I hope the 6th gen is not based on the 2016 Tacoma

[Jetboy]

I was a little surprised to see the 6 speed paired with 3.91 gears (like the gx460). I think it would feel a lot more at ease with 4.10 gears, which I also think should be the standard gear ratio for the 4runner at least the 4x4 models.

I *think* the new taco will have the "8.2" diff in the rear end. That at least is pretty good news if it is the case. We will see a lot more gear offerings if we can swap diffs with the tacoma. And, I actually think for the stock 4runners, 3.91 would be a nice improvement.

 

[DesertCanyons]

6th Gen transmission

... I would bet the 6 speed transmission comes from the LC200, not the new Tacoma. Toyota can take the same supply chain they used for the LC200 - 6 speed, renew the existing contract for the 6th gen 4runner with zero risk. It's service proven and the the lead time kinks have already been worked out for the LC200 production over the past 7 years. This is the "Trickle down effect" I was referencing in the above post...everything trickles down from the Land Cruiser, eventually.... to the other models.

I don't see the similarities between the Tacoma and a 4Runner. The Tacoma is lighter and smaller. The engine has always been smaller, AFAIK. If it has a higher tow rating it's probably because there is much less weight in the back, on the back axle and the proportions front to back mean the Tacoma has a higher ratio in the front. It's total gross vehicle weight (GVW) with cargo and tongue weight combined, may be lower than the 4Runner. I'd have to check that to confirm.

As far as offering a 6 or 8 speed, this would improve the gas mileage and possibly acceleration. Would it also improve low end torque for off-road? Does an 8 speed offer good off-roading performance? The Jeep GC has an 8 speed and offers a V8 option with a different trans, but it's not necessarily better because of the 8 speed.

I would expect a 4Runner of today's weight and size to offer a different transmission than the transmission in a Tacoma or a Land Cruiser. The Tacoma is lighter and the LC is heavier, with neither trans being a good fit.

One of the big advantages of the 5th Gen 4Runner is the cargo capacity. There's room to make it lighter and smaller, but then it becomes more like the size of a Wrangler Unlimited or the Nissan Xterra that's being discontinued.

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

16-18 mpg is horrid if true. You can get that on some full size trucks.

Give the truck/engine some time to break in. MPG will improve

 

[NuclearN8]

I was a little surprised to see the 6 speed paired with 3.91 gears (like the gx460). I think it would feel a lot more at ease with 4.10 gears, which I also think should be the standard gear ratio for the 4runner at least the 4x4 models.

I *think* the new taco will have the "8.2" diff in the rear end. That at least is pretty good news if it is the case. We will see a lot more gear offerings if we can swap diffs with the tacoma. And, I actually think for the stock 4runners, 3.91 would be a nice improvement.

"bd22a diff" confirmed by the horse @ 4:45'ish (same as the hilux)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=39&v=fAKM7eFkI8M
(@ 6:40 he admits it is the design standard for Toyota)

 

[Jetboy]

"bd22a diff" confirmed by the horse @ 4:45'ish (same as the hilux)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=39&v=fAKM7eFkI8M
(@ 6:40 he admits it is the design standard for Toyota)

I'm not a taco expert. What I'm reading says 8.75" ring gear and new fully internal electric actuation (finally!). So is this now a completely new intermediate diff between an 8" and the 9.5" LC axle? Or is it just a new twist on the old 8"? And, possibly more importantly if it's just a new twist on the 8", does the new electric diff fit cleanly inside any axle housing(with possible stud relocation)? If so - it's going to be very popular for many applications. They're strong enough I'd even consider one in a front axle of my offroader.

 

[Bevo]

The Taco and 4R do share the same frame and most components.

I'll say it again, the frames are different. The front section of the frames are similar as they use most of the same suspension components, but the rest of the frame is a different design.

 

[4Rager]

I test drove a TRD Off-Road Double Cab on Saturday since my friend is looking to get one (he is paralyzed, so I did the driving) and I liked the overall fit and finish and general look of the vehicle. The gauges and color HUD look much updated from my 2014, as do the digital AC controls. I actually thought the seat felt high, and was disappointed to see that you can't lower it at all, just back and forth & reclining.

As far as the new engine and trans, there were three adults in the vehicle and it definitely didn't feel like it was lacking power. However, I can see what people are saying about "hunting for a gear" when driving on the freeway. Any mild incline and it wanted to downshift. The truck we drove only had 12 miles on it, so I attribute a lot of this to the engine not being broken in and ecu still calibrating itself.

My friend has rode in my 4Runner a lot, and we both walked away impressed by the new taco. Really the only thing we missed were the softex power/adjustable seats, since it still had a sunroof, JBL Entune/nav, heated seats & the e-locker etc from the Trail.

 

[cjacob316]

I set in several of the new 2016 Tacoma's. I am not overly impressed. The seat seemed very low with my legs extended to reach the pedal. I like a higher seat more like setting in a chair. I paint on the sand colored Tacoma seemed very dull and not a very high quality finish. I did not really care for the dash layout. From the magazines reviews I have read the 3.5 has even less low end torque than the old 4.0 and needs to rev very high to make power.

2nd gen Tacomas had the same seat issues, It's not a new thing, just something that continues to get overlooked in the Tacoma design.

 

[M1911]

I'm not a taco expert. What I'm reading says 8.75" ring gear and new fully internal electric actuation (finally!). So is this now a completely new intermediate diff between an 8" and the 9.5" LC axle? Or is it just a new twist on the old 8"? And, possibly more importantly if it's just a new twist on the 8", does the new electric diff fit cleanly inside any axle housing(with possible stud relocation)? If so - it's going to be very popular for many applications. They're strong enough I'd even consider one in a front axle of my offroader.

I thought I read that the Taco comes with two different diffs, depending upon the trim line. Most of them come with the 8" diff. Only the Offroad spec comes with the 8.75". I believe that the 8.75" comes from the Hilux.

 

[cjacob316]

Over at Tacoma World forums new owners seem to be kind of disappointed in the less than advertised mileage claims on an OEM stock truck. 16 to 18 mpg seems common and what I can manage in my lifted 4runner with heavy duratracs. I would think it would do better in the mpg dept with the lesser engine. Was contemplating trading for one for about a day then my sanity returned.

They always complained about the mpg they got on their 2nd gens too. I constantly got over the epa estimated and they got below, as a whole, that forum is full of guys with lead feet.

 

[WakeDreams]

I'll say it again, the frames are different. The front section of the frames are similar as they use most of the same suspension components, but the rest of the frame is a different design.

Ok well then we can both be correct, they have some similarities and some differences. :biggrin1:

 

[NuclearN8]

I'm not a taco expert. What I'm reading says 8.75" ring gear and new fully internal electric actuation (finally!). So is this now a completely new intermediate diff between an 8" and the 9.5" LC axle? Or is it just a new twist on the old 8"? And, possibly more importantly if it's just a new twist on the 8", does the new electric diff fit cleanly inside any axle housing(with possible stud relocation)? If so - it's going to be very popular for many applications. They're strong enough I'd even consider one in a front axle of my offroader.

me either, was just sharing info.. but I suspect since the Tacoma TRD OffRoad model is the only Tacoma model with a locking rear diff that you are correct, the b2dda is used on the tacoma offroad and the sr/sr5/sport/ limited trim models have a slightly different diff (perhaps a b2dda variant with the only difference being a lack of internal electric actuation that comes standard on the hilux internationally and the TRD OR in the USA market).
Anyhow, back on topic I'd bet the next 4runner is more likely to get the diff's from the LC200 than the all new Tacoma. should be interesting to see the components they select anywho...

 

[Jetboy]

I would actually be pretty surprised to see the 4runner jump up to the 9.5" diff unless it gets a v8 - and even then the GX doesn't use a big differential. I'd love to see it, but it may be overkill.

Also FWIW - the "new" tacoma diff may be a re-birth of the 8.7" that was in some Supra models. Apparently the Supra 8.7 internals are almost interchangeable with the 8.7" clamshell front diff from the 200 landcruiser / Tundra with the only difference being the axle splines. Toyota loves to re-use parts across the lineup.

 

[sn_85]

I have to think they'll borrow the engine and tranny from the new Tacoma for the 6th Gen 4Runner, just like they did in 2010.

Would also be nice to see them tweak the new V-6 like they did in 2010 when they put it in the 4Runner, but knowing Toyota I would be shocked if they messed with a 1-year old powertrain.

I would love to have the 6-speed in my 4Runner, they should have come with them in 2010 or 2014, but again, Toyota is not cutting edge.

The new Tacoma V-6 would be nice to have for the MPG, but as I've pointed out the power numbers are certainly disappointing for a new motor.

2017 should be interesting...

The MPG numbers are deceptive. They are advertised as 18/23 for 4x4 models WITH the front air dam and the tonneau cover. The TRD Off Road model which does not have a front air dam and without a tonneau cover only gets 17/20. So really the new powertrains are really not that much more gas efficient than the old ones if you take out external factors (air dam and tonneau cover).

 

[NuclearN8]

since this thread is all about the future I figured rather than starting a new thread I'd drop this article here:

Toyota aims to nearly eliminate gasoline cars by 2050 | Fox News

the 6th gen might be last 4runner generation that is offered with soley a ICE powerplant. If this article is true and toyota wants to do this then the natural next step is to shift everything to a hybrid powertrain then to an all hydrogen based powertrain. It'd also make sense that Toyota would get into the hydrogen supply business to create the infrastructure to support this long term goal. IF they could monopolize the hydrogen refill stations, they could, in effect control the future of car manufacturing in more ways than the EPA or any government ever could in America and profit from the use of not only selling hydrogen Toyota vehicles but people filling up their hydrogen vehicles from any manufacturer.

anyhow, interesting to think about... back on topic.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

since this thread is all about the future I figured rather than starting a new thread I'd drop this article here:

Toyota aims to nearly eliminate gasoline cars by 2050 | Fox News

the 6th gen might be last 4runner generation that is offered with soley a ICE powerplant. If this article is true and toyota wants to do this then the natural next step is to shift everything to a hybrid powertrain then to an all hydrogen based powertrain. It'd also make sense that Toyota would get into the hydrogen supply business to create the infrastructure to support this long term goal. IF they could monopolize the hydrogen refill stations, they could, in effect control the future of car manufacturing in more ways than the EPA or any government ever could in America and profit from the use of not only selling hydrogen Toyota vehicles but people filling up their hydrogen vehicles from any manufacturer.

anyhow, interesting to think about... back on topic.

I trust Toyota, and they certainly have some experience with hybrid powertrains. If they can meet the power/range/reliability goals that most have at an affordable price then having a hybrid powertrain wouldn't be a concern. The torque from electric motors would probably be nice for off-roading without the range anxiety of a full electric.

If someday they went full electric drive with a hydrogen generator, then the control you could have over individual wheels and the amount of power they are given would be pretty crazy.

Some companies chase the leading edge of tech and the consumer suffers their growing pains, I don't think that's the case with Toyota.

 

[NuclearN8]

me either, was just sharing info.. but I suspect since the Tacoma TRD OffRoad model is the only Tacoma model with a locking rear diff that you are correct, the b2dda is used on the tacoma offroad and the sr/sr5/sport/ limited trim models have a slightly different diff (perhaps a b2dda variant with the only difference being a lack of internal electric actuation that comes standard on the hilux internationally and the TRD OR in the USA market).
Anyhow, back on topic I'd bet the next 4runner is more likely to get the diff's from the LC200 than the all new Tacoma. should be interesting to see the components they select anywho...

along the lines of the new 2016 Tacoma features I found this great link I wanted to share [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] http://www.toyotareference.com/guts/tacoma16_new.pdf

 

[MikeD72]

I have to think they'll borrow the engine and tranny from the new Tacoma for the 6th Gen 4Runner, just like they did in 2010.

Would also be nice to see them tweak the new V-6 like they did in 2010 when they put it in the 4Runner, but knowing Toyota I would be shocked if they messed with a 1-year old powertrain.

I would love to have the 6-speed in my 4Runner, they should have come with them in 2010 or 2014, but again, Toyota is not cutting edge.

The new Tacoma V-6 would be nice to have for the MPG, but as I've pointed out the power numbers are certainly disappointing for a new motor.

2017 should be interesting...

Unfortunately, what I am reading int TacomaWorld and online reviews, the MPGs don't seem to be much better....especially with the OR trim. If they put the new Taco engine in the Runner I really hppe the tweak the low end torgue. So far I like the current 4R V6 better than the new Taco engine.

 

[MikeD72]

the new Taco has me thinking I may trade the 4R in

The new Taco has me thinking I better buy a 4R soon before they screw that up too, lol.

 

[ST1FLER]

The new Taco has me thinking I better buy a 4R soon before they screw that up too, lol.

your avatar has me thinking about a taco but not a tacoma