Couple 5th Gen Questions (and complaints?)

[ExploreABitMore]

Got a new TE 5th Gen 4Runner a lil ways back and overall I love it. However, in the spirit of focusing on the negative ...

(1) I've been noticing a funny noise that sounds like it is coming from the suspension while driving off road, mainly while going slow over big rough rocks. Sorta sounds a bit creaky/squeaky under impacts. Is this normal? Maybe KDSS doing its thing? I think I may have noticed it on the street while turning and hitting a deep drainage dip near my house.

(2) The ground clearance seems a little disappointing compared to my 3rd Gen I had before this. I had a real good feel for what was going to scrape on my old 4R and on a recent trip scraped on some things in my 5th Gen, that just wouldn't have been a problem on my (stock) 3rd Gen. Just today, hit an old familar road I've been on many times in 3rd Gen, lined everything up the way I always had and scraped in a spot I never had before. Is ground clearance not as good, or perhaps things are lower in different places and just need to line things up differently on the 5th Gen?

Speaking of ground clearance, when they say 9.w/e inches of ground clearance, is this minimum, average, or something else? Just curious

Appreciated any feedback. Thanks!

 

[Jhalko]

KDSS does have an effect on ground clearance I believe and definitely hangs low in different spots, seems like a reason to lift it!

Not sure about noise.

 

[delloro]

I hear the noise too.

as to ground clearance, it might not be what you (or I) expected: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/200199-nowhere-near-advertised-ground-clearance.html

 

[SKP-4R]

Got a new TE 5th Gen 4Runner a lil ways back and overall I love it. However, in the spirit of focusing on the negative ...

(1) I've been noticing a funny noise that sounds like it is coming from the suspension while driving off road, mainly while going slow over big rough rocks. Sorta sounds a bit creaky/squeaky under impacts. Is this normal? Maybe KDSS doing its thing? I think I may have noticed it on the street while turning and hitting a deep drainage dip near my house.

(2) The ground clearance seems a little disappointing compared to my 3rd Gen I had before this. I had a real good feel for what was going to scrape on my old 4R and on a recent trip scraped on some things in my 5th Gen, that just wouldn't have been a problem on my (stock) 3rd Gen. Just today, hit an old familar road I've been on many times in 3rd Gen, lined everything up the way I always had and scraped in a spot I never had before. Is ground clearance not as good, or perhaps things are lower in different places and just need to line things up differently on the 5th Gen?

Speaking of ground clearance, when they say 9.w/e inches of ground clearance, is this minimum, average, or something else? Just curious

Appreciated any feedback. Thanks!

Do you know where it hit?

 

[Baba Booey]

Is it possible that the noise could be from the chain of the spare tire holder?

My wife mentioned to me that she thought she heard some sort of noise every once in a while, especially when the windows were down and she was turning onto a side road near our house that has a bit of a dip to traverse.

I thought it might be the chain. I was going to zip tie to see whether it solved the problem, but now that she doesn't drive with the windows down in winter, I haven't heard any complaints lately.

 

[wfo9]

In off-road situations... you are going to hear some noises as the control and sway bars move around. I don't know of any vehicle that does not do this. It should not be extreme though.

As far as ground clearance.... Uh yea, stock it is not so great. Get a lift and bigger tires if you need some clearance. The 5th gen is much bigger than a 3rd gen, so you have to learn to drive it differently. Place those tires so that you get the required clearance.. You will eventually learn how to get the most out of it and where the typical hang up spots are... You may need to pick lines differently than a 3rd gen.

 

[ExploreABitMore]

Thanks all for the feedback

as to ground clearance, it might not be what you (or I) expected: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/200199-nowhere-near-advertised-ground-clearance.html

This was interesting, good to know, thanks

In off-road situations... you are going to hear some noises as the control and sway bars move around. I don't know of any vehicle that does not do this. It should not be extreme though.

wfo, not extreme, but noticeable enough that people in the back are like "did you know your new car is making a funny noise".

I've been off road a ton in my 3rd gen and never heard anything like this.

 

[desertred]

(2) The ground clearance seems a little disappointing compared to my 3rd Gen I had before this ...... Is ground clearance not as good, or perhaps things are lower in different places and just need to line things up differently on the 5th Gen?

I traded a 3rd gen when purchasing my 2010 and did a comparison between the two models. The 3rd gen had better stats in front/rear head and leg room, as well as ground clearance; almost a full 1.5" (11.0) over the listed clearance of the 5th gen. So, it's not just your perception.

 

[wfo9]

Thanks all for the feedback



This was interesting, good to know, thanks



wfo, not extreme, but noticeable enough that people in the back are like "did you know your new car is making a funny noise".

I've been off road a ton in my 3rd gen and never heard anything like this.

KDSS has been known to make noises....It has driven a few people crazy... Others either ignore it or don't have the noise. Do some searches for KDSS clunk/noise...

Example:https://www.google.com/search?q=tr4...57.11036j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8

 

[Copp4]

Even though mine is a limited edition, the three complaints I have should go across all models.
In order from the worst complaint.

1. The tilt steering column has to be the worst.. or is it just me? It does not tilt down nearly as much as I would like to accommodate the seating position I prefer. It is like I have to adjust myself to the vehicle's liking. It should be the other way around. Am I the only one?

2. Lack of vehicle comfort/ safety feature settings. No adjustment of perimeter lighting, armed and disarm features, no automatic seat retract features and no vehicle side warning options for the blind spots. Lol...maybe it is just me?

3. I have to throw this one in here being this is my first Toyota vehicle. What is up with still using a power robbing manual thermostatic clutch fan??? I know it does the job, but today's automotive electric fans get the job done. Faster warm ups, less engine drag and cleans up the engine bay. Why not use electric cooling fans? Again...lol, maybe it is just me.

Other than that, it drives great and gets relatively decent gas mileage. More power would be nice, but I think we always seem to want more. Even if it had 400 hp, I'd probably still want more. Lol.

 

[ExploreABitMore]

I traded a 3rd gen when purchasing my 2010 and did a comparison between the two models. The 3rd gen had better stats in front/rear head and leg room, as well as ground clearance; almost a full 1.5" (11.0) over the listed clearance of the 5th gen. So, it's not just your perception.

This really confirms my suspicions, especially in light of the KDSS also detracting from clearance. Thanks. Can't afford skid plates yet with new tires/wheels on the way, but that may be next on my list now!

KDSS has been known to make noises....It has driven a few people crazy... Others either ignore it or don't have the noise. Do some searches for KDSS clunk/noise...

Example:https://www.google.com/search?q=tr4...57.11036j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8

Thanks wfo. After reading through some there, I'm thinking maybe it is the KDSS and is probably normal. I'll be due for my first 5000 mile "ToyotaCare" service, so I'll raise the issue there too just to be safe.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

Its probably not the KDSS, I dont have it and I hear light clanking while offroading near the drivers front. Not sure what it is, I've had it checked out and just assumed it was the sway bar hitting.

 

[ExploreABitMore]

Its probably not the KDSS, I dont have it and I hear light clanking while offroading near the drivers front. Not sure what it is, I've had it checked out and just assumed it was the sway bar hitting.

You might be right. Other thing I noticed is the common noises are usually described as a "clunk" ( or as you said, clank). I thought creaking/squeaking was a much better description for what we're hearing. I asked my wife and she said the same thing. I suggested maybe it sounded like a clunk to see what she would say, and she was like no way. I gotta agree.