It's official !! Next GX to be unibody

[CookieRoe]

Saw this:

Lexus to replace GX SUV with new TX crossover - Autoblog

This was speculated a while back, but I suppose it's sort of official. Because the GX is loosely based on the 4Runner, this certainly can fuel speculation that the next gen 4Runner (6th gen) might be not be BOF. However, Toyota has said recently it does remain committed to it's FJ/4Runner lineup. Read here: Toyota reaffirms commitment to body-on-frame SUVs - Autoblog .

I honestly don't see BOF SUVs from Toyota disappearing anytime soon. If you travel overseas, the market is full of BOF trucks (HiLuxes/Prados/LandCruisers/Fortuners). Wouldn't it be cool if the next gen 4Runner a "rebadged" Prado?? Anyway, the American market GX will be going unibody to compete against the Infinity JX. I honestly don't see the next gen 4Runner going unibody thankfully.

 

[JohnsD90]

I dont think they will stray away, Toyota knows that people really like the BOF and Solid rear axle of it, and they and nissan get the mild offroading type people that dont quite want a Wrangler because its not as practical.

 

[IanB]

It's probably not a big deal as nobody buys the Lexus new to go offroading with, that's left to the 2nd and 3rd owners, lol. As long as the unibody replacement can tow people's boats and stuff like that I doubt anyone will mind.

 

[KCcarguy]

Saw this:

Lexus to replace GX SUV with new TX crossover - Autoblog

This was speculated a while back, but I suppose it's sort of official. Because the GX is loosely based on the 4Runner, this certainly can fuel speculation that the next gen 4Runner (6th gen) might be not be BOF. However, Toyota has said recently it does remain committed to it's FJ/4Runner lineup. Read here: Toyota reaffirms commitment to body-on-frame SUVs - Autoblog .

I honestly don't see BOF SUVs from Toyota disappearing anytime soon. If you travel overseas, the market is full of BOF trucks (HiLuxes/Prados/LandCruisers/Fortuners). Wouldn't it be cool if the next gen 4Runner a "rebadged" Prado?? Anyway, the American market GX will be going unibody to compete against the Infinity JX. I honestly don't see the next gen 4Runner going unibody thankfully.

Maybe it'll be base on the Highlander instead. Now that the GX is going the CUV route, I'd love it if Toyota just re-labeles the next gen Prado as the 4runner!

 

[CookieRoe]

I dont think they will stray away, Toyota knows that people really like the BOF and Solid rear axle of it, and they and nissan get the mild offroading type people that dont quite want a Wrangler because its not as practical.

Agreed.

It's probably not a big deal as nobody buys the Lexus new to go offroading with, that's left to the 2nd and 3rd owners, lol. As long as the unibody replacement can tow people's boats and stuff like that I doubt anyone will mind.

Definitely. Although I don't see many people towing their boats with GXs. Another point: I see more newer GXs with "prized wives" driving them around here. They are going to unibody to compete with the dumb Infinity JX (sales success). Can't really blame them for wanting a piece of that pie that Infinity is currently enjoying.

Maybe it'll be base on the Highlander instead. Now that the GX is going the CUV route, I'd love it if Toyota just re-labeles the next gen Prado as the 4runner!

THIS. WOULD. BE. FREEKING. AWESOME.

Prados are sweet. I don't see the Prado disappearing. They are common in 3rd world countries, if Toyota simply "rebadged" them, it would be "cheaper" for them I would think. BUT having that said, you have to wonder what that MIGHT do to LandCruiser sales. I'm going to say probably nothing. It would also be very sweet if we saw that 3.0 TurboDiesel engine............... oh man (I'm going to day dream all day today.................. hahah)

From what I've seen and read, the 4Runner future is safe as a BOF design (just how we all like it). The upcoming GX will be neutered, and that is unfortunate, but Lexus does have to make money..............

Let's hope for the rebadge!

 

[M1911]

The problem that I have with the Prado is the same problem that I have with the GX -- rear window doesn't open and that stupid barn door.

Have you seen the spindle grill on the new GX460? And I thought that the 2014 4Runner grill was ugly. Yuck.

 

[sven]

The problem that I have with the Prado is the same problem that I have with the GX -- rear window doesn't open and that stupid barn door.

The rear window on the current generation GX & LC Prado does open. But it pops open, instead of sliding down into the rear door to open.

 

[M1911]

Sven: Thanks for the correction!

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I hope the 4Runner doesn't go the way of the Nissan Pathfinder. I much prefer truck-based SUV's

 

[M1911]

I hope the 4Runner doesn't go the way of the Nissan Pathfinder. I much prefer truck-based SUV's

I don't think it will. Toyota already has a mid size crossover -- the Highlander. It wouldn't make any sense to have two mid size crossovers. Toyota could eventually cancel the 4Runner but I can't see the turning it into a crossover.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

.....Let's hope for the rebadge!

Be careful what you wish for. According to Toyota Australia, the current model Prado 150 was designed on the premise that 90% of the Prados never go off the pavement. and that is why many prado 150 owners in australia are complaining about the cracks in the engine bay which has been an issue already with the 120 series.

i guess that is why the ozzies refer to the prado as the playdo, pramry, and lately, the pradette.

 

[CookieRoe]

Be careful what you wish for. According to Toyota Australia, the current model Prado 150 was designed on the premise that 90% of the Prados never go off the pavement. and that is why many prado 150 owners in australia are complaining about the cracks in the engine bay which has been an issue already with the 120 series.

i guess that is why the ozzies refer to the prado as the playdo, pramry, and lately, the pradette.

Is this the same "crack" that FJ's suffer from? I would like to think Toyota fixed that problem. I know latter year FJs no longer had this problem. Regardless, I don't think Toyota would make a BOF SUV just for the USA. The Prado is sold basically everywhere and the Fortuner is too damn small to replace the 4Runner. Unless I'm missing something, I think it would be make business sense to "bring on over" a Prado, slap "4Runner" badges on it and be done with it. I'm sure if we took a poll, most would LOVE AND RUN to the dealer to get one.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Is this the same "crack" that FJ's suffer from? I would like to think Toyota fixed that problem. I know latter year FJs no longer had this problem. Regardless, I don't think Toyota would make a BOF SUV just for the USA. The Prado is sold basically everywhere and the Fortuner is too damn small to replace the 4Runner. Unless I'm missing something, I think it would be make business sense to "bring on over" a Prado, slap "4Runner" badges on it and be done with it. I'm sure if we took a poll, most would LOVE AND RUN to the dealer to get one.

Yea you would think Toyota would fix their ongoing issues, but no. Their driveshafts still clunk, and their frame coating still sucks (it's actually worse now), so the frames of their new 4Runners start to rust on the boat ride over from the factory, as seen on my 2013, and every other 5th Gen I have seen the frame of. Toyota doesn't Learn from their mistakes.

 

[CookieRoe]

Yea you would think Toyota would fix their ongoing issues, but no. Their driveshafts still clunk, and their frame coating still sucks (it's actually worse now), so the frames of their new 4Runners start to rust on the boat ride over from the factory, as seen on my 2013, and every other 5th Gen I have seen the frame of. Toyota doesn't Learn from their mistakes.

The FJ front fender issue has been addressed as far as I remember from FJ forums , but I can't comment on the Prado.

Driveshaft "clunk" is a nuisance, not an issue. This according to Toyota engineers (can't find the link). A "clunking" driveshaft doesn't mean it's going to fail. All of my Surfs/HiLux/4Runners had this.

As far as rust: Again, I can't comment on the rust, but I'm sure it's just surface rust and not a big deal. I wonder if new GX's come with frame rust as the 5th gens?

As far as Toyota's mistakes, that's fine. I'll take any Toyota over ANY manufactures (except maybe Honda, but don't make a BOF SUV) "mistakes".

 

[M1911]

I can tell you that the frame rust on my 4th gen, while not extensive, certainly isn't surface rust.

 

[AZrunner11]

Why does TOYOTA that they need to compete with Nissan

I don't understand why Toyota thinks they need to compete with Nissan. They should make a line of vehicles with have come to expect, but instead they are trying to follow Nissan down what I call a dead end street. It is apparent in the front end refreshes of the 2014 line up. I will now have to baby my 12 TE because I don't want anything that looks like a Nissan Pathfinder. It was okay to compete in the 90s with Nissan, but Toyota is heads and shoulders above Nissan now.

So Toyota PLEASE do your own thing with the Toyota/Lexus lineup. We want tough and aggressive looking vehicles instead of chromed out yuppie rides because Toyota 4WDs are supposed to be badazz.

And yes some people do wheel Lexus rides. And it was pretty saweeet!

 

[SeattleCyclist]

Toyota/Lexus leading not Nissan/Infiniti!

It may look to you like it's Toyota following the lead of Nissan. In truth, this was decided on this way before Nissan decided to make their Pathfinder/InifinitJX unibody. It was just that Nissan had a shorter time-to-market.

This move was done not to appease us off-road lovers. It was done becuase it would be better to their bottom-line. Remember, Toyota/Lexus is a for-profit company, not a enthusiast group.

I don't understand why Toyota thinks they need to compete with Nissan. They should make a line of vehicles with have come to expect, but instead they are trying to follow Nissan down what I call a dead end street. It is apparent in the front end refreshes of the 2014 line up. I will now have to baby my 12 TE because I don't want anything that looks like a Nissan Pathfinder. It was okay to compete in the 90s with Nissan, but Toyota is heads and shoulders above Nissan now.

So Toyota PLEASE do your own thing with the Toyota/Lexus lineup. We want tough and aggressive looking vehicles instead of chromed out yuppie rides because Toyota 4WDs are supposed to be badazz.

And yes some people do wheel Lexus rides. And it was pretty saweeet!

 

[Mark86]

Not surprising because the demand for a luxury body on frame truck is low. I hope they don't change the 4Runner. It is a legend!!

 

[4r2014]

The problem that I have with the Prado is the same problem that I have with the GX -- rear window doesn't open and that stupid barn door.

Have you seen the spindle grill on the new GX460? And I thought that the 2014 4Runner grill was ugly. Yuck.

Personally, I love the update...it's a significant improvement. If it weren't for the v8 and barn door, I would have purchased the '14 gx instead of a '14 4r.

 

[kirk1233]

I agree on the 2014 being a HUGE improvement. It actually looks like a truck instead of a station wagon on steroids. My coworker just got one. I have to say though for what he paid for a base GX460 a lower priced 4Runner limited would have had more options...

Personally, I love the update...it's a significant improvement. If it weren't for the v8 and barn door, I would have purchased the '14 gx instead of a '14 4r.