would be much different than getting a sequoia. For the time being, I should realize I am just getting a vehicle I will trust as more reliable and can at least cross a few curbs on the way out of the city if there is a fire etc. All that said... I still need more help with my dilemma hah

 

For that use case buy a Sequoia then if you're learning towards SUV. It will do just fine.

 

Look into a 4Runner. Very good for a modern SUV.

 

Too small for family trips.

 

Third row of seats in mine. Airbags and a hitch mounted cargo box make it a great family trip vehicle. Everything stays accessible, dry, and secure without any problems whatsoever. Get to the destination, drop off the box and basket or even fold up the basket and we are good to go explore.
I did swap in a Drawtite frame rail mounted hitch for the Lexus 470 to keep the rear crossmember happy.

 

Sequoia is bigger. For 2+1+dog the third row can be folded and now you don't need a hitch box. It also has Torsen transfer case, which allows for full time 4HI.

 

While my Jeep and CRV are not as big as the 4runner, the minimal additional space doesn't warrant a change. I also want the 3rd row to be livable, reminds me of a sports car with a backseat, ironically the sports car with a rear seat helps insurance, where the minimally usable 3rd row 4 runner adds to my insurance.

 

If you plan to change out the fox suspension and get new wheels then I wouldn't spend the extra money on a TRD pro model. If you want black leather and no air suspension, no wood trim...then maybe look into the TRD sport model. Then you can add whatever suspension, wheels you want and a pro grill. I had a Limited Sequoia for a long time and recently upgraded to Platinum model.

 

That is where I am torn, if I can keep the fox as the pro suspension with just the westcott designs collars then I wouldn't need to rip the suspension out, I do not have enough headroom in my garage for 3+" lift plus tires. The sport would be significantly less, and then I could use some of that savings for a full suspension overall. The thing is I would maybe do a few off road trips, but nothing where I need a full overland build.

Are the TRD pro fox suspensions worth their salt?
Looks like some years of the sport have power liftgates.... I'll need to verify that as I look.

 

Yes. Bilstein 5100 on my Tundra can't be compared, it is stiffer and heat-saturated after about an hour of log roads driving. I'm also a big fun of FOX on my 2 wheels.

 

What size is your garage door? If you go with TRD pro fox and westcott design collars, it's only a 1.5" lift so it should fit. What size tires are you planning to run? I have about 2-2.5 lift on my Sequoia with 33" tall tires and it fits in my garage. (it's a standard size garage door) My Tundra fits also, and it has close to 3" lift. (it's close but fits)