How many 5th gen owners had a 4th gen? What do like, what do you miss?
- Thread starter Jeff T
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DigableKid
New member
Most people who've had the V8 would say the V8. Although I like the body style now, I miss the curves a bit.
Hadelson
New member
2005 SR5 V6 vs. 2014 Base TE
1. 2014 is much better ride-less road/wind noise
2. 2005 Steering better road feel and response. 2014 has electric drive steering-precise, but without any road feel
3. 2005 trans had crisper shifts
4. 2005 had better throttle response
5. 4 wheel drive operation/traction is a wash
6. 2014 TE has manual 4 wheel drive engagement-I prefer this over the electric switch on the 2005. However, my 05 engaged in/out to Hi/Low without issues
7. 2014 interior is nicer and seats much more comfortable
8. 2014 sound system is huge improvement over 2005
9. 2014 head room and particularly entering is much better
Keep in mind 14 is still breaking in at 1400 miles. The 05 had a TRD StageII CAI and CAT Back. The 14 definitely has softer shift points, but does shift crisp. The few times I've tweaked the throttle, its does step out smartly. Am planning on going to Borla Cat Back at 5K. The 2014 is set-up same as the 2005 with Bilstein 5100's, SpiderTrax Spacers, Urethane bushings on sway bar brackets and end links. The 2005 had a 17mm rear bar vs. 20mm on 2014. Both have 30MM front bars. These mods substantially increase road-ability with dead on tracking, excellent cornering (for a full Frame 4x4) and substantially decrease to wind gust susceptibility . Both vehicles fitted with Michelin LTX MS 2's 265/70-17. Quality and fit for both is a dead wash-typical Toyota. I liked the 2005 so much, upgraded to the 2014 Base TE. My nephew has the 2005 and loves it!
1. 2014 is much better ride-less road/wind noise
2. 2005 Steering better road feel and response. 2014 has electric drive steering-precise, but without any road feel
3. 2005 trans had crisper shifts
4. 2005 had better throttle response
5. 4 wheel drive operation/traction is a wash
6. 2014 TE has manual 4 wheel drive engagement-I prefer this over the electric switch on the 2005. However, my 05 engaged in/out to Hi/Low without issues
7. 2014 interior is nicer and seats much more comfortable
8. 2014 sound system is huge improvement over 2005
9. 2014 head room and particularly entering is much better
Keep in mind 14 is still breaking in at 1400 miles. The 05 had a TRD StageII CAI and CAT Back. The 14 definitely has softer shift points, but does shift crisp. The few times I've tweaked the throttle, its does step out smartly. Am planning on going to Borla Cat Back at 5K. The 2014 is set-up same as the 2005 with Bilstein 5100's, SpiderTrax Spacers, Urethane bushings on sway bar brackets and end links. The 2005 had a 17mm rear bar vs. 20mm on 2014. Both have 30MM front bars. These mods substantially increase road-ability with dead on tracking, excellent cornering (for a full Frame 4x4) and substantially decrease to wind gust susceptibility . Both vehicles fitted with Michelin LTX MS 2's 265/70-17. Quality and fit for both is a dead wash-typical Toyota. I liked the 2005 so much, upgraded to the 2014 Base TE. My nephew has the 2005 and loves it!
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WODWorldWide
New member
Had a 2008 sr5 and traded for '14 trail. Let's see,
2008:
Likes:
Felt quicker
Never had a single issue with it.
Great gas mileage ~ 23-24
Dislikes:
No 4wd
No back up camera (on the 09)
No touch screen
Manual seats
Front end was too low
14
Likes:
Bigger, better features (reclining rear seats)
4wd and offroad goodies
Camera, touch screen, more interior room.
Looks better IMO
Dislikes:
Sluggish up the Rockies but great around town.
Gas mileage is a little less
2008:
Likes:
Felt quicker
Never had a single issue with it.
Great gas mileage ~ 23-24
Dislikes:
No 4wd
No back up camera (on the 09)
No touch screen
Manual seats
Front end was too low
14
Likes:
Bigger, better features (reclining rear seats)
4wd and offroad goodies
Camera, touch screen, more interior room.
Looks better IMO
Dislikes:
Sluggish up the Rockies but great around town.
Gas mileage is a little less
Ol'Baditude
New member
Had a 2003 Sport before my 2011 SR5.
2003: Miss the Center diff, shift knob, seat fabric/padding(side of my drivers seat is completely crunched), more defined shifts and I perceived better on road manners(maybe it's just me). Overall, I felt the powerband and shifting suited the vehicle better than the 5th gen. On road and for a daily driver, I liked this 4Runner more.
2011: Love the manual mode on the tranny, and the ATRAC comes in really handy off road. I like the fit and finish and the offroad ability of this 4Runner more.
However, since I'm on road 90% of the time and given the road conditions here during the winter, I'd really like to have the ability to drive around all day without shifting in and out of 4hi. Hence, I'd probably trade ATRAC for a center diff if I really had to choose. I realize this is possible with the Limited, I'm just not a fan and couldn't justify the additional cost if even if I was.
2003: Miss the Center diff, shift knob, seat fabric/padding(side of my drivers seat is completely crunched), more defined shifts and I perceived better on road manners(maybe it's just me). Overall, I felt the powerband and shifting suited the vehicle better than the 5th gen. On road and for a daily driver, I liked this 4Runner more.
2011: Love the manual mode on the tranny, and the ATRAC comes in really handy off road. I like the fit and finish and the offroad ability of this 4Runner more.
However, since I'm on road 90% of the time and given the road conditions here during the winter, I'd really like to have the ability to drive around all day without shifting in and out of 4hi. Hence, I'd probably trade ATRAC for a center diff if I really had to choose. I realize this is possible with the Limited, I'm just not a fan and couldn't justify the additional cost if even if I was.
IbrahimGTSR
New member
Center console
I really miss that 4th Gen center console..... Still want make it a mod on 5th gen
Also 4th Gen had less chrome, and light didn't stick out much on all 4 corners, But I love my 5th but will miss the 4th Gen.
I really miss that 4th Gen center console..... Still want make it a mod on 5th gen
Also 4th Gen had less chrome, and light didn't stick out much on all 4 corners, But I love my 5th but will miss the 4th Gen.
DigableKid
New member
Mine had a soft close mechanism, too.
I just went from Two V8 4th gens to 2 5th gens.
The think I miss the most is the auto start function.
Second is the V8 (yea that's right, the v8 second)
I also liked the auto closing rear hatch
And lastly the remote rear window roll down
I "upgraded" to a 2010 TE Prem with Nav and KDSS....and a 2013 SR5 with 3rd Row.
I like having a locker, even though I had center diff lock in both 4th gens. I like having the fold down third row in the 5th gen, and I like the roomy feeling in the 5th.
On a side note, other small things I miss from the 4th.
Thicker sheet metal
Better seats
Projector headlights
LED Tail Lights
The think I miss the most is the auto start function.
Second is the V8 (yea that's right, the v8 second)
I also liked the auto closing rear hatch
And lastly the remote rear window roll down
I "upgraded" to a 2010 TE Prem with Nav and KDSS....and a 2013 SR5 with 3rd Row.
I like having a locker, even though I had center diff lock in both 4th gens. I like having the fold down third row in the 5th gen, and I like the roomy feeling in the 5th.
On a side note, other small things I miss from the 4th.
Thicker sheet metal
Better seats
Projector headlights
LED Tail Lights
2008 SR5 now a 2013 TE
Things about the 4th Gen I like better...
Console
Leather shift knob/leather steering wheel
Better quality materials used inside
Sheet metal maybe thicker?
LED tails
Projectors looked cooler but 5th gen headlights are just as good, probably better
Auto close hatch
storage compartments in cargo area
Mostly....center diff to have full time 4wd option!
5th Gen TE
Love optitron guages
Much prefer exterior style
CRAWL control/rear locker
V6 seems to have more power
Ride and handling seems same (no KDSS on my TE)
Installed a 4th gen leather shift knob and leather wheel cover
I think the 4th Gen is a better put together vehicle but never got used to the styling
Things about the 4th Gen I like better...
Console
Leather shift knob/leather steering wheel
Better quality materials used inside
Sheet metal maybe thicker?
LED tails
Projectors looked cooler but 5th gen headlights are just as good, probably better
Auto close hatch
storage compartments in cargo area
Mostly....center diff to have full time 4wd option!
5th Gen TE
Love optitron guages
Much prefer exterior style
CRAWL control/rear locker
V6 seems to have more power
Ride and handling seems same (no KDSS on my TE)
Installed a 4th gen leather shift knob and leather wheel cover
I think the 4th Gen is a better put together vehicle but never got used to the styling
ryanbt
New member
2008 UR vs 2014 Limited:
2008 Miss:
- So far it seems gas mileage is not as good, but not significantly different to complain.
- Locking fuel door
- the title being in my possession
Don't miss:
- Front seats! There was never enough leg room (even compared to my 3rd gen) and they always squeaked around the lumbar area. Dealer even replaced the seats once.
- Lack of head room. My hair was always brushing the ceiling with the sunroof. (I'm 6'2")
- driveshaft clunk after coming to a stop
- rear hatch being motorized. everyone else other than me slammed the door shut. I figured it would break one of these days. It's gone in 5th gen models.
2014 Likes:
- Love that they brought back all of the little things they took away from the 2006-2009 (LED tails, hidden antenna, projector beam headlights, etc)
- head room / leg room and overall interior space
- seats are actually comfortable now
- the "knee" notch in the back of the front seats adds 1-2" leg room to the back seat. I don't think this was available in 2010-2013 models.
- all of the new gadgets that were not available in 2008. smart key. HD radio. rear camera. heated/vented seats etc, etc, etc.
2014... not sure yet:
- haven't been able to determine if the spare is a real useful wheel yet (or if its still yellow like the 2010-2013)
- tires/wheels too narrow. wheel spacers or tires can fix this though.
- Toyota removed the handle that helped shorter people get in the back seat. In the 4th gen it was on the cross beam where the front seatbelt was mounted. I don't have running boards at all and this truck is much higher then the 4th gen. It's difficult for shorter people to get in the back seat without this handle.
I'm sure I will add more as time goes on.!
2008 Miss:
- So far it seems gas mileage is not as good, but not significantly different to complain.
- Locking fuel door
- the title being in my possession
Don't miss:
- Front seats! There was never enough leg room (even compared to my 3rd gen) and they always squeaked around the lumbar area. Dealer even replaced the seats once.
- Lack of head room. My hair was always brushing the ceiling with the sunroof. (I'm 6'2")
- driveshaft clunk after coming to a stop
- rear hatch being motorized. everyone else other than me slammed the door shut. I figured it would break one of these days. It's gone in 5th gen models.
2014 Likes:
- Love that they brought back all of the little things they took away from the 2006-2009 (LED tails, hidden antenna, projector beam headlights, etc)
- head room / leg room and overall interior space
- seats are actually comfortable now
- the "knee" notch in the back of the front seats adds 1-2" leg room to the back seat. I don't think this was available in 2010-2013 models.
- all of the new gadgets that were not available in 2008. smart key. HD radio. rear camera. heated/vented seats etc, etc, etc.
2014... not sure yet:
- haven't been able to determine if the spare is a real useful wheel yet (or if its still yellow like the 2010-2013)
- tires/wheels too narrow. wheel spacers or tires can fix this though.
- Toyota removed the handle that helped shorter people get in the back seat. In the 4th gen it was on the cross beam where the front seatbelt was mounted. I don't have running boards at all and this truck is much higher then the 4th gen. It's difficult for shorter people to get in the back seat without this handle.
I'm sure I will add more as time goes on.!
Ol'Baditude
New member
Ahh yes, forgot about that. Funny, since I miss it every time I close the rear hatch on my 2011. Good call chip!
Jeff T
Member
I crawled underneath it today.. The spare rim on the 2014 is still yellow..
That should look nice cruising down the highway!
eddiebx
New member
I crawled underneath it today.. The spare rim on the 2014 is still yellow..
Paint the other 4 to match the yellow if it bothers you that much :hatsoff:
Jeff T
Member
It might be easier to paint just the one yellow one!
scott78945
Member
I had a 2005 Sport and LOVED the V8. I also miss the fact that I could get X-reas on the Sport then but not on the Trail now without going to the Limited.
