No full frame on next gen 4runner??

[Camprunner]

The report out of the Ford camp is that the next gen Ford Explorer will not have a full frame but it will be a unibody truck.

Do you crazy cats think the next gen 4runner will have a full frame or not?

 

[toto]

Ford excels at making products cheaper as time goes on. They'll introduce a new model that's made fairly well and it sells well, but as the years go on, they'll find ways to make that same product cheaper. A little thinner steel here, replace that metal part with plastic there, and so on. After 5-6 years they've got a poorly made copy of the original version. The research that Ford has done on their target audience must tell them that the frame is unnecessary and therefore can be eliminated to save money. That's probably true... how many off-road enthusiasts do you know with Explorers? I can't picture an Explorer in places I've seen 4Runners in the pictures posted here.

It's still pretty early to worry about the next gen 4Runner... it's a couple of years off at least. Toyota has plenty of unibody SUV's, so I really doubt they'll take the frame out of the 4Runner.

 

[Koz]

Every manufacture will have to re-evaluate their truck designs because of price of gas. Truck/SUVs sales are plummeting because of their mileage. Also, in 2008 the NEW gas mileage ratings (for new vehicles) will compound the problem. Only the best selling trucks will survive with today

 

[brad6841]

Ford excels at making products cheaper as time goes on. They'll introduce a new model that's made fairly well and it sells well, but as the years go on, they'll find ways to make that same product cheaper. A little thinner steel here, replace that metal part with plastic there, and so on. After 5-6 years they've got a poorly made copy of the original version.

Exactly.....:biggrin2:

 

[Thai]

Well, i doubt it because the new Lexus LX570 is body-on-frame design. If anything, you would expect the Lexus to be unibody since the Mercedes GL450 is one. And the Lexus gets waaayyyy worst fuel economy than 4runner. Also, don't forget, Toyota already has a midsize unibody SUV...Highlander. If the 4runner is a unibody, then there would be too much overlap IMHO. One more thing...the 4runner also shares it's platform with many models (GX470, Prado, FJ Cruiser). So, if the 4runner goes, then the other products would have to get it's own platform which means more money for Toyota.

 

[Koz]

Well, i doubt it because the new Lexus LX570 is body-on-frame design. If anything, you would expect the Lexus to be unibody since the Mercedes GL450 is one. And the Lexus gets waaayyyy worst fuel economy than 4runner. Also, don't forget, Toyota already has a midsize unibody SUV...Highlander. If the 4runner is a unibody, then there would be too much overlap IMHO. One more thing...the 4runner also shares it's platform with many models (GX470, Prado, FJ Cruiser). So, if the 4runner goes, then the other products would have to get it's own platform which means more money for Toyota.

:iagree: :bugeye:

Koz

 

[Falls]

Well, i doubt it because the new Lexus LX570 is body-on-frame design. If anything, you would expect the Lexus to be unibody since the Mercedes GL450 is one. And the Lexus gets waaayyyy worst fuel economy than 4runner. Also, don't forget, Toyota already has a midsize unibody SUV...Highlander. If the 4runner is a unibody, then there would be too much overlap IMHO. One more thing...the 4runner also shares it's platform with many models (GX470, Prado, FJ Cruiser). So, if the 4runner goes, then the other products would have to get it's own platform which means more money for Toyota.

I also agree with the statement. I was a the dealer yesterday talking to the mgr. I asked this very same question. He also said there would be to much cross over to the Highlander and Toyota is committed to the 4R and it's truck/ SUV style and off road ability.

I would think it would follow more of the Tacoma lines/looks since it has done that in the past with 1st , 2nd & 3rd gen.

I also heard Ford was to re-do the Explorer from the ground up completely since it has so many vehicles in cross over form that can do what the Explorer does. They want it to go to and off roadable vehicle to compete with the Xterra , FJ , 4R , Jeep GC , Jeep Commander , H3 , ect.....
This would be a good idea as far as I'm concerned for Ford to make a good truck based SUV since Ford's pretty much live off their trucks. NOTE: this is only a rumor I heard at the Ford dealer from a friend who has been selling forever at the same dealer......take it for what it's worth.

The Uni-body has become very popular , mainly because it give a cushy ride and flexes a lot over bumps and is a lot cheaper to mfg. I'm sure I'm WRONG about this because I thought they already went to a uni-body in 2002 we they went to IRS.

 

[Uneek]

Doubt it. Toyota has already accomplished that (uni-body SUV) with the Highlander. What's attractive about the 4Runner is that it's one of a few truck based SUVs--more rugged for off-road and great towing capabilities, available V8 and still in a manageable size package.

It would make no sense to have two crossover SUVs, three counting the RAV4 that are pretty similar in size, since the RAV4 plumped up a lot in for its current gen.

 

[JoJoBetsy]

Pure speculation here, but I think Toyota will absorb the Seqoia into the 4R market by making the 4R slightly larger in the next generation or two. They will look to capitalize off of the 4R reputation and kill the crappy sales of the anemic Seqoia.

 

[Thai]

This would be a good idea as far as I'm concerned for Ford to make a good truck based SUV since Ford's pretty much live off their trucks.

The Uni-body has become very popular , mainly because it give a cushy ride and flexes a lot over bumps and is a lot cheaper to mfg. I'm sure I'm WRONG about this because I thought they already went to a uni-body in 2002 we they went to IRS.

I would love to see Ford Bronco making a comeback with IFS and solid rear axle and off-road credentials to compete with FJ Cruiser, Xterra, Hummer H3s, and so on!!:rocker:

Unibody is popular because:
- Cheaper to make
- Better crash testing scores...and easier to design crumple zones
- Less weight = better fuel economy = more sales = more profit
- It is more rigid...good for crash testing

 

[Thai]

:iagree: :bugeye:

Koz

I disagree with your statement!!:bash:

Just kidding...wow, this is a first that Koz and I agree on anything.