New for '08 "Urban Runner"

[4runnerlady]

4runner Lady.

You will need to get an additional Ipod Cable that runs from the back of the deck. You can get it faster and cheaper at your local Eclipse Dealer.

Where does the iPod cable come out of the dash? I hate dangling wires. Plus the radio will have to be removed and put back in for installation. I may stick to the FM transmitter.

In our dealership Urban Runner the AUX port is inactive....sucks.

Yes, it does. I was impressed with the fact that the 4Runner has an aux port in the console. I am disappointed that it doesn't do anything! I was hoping that by now all car radios would at least have an aux port on the front without the need for additional cables, etc. I see from the Eclipse site that there is an AUX cable that can be purchased that also plugs in the back. But it has 2 RCA plugs (red and white) and thus would need yet another cable to convert to single mini-stereo plug, which would make the whole thing very long and I would still need a charger for the iPhone.

 

[T4RUSAF]

+2 LOL, i try not to put any comment on this topic....

+5 LOL, :corn: :corn:

Not banned, just placed somewhere he rack up more useless posts!

too funny

 

[Uneek]

+5 LOL, :corn: :corn:

Not banned, just placed somewhere he rack up more useless posts!

too funny

Couldn't have said it better.

At any rate, the Urban Runner is a SE with some Limited upgrades. Its capabilities are no different than a Limited with X-REAS. Hell, Toyota can call it a City, Mall or Street Runner and it won't make a difference, it's still geared for someone who would consider taking it off road. :bash: So sad...

 

[jwa898]

I really think that Toyota should have left it as the Sports Edition emblem on the sides, put the X-Reas emblems and just called it a Sports Edition with urban package or whatever package they wanted to call it in their brochures etc. Just not a big fan of the name Urban 4Runner, but it looks awsome.

 

[T4RUSAF]

All in all I think the the term 'Urban" runner is a bit misleading because the bottom line is you can still wheel the sh*t out of it

 

[Neversummer]

The Nav set up is pretty nice.

 

[SConnors]

I ran two sets of Bridgestone Deuler H/Ts ,size 265/65/R16 on my last Jeep. They're quiet, comfortable, low rolling resistance, and handle well. I ran mine at 38 psi.

The first set lasted 55k before needing replacement, Never had a problem leading or keeping up with the pack off road (except wet clay, but that's evil no mater what tire you choose). Almost everyone else in the group had "hard core" tires.

I can't speak to snow traction, as I had dedicated snow tires on seprate rims (Blizaks?) for the nasty New England storms.

I also ran BFG M/Ts and A/Ts, over the years but wanted a quieter tire. I think many people buy tires just as much for the look as for the function. Perhaps more for the look.

IMHO they're some of the better tires out there for 60/40 use on/off road. For my runner, which came with Michelins, I'd get another set of H/Ts, but the 18" rims make it dificult... so maybe REVOs when the time comes.

Sorry for the hijack, just wanted you to know the Duelers are my tire of choice.

Sean

 

[4runnerlady]

IMHO they're some of the better tires out there for 60/40 use on/off road. For my runner, which came with Michelins, I'd get another set of H/Ts, but the 18" rims make it dificult... so maybe REVOs when the time comes.

Sorry for the hijack, just wanted you to know the Duelers are my tire of choice.

Sean

Why is 18" a problem? The Dueler H/Ts on my Urban Runner are on 18" rims.

A quick update. My first road trip to Taos went well. No problem passing on windy 2 lane roads. My 4runner had it's first taste of snow on the way home on Sunday, with a bit of wind thrown in. The roads stayed clear, though. Thus far I've done 600 miles or so without needing 4WD. I'm getting 22-23 mpg (it pays to live at 7000 ft).

Unfortunately, I broke the middle finger on my right hand yesterday when it got caught in the strap pulling down the rear hatch. Very stupid of me. However, I am finding that the Urban Runner is good for "invalids". The foot pedal emergency brake, the easy start ignition, the gated automatic shift and the push button heating/ac controls (which a lot of car reviews didn't like) are all good for a broken finger. It would have been hard driving my manual Tacoma but then the Tacoma did not have the strap that broke my finger.

 

[SConnors]

This is the first I've heard of availability on 18" rims...

Looks like I can have Duelers when I go to change tires!

)

 

[Ruffian]

This is the first I've heard of availability on 18" rims...

Looks like I can have Duelers when I go to change tires!

)

That has been one of my biggest concerns with my 18" rims. I like this T4R, and I have the same dislike's as the other posters here. I don't like radio set up! I really do like the change on the seats. I'd trade those out on my T4R as well as the roof rack. They also changed a bit of the design of the headlight shape. Well it's different than my 03. So yeah I'm underwhelmed as well, it's just another options package.

 

[4runnerlady]

aux port on Urban Runner works!

One last post on the Urban Runner. I finally got the AUX port in the console to work with the TomTom audio system. I'm not exactly sure what the nice guy at the dealer did differently than I did but he was able to turn on the AUX port (as per the instruction manual) and there is now an AUX option (i.e. source now goes from XM to Tuner to AUX - where XM is actually Sirius). I can now connect my iPhone into the AUX port (via the headphone port on the iPhone) and get output through the radio speakers. The remaining issue is that the volume coming out of the iPhone is very low - I have to turn the radio volume way up even when the iPhone volume is set very high. Still it is loud enough.

At some point I may still look into the ipod specific cable but for now I am happy.

 

[Bammur]

Try turning your stereo and IPOD all the way down, switch from AUX to FM or AM, then turn your IPOD all the way up and switch back to AUX...this should help you volume issue.

 

[r32]

2008 Urban Runner - Press Release

The 2008 Toyota 4Runner midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) with an all-new Sport Edition Urban Runner Package will make its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Adding a new dimension in style, value, and upscale luxury to the capable SUV, the Urban Runner Package delivers an extraordinary value with a manufacturer

 

[Even Steven]

They also changed a bit of the design of the headlight shape. Well it's different than my 03.

4Runner headlights have been like that for 3 years now! You just noticed now?

 

[GatorGreg]

This is the first I've heard of availability on 18" rims...

Looks like I can have Duelers when I go to change tires!

)

Yep, the Duelers also come in size 265/65-18 which is what I have on the 18" ltd rims on my GX - gives you about an extra 1/2" of ground clearance compared to the stock 265/60-18 size. They suck in mud but are pretty quiet IMO on the highway which I like. When they wear out I plan on getting some BFG ATKO's in the same 265/65-18 size.

 

[GatorGreg]

Why is 18" a problem? The Dueler H/Ts on my Urban Runner are on 18" rims.

A quick update. My first road trip to Taos went well. No problem passing on windy 2 lane roads. My 4runner had it's first taste of snow on the way home on Sunday, with a bit of wind thrown in. The roads stayed clear, though. Thus far I've done 600 miles or so without needing 4WD. I'm getting 22-23 mpg (it pays to live at 7000 ft).

Unfortunately, I broke the middle finger on my right hand yesterday when it got caught in the strap pulling down the rear hatch. Very stupid of me. However, I am finding that the Urban Runner is good for "invalids". The foot pedal emergency brake, the easy start ignition, the gated automatic shift and the push button heating/ac controls (which a lot of car reviews didn't like) are all good for a broken finger. It would have been hard driving my manual Tacoma but then the Tacoma did not have the strap that broke my finger.

Ouch, sorry to hear that At least you have an awesome new T4R to take you to the Urgent Care

 

[Ruffian]

4Runner headlights have been like that for 3 years now! You just noticed now?

Well yeah. I've only had my 03 for 2 months, and for some reason I just noticed it a couple of weeks ago. When I really started staring at the head light frames since I changed out my bulbs.

 

[r32]

i wonder if the Urban Runner version is Toyota's way of simply getting the most sales possible before they release an all new version?

Canon does this with their cameras, by just changing a few things with an existing body and then calling it by the same name but with an 'n' designation. Essentially the same produce but marketed as something completely 'new' to revamp sales.

 

[Even Steven]

i wonder if the Urban Runner version is Toyota's way of simply getting the most sales possible before they release an all new version?

Canon does this with their cameras, by just changing a few things with an existing body and then calling it by the same name but with an 'n' designation. Essentially the same produce but marketed as something completely 'new' to revamp sales.

I wouldn't say that Toyota is fooling anyone into thinking the Urban Runner is "new". But I do think it is a good move on their part. Think about it....they just took a Sport Edition and put a bunch of already existing parts on it, for the most part. They took the 18" wheels and body-colored grille from the Limited. They used the humpless rear spoiler from the '03 & '04 models. They painted the tubular roof rack and step tubes from the Sport Edition black to make them a bit different. They added the Valor exhaust tip. This is all existing stuff that costs them virtually nothing... The new Eclipse/Tom Tom navi is nice and probably added some cost to the Urban Runner, but since you can only get it in the Urban Runner, it does add some value to that particular model. And although the seats are the same exact design as the other 4Runner models, they look great with the two-tone Alcantara seating surfaces.

So they "created" a new model by mixing up the parts from already existing models.....if nothing else, that's a good way to get more interest in a 4Runner that's been around in the same form for six model years now.

 

[plumr]

2008 Urban Runner - Press Release

The 2008 Toyota 4Runner midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) with an all-new Sport Edition Urban Runner Package will make its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Adding a new dimension in style, value, and upscale luxury to the capable SUV, the Urban Runner Package delivers an extraordinary value with a manufacturer