Man, I think it's awesome that they don't change those things.
Understood, opinions are like [beep], everyone has one. Mine is no more important or better than anyone else,
some things are best left unchanged, but
then again I don't see many people with 8track tapes anymore.
I'd rather see an option for a non touchscreen radio and rubber floors.
An option, wouldn't hurt, but the number of consumers choosing that might be too limited for them to even break even on the tooling, training and materials just to offer it. But husky and weather tech make a killing on the rubber floor mats, so perhaps that might prove to be worth considering
They make the Limited trim for folks that want all the fancy trinkets.
Yes but the limited doesn't have a good portion of features in the TRD/TRDPrem/TRDPro trims.
A) a V8 engine (at least, as an option again)
The V8 in the GX:
300hp
329lbft
15/18mpg
The V6 in the 4R:
270hp
278lbft
17/21mpg
The v8 was an option in earlier editions, keep the 6 as std and leave it as an option; or redesign that v6, it just feels like the HP is lacking when hauling at low rpm. I'm lucky to get 14-15mpg in the V6, without hauling anything, mpg isn't a priority for me (or some others) as much as powerful enough to be smooth when hp counts. When in farm country and everyone is nice+friendly, it's great, but in city driving getting on a highway onramp it feels a little heavy to beat the grumpy idiots on the road.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the 4R and I'd make the purchase again, but it's pretty heavy gross weight for a v6.
I'd still take the V6 for the better mpg.
That's perfectly fine, everyone has their preference. Drop a few hundred lbs of the gross weight and the mpg will be even better. Maybe a hemi type would be the solution for everyone to be happy; or didn't Ford do something with the raptor to boost the hp and downsize to a 6? IDK but it feels like a
magnuson supercharger is in order
but those prices and the fuel restrictions are a no-go.
B) a dedicated trans cooler (for towing),
Have there been trans overheating issues if you're towing within spec?
Short trips it's perfectly fine hauling anything, a few atvs or a trailer a few miles is nothing, but long trips anywhere near tow capacity makes it work much harder. It takes 6-10 hours driving from the keys to transit FL alone (i.e. 6hrs from Tampa to Hurlburt field, 7hrs key largo to kings bay, etc...). Aftermarket coolers are cheap and easy to install, but feels like a no brainier to be standard with the tow pkg.
C) a 6-8 speed transmission,
Why?
it would offset / increase the mpg and would allow for a smoother transition at certain speeds. I've felt the trans want to shift more often, even just 1 extra gear would help.
D) push button start (these devices called keys are just antique),
Available on Limited
Exactly, so why not an option on the SR5 Prem, TRD, TRD Prem, TRD Pro, etc.. It might just be me, but I've bent keys in my pocket while at the range (insert other physical activity)... nothing like going to turn the key and your key looks like an L shaped allen wrench.
IMHO, the limited is not really the spirit of the 4R roughed practicality, it's more of the "wanna-be-gangsta" papi chulo venezuelan types with money that want the bling bling / rims / etc and the trophy wife: might as well go for a lexus or something else.
p.s. the trophy wife will probably cheat on him with the 4R TRD owner instead... :brushteeth:
E) not as wimpy an alternator (high output might be to expensive base price but the stock unit is just too wimpy for all the modern tech devices that need charging)
What in the world are you charging that overloads your alternator?
It adds up: mobile phone, sat phone, xfr laptop, gps, dash cam, HIDs, lightbars, etc.. use a winch and you end up with a drained battery sooner or later.. even with a dual battery or a 31M you'd still have to mount solar panels to a roof rack just to compensate, let alone run a small arb type fridge.
F) white 5k+ LED bulbs (option at least - nothing looks older than a yellow interior light)
The ultimate night vision killer. I hate the bright blue interior as it is. Looks really cool but a huge negative if you're trying to preserve the ability to see better in the dark.
True, but unless I'm missing something, most interior bulbs have a off/on/int switch; perhaps my natural biological night vision isn't as good nowadays but if it is a concern you can leave those leds off and use a streamlight sidewinder in red mode when you observe light discipline. Of course, a dual PVS-14 and some exterior IR LEDs take care of vision concerns. But most of the time, tossing around tools, bags, pelican cases and stuff (insert misc object) in the back seat or cargo area requires bright white led light sometimes.
Either way, I think everyone here appreciates the niche that the 4R fills when every other mfg has gone for the unibody fake suv (camry frame and suv body) offerings.
