headroom / moonroof

S

SSPey

New member
I'm 6'5" with a long torso and interested in a 5th gen, but have headroom concerns.

I'd appreciate hearing from taller drivers how the headroom compares with vs without a moonroof in the 5th gen. There is a little info in the archives, but not too specific, and Toyota has their specs but it is less clear how they measure clearance in/near/around the moonroof. Stock numbers can be deceiving ... so, I am interested in real-world testimonials. Unfortunately there are no (none, zero, zilch) dealers within a few hundred miles that have one available without a moonroof.

I've sat in several with a moonroof, and had an extended drive of a friend's Trail model. My head always rests against the edge of the moonroof frame when the seat is adjusted comfortably (8-way). It is annoying under regular driving and entirely unacceptable offroad.

thanks in advance for the replies. Vertically challenged - Steve
 
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I'm 6'3" and my head sits about 2-3 inches lower than the ceiling with sunroof. I hate Power seats, Can never get the position perfect. You take it to the dealer, and they mess with it all, take it to a car wash and they mess with it all. So once it's near perfect, it's screwed up again. All my past vehicles were manual seats, and since I'm tall I preferred those much more. Slide it back, tilt the rear and I'm good to go.

(a little story)
I took mine to the dealer last week for an alignment. I got back in it and my knees were hitting the dash, I couldn't believe it. I didn't even know the seat moved that far forward LOL. I was in awe for just a couple moments. The next day I went back since they didn't center the steering wheel and while I waited, I watched this dude (a Toyota Employee) about 4 feet tall, if that, get into a 1st gen Tundra and pull it into the back from the service bay. I watched him move that seat all the way forward, then still had to stretch to see over the steering wheel. My questions had been answered.
 
Gentle sidebar....

iDRiVaT4R said:
(a little story)
I took mine to the dealer last week for an alignment. I got back in it and my knees were hitting the dash, I couldn't believe it. I didn't even know the seat moved that far forward LOL. I was in awe for just a couple moments. The next day I went back since they didn't center the steering wheel and while I waited, I watched this dude (a Toyota Employee) about 4 feet tall, if that, get into a 1st gen Tundra and pull it into the back from the service bay. I watched him move that seat all the way forward, then still had to stretch to see over the steering wheel. My questions had been answered.
Click to expand...

Shucks! You finally let the cat outta the bag!

It's ALWAYS been an old mechanic's trick to move/adjust the drivers seat whenever a vehicle is brought in for service. Used to be taught in trade school about how gullible most folks are [especially when it comes to servicing the family automobile!], and, whether or not the mechanic does anything else to fix the vehicle -- but does remember to move the seat -- then the unwary customer believes the work was completed.

Works more than 99% of the time.....:cheers:
 
I'm 6'4" and find the 4runner very comfortable. I drove a bunch of cars before buying the runner, and the 4runner was the most comfortable of all the trucks and SUVs I drove. It took a bit of tinkering to get the seats perfect, but I've got it dialed now.

I've put my seat a bit forward, towards the wheel, of where i normally would, and reclined the seat a notch or two, and suddenly my 4runner was more comfortable than my couch, with an awesome airflow across my ear with the roof open.

I also drove many other SUVs and trucks before buying a 2011 TE and found it to be the most comfortable for my height and build. Im 6'4" and 195lbs, and usually feel cramped in almost every car i drive, except my parents Tahoe and now my shiny new Trail Edition -giggity!

I hope this helps.
 
Is there any of you notice the noise from moving the seat way back or forward. I have to move the seat all the way back to install my new Husky floor mats over the weekend and I heard the noise from the motor while moving the seat back and forth.
 
Yeah, I can hear the motor working as well. The motors are fairly strong, once I forgot the back seats were down, and I kept moving the seat back. At some point the motor got louder, then I realized what I was doing and stopped.
 
I'm 6'4 and also have a moon roof. My head probably 2-3 inches from the top, which I thought initially would be an issue. my 4th gen had no moonroof and there was much more headroom in it. However, with all the seating adjustments I was able to get it sorted out and now it's actually very comfortable for me. Being vertically challenged, as you call it, can be a pain in the a$$ but it sure helps to get to the roof without my running boards! ha!

Bottom line: You will have more headroom without the moonroof.
Cons: It may be hard to find, most of the ones I saw while looking were either Limited (which has moonroof standard) or SR5's with the moonroof options.
 
I'm 6'2, I have plenty of room between my head and the sunroof. I even have my seat straight upwards (used to recaro bucket seats in previous cars) and I still have 2-3 inches of headroom.
 
I am 6-5 - but long legged. Just picked up a 2010 Limited (has power seats and sunroof). I have had issues with other vehicles in the past but I have plenty of room in this ride.

Lovin it so far...
 
Moon roof is pointless!

I'm 6'5" also and with the lowest seat adjustment still touch the ceiling with my hair - especially when they clean and bushi :)

The truck without moonroof will give up to one inch extra room? and believe me that will make a huge difference in feeling! I also drive an old Ford Explorer without a moonroof and have much more head room.

Unfortunately, the only model without moonroof is base SR5/ trail and Ltd comes with moonroof as a standard option. What a good grief! I really wanted Trail and hate moonroof as a pointless and very often leaky gadget.

I am already dreaming that in the future Toyota will allow us to build the options with more freedom so I will trade my Trail w/moonroof to the one without it.
 
dron said:
Unfortunately, the only model without moonroof is base SR5/ trail and Ltd comes with moonroof as a standard option. What a good grief! I really wanted Trail and hate moonroof as a pointless and very often leaky gadget.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Perhaps you have had issues with Moonroofs on other vehicles? Just from the 4Runner standpoint, this is my 5th 4runner. None of my 3rd gens (i had 2) leaked at thier moonroofs, the 4th gen didn't (I had 1 with moonroof, one without), and so far nothing but normal in my 5th. I've honestly never had any issues with a leaky moonroof on any Toyota I've had, and that includes the Camry I had in 97. Where are you purchasing your "leaky gadget's" from? :)
 
thanks to all for the input. There's no question in my mind that the moonroof won't work, as it is tight enough that I'm a bit concerned whether it would even work without one. In addition to my height, I've got a long torso. I had a 2003 Tundra (plenty of headroom) and my wife has a 2003 Pilot (tons of headroom), the 4-runner just doesn't have that kind of space, but combines the best of both those vehicles. It'll be a month before I can sit in one without a moonroof. I don't mind getting an SR5 at all, not a luxury kinda guy, and my weekly off-roading is only rough and rutted logging roads, no crawling or deliberate off-road pursuits. Thanks again for the input.
 
Interisting indeed

kmiller8821 said:
Interesting. Perhaps you have had issues with Moonroofs on other vehicles? Just from the 4Runner standpoint, this is my 5th 4runner. None of my 3rd gens (i had 2) leaked at thier moonroofs, the 4th gen didn't (I had 1 with moonroof, one without), and so far nothing but normal in my 5th. I've honestly never had any issues with a leaky moonroof on any Toyota I've had, and that includes the Camry I had in 97. Where are you purchasing your "leaky gadget's" from? :)
Click to expand...

Well, you are probably a lucky guy. Also, cars are different. I have a Honda Accord w/moonroof. It is not leaking as of yet... since I follow the advice - don't use it if you do not need it. As I said, I never had a necessity to open it. Anyway, Honda's stance on the issue is that it is normal for the moonroof to leak around the seals. The leakage is collected in a channel on the lower perimeter of the glass. Any leakage should only go into the channel and drain out the drain tubes. Friend of mine has BMW SUV (X5?), and his moonroof starts to leak after one year.

Inertnet is full of stories leaking moonroofs, especially at carwash station.

Anyway, my point was - I do not need a moonroof; besides, it MAY leak. But I could not get the Trail without it.
 
I know these 5th gens have a drain tube attached to each corner of the sunroof assembly, so yeah, I'm sure they anticipate that they will either leak or people will open them up accidentally in the rain. As long as the water collects in the dedicated collectors then drain via the tubes, I suspect we shouldn't have too many issues with the sunroofs leaking into the cab, rusting the metal around the opening, etc. Well, I hope we don't have issues! Time will tell.
 
Hate moonroofs

I would be in a new 4runner if I could just find one without a moonroof..So Cal doesn't have any with a 3rd row and no moonroof...It's bad enough that they put that JBL in most T4Rs that cost us plenty...
 
followup: after 14 weeks, I finally took delivery of my 2011 SR5 without a moonroof. The lack of moonroof, combined with the power adjustable seat, provides plenty of headroom - better than any 3rd or 4th gen that I've tested. Very satisfied.

I had the dealer install Revo2s (Load E) and the ride difference compared to the stock tires is very noticeable. Much better. Going around turns, it feels firm instead of boat-like. It now handles like a truck, if only a bit top heavy by comparison. I had her romping around some logging roads the day after delivery for some steelhead :fishing: and I'm pretty sure this one is going to be with me for a loooong time.
 
SSPey said:
followup: after 14 weeks, I finally took delivery of my 2011 SR5 without a moonroof. The lack of moonroof, combined with the power adjustable seat, provides plenty of headroom - better than any 3rd or 4th gen that I've tested. Very satisfied.

I had the dealer install Revo2s (Load E) and the ride difference compared to the stock tires is very noticeable. Much better. Going around turns, it feels firm instead of boat-like. It now handles like a truck, if only a bit top heavy by comparison. I had her romping around some logging roads the day after delivery for some steelhead :fishing: and I'm pretty sure this one is going to be with me for a loooong time.
Click to expand...

Happy your happy. I was hoping it would work out for you.Could not agree more, tires are the key. Now, take some advice from a fellow Oregonian, get the husky or weather tech floor Matt's and save your carpet. Especially if your going into the hills Fishin. Been there and done that, and if you are planning to keep this unit for a loooing time as you state, those floor Matt's will be a real help. Good luck and be safe.....
 
The 4Runner is one of the few vehicles I really wanted a moonroof in. Having the MR open with all the windows down makes for a great ride. My wife and I are looking at a Lexus CT200h and the moonroof in it is unimpressive. It is small and it certainly eats up headroom. Thankfully, we're both 5'8", so it isn't too bad. But, yeah, you have to get the base model with zero options to get no moonroof on the CT. So, yeah, I'll just have to deal with it.
 
I'm 6'4" and have worked out a compromise of a seating position in my limited by lowering the seat cushion. I would prefer to have an inch or two more headroom and a 4runner without a sunroof would probably be the answer if I didn't have to give up other features in the process. If you would be happy without a sunroof I would say you should go that route for comfort.
 
No MoonRoof and loving it!

I ordered my 2011 Black SR5 with no moonroof and also added extra options...... best move I ever made on a new vehicle.
Mike
 
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