2015 End of body on frame (4Runner) SUVs for Toyota.

[WarnerD9]

I spoke with my Toyota technician the other day and he broke some sad news to me that the world is in fact getting as bad as I thought it was.

At his official Toyota training they told him that 2015 would be the last production year for the 4Runner or one year after the FJ dies. Toyota has decided to discontinue producing body on frame SUVs for the US for safety reasons. They will only be producing unibody SUVs for the US and the body on frame models will be the Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser.

It's a sad day for all of us. I'm just glad I got my 2011 4Runner and had my FJ for 98k miles. I won't be selling my 4Runner anytime soon or ever.

I'm sure at ten of you will tell me I'm crazy or gullible, but he is their top tech and it was from a factory Toyota training. He knows the difference between an FJ and a 4Runner and he knows about the FJs being discontinued. Go ahead and tell me I'm wrong, I hope I am but only time will tell. I wouldn't share if I didn't think it was legit.

 

[fourwd1]

Without a separate frame, i'll just be another Grand Cherokee.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Looks like I will have to be buried in my 3rd gen then.

With as big (in size) as the Highlander has become, I am not surprised.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've been calling this for a while. Even if this particular rumor isn't true, it's inevitable.

 

[4Running Daily]

Time to buy a Tacoma

 

[Chuckles89]

Well, if it is true, then i guess we will keep our 4th gen for a while!

 

[Intruder]

]They will only be producing unibody SUVs for the US and the body on frame models will be the Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser.

But doesn't the LC count as a BoF SUV?

 

[TOY2G]

I have been to my fair share of Toyota training classes, typically this kind of information on Japanese made models is not handed down in settings like this so prematurely.

At some point I'm sure it's coming, but I doubt it will be announced like this. Remember the FJ finally had a curtain call, but after 5 years if threads just like this one.

Time will tell.

 

[TOY2G]

They will only be producing unibody SUVs for the US and the body on frame models will be the Tacoma, Tundra, and Land Cruiser. .

But doesn't the LC count as a BoF SUV?

LC is a world platform, it will likely be around for military contract fulfillment for years to come, well past any other model.

I have been waiting for the Sequoia to be killed by CAFE for a long while, I hope not, we plan on getting one once we start traveling more.

 

[Intruder]

LC is a world platform, it will likely be around for military contract fulfillment for years to come, well past any other model.

Yeah I know that. I snipped too much of the quote. What I meant is that if they're discontinuing BoF SUVs for the US due to safety reasons then why would they continue to sell the LC here since it's also a BoF SUV.

 

[smallfry]

I guess I'll be one to say that I'll believe it when I see it.


Why would they cancel BOF for safety reasons?

 

[TOY2G]

Well. I guess there may be some truth to this, according to Toyota USA

Body-On-Frame SUVs Gone By 2025: Toyota USA President | The Truth About Cars

 

[LandCruiser]

Toyota said they're "committed" to BOF SUVs, and now they're killing them off...

Douchetastic.

I refuse to drive anything but BOF vehicles, so I'm guessing Detroit iron is in my future.

 

[TOY2G]

Yeah I know that. I snipped too much of the quote. What I meant is that if they're discontinuing BoF SUVs for the US due to safety reasons then why would they continue to sell the LC here since it's also a BoF SUV.

I have recently read two articles that said all manufactures are going away from BOF on mid size SUVs but will continue to build the larger truck based SUVs like the Suburban, Landcruiser, sequoia and so on.

But the "safety reason" part is just hot air, it has everything to do with cost of manufacturing and CAFE ratings. It is not a safety issue, it's a general shift in the industry.

 

[bimrunner]

Sad really. This is the best vehicle I have ever had out of Honda, MB, Acura, Lexus, Subaru and Ford. I'll just have to baby mine forever! Kids are going to be sad that they will never inherit this till I die!

 

[UnderFire]

I doubt it's happening that soon with redesign this year and all, but to me the real question is, will the 6th gen 4Runner be Unibody? Or will there be a 6th gen at all?

 

[TOY2G]

Toyota said they're "committed" to BOF SUVs, and now they're killing them off...

Douchetastic.

I refuse to drive anything but BOF vehicles, so I'm guessing Detroit iron is in my future.

Considering Detroit has already gone away from BOF, that's going to make it a little rough. Toyota has the most BOF models, they are the last one holding out. Ford, dodge, GM, LandRover, Jeep have only 3 BOF SUVs combined still in production. So you are going to get a Suburban, Wrangler, Expedition or Land Cruiser if you insist on BOF.......my vote LC.

I suspect Detroit will drop at least one of the 3 current models (IMO Ford) leaving you driving a Wrangle or a Suburban

 

[TOY2G]

I doubt it's happening that soon with redesign this year and all, but to me the real question is, will the 6th gen 4Runner be Unibody? Or will there be a 6th gen at all?

GM and Ford both kept there SUVs in production but went unibody.....I suspect Toyota will do the same.

 

[LandCruiser]

Considering Detroit has already gone away from BOF, that's going to make it a little rough. Toyota has the most BOF models, they are the last one holding out. Ford, dodge, GM, LandRover, Jeep have only 3 BOF SUVs combined still in production. So you are going to get a Suburban, Wrangler, Expedition or Land Cruiser if you insist on BOF.......my vote LC.

I suspect Detroit will drop at least one of the 3 current models (IMO Ford) leaving you driving a Wrangle or a Suburban

The Suburban isn't going anywhere, since it's the vehicle of choice for government and government contractors, sadly there is no HD diesel option anymore.

Another choice would be a 2500 HD pickup.

 

[ToyoTech]

I hope not. They have the highlander if people domt want bof