Dinner with the 5TH Gen Chief Engineer
- Thread starter T2Cruiser
- Start date
T2Cruiser
New member
We learned FJCruisers are being introduced in Japan and Australia markets for 2011.
My opinion is that this means at least 3-4 years more production for the FJC. Since production is there, I expect the USA market will stay open as long as there is demand.( my opinion only).
Short answer, I believe yes to 2011.
fxoffroad
New member
amen... yet another voice of reason.
Wow, what a great chance to have!! I don't think that i will be able to hold back my questions though!The 5th gen is very nice...definitely a badass addition to the 4runner heritage! My favorite edition so far.
ditto that - though the 3rdGens are extremely sweet.
very cool - though he wouldn't have signed my dash, but sick that he signed yours.
Manual 4Runner?
I owned and loved a MANUAL 1999 4Runner and traded for a MANUAL 2007 FJ. As much as I am disappointed that the Chief Engineer was out recreating when the throw out bearing on the MANUAL FJ issue has not been resolved, I am interested in your conversations. Specifically, since I am determined to drive a manual transmission, was the idea of a manual 5th Gen 4Runner brought up with the Chief engineer??? With the throw out bearing problem with the FJ/Taco that are basically mechanical twins to the 4Runner, I can see holding back on a manual. Why would Toyota bring a product (manual 4runner) to market they know ahead of time would mechanically require a recall down the line to correct a known issue. However, the issue HAS to be resolved, so regardless once the necessary solution has been figured out, a manual 4Runner could be offered without worry of recall expense. I cannot imagine a dinner with the Chief engineer did not broach manual 4Runner. Please shed some light on this extremely desirable, yet presently unavailable, option. At this point the good thing for me, yet bad for Toyota, I do not have to decide if I am willing to part with my manual FJ for a slightly more practical and extremely attractive 5th Gen 4 Runner. And this comes from someone who sees the 5th Gen 4Runner as a nice blend of the FJ and 3rd Gen 4Runner.
I owned and loved a MANUAL 1999 4Runner and traded for a MANUAL 2007 FJ. As much as I am disappointed that the Chief Engineer was out recreating when the throw out bearing on the MANUAL FJ issue has not been resolved, I am interested in your conversations. Specifically, since I am determined to drive a manual transmission, was the idea of a manual 5th Gen 4Runner brought up with the Chief engineer??? With the throw out bearing problem with the FJ/Taco that are basically mechanical twins to the 4Runner, I can see holding back on a manual. Why would Toyota bring a product (manual 4runner) to market they know ahead of time would mechanically require a recall down the line to correct a known issue. However, the issue HAS to be resolved, so regardless once the necessary solution has been figured out, a manual 4Runner could be offered without worry of recall expense. I cannot imagine a dinner with the Chief engineer did not broach manual 4Runner. Please shed some light on this extremely desirable, yet presently unavailable, option. At this point the good thing for me, yet bad for Toyota, I do not have to decide if I am willing to part with my manual FJ for a slightly more practical and extremely attractive 5th Gen 4 Runner. And this comes from someone who sees the 5th Gen 4Runner as a nice blend of the FJ and 3rd Gen 4Runner.
The 5th gen is my first automatic. I've driven manual trucks (dad has a 6MT F250), and frankly, the automatic suits the vehicle much better. I never thought I'd say it, but it is what it is.
I can live with manual but would have loved an answer to why the "shiftronic thingy" is defaulted for the 4th gear 
Also interested in the decision to only make the Limited 4WD capable on all surfaces and how this was communicated to dealer (since many of us got incorrect information - at least I knew the right information unlike some others)
Either way thanks for posting - pretty neat to meet the designer and love the signing of your vehicle
Also interested in the decision to only make the Limited 4WD capable on all surfaces and how this was communicated to dealer (since many of us got incorrect information - at least I knew the right information unlike some others)
Either way thanks for posting - pretty neat to meet the designer and love the signing of your vehicle
Wow, so a souped up version of the 4Runner may be on the way? Wonder which version of the 4R they would offer this in?
bpatten0416
New member
Interesting. If you get a chance in the future ask him why they "de-innovated" on the 4WD system for the 5th Gens? Seems like a major step backward to remove the multi-mode 4WD capability. If it's a cost savings thing, what makes the 5th gen so advanced to warrant the current sticker price? High price, less innovation - doesn't sound like the Toyota I love.
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2007 Sport 4.0L V6 Galactic Gray
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2007 Sport 4.0L V6 Galactic Gray
