I'm not sure if we are being shined on or not at this point, we have been pushing hard and getting some feedback over the last 18 months. Fact is, hey would not put off a Ford or GM model for 11 years... So i am going to have to say, even though they have been communicating with us, I do not feel the 4Runner is something the see as viable.
I come from Oregon (went to OSU) and the mindset toward Toyota up there is either you LOVE em, to you hate all 'jap" vehicles... Not sure where Bushwhacker stands, but given they make flares for low production and seldom if ever off-roaded Ford, GM and dodge models but not a run of Toyota 4x4 that were produced for 7 model years make me wonder.
Now that the FJ has been discontinued the 5th gen will become a replacement for many would be FJ owners, lets hope BW sees this and gets moving on the 5th gen (already 5 model years in) and does not make us wait 10 plus years as they continue offering flares for things like the Expedition, Ranger, Tahoe, blazer, and Dakotas of the same vintage.
i did message them on FB last night and received a very familiar response..
"I wish I could give you an update Nathan, but the 2014 model updates have taken priority, which means engineering is at capacity creating flare styles for the Silverado, Sierra, and Tundra. We've recently added staff to product development, and the 4th Gen 4Runner is on the project list, but it hasn't become a priority yet. I'll be sure to keep pushing for updates, but can't promise anything as of yet.
Thank you for your patience!"
it is a near exact response that I received via email 13 months ago. I think there are a few people there that would like to see 4th and 5th gen flairs made, but not the people who make the decisions.
On an positive not Eli at Iron Mann is working on both the 5th gen snorkel and fender flairs for several models of Toyota vehicle, both US and domestic. Him and I spoke briefly of it at SEMA this year just down the hall from Bushwhacker.