Hi All,

Been lurking for a bit and really like what you're doing with the place. I currently have a '97 4Runner (2WD ) and am in the market to get a new 4WD Sport Edition with V8 but was wondering if anyone that frequents the boards can tell me what (if any) changes will be made to the 4Runner for the 2005 year. I'm not really looking for rumors but if that's all there is...hehe!

I'm not in a rush and there are just a few things I'd like to see different. I'd really be interested if Toyota would offer the NAV system in the SR5 and Sport trims (rather than just the Limited), as I'm not willing to spend the extra dough just to get that NAV in the Limited and I like a couple of the Sport features. I have read through the threads related to installing the Camry NAV systems in the 4Runner but I'd prefer not to have to go that route (due to the labor involved) if at all possible.

Any assistance on this subject is greatly appreciated!

Drivie

Drivie,

I am on the same path as you. It does sound like you can get the SR5 and Sport with the Nav system. The Toyota web-site doesn't show it, but apparently the dealers can do it. Check this Pricing Thread for more info...

--Bill

And, while we are on the topic:

Does anyone know when the 05's will be announced?

Thanks!

--Bill

Thanks for the info Bill. I did speak to a dealer today and he informed me that the only NAV they could install was an aftermarket Alpine unit so I'm kinda bummed about that but we'll see. Hopefully someone "in the know" will chime in here at some point and provide us with some details. In the meantime, if you run across anymore useful info, please post here.

Thanks,

Drivie

Don't you think some of the aftermarket NAV systems are actually better than the factory unit (not just Toyota)?

From my limited experience with NAV system, I found that aftermarket ones are usually better, with more features, and cheaper.

Don't understand why anyone would want to spend money on a Nav system? I've never had a problem reading a map and finding places. Some of this tech is getting way over the top. The only application I could see for this is if you were a delivery man and the thing could program the most direct route for several deliverys. JMHO

Wai: I like the integration of the OEM NAV system with the 4Runner. I just think it looks nicer than replacing the existing head unit with an aftermarket unit and ending up with that blank area below. In addition, it appears to have a couple of other cool features like the maintenance screen.

Pitbull: Actually, I'm a computer consultant and spend much of my days driving from place to place so I often find myself flipping through map books or printing maps from Mapquest. I feel the NAV system would be a great advantage to me.

Drivie

This was a thread I started a while ago about the '05 4Runner...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...&threadid=3298

Dealers get their info in May (next week or two) about the '05 (cost, options, colors, etc) and you should be able to put in order in sometime in June for Late August/September delivery...

As soon as I know the details I will post them....

It is getting to be a good time to get an '04 Runner tho... I had a dealer call me yesterday for a "stripped" SE V6 (stock radio, no moonroof, no spoiler, only standard SE options) for 28k plus tax...

Thanks for the info Kevin. I can definately wait until May to find out the info on the '05 Runners. Please post as soon as you find out anything!

Thank you,

Drivie

Can

You are right, I'm just getting old and my world is getting small. Live in the country and drive into town to the gym everyday, that's about it. Retired in my 40's and I forgot what it was like to work for a living and need to go into uncharted territory. Enjoy the Nav.

Bump... I saw that another forum member posted a similar question today so I decided to bump this thread to see if there is any additional info.

Thanks,

Drivie

I would take an educated guess that the 05 4-Runners will receive a little bump in horsepower considering the new Tundra will receive the new I-Force with VVT-i next year with a 5-speed tranny. Since it is the same engine it should carry over to the 4-Runner, but who knows? Does anyone have an idea when dealers will have this information? Curiosity is killing me.

Do you guys think the additional complexity of the VVT-i is a good thing when you weight it against the effect it might have on reliablity?

I think there are a couple of scenarios where NAV can be very useful.

I can read a map and travel hundreds of miles to get within a mile or two of my destination without a NAV unit. It is the last few miles of unfamiliar territory where the NAV would be handy, especially in heavy traffic, so you can be alerted to the streets where you need to turn well before you see the street signs and without have to try to read each street sign while simultaneously negotiating heavy traffic.

An example; I was driving from Los Angeles to Carlsbad, NM. You just get on I-10 in LA and travel East to El Paso, TX. In El Paso you get off of I-10 and take a smaller highway back up into NM. The only map I had of El Paso was a multistate highway map that didn't quite agree with the road names that I was seeing, it took me 10-15 minutes of driving around and false turns to get on the correct road and even more time to be certain that I was on teh right road.

Another scenario; you (or your wife or daughter) are in a strange area (perhaps at night) trying to find the highway when you realize that you have made a wrong turn, are lost and in a bad part of town where you would really rather not have to stop on the side of the road to try to read a map.

To me it all comes down to price. If NAV was a $50 option then it would be a must have. As a $1,000 option then maybe I can do without.