The "low tech means less to break" 5th gen myth?

[rob_dixon]

This post is simply for the sake of discourse.

I think we all have heard how the 5th gens lack of newer tech, buttons, and gizmos is usually followed by the statement "i love it, less to break!" Now with the 2020 model out, nary another review comes out with this mention of lack of tech, only to be followed by such comments.

Sure, maybe with things like air suspension and other complicated mechanics (although 6 gears hardly is new, my 2001 car has 6 gears), but in my personal experience of being a tech guy and car guy for decades, I think this is an overblown statement. Because buttons and dials and electronic features/displays/etc attached to electronics rarely "break" in my experience - automotive or otherwise. Its typically the mechanical components that do.

May I suggest/wonder that it makes owners feel good about lack of these "extras" on a $40-50K truck stuff that comes standard on vehicles $20K LESS (e.g. lack of adaptive cruise control). I am of the camp that WANTS the latest, at least some of it!

 

[NWsuperwhiterunner]

Uh , I love that fact that my 19 still has the old 4.0 and 5 speed. It's a tried and true drive train that has been around for over a decade. I love the low tech super reliable. I also love that it still uses the f150 prado chassis witch is actually built to be used unlike the us market only Taco

 

[Y2Ksport]

Certain things i get and like (the body on frame construction and 4L/5spd combo) but other things like the lack of modern LED lighting are a head-scratcher. Especially when LED lights last much longer and are more energy efficient. LED lights were standard on my basic $24k Mazda cx5.

btw, the 2020's have adaptive cruise-control.

 

[rob_dixon]

btw, the 2020's have adaptive cruise-control.

I wonder if they can upgrade an older model to this? Since you have to tap into the braking system they might not, but I would pay a LOT for such an upgrade..

 

[Mass 4runner]

Electronic displays and the like certainly do break, and typically are big money to replace. I love the proven simplicity of the 4runner.

I do however admit that I am slightly jealous of the 2020's android auto and adaptive cruise

 

[catus]

I'm of the camp that enjoys driving. I have cruise control, but don't use it. I bought a 2019 because I didn't want any of the nanny/text assist crap on the 2020's. I like using a key to start my truck. It's what I grew up driving. I think a lot of the electronic "safety" stuff enables the driver to become complacent and lose touch with what's going on outside the truck. As a long time motorcycle rider, I don't like that at all. Pay attention to what's outside the cage! I do like my Sirius XM and Air Conditioning though, and don't miss carburetors at all. Give me a Runner with levers for 4x4 and low range, an interior you can hose clean, a/c, and Sirius and I'll be a happy camper, especially if it's priced accordingly. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that the market for that is small, and it won't be priced that way. My experience (aviation) is that the electrical parts (wiring, solenoids, etc) are more likely to go tango uniform than the mechanical bits. Haven't had the 4Runner long enough to know if its different.

 

[Sonoran_Desert]

After 21 years of owning a Camry 6v XL there were only two items that broke:

1) Electronic LED control module for cabin air and heat temperature. I was able to find a replacement module at a local used parts yard and my very fine and wonderful independent mechanic was able to install the used part and get cold A/C back and flowing cold. When I saw those big dopey manual dials controlling fan speed and temperature on my 2017 my 4runner I knew I had to have this truck!

2) The other thing that broke on my Camry was the plastic clip on the driver's side sun visor which secures to the headliner. I see the exact same (cheap) assembly on my 4Runner and am thinking about buying a new drivers sun visor now before they go up in price once no longer current production. I had to pay $300 for the Camry sun visor with a good clip.

 

[borfoo3]

low tech also means more profit margin for Toyota

Why else would you take a base model vehicle, splash on some colors and shiny bits, then market it as a 'TRD PRO' and sell it with the highest price tag? :behindsofa:

I believe the 4Runner will be gaining tech at the slowest rate possible that keeps sales figures going well

 

[Agent_Outside]

I was a dual brand master tech and shop foreman for Audi and VW for the about 12-13 years and now I work in quality testing and development of preproduction and prototype vehicles and technology. I work with the luxury and exotic lines from a specific auto group.

I don’t think you even begin to comprehend how complicated today’s cutting edge powertrains, electrical systems, and drivers assist systems have become and far behind the times the 4Runner really is....

 

[Mantilgh]

Low tech?

Give me a manual trans, manual transfer case, and manual locking hubs please!!!

No stupid actuators to freeze up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johnbt]

"I don’t think you even begin to comprehend how complicated today’s cutting edge powertrains, electrical systems, and drivers assist systems have become and far behind the times the 4Runner really is"

Behind the times? But is that necessarily bad? Obviously a number of owners don't think it's bad to be behind the times. Heck, I don't even want the big screen and entune. And mine goes great on the beach and pulls my boat up muddy lake banks just fine. I don't want more torque or 12 gears. It's just right as it is.

The few times I ever use a nav system I use my iPhone. The rest of the time I use a map. Don't even have to start the truck or reach for my phone to use a map. A map can also start fires and substitute for TP in a pinch. Heck, maybe my iPhone 11 can too. I just got it.

 

[4Regrets]

I traded a 2016 4Runner in for a 2019 because I have no interest in having adaptive cruise, TSS-P, or any of the other crap they put on the 2020. As it is, I don't like that even the 2019 has a bunch more "smart" (yeah, right) features than my 2016 like ambient light sensing that adjusts the nav screen. Wish it didn't have that, I can adjust the brightness just fine on my own, thanks.

The one thing I do wish they would upgrade is the transmission. Not to a CVT or a 9 speed job, but a 6 speed auto would make this truck drive a whole lot better, and there are certainly bombproof, proven 6AT's out there at this point, they've been around for 30 years.

 

[TRD84Runner]

I prefer less tech in all my cars, I owned a 06 Jeep Wrangler manual everything minus the steering and brakes of course, but i loved that is was a simple metal box I could do ALL the work on myself. I had a 2017 Mustang GT base model with the only upgrade being the Performance Package and the backup sensors because the rear wasn't the best for seeing out of. In fact most of my vehicles have been manual transmission and almost the base model or the performance upgrade like my GTI I just personally like to keep it simple for myself which was why I was drawn to the 2019 4Runner, however, I can totally understand how some people want the latest and greatest when spending somewhere between 35-55 K on a vehicle. i suppose you need to really evaluate what your looking for in your vehicle and try and make the best choice about what tech will make or break you. Do i wish I had Android auto, absolutely but I didn't want all the other items associated with it, in fact the only item I wish I had was a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission in my 4Runner but those days are long gone.

 

[repo]

I don't want any of that soccer mom crap. The Toyota 4x4 platforms are designed for farming, mining and rough service in 3rd world countries, not as rolling living rooms.

 

[4gambler]

Im glad it has no leaf springs.

Wish list to make it perfect:

Oem of assembly line leds everywhere.
Powered rear hatch.
6 speed auto.
Cement color option in all trims.
Old school oil filter on top.
Make hood scoop functional air flow to engine.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Anytime I see these threads I always wonder why some people have 4Runners ha. I have no problem with someone wanting a "modern" vehicle. Plenty of vehicles address this "pressing" issue. The 4Runner has ALWAYS been behind the times. And I don't see why Toyota would ever change that because people like you and me keep buying them. I've only had my TE for 28 months but have put 84K miles on it. The vehicle works well and has caused me no issues. For me, those are some of the biggest selling points of the 4Runner. If people want the latest and greatest, you won't get that in the 4Runner. We all know what the 4Runner does well. And as long as mine continues to do so, I see no reason to get rid of mine.

 

[CougarHound]

Blind spot detection and stuff would be nice, but that's why we have the highlander. I'm glad Toyota didn't jump on the direct injected turbocharged (ecoboost) bandwagon; but then again, I the kind of guy who thinks that they should go back to the 5vzfe. I'm sure Toyota knows turbochargers and things....They can make hybrids. Those are pretty damn complex. So the question is, why won't they make any improvements? Profits? Those Kias are pretty decked out with cool stuff...

 

[jrandom]

Sure, maybe with things like air suspension and other complicated mechanics (although 6 gears hardly is new, my 2001 car has 6 gears), but in my personal experience of being a tech guy and car guy for decades, I think this is an overblown statement. Because buttons and dials and electronic features/displays/etc attached to electronics rarely "break" in my experience - automotive or otherwise. Its typically the mechanical components that do.

I love tech too. Tech in the right places is fine, absolutely.

What isn't fine... the fact a simple rodent can completely disable your truck when you are in the middle-of-f'king-nowhere. Old days they chew through, say, an ignition wire, you could either replace with a spare from the last change or patch it to make it home.

Mechanicals "typically" fail from abuse or user error.

To be honest, I too wish this truck came with a 6-speed... manual, like the FJ. Rubber floors too, I digress

 

[CO-Cygnus]

These threads always crack me up. Bring back the chokes, carbs, and 4 speed transmissions. Why does this thing even have an FM radio, bucket seats, or a screen on the dash? Too complicated.

Or we can just accept the fact that Toyota decided to maximize their profit margins over 4Runner features. Those saying 4Rs have always been 'Old' seem to forget that the 4th Gen was really quite modern for it's time and the jump to the 5th Gen saw the bean counters remove features like the power liftgate and new, unreliable, technologies like projector beam headlights. Reflectors are just that much more reliable people!

Old <> Reliable. It's just old. Toyota makes PLENTY of modern, powerful, drivetrains for their other cars and SUVs. Some of these powertrains are even turbocharged and apparently Toyota is content that these power plants meet their standards.

The Bronco, Gladiator, Jimmy/AT4, are going to start to taking customers if Toyota continues to neglect the 4R to avoid development costs. 10s 0-60 and 18- MPG just will not cut it in the 2020s.

 

[the_fornicator]

I'm of the camp that enjoys driving. I have cruise control, but don't use it. I bought a 2019 because I didn't want any of the nanny/text assist crap on the 2020's. I like using a key to start my truck. It's what I grew up driving. I think a lot of the electronic "safety" stuff enables the driver to become complacent and lose touch with what's going on outside the truck. As a long time motorcycle rider, I don't like that at all. Pay attention to what's outside the cage! I do like my Sirius XM and Air Conditioning though, and don't miss carburetors at all. Give me a Runner with levers for 4x4 and low range, an interior you can hose clean, a/c, and Sirius and I'll be a happy camper, especially if it's priced accordingly. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that the market for that is small, and it won't be priced that way. My experience (aviation) is that the electrical parts (wiring, solenoids, etc) are more likely to go tango uniform than the mechanical bits. Haven't had the 4Runner long enough to know if its different.

Same boat.

I restored a 1995 4runner and the only reason I sold it was because the safety ratings on the 2nd gens were brutal -I'd never put my kid in that thing because the doors are a bit of metal piping and sheet metal. Had that thing been safe, I'd still own it.

Not a lot in the way of options, but it was ultra functional and I loved it.

My 2nd gen 4runner with 200K kms gave me less problems than my Jeep SRT with 30k kms. That damn jeep kept shitting electronic control modules that were $1500 each to replace and program (3 different ones crapped out on me).

I'm happy with AC, heated seats, and a decent stereo. The backup cam is nice too. So, I'm also on the low-tech train.