7th Generation 4Runner

[1engineer]

One little problem, that whole conservation of energy thing. It takes more energy to split the hydrogen from oxygen than the energy you get by burning the hydrogen.

Shhhhh....

As long as there are cheap bastards who will buy a 4Runner with a 4cyl engine, there will be incentive to keep manual keys. There isn't a single mainstream automotive manufacturer that has standard push button across all their models, all of them are mainly Standard Mechanical Key & Optional Smart Key (if that some models still only come with only a key.) Mercedes-Benz is the closest, but they still use their IR Keys in place of mechanical keys with the "Smart Key" being optional. It is far more likely that by the time the 7th generation 4Runner rolls around that smart keys will be all but standard (10-15 years) rather than in the next 5-10 years.

There's too much money to milk from the majority of fools by decontenting/prettying up "shiny" features while charging far more than its worth.

On a side note, I think [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] is giggling his little engineer butt off that he sucked me into this thread and now I am so invested in this thread and commenting/explaining like he should be! Lazy engineers!

You are doing fine! Keep it up!

Isn't this what ATRAC does more or less? When I've used it off-road it seems to work beautifully.

Hey. Don't ruin a good post with facts.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Actually... there is a perfect answer and its hydrogen. Our atmosphere is made up of about .55ppm of the stuff, and if you take some plan jane old water (even salt water) and add electricity (that can be hydro-eletric, solar or wind) and BAM! You get hydrogen and oxygen. OH NO!!! We made oxygen to make our fuel! Every gas powered car on earth can EASLY be converted to run on hydrogen and what happens when you mix hydrogen and oxygen in your engine?! That's right kids you just made clean fresh water with your car. The only thing that comes out of your tail pipe is freaking WATER. 100% RENEWABLE, ECO-FRENDLY AND INEXPENSIVE. Not to mention that it has more energy than gasoline so you car actually has more power on the stuff. AND it's not going to leave carbon deposits in your engine.

I actually was just talking to 1engineer about this...

Scientists at Stanford develop water splitter that runs on ordinary AAA battery

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

This is all pointless conjecture... By 2024 Putin will have started a nuclear war over some crazy shit like Crimea being the holy land of Russia, and we will all be dead. No big deal though, Toyota BOF SUV's will be one of the few remaining vehicles that still work, they will just be driven by baby Godzilla's and the like.

But seriously, what does it take for a guy to get a HUD? I want a HUD. If I cant fly fighter jets, I would at least like to pretend that I am on the way to the mall.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I actually was just talking to 1engineer about this...

Scientists at Stanford develop water splitter that runs on ordinary AAA battery

I wish they would have touched on what the ratio of energy input/hydrogen created vs. conventional electrolysis in the article as that's the real core issue here. Though reducing initial expenditures and material costs is a great start in the right direction and I am really blown away by the novel solution this Ming guy found! Its just that I've been able to split water into O2 and H since elementary school, its making it far more efficient and far less energy intensive per amount of hydrogen created. That is what is holding the hydrogen/fuel cell technology from being more than a novel party trick and/or beyond expensive for mass produced vehicles and infrastructure to support such an ideal.

This is all pointless conjecture... By 2024 Putin will have started a nuclear war over some crazy shit like Crimea being the holy land of Russia, and we will all be dead. No big deal though, Toyota BOF SUV's will be one of the few remaining vehicles that still work, they will just be driven by baby Godzilla's and the like.

But seriously, what does it take for a guy to get a HUD? I want a HUD. If I cant fly fighter jets, I would at least like to pretend that I am on the way to the mall.

Wait, you mean you aren't building your 4Runner to be EMP protected and ready for the Mad Maxx world of Post WW3 (aka we're all screwed anyways) already!?

I personally only want an HUD if I can find a way to over lay an IR detection layer so that I can run IR Spot Lamps and run in "Night" mode without having a bulky screen have to hang down in front of my face like current military vehicles.

 

[1engineer]

Many thanks to people like [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] [MENTION=91721]J.B.[/MENTION] (one of the most eloquent writers on the forum) [MENTION=85704]Jayhawk5G[/MENTION] and many others. You guys spent some time writing the pm's and thread posts! There is some serious intelligence scattered throughout this forum on many subjects other than 4Runners.
Now, have we run out of ideas for a 7th generation 4Runner? If so I will compile the existing ones and post more about it on Monday.

 

[Mooney]

Also just because I'm a nerd the Hindenberg's body is made of fabric much like all older planes and air ships, they were painted with a thing called dope. Typical doping agents include nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate. Liquid dopes are highly flammable; nitrocellulose, for instance, is also known as the explosive propellant "guncotton".

The Hindenburg was originally designed for helium, not hydrogen. . .making the skin inherently dangerous for containing a flammable gas.

 

[Aquafbody]

The Hindenburg was originally designed for helium, not hydrogen. . .making the skin inherently dangerous for containing a flammable gas.

Exactly! You have a flammable gas surrounded by flammable fabric, it was doomed from the start.

 

[Aquafbody]

Just ran across this.

hydrogen conversion on engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgtlMMyYERc

and this

hydrogen electric vs hydrogen burning.
Fuel Cell Vehicles

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Just ran across this.

hydrogen conversion on engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgtlMMyYERc

and this

hydrogen electric vs hydrogen burning.
Fuel Cell Vehicles

That's a neat video and does no justice to how much work is involved in making an ICE run on hydrogen because that engine is ridiculously simplified. If you want to get an idea of how much work is needed to convert the engine, look at converting an OBDII, Emissions compliant modern EFI engine to CNG and retaining OBDII and Emissions compliance; its a lot more work than just pouring hydrogen in the intake.

Its doable, just a bit more work than most people realize is all.

 

[Aquafbody]

That's a neat video and does no justice to how much work is involved in making an ICE run on hydrogen because that engine is ridiculously simplified. If you want to get an idea of how much work is needed to convert the engine, look at converting an OBDII, Emissions compliant modern EFI engine to CNG and retaining OBDII and Emissions compliance; its a lot more work than just pouring hydrogen in the intake.

Its doable, just a bit more work than most people realize is all.

Yeah, you have a good point still neat though.

 

[bigbillyt]

Many thanks to people like [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] [MENTION=91721]J.B.[/MENTION] (one of the most eloquent writers on the forum) [MENTION=85704]Jayhawk5G[/MENTION] and many others. You guys spent some time writing the pm's and thread posts! There is some serious intelligence scattered throughout this forum on many subjects other than 4Runners.
Now, have we run out of ideas for a 7th generation 4Runner? If so I will compile the existing ones and post more about it on Monday.

Other than all the engine technology and MPG business, which will be sorted out by the confluence of available technology and Toyota's business model anyway, the only two requests I have is door locks that use a combination keypad available on all trims and the ability to lock the darn doors with the key fob with a door still open.

 

[paddlenbike]

Porsche just came out with a vehicle similar to what I described earlier in this thread. The Cayenne S E-hybrid SUV has a 10.8 kWh lithium-ion battery which enables pure electric driving up to a top speed of 78 MPH. It has a 95 hp electric motor and a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 (333 hp), a total power of 416 hp at 5,500 rpm and a total torque of 435 lb.-ft. from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm. 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 151 mph. All-electric range is 24 miles, which is enough to get me to my charging station at work without burning gas.

Problem...offroad capability isn't there and it costs $76k. What I want is Toyota to put a similar drivetrain in a 4Runner chassis that maintains the offroad capability of models past. Make that drivetrain optional like Porsche did, so you nay-sayers aren't forced into it. Oh, and don't make it ugly Toyota.

 

[acas1229]

Here are my suggestions:

1) LEDs all around. By 2024, LEDs should be standard. Especially after mining the asteroid belt. Honestly, replacing light bulbs sucks and the interior lighting in my 4th Gen isn't cutting it anymore.

2) See through pillars. The new Range Rover has a see through hood and Land Rover has also developed see through pillars. Backup cameras are so 2014, all-around camera view is a must in 2024.

3) Windshield LED Display. Glass windshields are overdone. It's 2024, we should have a screen that gives us a digital view of the world as we drive. Combined with a night vision camera or IR camera, the screen could shift to various modes giving the driver the best view possible for any driving condition. Additionally, the screen could present diagnostic information and alerts.

4) More storage. I bought a 4Runner to carry all my gear so it would be nice to have more specific storage pockets and anchor points.

5) A rear door that opens out instead of up. Would be a great help when camping. I like the shade provided by the door opening up, but I am willing to make the sacrifice for added storage and functionality. Or, the best of both worlds would be a tailgate style or Ford Excursion style rear door.

6) Better towing ability. Assuming engine and transmission technology improves further, it'd be nice to get a Class IV tow rating 7,000 lbs. plus. Yes, I could buy a truck (been there done that, got a 4Runner.)

7) Accessory integration. It would be awesome if Toyota got with some of the premier accessory providers for Toyota's and found a way to integrate their products better. For example, Toyota could mark specific spots designed for accepting air compressors, hi-lifts, miscellaneous gear, lights, etc. Maybe Toyota could also provide the wiring connecting points too (e.g. brake controller.)

8) Retro styling! This is a long shot, but it would be great to have some 80's styling (e.g. graphics, light bar, removable top, roll bar.)

Just my thoughts.

 

[ccvortex]

A hybrid T4R? Good god, no!!!

 

[WallyT4R]

-It will be a hybrid
-It will most likely be a unibody/uniframe design again for lightness/mpg's
-It might have IRS for a better ride to the mall
-It might look like a Nissan pathfinder, in other words, a glorified Venza. In fact the new 6th is replacing the Venza, lol.
-It will be AWD but only when one wheel slips, like a Honda CRV
-It will have all the latest safety stuff so you can text and drive and surf FaKebook on your way to the mall.
-It will have push button start cuz Toyota, by that point, will be sick of all the whiners who can't turn the key and they will just implement it.

This is not where I want to see it go but lets be realistic...this is Toyota. They are in the business of making money. They are already heading this direction. Of course none of this pertains to Australia who will still get the best Toyota can make. So this is where I see Toyota going and...
This is why I'm glad to have my 5th gen, the last of the great Toyotas in the USA. Stamp it!

 

[Runn4est]

So, maybe they were moving toward a unibody platform with IRS for the 6th Gen but then saw what happened to the Pathfinder and saw the demand for the rugged 4Runner increase and remaining high. That's why we're seeing such a long run on the 5th Gen because they realized they were about to make a big boo boo and scrambled to re-engineer.

Just a thought and really hoping it stay SA and BOF!