5th gen 4Runner: What did Toyota delete from the 4th gen?

[qs933]

Not sure where you got your numbers, but they are quite a bit more than the numbers I got from my Toyota brochures.

I'm looking at Edmunds' specs for a 2002 4Runner SR5 vs. a 2009 4Runner SR5:

2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

2009 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

And, just for kicks, here's the 2010 4Runner:
2010 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

The 3rd Gen Limited that you owned had standard fender flares (optional on the SR5) that took the width to 70.9 inches (Edmunds' specs for the 2002 Limited matches your numbers.

The 4th Gen, of course, has flares standard across all models. Whether the flares added as much width as the 3rd Gen did, I'm not sure, but I do remember the 3rd Gen's sticking out quite a bit (enough so that I preferred the optional chrome wheel well moldings that were the other choice when you got the optional 3rd Gen 16" wheels).

Taking Edmunds' numbers and comparing them between the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Gens:

Width:
2002 = 66.5 in. (SR5) / 70.9 (with flares)
2009 = 75.2 in.
2010 = 75.8 in.

Height:
2002 = 67.5 in. (SR5) / 68.5 (Limited)
2009 = 69.3 in. / 71.3 (SE with roof rack)
2010 = 71.5 in. (standard roof rack)

Length:
2002 = 183.3 in
2009 = 189.2 in
2010 = 189.9 in

Everyone's definition of "major" or "negligible" change is all relative, I suppose, but -- again -- my original point was that I remember almost as much grumbling when we went from the 3rd Gen to the 4th Gen as we're seeing going from the 4th to 5th.

 

[ToyTech99]

I'm looking at Edmunds' specs for a 2002 4Runner SR5 vs. a 2009 4Runner SR5:

2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

2009 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

And, just for kicks, here's the 2010 4Runner:
2010 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Specs @ Edmunds

The 3rd Gen Limited that you owned had standard fender flares (optional on the SR5) that took the width to 70.9 inches (Edmunds' specs for the 2002 Limited matches your numbers.

The 4th Gen, of course, has flares standard across all models. Whether the flares added as much width as the 3rd Gen did, I'm not sure, but I do remember the 3rd Gen's sticking out quite a bit (enough so that I preferred the optional chrome wheel well moldings that were the other choice when you got the optional 3rd Gen 16" wheels).

Taking Edmunds' numbers and comparing them between the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Gens:

Width:
2002 = 66.5 in. (SR5) / 70.9 (with flares)
2009 = 75.2 in.
2010 = 75.8 in.

Height:
2002 = 67.5 in. (SR5) / 68.5 (Limited)
2009 = 69.3 in. / 71.3 (SE with roof rack)
2010 = 71.5 in. (standard roof rack)

Length:
2002 = 183.3 in
2009 = 189.2 in
2010 = 189.9 in

Everyone's definition of "major" or "negligible" change is all relative, I suppose, but -- again -- my original point was that I remember almost as much grumbling when we went from the 3rd Gen to the 4th Gen as we're seeing going from the 4th to 5th.

Okay, that's fine. But it just seems a little biased that you chose a 3rd gen model year that was the most narrow in width, while you chose the 4th gen model year that had the greatest width when you stated the width specs. The '09 (your choice of model year) is wider than the '03 simply because of the wider fender flares alone.

Either way, a larger size doesn't bother me at all. I hear guys grumbling that the 4Runner is getting bigger and that it's not good for offroading. Yet as we all know, a huge majority of 4Runners hardly ever see so much as a dirt road. But even for the guys who do offroad, a few inches in length or width isn't going to make it or break it, even on a narrow trail. And for those who disagree, well, those guys should be driving a Wrangler on the trails.

 

[eskimochaos]

You guys are all So Gay.

Stop arguing about the dimensions of the 4R.....its ghey

 

[ToyTech99]

You guys are all So Gay.

Stop arguing about the dimensions of the 4R.....its ghey

Look in the mirror, pal. I've thought that about you for a long time now.

 

[qs933]

Okay, that's fine. But it just seems a little biased that you chose a 3rd gen model year that was the most narrow in width, while you chose the 4th gen model year that had the greatest width when you stated the width specs.

It wasn't intentional. I took the last year of the 3rd Gen and the last year of the 4th Gen. As I mentioned, the variance in width for the 3rd Gen is a function of the trim level and fender flares, not model year. You're right, though. A better comparison would be the 2002 vs. the 2003 (73.8 in.). I didn't realize the '06 refresh made the 4th Gen that much wider vs. the '03-05.

Stop arguing about the dimensions of the 4R.....its ghey

And with that, the intelligence level of the forum takes a sharp turn south.

The 5th Gen is what it is. I'm sure we'll see it evolve over the next few years, just like the 4th Gen. But just because it doesn't match 100% of what each of us wants doesn't make it a failure.

 

[ToyTech99]

Right, it's not a failure. I'm sure it will sell just fine. But it does have a few big things going against it---the crappy economy, gas prices that could quickly become very unstable, and the fact that those two things are chasing people back into cars or crossover SUVs.

I do think it is important for the 4Runner to be a sales success (at least to match Toyota's projections) to ensure the future of the 4Runner and a 6th generation. Almost everyone else is abandoning body-on-frame, live axle mid-size SUVs.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

But even for the guys who do offroad, a few inches in length or width isn't going to make it or break it, even on a narrow trail.

A few inches does make or break (or at least a few less scratches) it on the trails and almost literally thus I'll be sticking it out with my 3rd gen for a while.
I'm fine with any of the 4Runner's size but I'm glad to see the 5th gens are continuing to be off road capable.

 

[ToyTech99]

A few inches does make or break (or at least a few less scratches) it on the trails and almost literally thus I'll be sticking it out with my 3rd gen for a while.
.

If you're worried about a few scratches, then you shouldn't be driving offroad on narrow trails. That said, I'm sure I could fit my 4th gen on any trail that your 3rd gen can fit without getting any more scratches than you. To say that a 3-inch wider vehicle would be a detriment on any given trail is laughable. I don't know of any trails that are XX inches wide from one end to the other without varying along the entire trail. If you hit a narrow part of a trail, you just deal with it whether you're in a 3rd gen or a 4th gen or any other vehicle for that matter. Like I said, a few inches isn't going to make it or break it at all.

 

[matroe11]

OP should compile all of the differences in the first post....

I hope they added more illumination around the drivers side window/mirror/door lock controls....the 4th gen is hardly visible at night...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If you're worried about a few scratches, then you shouldn't be driving offroad on narrow trails. That said, I'm sure I could fit my 4th gen on any trail that your 3rd gen can fit without getting any more scratches than you. To say that a 3-inch wider vehicle would be a detriment on any given trail is laughable. I don't know of any trails that are XX inches wide from one end to the other without varying along the entire trail. If you hit a narrow part of a trail, you just deal with it whether you're in a 3rd gen or a 4th gen or any other vehicle for that matter. Like I said, a few inches isn't going to make it or break it at all.

You are right but Toyota shouldn't keep making the 4Runner even bigger and thankfully they didn't but I'm just saying there is spaces where an inch or two do make a diff but I'm not that kind of off roader so not an issue for me. I do prefer the unpainted bit and pieces of my 4Runner vs the full painted flares and valances of the other models of 4Runners which I would've tore up a bit by now.

 

[PredBlue]

Another item deleted from 4th Gen I haven't read on here yet:

On one of these "dealer orientation" videos posted on Youtube (can't find the right one now, sorry) you can hear somebody in the background explaining that ONLY the Ltd. has hood insulation on the 5th gen.

You may or may not miss it, you may or may not want it, but still........

 

[4RBob]

Most of these things I can live without. However, leaving the full-time 4WD system off of the SR5 and Trail models is going to get me looking at other vehicles. My wife will be a primary driver and with the varied conditions in New England in the winter time (snow/ice/dry pavement), I feel safer with her driving a vehicle with full-time 4WD.

I think leaving the full-time 4WD off is going to backfire on Toyota. Hopefully they realize that early and get it back on the 4Runner quick.

Other disappointment for me (but I can live without) is no more auto climate control in SR5/Trail.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Is the AWD mode still available via a flip of a switch (like the 3rd gen multi-mode auto) or is it gone altogether? If it's a simply a switch away then it really shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[M1911]

Is the AWD mode still available via a flip of a switch (like the 3rd gen multi-mode auto) or is it gone altogether? If it's a simply a switch away then it really shouldn't be a big deal.

It is gone. Trail Edition and SR5 models do not have a Torsen limited slip differential. They have a part-time 4WD system and no AWD mode. That is what I've been whining about for some time.

The Limited Edition still has the Torsen limited slip differential (as it had in the 4th gen), so it is effectively in AWD mode unless you lock the center diff.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Is the AWD mode still available via a flip of a switch (like the 3rd gen multi-mode auto) or is it gone altogether? If it's a simply a switch away then it really shouldn't be a big deal.

In essence, the SR5 and TE models have the same type of T-case that the non-limited 1996-2000 4runners (and all Tacomas) had: Conventional 4wd.

 

[sandcrawler]

Most of these things I can live without. However, leaving the full-time 4WD system off of the SR5 and Trail models is going to get me looking at other vehicles. My wife will be a primary driver and with the varied conditions in New England in the winter time (snow/ice/dry pavement), I feel safer with her driving a vehicle with full-time 4WD.

I think leaving the full-time 4WD off is going to backfire on Toyota. Hopefully they realize that early and get it back on the 4Runner quick.

Other disappointment for me (but I can live without) is no more auto climate control in SR5/Trail.

i hear you. absolutely flummoxed that Toyota deleted multi-mode 4WD from the SR5 and Trail Edition. WTF?:gun5:

 

[ToyTech99]

i hear you. absolutely flummoxed that Toyota deleted multi-mode 4WD from the SR5 and Trail Edition. WTF?:gun5:

Yeah, I don't think anyone saw that coming.

 

[M1911]

i hear you. absolutely flummoxed that Toyota deleted multi-mode 4WD from the SR5 and Trail Edition. WTF?:gun5:

Decontenting to save money.

 

[JohnsD90]

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't figure out what you're saying in regards to the hood. Here's a 4th gen hood and a 3rd gen hood. What do you mean by "douchey-soft" hood and corners? I don't see anything that could be described as "douchey-soft" on either of the last two generations.

some of the 4th gen front ends looked very masculine and other 4th gen looked awful. The (front end) 99+ 3rd gens looked very soft, while the 96-98 looked tough and masculine.

 

[ToyTech99]

some of the 4th gen front ends looked very masculine and other 4th gen looked awful. The (front end) 99+ 3rd gens looked very soft, while the 96-98 looked tough and masculine.

The front end of the '03 to '05 is different from the '06 to '09 models. Maybe that's what you're talking about?

The picture I posted above (of the 4th gen) is the '03 to '05 front end, which is what I own. I happen to like that front end better because I think it looks more aggressive. But I like the look of the projectors headlights on the '06 to '09 models. Overall, I don't think either looks "soft", but I do think the '03 to '05 models do look more aggressive in the front end.