2010-11 First pics. Real but camo.

Thai said:
BTW, the ground clearance of a 4th gen is NOT 9.1"...it is 8.3". Now, if you add FJ Cruiser springs, then it is around 9.1".

By changing the springs to Fj Cruiser coils you do nothing for improving the ground clearance. It does help in allowing you to run larger tires which will improve clearance.
 
It's definitely difficult to tell from those pics, but it does appear that this "test mule" is a bit bigger than the current 4th gen 4Runner. Although it's probably quite a bit smaller than a Sequioia, it sure reminds me of one, especially what I can see of the grille area and the shape of the windshield and A-pillar area.
 
Thai said:


BTW, the ground clearance of a 4th gen is NOT 9.1"...it is 8.3".

I never actually measured the clearance of my 4th gen because it really doesn't matter too much to me, but I just wanted to point out that Toyota publishes 9.1 as the ground clearance. So maybe that's why we see that number so often when people talk about ground clearance on the 4th gen. If the number is wrong, then I guess you would have a beef with Toyota.
 
EH007 said:
I never actually measured the clearance of my 4th gen because it really doesn't matter too much to me, but I just wanted to point out that Toyota publishes 9.1 as the ground clearance. So maybe that's why we see that number so often when people talk about ground clearance on the 4th gen. If the number is wrong, then I guess you would have a beef with Toyota.

And when was the last time we trust what Toyota says??!! :D Toyota brochure are well-known to inflate numbers beyond reality. My old 2002 4runner had 11" of ground clearance! Of course, toyota got this by measuring from the ground to a point on the frame near the transfer case...this was far from being the lowest point. The lowest clearance was the rear differential pumpkin that was 9.5" off the ground. Or take Toyota claims that 4runner and FJ can go through 27.5" of water...again, bogus claims as we all know because the rear differential does not have a breather tube extension.

SLost, the lowest point on the 4th gen 4runner is under the front suspension (skidplate). It is lower than the rear differential pumpkin. This is why there is a difference between 4wd and 2wd 4runners (as is the case with 2wd vs. 4wd FJ). And this is why with FJ springs, you have more ground clearance because it lifts the front end up (as well as the back if you got all 4 springs)...but since the lowest point was the front, the FJ springs will effectively increase clearance.

I invite you guys to go out and measure the lowest point on your stock 4runner...it ain't 9.1"! :(
 
What is more interesting when comparing Lexus vs. Toyota is that Lexus GX470 brochure (and website) states that ground clearance for the GX is 8.3" (correct value!). Yet, Toyota states 9.1" for the 4runner. (As you may know, the GX is a re-badged 4runner.) It seems like Lexus is more honest with its customers while Toyota does smoke & mirrors to blatantly lie to their customers!

Strange? :p
 
I talked with my local dealers GM today and he said his Toyota rep said the only engines will be a 4cyl and V6 this time around, no V8.....bummer.

He also confirmed a fall release. He mentioned the only physical attributes were that it orignally was to come out with the same fender cladding as the 2003 did(I owned one) but the idea was sent back to the drawing board already....funny stuff.

He is talking with the local rep to try and gather more info in the coming months. I am looking to order the first one here in WI, in fact I was told I bought the first 2003 in WI when they came out:)
 
Thai said:
What is more interesting when comparing Lexus vs. Toyota is that Lexus GX470 brochure (and website) states that ground clearance for the GX is 8.3" (correct value!). Yet, Toyota states 9.1" for the 4runner. (As you may know, the GX is a re-badged 4runner.) It seems like Lexus is more honest with its customers while Toyota does smoke & mirrors to blatantly lie to their customers!

Strange? :p

And I'd be concerned with this why? If I'm not off-roading my Runner I frankly could care less whether or not it has 8.3" or 9.1" of ground clearance. If I were off-roading my Runner I'd be wise to modify it anyway even if it had 9.1", in which case it would have much more than 9.1" once I was done with my mods.
For the typical 4Runner owner who doesn't off-road the clearance on the 4Runner is more than adequate at 8.3" or 9.1";):
 
My father DID see pictures of the new 4runner. He worked at Toyota (Toyota Motor Sales USA, not a dealer) for 37 years and retired a few years back but still is very involved. To see the pictures of the 4runner (along with a few others for the new Lexus LS and some totally new vehicles) he had to go the the National HQ where he used to work. These pictures were not allowed to be released outside the compound for any reason and I would put money on the fact no dealer, GM, rep or anyone else has seen pictures yet.

He said it looks relatively similar with a front end that reminds him more of a Highlander. Not too many details though as he didn't care about the 4runner as much as some of the other vehicles. Not hearsay, truth!!
 
BlairB said:
My father DID see pictures of the new 4runner. He worked at Toyota (Toyota Motor Sales USA, not a dealer) for 37 years and retired a few years back but still is very involved. To see the pictures of the 4runner (along with a few others for the new Lexus LS and some totally new vehicles) he had to go the the National HQ where he used to work. These pictures were not allowed to be released outside the compound for any reason and I would put money on the fact no dealer, GM, rep or anyone else has seen pictures yet.

He said it looks relatively similar with a front end that reminds him more of a Highlander. Not too many details though as he didn't care about the 4runner as much as some of the other vehicles. Not hearsay, truth!!

I believe you (and your dad). All well and good but as you say, no one outside of the company has seen a prototype or pictures, knows what has been changed, nor what engine choices will be offered. So for all practical purposes, anything the consumer/public may or may not know is hearsay. That and $1.00 will get you a cup of coffee.

"He said it looks relatively similar with a front end that reminds him more of a Highlander".

Not much information to base a future purchasing decison on at this point.
 
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toyota went back to the drawing board with the runner due to the market. they are more focused on the 2010 sienna
 
Gromulus said:
I believe you (and your dad). All well and good but as you say, no one outside of the company has seen a prototype or pictures, knows what has been changed, nor what engine choices will be offered. So for all practical purposes, anything the consumer/public may or may not know is hearsay. That and $1.00 will get you a cup of coffee.

"He said it looks relatively similar with a front end that reminds him more of a Highlander".

Not much information to base a future purchasing decison on at this point.

That's pretty much the info that I heard from "my toyota contact" that the front of the 4runner looks a lot like the highlander/Sequoya. I'm sure the interior will be well appointed since they've always done a good job, in my opinion, in designing the interiors.
 
franco said:
toyota went back to the drawing board with the runner due to the market. they are more focused on the 2010 sienna

They may have delayed the release some due to the market, but I highly doubt they went back to the drawing board. I think you are underestimating the millions of dollars and years invested into designing a vehicle.
 
BlairB said:
They may have delayed the release some due to the market, but I highly doubt they went back to the drawing board. I think you are underestimating the millions of dollars and years invested into designing a vehicle.

Well, they definitely have to release something next year even if it's the same vehicle but with some additions like the previous year's urban runner and trail runner. I really hope they release the new one this summer/fall. I'm itching to get back into a truck and I miss my old 4runners.
 
bigbwb said:
I talked with my local dealers GM today and he said his Toyota rep said the only engines will be a 4cyl and V6 this time around, no V8.....bummer.

He also confirmed a fall release. He mentioned the only physical attributes were that it orignally was to come out with the same fender cladding as the 2003 did(I owned one) but the idea was sent back to the drawing board already....funny stuff.

He is talking with the local rep to try and gather more info in the coming months. I am looking to order the first one here in WI, in fact I was told I bought the first 2003 in WI when they came out:)

True. my Dealer said the same thing but they said there would be a light speed option... :confused:
 
Originally posted by teotwaki Saw the new disguised model again today in Cerritos (SoCal). I had to literally run to get this photo with my cellphone. The undercarriage looked the same with the spare mounted under the back and the area near the transfer case seemed the same. I can almost imagine there is a step a la the 2nd Gen Xterra in the left side of the rear bumper.



 
That latest picture with the FJ helps me put the size more into perspective. I don't think this new generation 4Runner looks to be much bigger (if at all) than the current generation.
 
2010 GX

FYI, Truck trend just posted some news from Wards that the Lexus GX is getting the new Tundra 4.6L V8 for 2010 in addition to updated body and interior. They are calling it a refresh but not a redesign. I posted a link on the main 5th gen site.
 

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