Confused...5th gen on FJ Platform?

Thai

Thai

Elite Member
Hey all,

I am a bit confused here. Toyota press release states that the 5th gen is based on the current FJ platform. But, the FJ platform is really a current gen Prado (not the upcoming redesign), which is the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner/GX470. So, is the 5th gen 4runner just a major "facelift" of the 4th gen...different body, but same frame and so on??? Or is it a brand new platform? If it is a new platform, then why is it sharing with the FJ's?? 2010 FJ is the same as 2007 FJ.

And with the FJ suffering fender bulges/cracks, i am not too sure if i want to hear that the 5th gen to be on the same platform as the FJ! :(

I would think that the 5th gen 4runner is on a brand new platform, maybe shared with the Sequoia or something.

:shrug:
 
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I thought all the FJ issues were solved by the '09 model year. Didn't you say that yourself in another thread, or three? I specifically remember you saying that you don't recommend anyone buying an FJ unless it is a late build '08 or an '09 model. So what's the deal? Are the issues fixed or not?
 
ToyTech99 said:
I thought all the FJ issues were solved by the '09 model year. Didn't you say that yourself in another thread, or three? I specifically remember you saying that you don't recommend anyone buying an FJ unless it is a late build '08 or an '09 model. So what's the deal? Are the issues fixed or not?
Click to expand...

No one really knows...too early to tell. Some people on the FJ forum theorizes that the frame on the FJ is simply too weak and allows for too much flex. There is a video somewhere on FJ forum showing how the front bumper of the FJ twist back and forth while the FJ was on a flatbed. This is why previous attempts by Toyota to fix the fender has failed. Some say that Toyota is just bandaiding up the problem and not really solving the underlying issue. The reason why there is some suspicion is that a few people with the latest fender fix from Toyota have already torn it...again.

My recommendation is to buy the latest FJ possible because the latest fix is always better than an early fix...if that makes sense to you. :shrug:
 
Thai said:
And with the FJ suffering fender bulges/cracks, i am not too sure if i want to hear that the 5th gen to be on the same platform as the FJ! :(
:shrug:
Click to expand...

I figured this line from the press release was an allusion to that.

"Extensive frame and body reinforcements have been added.."
 
Thai said:
Hey all,

I am a bit confused here. Toyota press release states that the 5th gen is based on the current FJ platform. But, the FJ platform is really a current gen Prado (not the upcoming redesign), which is the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner/GX470. So, is the 5th gen 4runner just a major "facelift" of the 4th gen...different body, but same frame and so on??? Or is it a brand new platform? If it is a new platform, then why is it sharing with the FJ's?? 2010 FJ is the same as 2007 FJ.

And with the FJ suffering fender bulges/cracks, i am not too sure if i want to hear that the 5th gen to be on the same platform as the FJ! :(

I would think that the 5th gen 4runner is on a brand new platform, maybe shared with the Sequoia or something.

:shrug:
Click to expand...

The 2010 4Runner is on modified version of the global Toyota SUV platform, that is shared with the FJ Cruiser, Lexus GX and the Land Cruiser Prado.
 
The Prado/GX is new for 2010 as well, I presume the 5th gen 4runner is on the same frame as the new Prado/GX and that the FJ and the Tacoma will continue to be based on the previous generation Prado/GX470/4th gen 4runner frame.

There's a precedent for this. Toyota produced the Prado/4th Gen 4runner starting in 2003, at the same time they were still making the 1st generation Taco through 2004 and the Taco didn't get the updated platform until the 2005 model year.

For that matter, Toyota made the 1st gen 4runner through 1989 even though they started their new generation of Hilux trucks in 1989. The 4runner didn't "catch up" to the pickup until the 1990 model year. Same thing happened in 1995 when the 95 pickup became the new Tacoma and the new (3rd gen) 4runner didn't come out until the 96 model year.
 
Martinjmpr said:
The Prado/GX is new for 2010 as well, I presume the 5th gen 4runner is on the same frame as the new Prado/GX and that the FJ and the Tacoma will continue to be based on the previous generation Prado/GX470/4th gen 4runner frame.
Click to expand...

Yup, that is what i thought...BUT, Toyota press release clearly states that the 5th gen is NOW on the same platform as the FJ. :confused:
 
JB. said:
I figured this line from the press release was an allusion to that.

"Extensive frame and body reinforcements have been added.."
Click to expand...

Yeah, i saw that...time will tell i guess whether this is true or just typical marketing hype.
 
M1911 said:
And it always has been.
Click to expand...

Let me try this again...the FJ shares platform with the 4th gen 4runner. We know that as a fact, right?

I assumed initially that the 5th gen 4runner would be on a newer platform...a total redesign. Instead, Toyota states that the 5th gen 4runner is on the same platform as the FJ, which means that the 5th gen 4runner is also on the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner.......so, is the 5th gen a total redesign from head to toe OR is it just a major facelift of the 4th gen???
 
Thai said:
Let me try this again...the FJ shares platform with the 4th gen 4runner. We know that as a fact, right?

I assumed initially that the 5th gen 4runner would be on a newer platform...a total redesign. Instead, Toyota states that the 5th gen 4runner is on the same platform as the FJ, which means that the 5th gen 4runner is also on the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner.......so, is the 5th gen a total redesign from head to toe OR is it just a major facelift of the 4th gen???
Click to expand...

My take on it is that it can be a major redesign and still be on the same platform. I don't think there's any question at all that this is a major redesign, regardless of the platform.

This redesign is certainly more major than the 3rd to 4th gen 4Runners.
 
Thai said:
Let me try this again...the FJ shares platform with the 4th gen 4runner. We know that as a fact, right?

I assumed initially that the 5th gen 4runner would be on a newer platform...a total redesign. Instead, Toyota states that the 5th gen 4runner is on the same platform as the FJ, which means that the 5th gen 4runner is also on the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner.......so, is the 5th gen a total redesign from head to toe OR is it just a major facelift of the 4th gen???
Click to expand...

:shrug:

that statement makes my head hurt. i dont get it at all.
 
ToyTech99 said:
This redesign is certainly more major than the 3rd to 4th gen 4Runners.
Click to expand...

Not sure about that. What is often (if not always) quoted when a new redesign comes to market? How "the new frame is 100000% stiffer and 100001% torsionally stronger than the outgoing frame", right? You always see this. When the new TLC200 came out, Toyota press release was quick to point out that the frame is stronger than the outgoing TLC100. The same when the 4th gen 4runner came out...Toyota pointed out how the 4th gen frame was thicker and wider and how stiffer it is than the 3rd gen.

Yet, with the press release of the 5th gen 4runner, you don't see any mentioning of this! Instead, you see Toyota say how the 5th gen is now on the FJ platform...whooppeeedooo...that's it...no mention of how it is stronger than the previous gen frame. Weird, isn't it?

This 5th gen 4runner is more of a retro or evolution of the 4th gen...most of the breakthru stuff involves electronic stuff (CRAWL) or add-ons (KDSS). Engine is an "evolution" for sure of the current V6...kinda like when Toyota added VVTi to the 2005 4runner V8 engine. Suspension designs are more or less the same with a few tweaks (rear shocks are more outboard).

This 5th gen 4runner reminds me of what Ford did with the 2010 Ford Mustang or Fusion. Ford made numerous changes and updates, but the basic platform is still the same.

My opinion.
 
Thai I beleive you to be correct on the thinking that the basic platform is the same as the 2010 FJC and the 2009 4R. As a side note Toyota does mention that the 2010 FJC "shape of the frame has been optimized" also some of its suspension components such as the shocks and the sway bars have been changed a little (10 fj that is).
 
Thai said:
I assumed initially that the 5th gen 4runner would be on a newer platform...a total redesign.
Click to expand...
You assumed wrong

Instead, Toyota states that the 5th gen 4runner is on the same platform as the FJ, which means that the 5th gen 4runner is also on the same platform as the 4th gen 4runner.......so, is the 5th gen a total redesign from head to toe OR is it just a major facelift of the 4th gen???
Click to expand...
The body is new. The frame is facelifted.
 
M1911 said:
You assumed wrong


The body is new. The frame is facelifted.
Click to expand...

Well, my initial assumption is quite logical...if this is a true redesign, then it should have a NEW frame. Did YOU assume otherwise? For example, the 4th gen 4runner has a different frame than the 3rd gen...the 3rd gen has a different frame from the 2nd gen...etc.... The TLC200 has a different frame than the TLC100...and TLC100 is different from TLC80, etc....

So, if the frame/platform is the same as the 4th gen/FJ, then how is this a "5th gen redesign"??

"Frame facelifted"? Huh?! In what way? You seem to have all the "right" answers...tell us more please.
 
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