Just bought an'06 and have empty cargo panel

[Martinjmpr]

The reason the 4runner has less space than the highlander is because the 4runner is a body on frame. If they had a unibody, they could have a lot more space.

Be thankful for your lack of interior space, the alternative is worse!

Not only body-on-frame but the solid rear axle of the 4runner requires a lot of space. Take a look at IRS vehicles like the newer Expedition or R51 Pathfinder and you'll see they require less room for the suspension which means a lower floor and more storage room.

 

[nevada]

Is it a full sized tire, though? I thought most crossovers nowadays had those crappy little donut tires that are good for maybe 25 or 50 miles if you're lucky.

yes, a full size spare with matching factory aluminum wheel.

 

[nevada]

The reason the 4runner has less space than the highlander is because the 4runner is a body on frame. If they had a unibody, they could have a lot more space.

Be thankful for your lack of interior space, the alternative is worse!

at best I will give you a MAYBE on that one. the frame runs down the outside. there is room to fit the spare in between the frame rails. the HL is using this same area. there isn't a good reason the 4runner couldn't also have some more storage in the unused area(around the tire) in the back.

also, the exterior of the 4runner is bigger then the HL, but the HL has more interior space. what the hell happened there?
the HL also has MUCH smarter folding rear seats.

 

[Martinjmpr]

at best I will give you a MAYBE on that one. the frame runs down the outside. there is room to fit the spare in between the frame rails. the HL is using this same area. there isn't a good reason the 4runner couldn't also have some more storage in the unused area(around the tire) in the back.

also, the exterior of the 4runner is bigger then the HL, but the HL has more interior space. what the hell happened there?
the HL also has MUCH smarter folding rear seats.

:shrug: You're comparing a unibody CAR with 4 wheel independent suspension to a body on frame TRUCK with a live rear axle.

Apples to oranges. Might as well complain that the Highlander has poor suspension articulation and lacks a 2 speed transfer case. :

 

[nevada]

:shrug: You're comparing a unibody CAR with 4 wheel independent suspension to a body on frame TRUCK with a live rear axle.

Apples to oranges. Might as well complain that the Highlander has poor suspension articulation and lacks a 2 speed transfer case. :

im not sure what you're getting at?
the space being used by each is almost exactly the same, yet the 4runner is unable to have any storage. what's the reason for this? if anything, the IRS will take up more space in the center of the vehicle then a live axle would.

 

[Martinjmpr]

the space being used by each is almost exactly the same, yet the 4runner is unable to have any storage. what's the reason for this?

The Highlander is basically a mini van and in the mini van world, little storage cubbies are highly valued.

In the off-road capable body-on-frame 4x4 world, not so much.

Also IRS allows for a lower deck because the "pumpkin" of the rear axle is fixed to the body/frame of the vehicle whereas on a vehicle with a live rear axle they have to leave room for the axle and the pumpkin to move upwards as the suspension articulates. This necessitates a higher load deck and correspondingly less storage. Look at the rear of a solid-axle Expedition or Explorer and it's IRS counterpart and you'll see there's much more room for a 3rd row seat as well as a lower load deck. And those are both body-on-frame SUVs, when you are talking about a unibody car with no separate frame underneath you can get even more interior room out of the same exterior space.

 

[nevada]

The Highlander is basically a mini van and in the mini van world, little storage cubbies are highly valued.

In the off-road capable body-on-frame 4x4 world, not so much.

Also IRS allows for a lower deck because the "pumpkin" of the rear axle is fixed to the body/frame of the vehicle whereas on a vehicle with a live rear axle they have to leave room for the axle and the pumpkin to move upwards as the suspension articulates. This necessitates a higher load deck and correspondingly less storage. Look at the rear of a solid-axle Expedition or Explorer and it's IRS counterpart and you'll see there's much more room for a 3rd row seat as well as a lower load deck. And those are both body-on-frame SUVs, when you are talking about a unibody car with no separate frame underneath you can get even more interior room out of the same exterior space.

they park next to each other in my driveway. if I remember, I can get some measurements.

 

[Adumb]

And there goes the point :rofl: