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2010 SEMA Design Awards | Specialty Equipment Market Association

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Accessory-Friendly SUV: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner, now 25 years old, helped spark the SUV boom in the mid-’80s and continues to be a stalwart in the marketplace.
It’s hard to believe, but the Toyota 4Runner is now 25 years old. It helped spark the SUV boom in the mid-’80s and continues to be stalwart in the marketplace. In the past few years, Toyota has offered features designed specifically for the hard-core 4WD enthusiast in the Trail version, which should make it all the more popular with those who seek true off-road prowess.

Toyota dropped its V8 engine option for the 2010 4Runner, opting instead to develop a beefier V6 and offer an inline four. At 270 hp and 278 lb.-ft. of torque, the new six provides about 10 more ponies than in the previous V8 while also upping the fuel-economy figure to a combined 19 miles per gallon and offering a 5,000-lb. towing capacity. The 2.7L, 16-valve four-banger is available in 2WD SR5 4Runners only, but provides only a one-mile-per-gallon boost in the city economy rating over the V6, with an identical 23 mpg highway rating.

As either 2WD or 4WD, the 4Runner is available in three versions: the high-line Limited, the SR5 and the off-road-ready Trail. That latter model is replete with the drivetrain equipment that enthusiasts have sought for years, but particularly since rock crawling entered its zenith.


Toyota dropped its V8 engine option for the 2010 4Runner, opting instead to develop a beefier V6 that offers 270 hp, about 10 more ponies than in the previous V8.
The Trail 4Runner comes standard with a two-speed, part-time 4WD system (the Limited gets a full-time setup) as well as the ability to disconnect the stabilizers for better axle travel. A crawl-control system allows the driver to set one of five vehicle speeds so that he or she can concentrate on steering over rugged terrain without worrying about throttle position or braking. The Trail version also uses a wheel-slip control that can be regulated for terrain type—more slip for loose material, such as mud or sand, and less for hard surfaces, such as when rock crawling. The other two models offer some of these features as options, but the Trail is set up for the outback right off the showroom floor.

Suspension on all models consists of a double-wishbone independent front and a four-link rear, with coil springs over gas shocks at each corner. Toyota also equips all 4Runners with its Star Safety System, which includes stability control, traction control and a four-disc anti-lock braking system. The SR5 and Trail are fitted with standard 17-inch wheels, and the Limited rolls on 20-inchers.

The 4Runner is larger in every dimension for 2010—taller, wider and longer—and the interior has also been redesigned for greater capacity. Three-row seating (leather standard in the Limited) is optional in the SR5 and Limited, and a sliding rear cargo deck that supports up to 440 lbs. is standard in the Trail and Limited and optional in the SR5.

Why the 4Runner?

Three-row seating (leather standard in the Limited) is optional in the SR5 and Limited, and a sliding rear cargo deck that supports up to 440 lbs. is standard in the Trail and Limited and optional in the SR5.

Robert Braga, a designer for Bushwacker Inc., said that the ability to personalize vehicles is a top priority among vehicle buyers. “The Toyota 4Runner is open to many aftermarket categories,” he said, “including bigger, more-aggressive tire-and-wheel packages and suspension and lift packages.” Braga pointed out that a full range of specialty-equipment products are possible for the 4Runner, including off-road bumpers with winches, brush guards and bigger fender flares for body protection. He said that performance enhancements may include computer upgrades, intakes and exhaust, and the interior can benefit from all-weather mats and cargo trays. “I believe that customers are going to want those parts,” he said. “Looking back at the history of the 4Runner, it has been a very highly modified and personalized vehicle.” Clayton Rietz, a mechanical design engineer for AIRAID Filter Co., said that vehicle accessorization makes better products for enthusiasts and that Toyota 4Runners have always been owned by people who accessorize. He sees intakes, snorkels, axles, lifts and bumpers among the products that should find success with the new 4Runner because they come with the off-road-rugged territory. Rietz views OEM/aftermarket collaboration and cooperation as very important. “I wish they were all as cooperative and responsive as General Motors is in the Tech Transfer program,” he said.

Sterling K. Logan, a design engineer at Bushwacker Inc., said that his company manufactures a number of aftermarket and OEM parts for SUVs and off-road vehicles, and the 2010 Toyota 4Runner offers a clean slate to begin accessorizing. “4Runner sales are usually higher than other SUV models,” Logan said, “and buyers who are willing to spend that much for a vehicle usually have some extra cash for additional add-ons. Lift kits and suspension upgrades turn SUVs into tough off-road vehicles, and exterior restyling could also be popular among buyers of the new 4Runner. Suspension upgrades can turn the already-capable 4Runner into an off-road machine that is hard to match, and exterior restyling allows each 4Runner owner to make the vehicle unique and different from others.”

2010 Toyota 4Runner Product Listing

A crawl-control system allows the 4Runner driver to set one of five vehicle speeds so that he or she can concentrate on steering over rugged terrain without worrying about throttle position or braking.

Bray Group Inc.
Proline Styling’s Xtreme Performance window film
Bray Group Inc.
Check Corp.
Nine different seat-heater systems
www.seatheater.com

Delta Tech Industries LLC
Scout Bar five-function front bar for trucks and SUVs, twin-cam-bar five-function rear bar, HID hood light bar with mounting kit, 46H-series HID fascia driving/fog lights
Delta Tech Industries | World Class Lighting Since 1978

EGR Inc.
Tape-on WindowVisors, Channel WindowVisors
EGR USA, Car, Truck, SUV and Big Rig quality vehicle parts available now

G.N.D Technology Co. Ltd.
Flexible/portable video borescope with high-resolution remote color camera
G.N.D Technology Co.,Ltd

Pure Power!
Lifetime Oil and Fuel Filters
Pure Power Oil Filters High Performance Motor Oil

Rav-Ravaglioli
Wheel-alignment system
Welcome to RAV America
Scrublade LLC
“Scrubber” wiper
scrublade! - wiper blades keeping you safe in all weather conditions.

Star Shield Armor
Paint protection kits
Star Shield Armor | The Leader in Paint Protection Film

Step-n-Tow
Swing-out step for standard 2-inch receiver
Step n Tow
3dCarbon
Hood scoop manufactured in high-pressure injected polyurethane
3dCarbon

TopLine USA
The LeadingEdge paint and headlight protection
3m, Michigan,3m Protective film, Paint chipping, traverse city paint weathering, Rock salt. Clear coat

Thanks for the post!

.......Glad I have my boots on today though,as the BS is getting deep.

Bushwacker........never even made products for the 4th Gen 4Runners yet.

Most if not all of those companies listed don't have anything for the 5th Gens.
Made me look though so I guess they are doing their BS job.

So confused - is it the car with least amount of stuff in it that gets the award for most upgrades ie needing it the most or how would this work?

I think it's awarded to vehicles that are designed to be easily modified with aftermarket products, like Scions.

Exactly. And even though the aftermarket co's listed do not currently have anything for the 5th Gen, the point is that these co's WILL be making aftermarket products. Even Toyota is having a hard time fulfilling things like running boards because the 4R is so new.

The only aftermarket items I want are a nice set of 17" wheels that resemble the TRD wheels from the FJ Cruiser and a blank honeycomb, deep set grill so I can do this.

Great idea on the grill.I was thinking the same thing with the grill as old school "TOYOTA" like the FJ looks great.

Here are some FJ cruiser wheels in 17 inch. Even though they say TRD they look like regular FJ wheels to me.I have the same set and was going to have them powder coated black before I changed to SR5 rims.2007*Toyota*FJ-Cruiser*TRD-Special-Edition *Wheel - OEM Replacement # ALY69503U*@ WheelsAndCaps.com

I actually pulled an FJ photo for the chop I did. I figure the letters should be easy enough to order from a dealer, as well as fabbing a plate to mount them to. All I need is a blank grill. My GTI grill is similar in that it has the badge holder mounted into the honeycomb. I've seen where people actually cut out the badge holder and graft honeycomb from another grill into it to make the blank grill. Seemed like an absolute ton of work, though.

Yeah, those look like the stocker wheels instead of TRD. I figure I have until November to find some suitable wheels. Do you have a limited? What did you do w/ the 20" wheels?

Ya , the stock badge and wing are molded into the grill now even though they are removable. You would probably have to change the upper and lower grills so they would match if you were going to go custom mesh with the Toyota letters.They are more of a mesh style rather then honeycomb.

Yes , I have a Limited but I traded wheels with a guy that bought a SR5 the same week I bought it. We were both happy.

You mentioned in another thread that 4Runners are selling. Talked to my sales manager friend a couple of days ago and he said he sold 7 already.And there are 10-15 dealerships in the Dallas-Ft Worth area so they are starting to grow on people. I've only seen 3 other ones on the road,all SR5's, down here though but I work nights and I'm at work during rush hours.

My dealer said that his first 6 allotted were spoken for before the truck even arrived. I haven't seen many on the road, but I only have a 5 mile rural commute. haha