4th Gen to 5th? What do you miss? What do you like?

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BSM?

My 4th gen is a GX470, but I miss the power of the V8 for sure. The difference is MUCH closer on paper than in real life!
 
I have one of each. The 4th gens (apparently) have a center diff (with locker) so you can go in 4hi and not worry about binding or any of that up to ~55 mph.

The 5th gens you can't be on dry pavement and have in 4hi as any turning will cause binding.

It's nice being in the 4th gen when there's just a little snow on the road but also wet and dry pavement as you drive.
 
I have one of each. The 4th gens (apparently) have a center diff (with locker) so you can go in 4hi and not worry about binding or any of that up to ~55 mph.

The 5th gens you can't be on dry pavement and have in 4hi as any turning will cause binding.

It's nice being in the 4th gen when there's just a little snow on the road but also wet and dry pavement as you drive.

5th Gen Limited models have full-time 4wd with a center-locking torsen diff. No factory rear locker, but front and rear axle diff lockers can be easily installed by competent mechanics. Full time 4wd is a big reason I went with a limited model the second time around, love the traction afforded by it. I’ll defer all other comments to the previous post by [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION].
 
TO OP: I do not miss anything from 4th gen and like everything about 5th gen. I liked my 4th gen, but 5th gen is just simply better SUV in any aspects (for me it is anyway) and I love it.:clap2:

5ht gen gives me (and my family) everything we want and need from BOF SUV, it is pleasure to drive (regardless of type of driving or conditions), it very practical, rugged, dependable… I had it for two years and I still look back at it (with a big smile) every time I park it… not sure what else anyone can ask for…

P.S. I have 2013 Trail… and that is maybe the main reason for above comments.:peep:
 
The Heat A/C controls

I had a 2004 sport I drove for 12 years. The only thing I see on my 2017 TRD ORP I miss from my 2004 is the heat/AC controls. It looks like they went backwards in time with the 2 big knobs. Not that they don't work but the controls, to me anyway, seemed much easier. Set the temperature and put it in automatic and it just worked. Maybe I'm lazy
 
i drive both on the regular. to me, the 4th gen is faster and more lean. the 5th gen is great for road trips and feels more planted off road.
 
I've owned 3 x 4Runners, 2 x 4th gens an 03 Sport and an 08 SR5, and now own a 2017 SR5 Premium 5th gen. I upgraded because my 08 needed a lot of replacements, brakes, rotors, axles, etc. I don't miss too much about my 08, other than the ease of changing the oil and filter and simplicity of the interior. I upgraded because I wanted a new car with more new features such as backup camera, GPS, satellite radio, etc. I was not a fan of the 2010-2013 looks, but love the look of the newer 5th gens. There are small things I miss about my 4th gen, I still honestly believe the 4th gens look better stock, but I freaking love my 4th gen and wouldn't go back to a 4th gen at this point. I bought my 2017 at the end of the model year, so a used 2014-2015 was going for the same price as a brand new 2017 so the decision was easy for me.
 
Thanks for the replies. It would be a great asset to have some advanced safety features such as blind spot monitoring....waiting.
 
Thanks for the replies. It would be a great asset to have some advanced safety features such as blind spot monitoring....waiting.

I doubt that's coming until the 6th gen, if it comes at all, but it's not like the GX doesn't have these already

Can't guess why Toyota builds them like they do, except don't fix it if it aint' broke
 
I miss a few things from my 2008 Urban Runner:

-Alcantara Seats
-Single turn ignition
-Even more simplistic climate controls
-Steering wheel button layout (more ergonomically friendly)

But that's about it. I certainly don't miss the looks...the 5th gen is a much better looking truck!
 
Thanks for the replies. It would be a great asset to have some advanced safety features such as blind spot monitoring....waiting.
This probably has been addressed somewhere before, but I wonder if sensors such as blind spot and pedestrian monitoring are left out due to the nature of the vehicle. You know, off-roading next to boulders and trees might continually set off alarms unless there was a general 'disable' switch. And then you'd have to remember to re-enable that system, or you might forget and end up assuming it's working. Just a thought - I've never owned a vehicle with those monitors.
 
This probably has been addressed somewhere before, but I wonder if sensors such as blind spot and pedestrian monitoring are left out due to the nature of the vehicle. You know, off-roading next to boulders and trees might continually set off alarms unless there was a general 'disable' switch. And then you'd have to remember to re-enable that system, or you might forget and end up assuming it's working. Just a thought - I've never owned a vehicle with those monitors.

I agree that it is most likely not helpful on an off road vehicle. That said I drive my wife's Lexus and those features are very helpful especially in dark rainy nights at freeway speeds and downtown.
 
[MENTION=11280]alaskaman[/MENTION] nice to see you are considering the 5th gen.

I absolutely love my 5th gen. I also absolutely miss my 4th gen. However part of it is comparing apples to oranges.

I do miss my 4th gen mainly because of how much time I put into my 05. That thing had everything and I'm not building my 5th gen as big as my 4th.

With my 5th gen I love what the 4th gen lacked in that I have leather heated seats. I love the feeling that I'm driving a big SUV where the 4th gen, even mine, felt smaller. The 5th gen feels like a truck and feels more planted as others had said.

I also miss the V8. That thing was awesome. The 5th Gen has plenty of power but it definitely lacks when comparing.

I agree that Blind Spot Monitoring would be great. In fact, I've researched the ability to add that feature and it is possible. I doubt that I will do an aftermarket mod like that but we'll see. I also dont have much of a problem with my blind spot.

I think [MENTION=266619]thennen[/MENTION] is spot on that it has to do with our rigs are made to be off road which might cause interferance with the system causing a lot of false warnings. As mentioned it could easily be disabled with a switch but I dont know if they will do that.

Overall, I'm really happy with my 5th gen. The truck is purely capable off road off the lot and I ran moab with zero lift and had a comfortable ride and time in the rig. I dont think I could have ran moab with my 4th gen before my lift.

Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions.

Doug
 
I agree that it is most likely not helpful on an off road vehicle. That said I drive my wife's Lexus and those features are very helpful especially in dark rainy nights at freeway speeds and downtown.
Maybe Toyota expects people to keep their sweet Lexus vehicles on-road - LOL.
 
Hands down, I miss the Torsen center diff which came standard on my SR5

I don't miss having over 240,000 miles on the odo of the 2005 and wondering when the fuel pump, alternator, water pump or head gasket were going to blow on me in the middle of nowhere, LOL.
 
I miss the power most of all from the 4th to 5th gen. Both were 6 cylinders, but my 4th never felt underpowered to me. IMO the 4th also handles better, better turning radius, much easier oil change, better gas mileage. I kind of regret buying my 5th gen and wish I had looked closer at a GX first. Don't get me wrong, I like my 5th...but I just like the 4th gen better. I'm sure many of you don't agree with me but this is just my opinion.
 
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