mid-life refresh

[halfmonkey]

For the mid-life refresh, I'd like to see Toyota do the following...

1. add memory seat option
2. add direct injection
3. change to a 6 speed
4. add a factory option for dvd monitor for back seats
5. LED tailights
6. tilt-down outside mirrors when in reverse
7. power folding outside mirrors
8. front parking sensors (as Limited has rear view camera)
9. (better yet) add top view cameras to include front, rear, and right side

I believe my12 will see an addition of power extending running boards as an option. Hopefully, that means that the refresh will see more substanial changes.

 

[DocMT]

Those are all good suggestions. I'd add another one though:

10. Update the styling, especially the front & rear bumper design and the taillights.

 

[homeyclaus]

11. Auto-stop/start would be awesome, I had that on a rental in Europe and a) it's nice and quiet and b) probably saves gas. You know, stop the engine when idling at a light, start instantly. It would also replace the conventional starter with a contact-less coil. No, it would not be a hybrid, those are dumb as SUVs with current battery technology IMO.

For some reason, I find myself shutting the engine off in traffic a lot, and this would do it for me (and start when I press the gas pedal and not reboot the radio).

 

[Foques]

^
that actually increases the fuel usage... A motor needs to be built with this in mind, and no SUV will do that, imho.

All these suggestions are nice.. but will yank the cost upward of 45K+.... and place the SUV into the Luxury bracket..

 

[<<<<]

I'd settle for two from 4th gen:
1) In-glass antenna
2) Cabin fuel door release

 

[NHinAK]

You don't want a direct injected engine...at least not yet. All of the direct injected boys are having issues with carbon buildup on the intake valves from the PCV system. This is currently prevalent across all manufacturers. Of course this can be litigated with the addition of a "catch can"...

I would like LED lights (ALL) with the exception of an HID option for the headlights. I would also like to see the option of a rear DVD player for the kids. Other than that; I'm satisfied with what's included already on my Trail.

 

[homeyclaus]

It would also replace the conventional starter with a contact-less coil.

If you realized just how little fuel was used when idling, you'd probably never shut the engine off while you were in traffic or at a red light.

If anything, even if you manage to save fuel, you're putting unnecessary wear on the starting system of your vehicle. It wasn't designed for that, unlike some hybrids that do shut down & restart the engine regularly during driving.

Highlighted because I think you missed something. That is the design change. We can now make starters that turn the engine by coils in the bellhousing and magnets on the flywheel. No brushes to wear, no flywheel teeth to strip, and no solenoid.

The amount of fuel saved depends on the study you decide to read and believe, and how long you sit in traffic. I commute 10.8 miles each way every day. Average travel time is 45 minutes. The lights where I drive are timed to 7 minutes. I ain't changing clients, and alternate routes add miles without cutting down the time.

More than one study mentioned that idling an engine for longer than a minute cost more fuel that stopping it and starting it again for that amount of time. Hence FSI systems, automatic stop-start systems, and hybrids. Auto stop-start is the cheap part of the hybrid system.

Here, I did some googling for you:

MAZDA:Idling stop technology | Environmental Technology

Start-stop system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Incidentally Toyota is credited with the first system of this type that got ... a 10% fuel economy improvement in Tokyo traffic.

Diss it all you want, it works.

 

[NHinAK]

I'm all for fuel savings, but this is a 4X4 vehicle. This vehicle needs to uphold its reputation as an off-road vehicle; it's the last of its kind. Decreasing the fuel usage at a stoplight while increasing the overall MPG's needs to be near the bottom of the "to do" list for Toyota when it comes to the 4Runner. IMO...

 

[SeattleMike]

The argument against idling has nothing to do with fuel economy or saving money. It's about the amount of emissions produced by several hundred/thousand vehicles all idling in one location or along a traffic corridor. Trying to frame it as a monetary consideration is like trying to argue that limiting fat intake is good for your skin.

 

[Throwing Matches]

They need to bring back projector headlights (throw HIDs in them this time). They took a huge step back when they went to reflector housings again.

 

[homeyclaus]

I didn't miss anything... I was talking about how you shut off your vehicle in traffic or at red lights. The vehicle just isn't designed for that and any incremental gas savings you get is likely to be more than offset by future repair bills.

And BTW, you're only saving pennies by shutting off the engine when idling. Did you know that you can idle your vehicle for an hour on less than a 1/2 gallon of gas? So yes, you are saving gas when you shut off the engine, but it's minimal and you're increasing the wear on the entire starting system.

10% isn't a half gallon of gas at the mpg my 4r gets in that sort of traffic.

Look, I don't leave it running when I go into the 7 eleven for 5 minutes either, so if I know I'll be at a light for more than 5 minutes I'll shut it off too. It's not like I stop and start the thing 10 times each way, every day.

I'm all for fuel savings, but this is a 4X4 vehicle. This vehicle needs to uphold its reputation as an off-road vehicle; it's the last of its kind. Decreasing the fuel usage at a stoplight while increasing the overall MPG's needs to be near the bottom of the "to do" list for Toyota when it comes to the 4Runner. IMO...

I don't really care about the fuel savings that much, or the pollution for that matter (well ok, I actually do). I like fewer moving parts, and if that makes me sitting at a stop light suck less, that's a bonus. And I hate changing starters, and I hate rebuilding them. I hate flywheels and the gears on them even more. So if we get rid of those, auto stop/start or idle-off type systems become a couple hundred lines of code that run in the engine ECU and transmission ECU. Maybe we'd need a secondary electric oil pump a la Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW.

The argument against idling has nothing to do with fuel economy or saving money. It's about the amount of emissions produced by several hundred/thousand vehicles all idling in one location or along a traffic corridor. Trying to frame it as a monetary consideration is like trying to argue that limiting fat intake is good for your skin.

Everybody sitting there and idling is an issue. Alas, stop-start/PZEV systems don't really work when people have AC on, which they're apt to do around here. On the 405 or whatever it's called by Redmond going to Bellevue, yeah, that certainly works.

 

[homeyclaus]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say. 10% of what? All I'm saying is that a modern vehicle typically uses VERY little fuel while idling.

10% fuel savings or a 10% increase in mileage. Agreed, in Tokyo traffic, with a 70's era probably Sumitomo or Denso carburetor.

 

[emsmatt]

I posted my opinion. Don't try to start a flame war by baiting me.

Dude, I dont even know what a flame war means. I do know that you hijacked the last thread '4R Sales Down' and turned a interssting topic into your personal crusaide against 5TH GENS until a moderator finally called you out and shut it down. All I asked is that you keep this thread on the intended topic and save your all your negativity and immaturity for your own hater thread you started. Thats all, enjoy the forum.

 

[Thai]

1. CENTER DIFFERENTIAL on TEs.
2. Projector headlights...not sure why i want it other than it looks better!
3. Memory seat...must have please!!
4. Rubber flooring (like FJ) on TEs
5. 6-speed tranny would be nice...not only for fuel economy (small saving), but for improve crawl ratio (if the 1st gear ratio is indeed numerically higher)
6. Lastly, not sure if it can be done, but somehow improve roof strength for rollovers (IIHS gave 4runner average score).

 

[Hbryanlopez]

-push start
-projector headlights
-rear backup cam standard on sr5
-steering wheel audio controls standard sr5
-better audio
-auto rear door!! pls that thing is huge and heavy and almost hits your face everytime!
-TE should be available in white!
:welcome::artist2:

 

[Antman]

I really like my Mag Gray, but I would
Love to see the 5th Gen in that beautiful dark green metallic the Tundra has. I think it's Timberland Mica?

 

[halfmonkey]

Actually, I do have one more thing to add but it's purely for cosmetics reasons. I would like the wheels on the LE to be wider. I think the 245 size is too narrow and actually makes the truck look a little funny when you see it from the rear. I don't mind the 20inch wheels but I think the tires should be 265 instead of 245.

 

[Thai]

YES...YES....YES!

But not just on the TE...on ALL 4Runners, the way it should have been from the beginning.

Stop wasting time posting...go out and take those darn pics of your 4runner and tire receipt already!!

Please don't answer this post...this is just a reminder for you.

 

[Antman]

If you don't know what a flame war means, then you shouldn't be running your mouth about me, noob.

And for the record, it takes more than one person ruin a thread. Go look at the thread again and you'll see that there were several other people involved. Now get off my jock, little man.

MODS- what's it going to take to ban this ASS? Obviously his intentions are to hijack every thread, so he can get his rocks off. What exactly is he contributing to this forum? What a jerk!

 

[stanleybb50]

MODS- what's it going to take to ban this ASS? Obviously his intentions are to hijack every thread, so he can get his rocks off. What exactly is he contributing to this forum? What a jerk!

^^ x2


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