Do you prefer BOF or unibody for 6th gen?

[BlackWorksInc]

It would be interesting to see how well the tailgate opens/closes on a new JGC when compared to a 4Runner when placed in a similarly-flexed position. I'm optimistic that the modern JGC would perform much better in this regard when compared against an old XJ, whose design dates back to the mid 1980s.

I can't comment on newer Japanese vehicles but my E90 BMW felt like it was carved out of a solid block of steel. They aren't known for body issues. This being said I do know BMW has screwed up before - the older E46 M3 is notorious for broken rear subframe mounts.

The issue is also long term resilience to those forces, the flex a vehicle exhibits in say a turn is not as drastic as a vehicle that's on two wheels and has the weight of the vehicle pulling one end down while the suspension is trying to compress and extend at oposite corners twisting the body. That's a lot more flex in the body than most vehicles are expected to see. Like I said before, it may not be an issue in the short term, but after a while you'll probably see evidence of fatigue in the unibody and suspension, that's what seems to happen to unibodies being off-roaded heavily. I know the older JGC from the mid 80's to mid 2000's or so have those issues as I've seen and had a couple friends who wheeled them hard.

Keep in mind the BMW is more designed for on road manners and forces than heavy offroading like you'd do in a 4Runner. It's very solid feeling because it's a porker and the adaptive suspension coupled with bracing lends it to hug the road really well.

 

[brockvond]

The title of this thread is real troll bait...

 

[Lug1]

Let's face it, any salesman worth their salt will sell a Unibody 4Runner over a a frame one to a soccer mom/ office working douche male in split seconds.

And that's how the world works.

Also, have a look at the newer 4R, compared to my '99 they look like luxury space shuttles - I can't really see buying one and then getting the body dent and scratched out in the tundra. Seeing a Unibody 4R would not surprise me the least.

 

[Thai]

I'm sure they do design with that in mind, but so far the number of spit weld issues, popping, creaking, and such I've seen in just corolla, Camry, Rav4, ect. not including some other models is not reinforcing me belief in that.

Should you include the FJ Cruiser fender tear in there?

But, yeah, in general, if you do off-roading or extensive towing, then BoF is the best to withstand punishment over the long haul. There is no debate on this. The questions are:

1. How often does an average 4runner consumer off-road/tow to even affect long-term durability?

2. How long does an average 4runner owner even keeps their car?

Is BoF needed then if the answer above does not favor BoF's potential benefits...at the sacrifice of fuel economy and safety?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Should you include the FJ Cruiser fender tear in there?

But, yeah, in general, if you do off-roading or extensive towing, then BoF is the best to withstand punishment over the long haul. There is no debate on this. The questions are:

1. How often does an average 4runner consumer off-road/tow to even affect long-term durability?

2. How long does an average 4runner owner even keeps their car?

Is BoF needed then if the answer above does not favor BoF's potential benefits...at the sacrifice of fuel economy and safety?

Exactly true. That's why I have little faith in a Unibody 6th Gen's long term capability for the niche market that is off-road enthusiasts.

 

[Thai]

Exactly true. That's why I have little faith in a Unibody 6th Gen's long term capability for the niche market that is off-road enthusiasts.

There is always Jeep Wrangler Rubicon! :bluejump:

 

[5ontheFloor]

I definitely love my 5th gen. I'm pretty new to the 4runner scene and relatively new to off roading. I did own a 98 Nissan Pathfinder and I loved that truck. Granted it was a 2WD but I always felt like I was driving and SUV even with the unibody because of the BFG tires and 5spd manual shifter on the floor. It also had that slight round-boxiness to it that aesthetically makes me think SUV. I never did any hard core off roading but I never got myself stuck either and it did well as my daily driver and occasional trip in the mud. That being said, my '15 TE definitely handles as I expect it should on road and is more than capable off road. I also drove a 03 Ford Econoline for about 6 years and that kind of got me used to the roll that freaks out normal people when they drive a BOF SUV/Truck. If they go to UNI I am glad that I have the last one. If they continue with BOF but improve performance and/or other goodies then I would consider buying again

 

[RedMagik]

I just want more towing capacity, which I don't think will happen with a unibody.

 

[Thai]

I just want more towing capacity, which I don't think will happen with a unibody.

Towing capacity is one thing...towing a lot and not having issues years down the road is another.

There are plenty of unibody SUVs that have high towing capacity...some more so than 4runner. These unibodies have reinforced rear end where the tow hitch attaches. I think wheelbase is an important factor in towing capacity too (i am no expert).

If you tow a lot, then i would definitely stick to BoF...but if so, then i am not sure if 4runner is even a good choice...may need one ton trucks.

 

[e60ral]

i wouldnt buy a unibody 4runner period

i could be wrong but i always thought that one of the reasons cherokees and gc's never could last nearly as long as 4r's is that they werent built as well and being a unibody was one of the main contributors

when my '03 V8 is needing replacement, i'll likely be looking for another 4th gen 4.7- part if the reason is that i want to swap over racks, bumpers and other parts to same generation- the good part is my '03 w 162k still runs and drives like she has fresh legs

I don't think being unibody is why cherokee's and gc's have reliability/longevity problems. for one, it has nothing to do with a lot of the common problems, and two it's not like the wrangler is known for being perfectly reliable