Quasi-official pics of 2010 4Runner

[ToyTech99]

Damn, the more you guys talk about the cheap interiors of future Toyotas, the more that I'm liking the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has a really nice interior with a real leather dash, real wood trim, and high grade plastics. And it's not supposed to be big bucks either! Toyota seems to be going more toward the Xterra crowd with their new 4Runner, while Jeep seems to be moving closer to the luxury SUV crowd. I don't mind a little hard plastic, but damn did they made the 5th gen interior ugly. And I absolutely hate that the navigation screen isn't at the top of the dash anymore. The further down you have to look to see it, the harder it is to keep your peripheral vision on the road at the same time. The 4th gen's display was in the perfect position.

 

[BROOKLYN]

Okay, gotta ask this----- how is the tailgate any cheaper? Isn't it a carry-over from the '05 body to the '06 body? I didn't think it was different. Also, why would the sheetmetal be any cheaper? Unless they made it from a thinner gauge metal, but I seriously doubt that is the case.[/QUOTE/]

different manufacter, thinner sheet metal if you weigh a 05 door and weigh a 06 the 05 is heavier and the dealer cost will also reflect it.

 

[ToyTech99]

different manufacter, thinner sheet metal if you weigh a 05 door and weigh a 06 the 05 is heavier and the dealer cost will also reflect it.

Are you just guessing, or do you have reason to believe that the '06 4Runner door is actually made from thinner gauge metal than the '05 4Runner?

BTW, I find it hard to believe that the actual door skins are not stamped in a Toyota factory. Sure, they have suppliers for various parts of any given vehicle, but door skins and other exterior sheetmetal is usually manufactured by the actual car company itself.

 

[BROOKLYN]

Are you just guessing, or do you have reason to believe that the '06 4Runner door is actually made from thinner gauge metal than the '05 4Runner?

BTW, I find it hard to believe that the actual door skins are not stamped in a Toyota factory. Sure, they have suppliers for various parts of any given vehicle, but door skins and other exterior sheetmetal is usually manufactured by the actual car company itself.

the 05 4runner limited REAR door part#67005-35340 dealer cost $424.54
06 4runner limited mexico spec (made in mexico) part#67005-35310 cost$414.22, there also one for the 06 made in canada
price reflects it dont ask for proof cause i will not give it to you
but as far as guessing I DONT GUESS.

 

[ToyTech99]

the 05 4runner limited REAR door part#67005-35340 dealer cost $424.54
06 4runner limited mexico spec (made in mexico) part#67005-35310 cost$414.22, there also one for the 06 made in canada
price reflects it dont ask for proof cause i will not give it to you
but as far as guessing I DONT GUESS.

So the $10 difference in price is because one uses thinner sheet metal than the other? That sounds like a guess to me. I don't know how anyone could possibly know that by looking up the part number/price.

Whatever, it really doesn't matter anyway. Maybe I'll just have to measure the sheetmetal thickness with a micrometer to satisfy my own curiousity.

 

[BROOKLYN]

i have no clue why your breaking my balls but any way lets forget
your right im wrong I DONT CARE.
NEXT TOPIC

 

[ToyTech99]

i have no clue why your breaking my balls but any way lets forget
your right im wrong I DONT CARE.
NEXT TOPIC

Sorry, wasn't trying to break your balls. It just seemed strange to me. But you're right, it doesn't matter either way.

 

[Thai]

Damn, the more you guys talk about the cheap interiors of future Toyotas, the more that I'm liking the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has a really nice interior with a real leather dash, real wood trim, and high grade plastics. And it's not supposed to be big bucks either! Toyota seems to be going more toward the Xterra crowd with their new 4Runner, while Jeep seems to be moving closer to the luxury SUV crowd. I don't mind a little hard plastic, but damn did they made the 5th gen interior ugly. And I absolutely hate that the navigation screen isn't at the top of the dash anymore. The further down you have to look to see it, the harder it is to keep your peripheral vision on the road at the same time. The 4th gen's display was in the perfect position.

That may be so, but nothing in life is free, right? If JGC has such a great interior AND is cheap to own, then something gotta give, right? Hopefully, not the powertrain!! I always keep that saying in the back of my mind when evaluating today's cars. If you keep the price the same and improve on something, then something else is being cheapened.

 

[ToyTech99]

That may be so, but nothing in life is free, right? If JGC has such a great interior AND is cheap to own, then something gotta give, right? Hopefully, not the powertrain!! I always keep that saying in the back of my mind when evaluating today's cars. If you keep the price the same and improve on something, then something else is being cheapened.

It seems logical that they would have to cut back somewhere to keep the price competitive, but I'm not sure where they are doing the cutting. The 4wd system is more advanced than ever, with the addition of a Select-Trac type system very similar to the one in Land Rovers. They still have the 3 different 4wd systems, including the top-of-the-line Quadradrive II. To the dismay of the die-hard Jeep fans, they went to IRS. That's definitely more expensive than the straight axle that they've been using all along. Their V6 engine is all-new, and they are still carrying over the HEMI.

I don't know, but maybe they are trying to get back on track by taking less profit on a well-equipped iconic vehicle for the Jeep brand. If not, then I'm not sure where they are cutting back because the vehicles seems very well equipped, right down to it's project LED headlights. I've been researching this new Jeep a lot (as you can probably tell) and I've come away very impressed so far. Even with the V6, it makes good power and gets decent fuel economy. This wasn't the case with the old V6, which was anemic and not so good on gas. The new V6 even has an old filter on the top of the engine, similar to our V6 4Runner engines, except it uses a filter element instead of the typical canister oil filter. It has timing chains instead of belts, just like our V6. The more I think about it, it almost seems like the benchmarked the 4.0L Toyota V6 when they were developing their own V6.

 

[bigbwb]

The button is for RR DIFF LOCK. There WILL be a rear diff lock. The lighted indicator icon is on the gauge cluster and all. You will see on Thursday.

I am wondering if you guys can ellaborate on the RR diff lock feature. My 2006 SE does not have it as well as my 2000 4R. Will it be on the limited?

I know how the center diff lock feature works but not the rr lock one.

Thanks!

 

[3x4runnerOwner]

It seems logical that they would have to cut back somewhere to keep the price competitive, but I'm not sure where they are doing the cutting. The 4wd system is more advanced than ever, with the addition of a Select-Trac type system very similar to the one in Land Rovers. They still have the 3 different 4wd systems, including the top-of-the-line Quadradrive II. To the dismay of the die-hard Jeep fans, they went to IRS. That's definitely more expensive than the straight axle that they've been using all along. Their V6 engine is all-new, and they are still carrying over the HEMI.

I don't know, but maybe they are trying to get back on track by taking less profit on a well-equipped iconic vehicle for the Jeep brand. If not, then I'm not sure where they are cutting back because the vehicles seems very well equipped, right down to it's project LED headlights. I've been researching this new Jeep a lot (as you can probably tell) and I've come away very impressed so far. Even with the V6, it makes good power and gets decent fuel economy. This wasn't the case with the old V6, which was anemic and not so good on gas. The new V6 even has an old filter on the top of the engine, similar to our V6 4Runner engines, except it uses a filter element instead of the typical canister oil filter. It has timing chains instead of belts, just like our V6. The more I think about it, it almost seems like the benchmarked the 4.0L Toyota V6 when they were developing their own V6.

Do you work for Jeep? The jeep looks nice if you like the BMW X5 look. Seems like every post is about how great the JGC is vs the 5th gen. Sounds like a sales pitch.

 

[Uneek]

A Toyota Tundra forum lists this as the interior of the 5th gen. Not too sure what to think about it... Sure the look is updated but it feels...cold. Everything is there but nothing catches the eye...and those silver plastics looks horribly cheap. The 4th gen interior is starting to show it's age but at least it's well done and efficient (except maybe the A/C controls). This is too generic for my taste.

I think those were similar to the spy pics of the Hilux Surf interior as well. It's just down right fugly. Toyota use to be known for ergonomics. But burying the climate controls deep and under the radio, that doesn't look very easy to find while driving. The controls sure look "back to its roots" and 80's circa.

The 4th gen climate controls could've looked better, but it is functional and ease of use is second to none. I can directly select the vent outlets, fan speeds with a single button push rather than, press up or down repeated to change fan speeds or cycle through the "mode" button for vent outlet selection. However, the programming of the auto system sucks since I always have to fiddle with the temp.

 

[Uneek]

If JGC has such a great interior AND is cheap to own, then something gotta give, right? Hopefully, not the powertrain!!

Do they still offer the lifetime powertrain warranty? Or that was prior to the bailout and sale to Fiat?

If they do, I doubt they would cheapen the powertrain, since warranty claims would be more expensive in the long run.

 

[ToyTech99]

Do you work for Jeep? The jeep looks nice if you like the BMW X5 look. Seems like every post is about how great the JGC is vs the 5th gen. Sounds like a sales pitch.

No, I'm actually a Toyota Tech. But I really like what I've been learning about the new Grand Cherokee. It seems to be more of what I wanted to see in the 5th gen 4Runner, which is a bit of a disappointment for me so far. I'm holding out hope that I like the Trail Edition. So far, the Limited is not for me based on what I know and I'm not so sure the SR5 would be my cup of tea either. The Trail might be the ONLY 5th gen I'd be even remotely interested in buying.

Maybe I'll be switching to Jeep.... who knows?

 

[ToyTech99]

Do they still offer the lifetime powertrain warranty? Or that was prior to the bailout and sale to Fiat?

If they do, I doubt they would cheapen the powertrain, since warranty claims would be more expensive in the long run.

Yes, they still offer it on 2009 vehicles. I'm not sure they'll offer it in the future though. I think I remember hearing something about it on the news a while back where they were considering dropping lifetime warranties.

 

[dwulffusa]

That may be so, but nothing in life is free, right? If JGC has such a great interior AND is cheap to own, then something gotta give, right? Hopefully, not the powertrain!! I always keep that saying in the back of my mind when evaluating today's cars. If you keep the price the same and improve on something, then something else is being cheapened.

This is a good point, and is logical. Considering all we know of the 5th gen and the general response to its styling so far, this thing better have one frikkin indestructible drive train to compensate!!!

 

[ToyTech99]

... this thing better have one frikkin indestructible drive train to compensate!!!

That wouldn't be anything new for a 4Runner. They've always been tops in that department, no?

 

[J.A.]

I am wondering if you guys can ellaborate on the RR diff lock feature. My 2006 SE does not have it as well as my 2000 4R. Will it be on the limited?

I know how the center diff lock feature works but not the rr lock one.

Thanks!

Same as the FJC or the 2009 TE, you press the rear diff lock button while in 4Lo and under 5mph and the two rear wheels get "locked" together.

The following systems do not operate when the rear differential is locked.
• ABS
• Multi Terrain ABS
• Brake assist system
• VSC
• Hill-start assist control

 

[dwulffusa]

That wouldn't be anything new for a 4Runner. They've always been tops in that department, no?

Agreed.
So if its at least as good in the drivetrain to any previous 4R, and it appears they have cut corners on styling, plastic quality, LEDs (bla bla etc) and gone back to its roots, what has been gained unless its just cheaper?
New gizmos in a new model are expected (eg. terrain response stuff, kdss), , doesnt mean it needs to be more expensive because like all technology, its only expensive at first then its the expected norm and miraculously they still make a profit selling it for alot less down the road.

I am not in support of a cheaper, back to its roots 4Runner, that widens the gap even further between the 4R and the GX, its now going to grow to a $20k gap between a 4Runner Limited (est. mid $30k) and a GX (est. mid $50k). What is in between and offers the same capabilities, space, truck like strength qualities, tough image, towing capability, reliability, resale etc.

These are the things that drew me to a 4R, it really is the perfect mix for me, but.... I am growing up, I want it to be a little smoother and quieter on the highway, because the truck/offroad qualities are only needed 10% of the time, and a little more sophisticated and smoother looking (primarily the view and ergonomics of the dashboard, thats where you spend most of the time...). To get that I now need to spend $55k (presumable the new GX will be better executed then the 5th gen 4R).

VW appears to understand this growing up thing, and retains its customers by growing its models up with its customers. The Golf is a prime example, from the snappy Golf 1 of the 70's that invented the small sporty car, to the pending Golf 6, touted to have class leading levels of NVH and quality feel while still being true to its fun roots... those are the improvements that you expect over time.

Toyota seems to have pegged its SUV demographic (FJ, RAV4,4Runner, not Highlander, that is a Sienna variation...) on an early 20's college kid with wealthy parents, who loves playstation (on which the benchmark plastic quality)/

Oh well, we'll have to wait and see how this turns out.

 

[ToyTech99]

I agree with most of what you're saying. But when it comes to "growing up" with your customers, most car companies take the approach that as people grow older and more mature, they tend to have more disposable income and will "graduate" to a higher level vehicle. Even the luxury car makers believe this. That's why the C-class is so important to Mercedes, just as is the 3-series to BMW. They want to offer an entry-level car that is relatively affordable for their younger, upwardly mobile customers. Then as those same people age, they move on to the 5-series, then the 7-series.

The 4Runner seems like it might be taking a very small step backwards, but I think it has much more to do with poor SUV sales in the 4Runner's market segment. The economy and the possibility that gas prices will rise again probably had a big influence on Toyota's decisions on this new 5th gen. But even if it is a "back to it's roots" type of vehicle, I still expect it to have excellent NVH and a nice smooth, quiet ride typical of Toyota. It just may not have all the creature comforts that some of us were hoping it would have. I guess we will just have to wait and see.