Official picture of 2010 4runner!

[ToyTech99]

Remember, there is ONLY one REAL Jeep...Wrangler. The rest are pure unibodied junk...Jeep is living on past reputation for off-road (similar to Land Rover).

Junk? Well, that's your opinion. The new GC is being offered with adjustible air suspension for greater ground clearance. And the QDII 4wd system is nothing to laugh at either. Even without a live rear axle, the GC should be a very good offroad competitor in its class. Certainly as good if not better than our 4Runners.

 

[ToyTech99]

Currently the Lexus SC430 has a power antenna. Its the only one I can think of. I actually like power antennas. Not a fan of the black mast rods though. Which in these pictures, it looks like a mast antenna thats not retractable.

I think the antenna is in the glass on the SC430. I couldn't find a single picture of an antenna on an SC430.

 

[ToyTech99]

Different manufactuerers have different ways to comply with the car crash compatibility. Jeep's way is to place a crossmember low in the front and hide it behind a skidplate. Many Jeepers just cut this crossmember...i think that the one on the Wrangler is removeable too. 4runner's design may also enhance handling beyond the crash compatibility factor. The low front end design may improve crush zone effectiveness by allowing more of the front end to absorb the energy when the 4runner crashes into a Miata. With the Jeep design, the major forces are not dispersed as well maybe because only the lower crossmembers are in contact with the smaller vehicle?? Just my wild guesses. Jeep Grand Cherokee's crash testing results are far from spectacular...and unibodies usually crash test better than body-on-frame designs! Hopefully, the new Jeep GC will do better. 4runners have been near the top or at the top throughout recent history dating back to 1996.

The ONLY way a modern SUV can pass crash regulations AND have a balanced look is to have air/adjustable suspension systems. This way, the suspension would be low on-road and can be adjusted high for off-road use. But, of course, with air suspension, you have to deal with higher ownership costs and decrease reliability/durability. (Even Lexus air suspension systems are not without issues!)

Great, but it seems that only the 4Runner (and to a slightly lesser extent the FJ) have such a drastic amount of rake. Other Toyota SUVs don't have nearly as much rake.

Also, take a close look at the Nissan Pathfiner. It has had a nearly perfectly level stance all the while in the current generation. And it sits about the same as our 4Runners in terms of overall height.

 

[jmc8387]

I think the antenna is in the glass on the SC430. I couldn't find a single picture of an antenna on an SC430.

No its not. I use to own one. All 02-10 SC430's have power antennas. The antenna is on the passenger side rear quarter panel. Here are a few pics I found on Google.

 

[qs933]

I think it looks great -- the front looks like an evolution of the 3rd Gen. I like the photo of the grey Limited with running boards. I wish they hadn't gone with the mast antenna, but you can't please everyone.

I don't see any Honda Pilot or even Jeep GC in the photo. It looks distinctively like a 4Runner and/or Toyota's SUV lineup.

 

[4Runner8]

look at page 12 it is definitly retracted down. its in the post by thai.

 

[ToyTech99]

look at page 12 it is definitly retracted down. its in the post by thai.

That's the picture I was looking at. It looks more like a fixed antenna with the mast unscrewed. If it was really a power antenna, we should be able to see the "button" on top when it is retracted.

 

[ToyTech99]

No its not. I use to own one. All 02-10 SC430's have power antennas. The antenna is on the passenger side rear quarter panel. Here are a few pics I found on Google.

Wow, that's surprising and kind of lame at the same time. Power antennas just seem like they belong in the 80's. They really shouldn't be on such a sleek car. A hardtop convertible might pose some difficulties putting the antenna in the glass, but I know for a fact that there were cars with radio antennas built into the front glass as far back as the 70's.

 

[raydouble]

That's the picture I was looking at. It looks more like a fixed antenna with the mast unscrewed. If it was really a power antenna, we should be able to see the "button" on top when it is retracted.

 

[Alex1911]

Hey, those new pic's aren't too bad... I could live with it, they do make it look better than the spy shots.

NOT a fan of the mast antenna and the Limited gets a black cap there, how cheap. Still ain't fond of the tail lights. From the drawing/graphic posted by Thai of the limited. I don't think the mast is retracted, those sheets said the Limited would have a sharkfin, I think that is just a cap.

That Jeep GC is really attractive!

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

WOW - that does look much better. Although I am not a Limited fan, that does look like a pretty mean grocery getter. I am now much more excited to see the TE.

However, I do see a little last-generation Nissan Pathfinder in the grill.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Not the worst looking thing I have ever seen. I don't exactly see its roots in those pics. We need a pic or two of the trail edition and SR5 then maybe its roots will come out.

 

[GMZ]

Great, but it seems that only the 4Runner (and to a slightly lesser extent the FJ) have such a drastic amount of rake. Other Toyota SUVs don't have nearly as much rake.

Also, take a close look at the Nissan Pathfiner. It has had a nearly perfectly level stance all the while in the current generation. And it sits about the same as our 4Runners in terms of overall height.

I see Pathfinders sagging in the rear quite a bit, even empty. The GC might look slick, but how will the reliability hold up? Not too well Id imagine.

 

[4Runner8]

somebody might make a sleek antenna for the top of the truck as an acessory upgrade

 

[ToyTech99]

I see Pathfinders sagging in the rear quite a bit, even empty. The GC might look slick, but how will the reliability hold up? Not too well Id imagine.

I see older Pathfinders sagging in the rear, but that's true of just about any SUV. Look at all the old Explorers, 4Runners, etc... sagging in the rear. A new set of springs will fix it though. I haven't seen any current generation Pathfinders sagging yet.

The GC probably will not have the best reliability, based upon past performance. I still think it looks excellent though.

 

[Alex1911]

Another thing... Look at the left side view (#1 new photo), gas cap door, looks like a finger groove/handle. Wonder if the in-cab unlock has been done away with?

 

[ToyTech99]

Another thing... Look at the left side view (#1 new photo), gas cap door, looks like a finger groove/handle. Wonder if the in-cab unlock has been done away with?

Yup, I noticed that too. They most definitely did away with the inside release for the gas filler door. I also noticed no more hood-mounted spray nozzles for the windshield washers. I guess they're built into the wipers now.

I'm glad they kept the 6-lug wheels. The turn signal in the side mirrors is a nice touch. It's too bad they got rid of the projector headlights, although the jury is still out on the fog lights. But my guess is the fogs are not projectors either.

The "running boards" on the Limited look to be an almost exact rip-off of the ones on the Acura MDX and/or the Mercedes GLK.

The rear spoiler lost it's hump (a good thing!), but it appears that there's no gap between the spoiler and the roof anymore, also very similar to the Acura MDX and others.

 

[qs933]

Another thing... Look at the left side view (#1 new photo), gas cap door, looks like a finger groove/handle. Wonder if the in-cab unlock has been done away with?

Good catch -- the Sequoia also has a finger groove, so I guess the 4Runner is consistent with the other trucks.

So how does one keep people from tampering with their fuel? Or is that not really a problem? All my cars (4R included) have had an interior release lever. I know some domestic models have a latch that's tied to the door locks (i.e. doors are unlocked, you can use the finger groove to open the door).

Seems kind of sad that we've moved to a Smart Key system (on the Limited) but you still need to carry a key for an after-market fuel cap lock...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Are you really that worried about someone stealing your gas?

 

[ToyTech99]

Are you really that worried about someone stealing your gas?

He might just be worried about some sugar in his gas tank or something. You never know what an ex-girlfriend or some other psychotic person may do to your vehicle.