This change was made for 2013.
2014 4Runner
- Thread starter gwcpa
- Start date
This change was made for 2013.
NoDak
Senior Member
so what is mechanically wrong with the 12/13's that needed to be changed for the 14's? if it isnt broke why try to fix it
from what i have seen, they refined/fixed alot of the minor cosmetic/interior issues from the previous years. at least in my opinion, the interior issues are a bigger issues since 95% of the time im driving behind the wheel, not outside staring at the vehicle. as i've gotten older, the outside looks dont tip the scales like it use to. inside ergonomics, features, etc have become more important to me.
now that new lower grille looks alot easier to mod to put lights behind than the previous versions, but the lower setting my not be ideal though.
each there own, but i probably lean to the customer that toyota is catering to to get me back. i left after i got rid of my 2004 and this current gen up to now has put me off to buying back into a 4runner. this new look/changes is seriously getting me to come back which i think is what toyota hopes.
1engineer
Moderator
so what is mechanically wrong with the 12/13's that needed to be changed for the 14's? if it isnt broke why try to fix it
from what i have seen, they refined/fixed alot of the minor cosmetic/interior issues from the previous years. at least in my opinion, the interior issues are a bigger issues since 95% of the time im driving behind the wheel, not outside staring at the vehicle. as i've gotten older, the outside looks dont tip the scales like it use to. inside ergonomics, features, etc have become more important to me.
now that new lower grille looks alot easier to mod to put lights behind than the previous versions, but the lower setting my not be ideal though.
each there own, but i probably lean to the customer that toyota is catering to to get me back. i left after i got rid of my 2004 and this current gen up to now has put me off to buying back into a 4runner. this new look is seriously getting me to come back which i think is what toyota hopes.
Many people out there hear "buzz words" like "Direct Injection, Ecoboost, 6 speed transmission, 9 speed transmission!" and think "Well, if Jeep or Ford are doing it then it must be great!" In reality, there are slight advantages to some of this tech but it comes with a price: Complexity, reliability and durability. I for one am satisfied with a 5 speed transmission and VVTi. Is there tech to get better mpg? Yes but in the end nothing is free.
Many here would like a 500 hp diesel running 33's that got 50 mpg and cost $20,000 bucks with leather heated seats. Unfortunately those are the ones that don't understand how things work.
My arguing points:
Sales figures will tell the story.
People that are set on reliability and offroad/onroad performance will still buy 4R's regardless of how ugly they appear to the buyer.
I bought a '12 even though I thought the styling was purposeless, e.g. the ultra wide headlamps.
My subjective tastes would have preferred 11gen F150 looks, LR4, Wrangler, HUMVEE, or even Taco. All those are designs seem timeless. Simple, purposeful, with subtle nuances to give them that extra something.
I hate to say it, but if the '14 was selling a year ago, I would have bought 4th gen or early 5th 4R, or looked elsewhere.
crunchcity
New member
Remapping the throttle/direct injection/6 speed AT might have stirred these loins lol, setting aside the other engine choices many are wishing for.
I do like some of the interior changes as well.
Fuel economy. It just isn't that great. Unless they improve it significantly, I'll be looking long and hard at something else when it is time to replace my '03
NoDak
Senior Member
well the 2003 on the low side got 14 and the high side was 20.
the 2013 gets low 17 and 22 high side. its a slight improvement, but then again most vehicles improve mpg over time incrementally.
I moved from my 4runner to a car cause the 40 miles per day drive was costing me $60 every 5 days in the 4runner. with Subaru legacy 3.6r I spend 50% less for the same drive each work week.
now that my discretionary dollars will be improving drastically in the next 2 months, I can again afford the $60 per week to drive a 4runner to work every week.
Curt Sauve
New member
I'll probably keep my 11' until the 6th gen comes out, or if my wife gets her inheritance before then, I'll be going Landcruiser,,,,,it's like a luxury apartment on wheels.
so what is mechanically wrong with the 12/13's that needed to be changed for the 14's? if it isnt broke why try to fix it
from what i have seen, they refined/fixed alot of the minor cosmetic/interior issues from the previous years. at least in my opinion, the interior issues are a bigger issues since 95% of the time im driving behind the wheel, not outside staring at the vehicle. as i've gotten older, the outside looks dont tip the scales like it use to. inside ergonomics, features, etc have become more important to me.
now that new lower grille looks alot easier to mod to put lights behind than the previous versions, but the lower setting my not be ideal though.
each there own, but i probably lean to the customer that toyota is catering to to get me back. i left after i got rid of my 2004 and this current gen up to now has put me off to buying back into a 4runner. this new look/changes is seriously getting me to come back which i think is what toyota hopes.
I own a 2013, my point was I'm not going to feel bad about not upgrading to a 2014 that is mechanically the same as my 2013. It will take more than some cosmetic changes to make me consider upgrading.
See above...
Yogi56
New member
When all is said and done there is nothing that changes the real use and benefits of owning a 4 Runner.
@ Water resistant breathing seat vs synthetic leather (vinyl)
@ Where are the oil and charging gauges?
@ Blue vs Red aux read outs
@ Improved trip computer
@ Projector headlights in the over done front end
@ Less than appealing (long nose) profile look
@ Painted fender skirts on TE? Hard to believe on actual production
@ TE wheels, didn't like mine at first but the 14's are SOS
@ Slight stereo upgrade, but for non audiophiles, irrelevant
I'm not anticipating a run on 14's by 10'-13' owners
@ Water resistant breathing seat vs synthetic leather (vinyl)
@ Where are the oil and charging gauges?
@ Blue vs Red aux read outs
@ Improved trip computer
@ Projector headlights in the over done front end
@ Less than appealing (long nose) profile look
@ Painted fender skirts on TE? Hard to believe on actual production
@ TE wheels, didn't like mine at first but the 14's are SOS
@ Slight stereo upgrade, but for non audiophiles, irrelevant
I'm not anticipating a run on 14's by 10'-13' owners
KCcarguy
New member
The single biggest improvement IMO is loosing the ridiculous ground effects on the U.S. SR5. They look stupid, take away approach/ departure angle, block access to recovery points, and make it impossible to mount sliders without serious alterations. They piss me off more each day.
As far as looks goes. Toyota knows they might get some new customers with the new look and likely won't loose those of us who buy for reliability/ capability. And think about it.....when was the last time you saw this much chatter in the media about a mid-cycle refresh?
As far as looks goes. Toyota knows they might get some new customers with the new look and likely won't loose those of us who buy for reliability/ capability. And think about it.....when was the last time you saw this much chatter in the media about a mid-cycle refresh?
I'm considering buying a small, high mileage car next year to use for commuting. Save the 4Runner for one day per weekend and keep it forever. We'll see.
KCcarguy
New member
I plan to do the same thing. I don't see hybrid or electric technology advancing to the point where a truly capable utility vehicle will be made for a very long time. It will be easier to have a dedicated workhorse and a commuter.
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1engineer
Moderator
What both of you are saying makes total sense. It's logical and a good idea and will save you money.
Now, to say something completely un-engineer-like:
Maybe it's because of my age or place in life but if I buy a vehicle I want to drive the wheels off of it. If I wanted to save money and be stone cold logical I would have bought a used Toyota Camry or Honda Accord and driven it for 300K miles and then traded for another used one. Being completely honest, A Camry would take me 90% of the places I go and hauled my bags and kids and bike for the rest of my life.
I bought a 4Runner because it's a good compromise vehicle. It gets better gas mileage than a Dodge 2500 series Power Wagon (my dream truck) and is much more practical for everyday use. It is not as fast as a Challenger SRT (my dream car) but much more reliable and again, practical for everyday use.
My point is, buying a vehicle for me is never completely a cold, hard logical decision. Believe it or not I do have passion and even though the 4Runner is a compromise vehicle for me it does still evoke a feeling and puts a slight smile on my face whenever I drive it. Not as much as the other two vehicles would mind you but again, it's a compromise. In the end, at least for me, decisions are always a question of:
1. Completely practical and logical decision
2. Compromise decision
3. Frivolous decision
I see the 4Runner as a compromise and most all of my decisions are either #1 or #2. Now, my daughter finishes college one year from now and my son will finish in three years. My first actions after this period of time are to:
1. Go buy a new Challenger SRT8 six speed manual transmission and
2. Stop by a tire store on the way home from the dealership and buy two new rear tires because by the time the next morning rolls around, the OEM rear tires will be left on the pavement as two black strips and the bottom of the rear quarter panels of the Challenger will be coated with rubber.
crunchcity
New member
I'm sure the Dodge forums can't wait for that to happen. :gossip:
:beer:
:beer:
FlatlandTRD
New member
You forgot...
3. In under 20K miles have it towed back to the dealership because the engine is already having problems, and the transmission is shot!
4. Mid-life crisis officially over (no offense :happy
5. All the bugs for the 5th gen supercharger are worked out, crisis back on...
1engineer
Moderator
For some strange reason I don't think most of them would truly understand me the way you guys do lol. (that thing got a hemi?)
You forgot...
3. In under 20K miles have it towed back to the dealership because the engine is already having problems, and the transmission is shot!
4. Mid-life crisis officially over (no offense :happy
5. All the bugs for the 5th gen supercharger are worked out, crisis back on...
You of course are right, and I won't do that no matter how much I would like to. I will probably stick to boring and practical and durable and reliable as that is my DNA. Now, a new mtn bike is in my future though!
JohnnyT
New member
Seems logical if you have a lengthy commute but isn't there a serious downside to driving it so little? I believe these trucks need to be driven.
I purposely drive 5 miles out of my way from a train station that is only 1 mile away. Not that 5 miles is much but I fear I'm not driving it enough each day.
My 99 Pathfinder was my "train station" car for years and needed to have an entire exhaust system replaced because it rotted out from likelynot being driven enough.
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