Things that should be changed on the 4Runner

[Guest]

8. Seats too close to the floor and not enough adjustment range for large people (built & designed for the asian markets).

The Cons really outweight the Pros right now. Most are minor but the lack of interior room for tall people is totally unexceptable.

I just test drove the new 2004 Dodge Durango. It isn't a "full size" SUV but it has great interior space... even with a sunroof. It was of course made for americans.

The suggestions by people to get one without a sunroof are wrong. If I have to remove a feature I want it means the vehicle was poorly designed.

BTW,

By lack of headroom I means there isn't alot of space between the roof and the top of my bald head. There is some (enough for a tight fist) but not alot.

I also have to move the seat all the way back to get the legroom and seat position I want.

While I really want a 4Runner I just can't overlook these problems. What if one of my passengers are over 6 feet tall? My brother is 6'3" tall and he is one of my shorter relatives!

The 4Runner is designed for the North American market. It isn't sold anywhere else. The previous 4Runner had the same characteristics with regards to headroom.
I guess perspective is a funny thing because all my friends and myself think the interior is roomy and nice.

Sometimes, some people don't fit a particular car. Maybe you need something Sequoia sized or a unibody mid-size suv.

 

[Thai]

A few notes:

- Memory seats are exclusive to Lexus vehicles unfortunately...even the mighty Land Cruiser has to do without them.

- Don't mistaken need to off-road tire with capability. Hiluxsurf, you need better tires for off-roading...it's not your 4runner's fault. If you need to, then get new 16" rims so that you will have more tire selections. If not, then you have to settle for slightly taller tires (265/70/17 for example).

- With regard to headroom, didn't anyone testdrive the 4runner before buying it??

- "Durango" and 4runner should never be in the same sentence!

- Hissing sound is on every Toyota/Lexus vehicle with ABS.

- Remotely raising cargo hatch window is a safety issue...not gonna happen anytime soon.

Thanks.

 

[Swaro]

I agree with you, snap315. Although the 4runner may have been designed for NA, was it designed from an Asian perspective? The steering wheel, seat and instrument cluster proves that it was. It is all out of whack for an ave. 5'10" body such as mine. ie. if you get the seat correct for the pedals, and the wheel right for your arms and armrest, the wheel blocks out the indicators and gauge tops.

I recall the story of Chinese airlines fitting 700+ seats in a Boeing 747 vs. the US amount of 500+.

 

[c44me]

I think the whole seat/wheel/floor issue is also very annoying, however after six months of experimentation, I finally found a position that is tolerable, and I can see the turn signal indicators. An essential part of getting it right was adjusting the seat back angle along with wheel angle, wheel position, and the seat positions. I also have a setting for the lumbar support and seat twist knob that minimizes pain on long trips. With my nifty Fred Meyer $15 seat pad, and the thick weather stripping glued over the sharp edges that my legs rest against, the 4Runner is now fairly tolerable, except on really long drives.

But why should we have to go through all this? I think the reason is not that Toyota designed the vehicle with an Asian body in mind, I think it has to do with design priorities. They built a vehicle according to the marketing department's specs for size, weight, suspension and engine performance, etc, and then put in some places for people to sit, without spending a lot of time or money on human factors engineering. Why should they? We all bought them, didn't we??

 

[Swaro]

yes, Gregg, I kicked back the recliner a notch last night. I'm also adjusting the seat so my butt can tolerate the poor foam in the seat bottom. Where did you buy this Meyer seat cushion? I've been through 3 different ideas and I'm about to stop in an upholstery shop to re-do the seat. I did get to thinking along the same lines...the seat/wheel/pedal relationship is pretty complex and placement might be limited by steering column angle, floor height...all kinds of factors. BUT...it kills me that these manufacturers feel they must get funky with the design of the instrument pod. BMW always had the best gauge arrangement...very simple, but always visible. Now even those idiots are screwing up...just look at the Z4 pod...geez...the Z4 pod design is very similar to the 4Runners!

 

[mtnrunner]

After heading out for 100 mile ski trip last wknd I have to say I did not notice any discomfort that has been described in this thread, either driving or sitting in the passenger seat. I'm 5'11 and trim, maybe that's the difference.

Now I did notice the blockage of my turn signals. No big deal, simply listen for clicking or raise the wheel. As for controls, once you get to know them you'll find them easy enough for how often they are used.

I don't agree that the arm rests are too low either. High arm rests can actually transfer road shock into shoulder joints producing damage to the joint. Typically, your arms should dangle without any contact, especially off-roading! You'll learn this once you separate your shoulder and talk to an ortho.

As for the theory that Toyota builds this car in Japan so they

 

[Guest]

OMG, someone with common sense and actually understands the use of a real SUV!! I had lost all hope!

After heading out for 100 mile ski trip last wknd I have to say I did not notice any discomfort that has been described in this thread, either driving or sitting in the passenger seat. I'm 5'11 and trim, maybe that's the difference.

Now I did notice the blockage of my turn signals. No big deal, simply listen for clicking or raise the wheel. As for controls, once you get to know them you'll find them easy enough for how often they are used.

I don't agree that the arm rests are too low either. High arm rests can actually transfer road shock into shoulder joints producing damage to the joint. Typically, your arms should dangle without any contact, especially off-roading! You'll learn this once you separate your shoulder and talk to an ortho.

As for the theory that Toyota builds this car in Japan so they

 

[Good Times]

After heading out for 100 mile ski trip last wknd I have to say I did not notice any discomfort that has been described in this thread, either driving or sitting in the passenger seat. I'm 5'11 and trim, maybe that's the difference.

Now I did notice the blockage of my turn signals. No big deal, simply listen for clicking or raise the wheel. As for controls, once you get to know them you'll find them easy enough for how often they are used.

I don't agree that the arm rests are too low either. High arm rests can actually transfer road shock into shoulder joints producing damage to the joint. Typically, your arms should dangle without any contact, especially off-roading! You'll learn this once you separate your shoulder and talk to an ortho.

As for the theory that Toyota builds this car in Japan so they

 

[Swaro]

What does being an off-roading SUV have to do with Toyota using foam in the seat cushion that is too soft? I'll bet that it's too soft in all of Toyota's models. This also supports the theory that the vehicle was better designed for smaller people. That foam is maybe ok for a 135 pounder.

And by suggesting the vehicle maybe was designed for smaller people, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise these designers are very inadequate.

Who cares if the turn signal indicators are blocked? That is one one the most absurd statements I've heard in a while.

 

[Iman74]

OH Hell

Let's close this thread with these final words:


Nothing needs to be changed in the 4 Runner for it's the most perfect vehicle one can buy!!!