5th vs 4th side by side pics!

[harper7]

It's not too late, especially if you're willing to buy an '09 Limited. They are out there, you just have to look.

I found 2 brand new loaded 2009 Trail Ed.'s 4x4 's(They have the Torsen locking center Diff. and the factory rear locker!!) right here in the DFW area ,one silver and one gray ,and there are a bunch of Limiteds,Sports and SR5's. Call a dealer to find a 2009 while they last,he has access to where they are all at.

 

[hulk311]

OP, what are your thoughts on the 5th gen interior?

 

[HB 4X4]

Man, that thing is ass-ugly; especially the rear. The Trail Edition looks a little better at least, but Toyota still screwed up badly.
:barf::barf::barf::barf::barf:

 

[dwulffusa]

I found 2 brand new loaded 2009 Trail Ed.'s 4x4 's(They have the Torsen locking center Diff. and the factory rear locker!!) right here in the DFW area ,one silver and one gray ,and there are a bunch of Limiteds,Sports and SR5's. Call a dealer to find a 2009 while they last,he has access to where they are all at.

Do you mean sport editions?

On the rear locker that became available on late models. Under what situation would you need this. I have on a number of occassions had mine straddled diagnolly over a breakover to save the running boards, with one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel completely airborne - if I'm in low ratio, with the the center diff locked there is never any uncontrolled spinning on those dangling wheels, so what does the rear locker do that the center lock cant? just curious.

 

[4RBob]

Do you mean sport editions?

On the rear locker that became available on late models. Under what situation would you need this. I have on a number of occassions had mine straddled diagnolly over a breakover to save the running boards, with one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel completely airborne - if I'm in low ratio, with the the center diff locked there is never any uncontrolled spinning on those dangling wheels, so what does the rear locker do that the center lock cant? just curious.

Actually, the 2009 Trail Edition is considered a SR5. It has the rear locker and some other things. The rear locker locks both rear wheels together. This is optimal for off-road as a limited slip would need to slip first to engage and sometimes they engage/slip/engage/slip etc. That pause can make the difference between "getting" an obstacle or not.

 

[dwulffusa]

Actually, the 2009 Trail Edition is considered a SR5. It has the rear locker and some other things. The rear locker locks both rear wheels together. This is optimal for off-road as a limited slip would need to slip first to engage and sometimes they engage/slip/engage/slip etc. That pause can make the difference between "getting" an obstacle or not.

0h right, forgot about the 09 Trail model. I guess I still dont understand how a center lock works so effectively, perhaps I havnt had an extreme enough condition where there would be some slip in the wheels with less grip which a rear locker would prevent.

 

[harper7]

Do you mean sport editions?

On the rear locker that became available on late models. Under what situation would you need this. I have on a number of occassions had mine straddled diagnolly over a breakover to save the running boards, with one front wheel and the opposite rear wheel completely airborne - if I'm in low ratio, with the the center diff locked there is never any uncontrolled spinning on those dangling wheels, so what does the rear locker do that the center lock cant? just curious.

Here is a real good read on Locking Differentials and the advantages and disadvantages.
Basically both wheels will spin at the same speed when your in a mud hole instead of one then the other(LSD) in the rear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_differential

 

[jh26]

Coulda had a 09

Now I really do have "non-buyers" remorse for not picking up a new 2009 V8 Sport or Limited while I stll could have.

+1!

I had a 3rd gen, and now a 4th gen. I never liked the 4th gen styling as much as my old 3rd, but combined with the "decontenting", it's enough to send me looking elsewhere. I don't know what I'll end up with next time around, and for now I will be keeping my 4th and just not buying anything, as there is literally nothing out there I would like better (except a 2009 Limited 4Runner...)

 

[M1911]

Now I really do have "non-buyers" remorse for not picking up a new 2009 V8 Sport or Limited while I stll could have.

You can still find a new or lightly used 2009. Try autotrader.com

 

[Uneek]

I have never seen window switches placed on top of the door. Is this new for Toyota? and what would happen if they get wet when the window is open

The Nissan Armada and Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, if I'm not mistaken the switches are up on the door sill. And I just noticed, if you gap the windows slightly for ventilation while parked, it looks super easy to hit the master lock/unlock switch. While the 4th's switch locations are not as accessible, it's a lot more secure.

If the seating position is anything like the 4th (judging by the pics it looks the same), Toyota should've located the switches below door handle (for exiting, in the area that appears to be a small pocket) that's in front of the silver grab handle and tuck the exit handle in further so it doesn't protrude so far into the cabin. Eliminate the silver pull handle and put a small tub/pocket for the door closing handle in the arm rest area behind where the silver handle is located.

Toyota could've used an arm rest design similar to this:

Photo courtesy of samarins.com.

Or even this, if they prefer the vertical style door close handle from the current gen Camry:

Photo courtesy of motortrend.com.

At the very least, at least Toyota kept both driver and passenger side doors looking as symmetric as possible. The last Mazda RX-7 and MX-6, the door panel designs were totally different on each side. One side has the vertical grab handle and the other was flat like like first Toyota interior pic above.

 

[Thai]

The Nissan Armada and Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, if I'm not mistaken the switches are up on the door sill. And I just noticed, if you gap the windows slightly for ventilation while parked, it looks super easy to hit the master lock/unlock switch.

Good point. My G500's unlock/lock button in on the center dash.

 

[snap315]

The 5th Gen is clearly not a more upscale vehicle when compared to the 4th gen. Those seeking to actually Upgrade from a 4th gen will either have to go with the Lexus or switch to another vehicle maker (Jeep, Range Rover, etc).

The 5th Gen is a "back to basics" evolution in the 4Runner line. However, I have no desire in going backwards.

:barf:

 

[sandcrawler]

i owned a (quite modded) '93 4runner prior to my current (stock) 06 V8 SE and i was hopeful to hear a few months ago that the 2010 4runner was going "back to its roots" but i fail to see how "back to its roots" translates to bigger, heavier, and bulging with even more plastic cladding than the 4G. honestly, unless Toyota's thinking no standard torsen differential, no standard multi-mode 4WD, and NO V8 option is "back to its roots" i completely fail to understand.

 

[rook]

Is that a Scion xB or a 4Runner? :repuke:

[

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

The 5th Gen is clearly not a more upscale vehicle when compared to the 4th gen. Those seeking to actually Upgrade from a 4th gen will either have to go with the Lexus or switch to another vehicle maker (Jeep, Range Rover, etc).

The 5th Gen is a "back to basics" evolution in the 4Runner line. However, I have no desire in going backwards.

:barf:

Definitely second this perspective. Although, it's a "back to basics design" and a huge jack up in price. I like the 3rd gens, but this isn't a damn 3rd gen! WTF Toyota?!?!

The rear of this vehicle looks totally jacked up!! Nothing flows, there are no lines that mesh, the design looks like they cut/pasted about 10 different vehicles together over the course of about 10 years. Those doors are totally impractical and stupid looking on top of that. And what of those who want to swap out their head units? You're shit outta luck friends.

Yeah, I like a few things about this truck, and there are some options I wish my truck had when I bought it, but the overall package here is completely filled with lose.

The front is ok imho, the center console is ok imho, but the rest of the truck looks like it was designed by a "Random Vehicle Generator"!!

If I am going to drop ~40k on something, the damn thing better impress me. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a refreshing mid-cycle refresh.

 

[qs933]

And I just noticed, if you gap the windows slightly for ventilation while parked, it looks super easy to hit the master lock/unlock switch. While the 4th's switch locations are not as accessible, it's a lot more secure.

I agree that it looks more vulnerable, but I think the factory alarm will be set off if you unlock the doors via the interior controls while the alarm is armed. Doesn't totally mitigate the vulnerability, but if someone is going to take the time to fish something in the opening to hit the controls and risk having the alarm go off to steal stuff from your vehicle, they just as easily could have broken a window.

I still haven't seen a Limited in person. The dealer here in Honolulu still had a silver and a grey SR5 on the lot for sale (but they could have been spoken for) and a black SR5 as a demo unit.

I think the beige interior looks richer (especially with leather and in contrast to the black dash) than the all black ones that I've seen (cloth in person, leather in photos). According to the color chart, the only way to get the beige interior on the Limited is with the white, black, or blue exteriors.

 

[exokomp]

Oh man... the increased height is going to be a problem with my garage door opener bracket. It barely clears the roof rail crossbars on my 4th gen.

 

[Thai]

You can still find a new or lightly used 2009. Try autotrader.com

Here's one: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?p=470801#post470801

 

[cdoyle]

So is there only 1 cupholder up front now?
or is the second one close to the console lid now? I hate cars that have it that way. I like to drive with my hand resting on the shifter, so if there is something in the cup holder there, I end up resting my arm on it too.

I sure don't like that big ol knob thing where the second cup holder was in the 4th Gen. That looks tacky and out of place there just a big old eyesore really.

I actually liked the cup holders in the front in the 4th gen, I use it every day and have never had any problems with it. I like that it was adjustable to hold smaller items. I have never had anything fall out of it before.

 

[Net4n6]

The 5th Gen is clearly not a more upscale vehicle when compared to the 4th gen. Those seeking to actually Upgrade from a 4th gen will either have to go with the Lexus or switch to another vehicle maker (Jeep, Range Rover, etc).

The 5th Gen is a "back to basics" evolution in the 4Runner line. However, I have no desire in going backwards.

:barf:

There always "used" Land Cruiser. It will be my next upgrade.