Next set of changes...for those familiar with Toyota's ways

[cucumber pie]

I can see them doing minor exterior and interior changes as well as adding a gear for the transmission and adding direct injection to the engine, which would give it more power as well as better fuel economy.
Also would be nice if they brought a in a torsen Sensing center differential for the SR5 and the TE

 

[ciaz]

I bet they keep the exterior the same, while adding LED & Xenon. I think they'll make the interior more luxurious and update the NAV interface.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Costs are a big factor since Toyota doesn't want a $40,000 SR5 model and it is a wonder you see SR5s going out the door for the same price as 3rd gens were and Toyota has to trim cost somewhere thus you see some things gained and others lost but I wouldn't expect some things to make a reapppearance just because they were on the 4th gens. I wouldn't hold you breath for a V8 just yet but I could see better headlamps and tails coming in the next year but I don't think you'll see sweeping changes for another couiple of years.

 

[dekeman]

I'd hope for a Turbo V6 that could be retrofitted to earlier models before a hybrid 4R was made. Mileage would be as good, with far less complications and weight, yet torque would be on par with a hybrid or better.

 

[swalker]

ok perhaps I was wrong. I do know this..the convenience package that i got...that added third seat and leather..came with heated seats in the 2011. The 2010 that I looked at had the same convenience package and did NOT include the heated seats. So, it may have been an option just not with the package I bought. And as far as being "duped"..the salesman wanted me to buy the 2010, I backed off and made them find a 2011 instead.

 

[Will733]

it is a wonder you see SR5s going out the door for the same price as 3rd gens were

It's not that much of a wonder... the only reason it is as HIGH as it was back then is because of the updates. If they never changed and kept making the 3rd gen forever, it would be so much cheaper. Same reason you see Bluray players that sold for $1000 at first now going for $200. Then technology gets better and something new will be back to $1000. Cycle of economics.

 

[Quentin]

I personally think all those manufacturers that are going turbo for non-enthusiest vehicles are about to learn a hard lesson in how Americans do not maintain their vehicles.

Turbo'ing the 1GR would probably give you V8 power with fuel economy closer to that of a V6 than a V8, but it will still be worse than a non-turbo V6, especially if you aren't the type that drives with the Eco light constantly illuminated. There is a reliability trade off, IMO.

 

[sandcrawler]

Helloooo all_ I bought a 2011- White, black leather interior, SR5, and Im starting to wonder if it was worth it? I owned 2nd Generation, 3rd and now the 5th, and the heat in the 2011 is nowhere NEAR the heat in my 99! I decided to join the forum, cause I need some advice. Anyone have 4th Generation? HOW IS THE HEAT? Im thinking of selling and taking a step backwards... never liked the guages, or the body style, but the 2011 is a perfect combination of 3rd and 4th Generation... now that I have had a 2011, I can live with a 4th Generation, gotten used to the body style. Any advice? Boy, I love the way they look, absolutely sold on exterior, but just doesnt feel as dependable as my 99 did.

mods: please move the post above to a thread for the new guy. thx.

 

[dekeman]

Old turbo chargers definitely had their problems, but with the dawn of direction injection and better engineering, the new turbos won't be blowing up — and it's why more and more automakers are going this route. Not only does it save fuel, it is WAY simpler than hybrid tech and gives you a ton of torque at low range when you need it most often, usually under 2,000 rpm.
IE: Ford's V6 Turbo: 420 lb.-ft
Hyundai's turbo 4 - 260 lb-ft
Audi's turbo 4 - 258 lb.-ft

The reason many new turbochargers work better is because of direct injection, which sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber rather than into the intake manifold like old turbos did. Turbocharged engines using DI are more efficient because they avoid the heat buildup in the intake manifold. Old turbos dumped fuel into usually hot intake manifolds to create an almost lava-like mixture that then flowed into the combustion chamber, where it sometimes detontated prematurely because it was so hot.

Old turbocharged engines got around early detonation by lowering compression ratios, which was fine at the top end or at peak revs when fuel was rushing through the engine, but at low speeds, before the turbo’s turbines spooled up, the engine was essentially just a normal wind-bag four or six and the low compression did nothing for low-rpm torque. Low compression (as well as turbine geometry) also contributed to turbo lag that everyone hated.

Direct injection, on the other hand, sprays raw fuel directly into the combustion chamber at the precise moment when compression is highest, preventing high heat and piston-melting detonation. That allows a direct-injected engine to maintain a relatively high compression ratio, say 9.6:1, even when it is turbocharged. High compression rates are why diesel engines have so much torque. Turbo with DI or multi-port or whatever you want to use provides both top-end power and no noticeable lag down low.

As fuel prices rise and governments tighten regulations, expect to see more turbos in the years ahead. A 4R with a V6 Turbo — or better, a V6 Turbo diesel — would more than suit this type of vehicle as well as return 20-40 per cent better fuel economy than the current gas V6.

 

[rlinger]

I hope that they leave off the stuff that breaks (auto climate for example) at 100K miles. I left my 2004 530i BMW in 2010 to purchase a vehicle that could go the long haul (150K - 200K miles) My BMW had 88K miles on it and I was seriously worried about all the electronics failing. I already had Active Steering failures, Radio/Nav/DSC/DTC Failures. With my extended warranty almost up, I knew it was time to get something reliable!

Long Live the 4-Runner!

Charley :roadkill:

Am I the only one who prefers a manual climate system (and manual headlights for that matter)? I came from 2 Infinitis and a LR3 and never once used auto climate. I prefer to set the fan and temp myself, every time. Letalone that on the 4Runner I find the 5 round knobs much better looking than the 4 with all the buttons.