Things that should be changed on the 4Runner

[Sniggle]

Just bought one last week. My wife really likes the car, but I would change just a few minor things:

- Add memory drivers seats/mirrors. I known this has been hit upon before, but it is a glaring oversight. If they can have 10-way adjusting seats, memory seats are a no brainer.

- Move the cruise control from the steering column onto the steering wheel. There is room for additional buttons on the right side of the wheel. This would make it easier to use (wife sometimes turns cruise control off when she means to resume previous setting) and fill out the steering wheel.

- Adopt a better moonroof controller, like what VW uses (a dial that can be turned to open it in set incriments or all the way).

- Make the 6-CD changer a standard feature with the NAV system. Charge a few more bucks, ok, but get it done at the dealership.

- Make a tire pressure monitor and rain sensing wipers and option, or part of the LTD package.

Overall a great car for the money.

--------

2003 4Runner LTD, White/Stone, Loaded

 

[Thai]

Memory seats = Lexus only.

Rain sensing...pretty sure it is Lexus only.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

reclining rear seats

Turn signal lever lower, to a more standard position.

remote that can raise rear glass

roam for a bigger spare

make the rear arm rest higher

Put the head rest from the front seats in the rear (like the lexus has)

bag holders on back of rear seats (like the chrysler vans have)

stronger gas tank skid, more then just sheet metal

make SR5 hood available on Sport and limited (not a big fan on the hood scope)

Make rear lift gate close easier (from full up)

Auto lights should be an option on all models

make more room for feet under the backs of fromnt seats (I Like to slide my feet under the seat when riding back there, it gives you that much more room)

Mostly small complaints, But really I don't want any of them fixed, then I'd feel bad for having an 03

 

[Sniggle]

I forgot about the rear window

I pounded on the remote trying to get the rear window to go up without success It would have been nice if it had that feature.

Also, I wish the remote would open (not just unlock) the rear hatch. That would be nice.

Well, in 10 years when I look to replace this one, maybe I will have these features will be inlcuded, or maybe I will have the jack for a Lexus

----------------------------------
2003 4Runner LTD, White/Stone, Loaded

 

[peter78]

It is my understanding that not being able to roll down the window with the remote is a safety item.

We have the same problem with the third generation. I notice when I roll up the window from the back I can see if any items are in the way.

I think the concern is accidentally closing the window on a fishing rod, or a dog with his head out or heaven forbid something worse.

 

[Ken Briggs]

Sure are a lot of things I would change.

I have the navigation. The cassette player built in is about as usefull as an 8 Track player, I haven't owned a cassette player in my audio system in more than 10 years. Maybe they would have had room for the 6 disc changer with out the cassette deck? Why can't the LCD display show CD-text (artist, album name, song title)? Why no MP3 or Sony ATRACK compatability? How about external auxillary inputs for a Mini Disc or I-Pod. And what about satellite radio, XM or Sirius?

The buttons for the Home Link and moonroof need night time illumination.

The accelerator and brake pedals are clumbsy. I am not a fan of foot operated emergency brakes. Why can't the emergency brake automatically release when the transmission is moved out of park? That is not something new.

I have the leather seats. Their comfort could certainly be improved. I get really bad back aches on any trips over an hour or so.

Hopefully the Toyota marketing people are listening to all this.

 

[EDGE]

My only real complaints are no memory seats and no auto up and down on all the windows, plus the lack of 6 disc is :50cal:

I noticed that compared to other auto companise Toyota is slow, not a bad thing but it takes them time to realize things or maybe the generational age gap their going after does not realize these things we notice:50cal:

 

[Ken Briggs]

More nipicking.

The multi-function display is hard to read. It doesn't have enough contrast or brightness for daylight viewing. And its backlight color doesn't match the the display for the odometer.

 

[EDGE]

Sure are a lot of things I would change.

I have the navigation. The cassette player built in is about as usefull as an 8 Track player, I haven't owned a cassette player in my audio system in more than 10 years. Maybe they would have had room for the 6 disc changer with out the cassette deck? Why can't the LCD display show CD-text (artist, album name, song title)? Why no MP3 or Sony ATRACK compatability? How about external auxillary inputs for a Mini Disc or I-Pod. And what about satellite radio, XM or Sirius?

The buttons for the Home Link and moonroof need night time illumination.

The accelerator and brake pedals are clumbsy. I am not a fan of foot operated emergency brakes. Why can't the emergency brake automatically release when the transmission is moved out of park? That is not something new.

I have the leather seats. Their comfort could certainly be improved. I get really bad back aches on any trips over an hour or so.

Hopefully the Toyota marketing people are listening to all this.

I agree with everything you said, but gotta deal with it now :artist:

For your back man I would suggest doing some crunches and some bent leg dead lifts to strengthen up the abs and lower back which should eliminate the lower back pain:arrow:

 

[Ken Briggs]

And another.

Single swipe for the windshield wipers. Where did that go?

 

[estradacg]

My biggest complaint for the 1997 model are two things:
- cup holders (pull outs on top of the stereo, it blocks the radio, AC controls, and clock)
- sun visors (too flimsy and no slide outs).

Other than that, I love it.

 

[Sniggle]

I agree 100% with the tape slot...who uses tapes any more?

It is also strange how the NAV screen has room for artist and title, but shows them as unknown. Seems like they are just asking for complaints.

I would also like analog clocks. A small analog clock would be nice.

 

[gaslight]

how about the rear tailgate closing on its own with a slight push or the push of a button mounted on it. I think I saw that on a Lexus while I was trying to negotiate for a 4Runner. Looked like they gave a slight push or something then they got in the front while the rear door was still closing on its own. Now that would be a sweet little feature.

 

[Ken Briggs]

Just want to clarify the Cd-Text thing. The in-dash single disc player will read CD-Text, but, where you really need it is for the changer. The "album" name should show up in the CD changer screen. It does not read or display Cd-Text. Also the in-dash will read CD-RWs the changer does not.

 

[jharris2]

Remember that CD text has to be put on the CD -- I have abunch of factory-pressed CDs that don't have CD text. Those that I burned do.

 

[Ken Briggs]

John,

Yes. You are right about the CD-Text. Some factory pressings do have it, most don't. I make CD-Rs for the car just because I leave them there. If they get damaged just burn another one. I have been adding text to the latest that I burn.

 

[Ken Briggs]

One of the things I haven't seen mentioned on this forum is the lack of head room. I have the driver's seat at the lowest position and the seat somewhat reclined. In the morning I just brush the headliner and over bumpy roads I'll bump my head. In the evening after your spine has collapsed a little I seem to be OK. I'm 5' 10 1/2". What do 6 foot and over driver do? Is there a way to get the seat to go lower?

 

[Swaro]

1. The seat cushion is not firm enough. Your butt and thighs start floundering around. It drives me crazy, and if I can't find an acceptable device to firm it up, this vehicle will be traded in a couple years. Nothing like German seats. Appears Toyota did a good job copying American seats--too bad they stink!

2. The recirc coming on automatically almost every time the vehicle is started is a major PITA!

3. They should copy the Germans in making it nearly impossible to lock your keys in the car. I KNOW I'll be locking mine in there one of these days.

4. Foglights are almost totally useless. Yeah, I know what they are supposed to do, but these are by far the worst. They light up an area about 2 feet in front---virtually no side of the road lighting.

5. Although I love the steering wheel radio controls, somehow, the horn pad should extend out there, too. I couldn't find the horn in a recent problem situation.

6. Yes, it needs a bump 1 wipe feature.

7. smooth out the v8 idle.

8. The guage/steering wheel relationship is all wrong. If I tilt the wheel to where I like it, the wheel totally blocks the turn signal indicators--and you now have become the dork that drives for miles with a signal on!

9. I like the cassette. Have many recordings on cassette that are now out of print.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

on the post on the first page about parking brake releasng when moving from park This is a bad thing, epseically if there is a child in the car, they bump it out of Park, and then there is nothing to stop the car from rolling. Also there are times when workign on your car when you need to run the trans through the positions, but need the parking brake on as an added saftey not to run over someone else, espeicaly when 2 people are working on the car, I personally like having it not release when working on my grandparetns town car it releases it when moved out of park, it gets annoying.


As for rough idle on the V8's. I don't relaly notice it on mine, Maybe I'm just more used to V8's or something

 

[Ken Briggs]

03_4x4Runner,

Your comments on the parking brake issue are well taken. But, first it would be negligent to leave a child unattended in the car. Second read page 127 of the owner's manual. The transmission can not be moved from park without first having the the ignition switched to the on position and depressing the brake pedal.