The basic 4Runner that does not exist.
- Thread starter Louie
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Kmvreter
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Koz said:
That's what I got. Lowest of the low but I wouldn't call it stripped (still has almost power everything.) Not even a roof rack. The running boards are easy to remove. I can use the climate controls in manual mode if I want. If the tranny goes then you could try to throw in the 6 spd MT from the FJ. Manual transfer case lever might be tough.
(Sorry RickyCRX; I don't think you could get a V8 FJ)
Louie,
I can see your point. Toyota could market a base model to appeal to a different demographic. They've done their research and that isn't where they want to market the T4R. They want to take it away from it's roots and move it up-market to the camping family/soccer mom crowd. It's still a great ride and most people that buy it don't know or use it's full potential.
I for one would like a stripper with a diesel and manual tranny with part-time four wheel drive, A/C without climate control, no sunroof, roof rack or running boards, and I would like rear seats that would pop out and all that would make my day. What I really want is a reduction in complexity.
Baba Booey
New member
elemint said:
You have a point about the V8 being only for the North American market. I have been a LandCruiser fan since I was a teenager, and I hope to someday be able to own one (probably used). That being said, I was extremely disappointed when the 80 series was changed to the 100 series in North America.
The 80 series LC had a bulletproof 4.5L straight six, a solid front axle and THREE lockers. Because the North American market "demanded" V8 power, the 100 series had a V8 engine, but it lost its solid front axle and lockers.
My understanding is that many other parts of the world can buy the 100 series LC with solid axles and three lockers. Because I do not tow, I would gladly give up the V8 engine for these other features that I believe are actually more important in a go-anywhere expedition-type vehicle.
toybox
New member
Baba Booey said:
Ahh, one amoung my long list of underpowered Toyota's. While it was great off-road it could barely get out of it's own way on the highway. Pfft, forget about passing unless you have a runway's worth of space to do it with. All that and I was lucky to get 11mpg.
And how does "demanding" a V8 have anything to do with losing other features? One is not connected to the other.
Baba Booey
New member
toybox said:Ahh, one amoung my long list of underpowered Toyota's. While it was great off-road it could barely get out of it's own way on the highway. Pfft, forget about passing unless you have a runway's worth of space to do it with. All that and I was lucky to get 11mpg.
And how does "demanding" a V8 have anything to do with losing other features? One is not connected to the other.
I don't know this to be fact, but I was under the impression at the time that the solid front axle and front locker were dropped in order to "make room" for the V8 engine. Considering that the 4.5L V6 isn't much smaller displacement-wise than the 4.7L V8, this may not be the case. Maybe it was more of a cost issue. I don't know the answer.
Toyota's marketing division probably correctly determined that a more powerful V8 engine and IFS is more attractive in the North American market than an underpowered I6 with a solid front axle and lockers. However, when the IFS LC was introduced in Australia, there was an uproar, and I believe Toyota brought back the soild front axle LC within a year to that market, where capability is prized over power and comfort.
All I'm saying is that I would rather have the more capable vehicle even if it does have less power. I would prefer bulletproof reliability and extreme capability over power if given a choice (not that the V8 is unreliable). Heck, I think the FJ40 only had something like 120 hp and the FJ62 had something like 150 hp. I belive the I6 in the FJ80 generated something like 215 hp and 285 lbs/ft. torque. That's enough for what I believe this vehicle was intended for and is still used for around the world.
In a perfect world, Toyota would have added the V8 and kept the other features as well. I always get jealous of the stock ultra-capable Toyota's available in other countries when I see them while traveling abroad or on websites like Toyota Australia.
This is what I would like to have available in the U.S. - especially the pick-up version:
Toyota Australia LC 78
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Before you start going off with such nonsense, V8s are typically VERY compacy engines and inline-6s tend to be VERY large engines that take up a large amount of room because they are so long. V8's are a much more compact package.
The V8 is so smooth and refined, I would never give it up. Especially since it doesn't really get much different mileage than the V6.
Ricky
The V8 is so smooth and refined, I would never give it up. Especially since it doesn't really get much different mileage than the V6.
Ricky
Baba Booey
New member
RickyCRX said:
Why is my opinion as to what I would prefer in a capable SUV "nonsense", especially given the fact that the topic of this thread is about BASIC 4Runners?
I clearly indicated that size of the engine was probably NOT the reason the SFA and lockers were dropped, but it was some excuse that I believe I had read at the time the change was made nine or ten model years ago. Maybe the V8 design is deeper, thereby affecting the use of a SFA moreso than a long-but-shallow I6. Regardless, 4.7L is bigger than 4.5L.
Many people around the world who rely on their vehicle for capabillty disagree with you, so maybe your opinion is "nonsense."
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toybox
New member
Toyota has all the parts but they never seem to put together the *perfect* truck.
My LC would have been perfect had they put a V8 in it.
My 4runner would be perfect if they didn't compromise the suspension to make it a great all-around truck that would sell to the masses.
I thought the FJ would be the closest to a no compromise truck but that has more compromises than expected for me.
I want a Toyota truck built with the attitude that Hummer has.
Toyota has all the money they need, why can't they put everything together to make a truck truly ready like the Hummer. It should have lockers, bumpers like the Hummer or an ARB, 4 doors, powerful engine, skids and such.
That being said, my V8 4runner is the closest to perfect that Toyota has gotten. But I really wish I didn't have to buy lifts, lockers, bumpers, shackle/recovery points, and tires to give it the look and feel that I really want.
My LC would have been perfect had they put a V8 in it.
My 4runner would be perfect if they didn't compromise the suspension to make it a great all-around truck that would sell to the masses.
I thought the FJ would be the closest to a no compromise truck but that has more compromises than expected for me.
I want a Toyota truck built with the attitude that Hummer has.
Toyota has all the money they need, why can't they put everything together to make a truck truly ready like the Hummer. It should have lockers, bumpers like the Hummer or an ARB, 4 doors, powerful engine, skids and such.
That being said, my V8 4runner is the closest to perfect that Toyota has gotten. But I really wish I didn't have to buy lifts, lockers, bumpers, shackle/recovery points, and tires to give it the look and feel that I really want.
Baba Booey
New member
toybox said:
I agree. However, except for the V8, the vehicle you describe is pretty much available in other countries around the world. And, I wonder whether the 4.2L Turbo Diesel LCs that are available elsewhere would give the 4.7L V8 a run for its money as the "ideal" engine to have.