Suggested improvements on the 2005 4runner?

[rensho]

HID, light is near daylight spectrum, use less wattage. 35w instead of 55w and throw more light. More expensive, complex, and heavier, yet still used in racing (endurance and rally). Why, because they probably want as much light as possible to drive at 100+mph in the dark. Maybe not for everyone, but most people with HID will never go back.

I thought the 4R had plenty of light until i drove in the mtns of Nevada at night, avoiding elk and cows. Even with high beams on, i really wanted more lighting. Oh and fog lights don't seem to come on with Highs on.

2005 wishes:

1. better seat cushion for front seats.
1.1 5sp on v6
2. Rear window roll up via remote.
3. Leather and heat option in ltd and sr5
4. cig lighter, 12v slot, that is always on.
5. exhaust that exits behind the wheel, not directly under bumper
6. 1 touch windows for all windows.
7. Illumination for window switches area.

 

[Good Times]

I resisted from posting on this thread but I can't shy away no longer

Don't forget that Toyota's goal was to make a capable offroading vehicle. Ofcourse we'll want all the cool features and gadgets but do keep in mind that that'll just drive the price up the roof.

Anyway, some stuff that I would have wanted:

> Rear locker (@*^%# why they took it out I Dunno)
> Front locker (they def need one)
> better skids - the factory one is like plastic!!
> manual 4wd instead of that knob crap!
> Tailgate intead of the minivan stuff.... the 2nd gen's were soo cool.
> what the h3ll happened to the height/lift?!?!? geez... darn those consumer reports on the rollovers for suv's!!! ppl learn to drive the vehicle you're driving. not all vehicles are sports cars!!!
> better approach/departure angle.
> I don't need all this electronic crap!!! trac/vsc/dac... geez soo many buzzing/blinking...

but then again, if all of this was possble... I'd prob have nothing to work on so I'm grateful that Toyota has it the way it is now Gives me time to build it my way! woohoo! :artist:

 

[dcampen]

Offroad capability

Don't forget that Toyota's goal was to make a capable offroading vehicle.

Yeah, that is what I bought the 4Runner for.

Anyway, some stuff that I would have wanted:

> Rear locker (@*^%# why they took it out I Dunno)
> Front locker (they def need one)

You don't think that TRAC adequately compensates for the lack of front and rear lockers?

> better skids - the factory one is like plastic!!

That sounds good. How come skids can't protect the transmission?

> manual 4wd instead of that knob crap!

You mean the selector for putting the transfer case in low gear? What don't you like about the knob?

> Tailgate intead of the minivan stuff.... the 2nd gen's were soo cool.

I like the overhead gate.

> what the h3ll happened to the height/lift?!?!? geez... darn those consumer reports on the rollovers for suv's!!! ppl learn to drive the vehicle you're driving. not all vehicles are sports cars!!!

Yeah, I really agree with that, only 9.1 inches of clearance. 10.5 would be so much better. At least they could have oversized the wheel well so that you could upgrade to 33" wheels without any scraping.

> better approach/departure angle.

Yeah, that really needs to be improved.

> I don't need all this electronic crap!!! trac/vsc/dac... geez soo many buzzing/blinking...

The antilock braking system gives you everything you need to have VSC at little extra cost so might as well have it but it would be nice to turn it off anytime you want. TRAC seems great, it gives you full time 4WD. Haven't used DAC yet but again the antilock braking system makes it a low cost betterment.

but then again, if all of this was possble... I'd prob have nothing to work on so I'm grateful that Toyota has it the way it is now Gives me time to build it my way! woohoo!

Sounds like you need an old Jeep to build up.

 

[cdoyle]

I have a 04 V8 Limited, and I love the truck, but if I were to buy a 05 here are some improvements I would like to see.

1. HID's (my friend just bought a car with them, and I can't believe how much better they light up the road, plus they are nice to look at)
2. A switch to turn on all the interior lights. (When the baby is in the back, and is upset about something. It would be nice to just have a switch to turn on the lights, to see what's going on back there)
3. An oil filter that is easy to get too. (Do you know how upset I was when I found out I have to remove the skid plate everytime I do an oil change!!!)
4. Ability to roll up the rear window with the remote. (its just dumb to be able to roll it down, but not roll it back up)
5. Rear Entertainment system option (I heard there is one, but can't seem to find any info on it?)
6. Better Sub Woofer (The one that they have now, really dosen't do anything. Any bass that we hear come from the 6x9's in the doors.
7. Make the outside temperature, MPG, etc have the option to scroll through each. (It would be nice to have an option for it to scroll through each, so you could just look down and see the temperature, then the MPG, average speed, without having to press the button each time.)
8. Illuminated Homelink buttons! (You know how many times I'm sitting there trying to find the right one!!!)


Things I hope they keep in 05.
Instrument cluster design (I really like it, easy to read, lit up well, and I really like that little red dot that follows the needle

The stone interior option I have looks really nice, and I've had alot of people say how much they like it.

 

[pag04]

- Power folding mirrors
- Ability to remotely close the rear window
- a power seat that goes straight up and down rather than one that moves up and forward.
- get rid of the smell!
- better software for the navigation - a LOT better.

 

[Kanab]

A better engineered manual Drivers seat that does what it is advertised to do and does not creak and shift.

 

[bulldog-yota]

You're a little off, ToyotaUSA sold over 10,000 T4Rs just in March '04, check out THIS THREAD

One minor thing I'd like to see Toyota add is a reclinable rear seat.

OK stand corrected!! 120k vehicles a year then with the 4r.

 

[arouth]

Wow,

When I posted this I didn't think so many people would respond to my thread. A guy mentioned earlier that he didn't see any major improvements listed but minor luxury items, and I think he is right.

I honestly think that Toyota got it right with this one. The 4runner is probably one of the most well rounded vehicles out there. I mean it looks great, has a great ride, plenty of power, is fun to drive. I read somewhere that 4runner sales are up 40% and i'm not suprised.

have fun driving it!

 

[rhlitt]

I love my 4runner....but here is what I think they need to fix on my 2004 to get it up to par.....

1) the stereo speakers really suck. Mid-range is non-existant. This is inexpensive to correct. I had to turn down the bass all the way and the treble up to the max to get any kind of presentable sound. This is shameful for an automobile of this caliber. It is going to cost me a lot more to correct this than they would have spent if done correctly in the first place.
2) The dc plug-in should be on at all times. How the hell can you charge a cell phone when as soon as you shut the engine off the power to the phone cuts out? My Jeep Grand Cherokee had so many damn repair problems that I had to get rid of it, but it did have an always on dc outlet on the dash!
3) That rear hatch is a job and a half to close. I am 6'2 and 195 pounds and still have to pull hard to get the damn thing down to where the motor takes over. How do the ladies do this?
That's it! I really love this vehicle but the above would make it so much sweeeeeter!

 

[rhlitt]

Oh, I forgot #4........where's the door body molding strip????? Am I just waiting for someone to slam into my door? My wife's 2003 MDX also didn't come with the door body molding and is dinged and nicked up already. Acura put in on the 2004 models but too late! My 2004 4runner doesn't have it either and I have been looking for some type that will fit in the recessed area on the doors (if anyone has done this please post what you used)......again, I still love my runner, but my 4 items need addressing.

 

[EDGE]

door body molding strip, could you expalin what that is or post a pic

 

[rhlitt]

Hi..don't have any pics, but a link here would give you the idea. The problem on my 04 runner is that I would need to fit it into the recessed area above the cladding area on the door. Right now only the running boards are providing protection from adjacent doors (and if the damaging door is the right height to hit it).
http://www.pickupgear.com/simoandtr.html

 

[NoDak]

i think he is talking about the door EDGE molding, hehe.

 

[rhlitt]

See the guy in the checked shirt on that link. The molding on the door he is putting on is missing on the 04 runners. Couldn't they have just added a color coordinated strip to protect the doors from dings and bangs. Hopefully they'll fix it for next year's buyers as per the question posed on this board.

 

[spyne]

I love my truck but after 13 months of ownership and several off-road trips here's my list of things that need to be improved.

- more headroom with moonroof
- 2wd selector for V8
- Optional lockers front and rear (at least in the rear)
- better skid plates
- More ground clearance
- 12 volt outlets that are hot all the time. I've never owned a vehicle (30 years driving / 12+ vehicles) where the 12V outlet was only hot when the key was on.
- Improved location/protection for hitch electrical plug. I broke mine off on a rock the first time I went off-roading to the tune of $300.

 

[haro]

:iagree: One minor thing I'd like to see Toyota add is a reclinable rear seat.

 

[Jim]

Overall, I am really impressed with the quality and tightness of my SR5, but based on 4 1/2 months with it, I would like to see the following improvements:

1.) fix the non-power driver's seat problems or make power seats standard in all trim levels!!!
2.) equal tint on front seat windows standard - it would look a whole lot cooler
3.) 2" more ground clearance
4.) sturdy bars to replace running boards - these would actually be useful with the higher ground clearance
5.) a higher upper windshield to allow better visibility when stopped at red lights
6) light all of the door switches a little brighter than the driver's side window switch is now
7.) dash light adjustment should have a detent to turn on overhead lights, including map lights

 

[Jim]

I knew that I would think of something else as soon as I hit reply:

how improving the rear window function on the remote to work like garage door opener, letting you lower, stop, and raise the rear window?

 

[Mark86]

Jim, your improvements all sound great but #2 will never happen. It is illegal in NJ, where I live, to have any of the front windows tinted. You are allowed to tint up to the rear windows. I think it would look cooler, but I know it is illegal in some states. I wish I could understand why!

 

[EDGE]

door EDGE molding I realized what it is now, had several people swing their doors into the side of the 4RUnner and no damage, guess the cladding is protecting the vehicle but I usually park in the distance.

If you want to tint the front windsheild get a doctors note