Things Toyota needs to "fix" on the 6th Gen 4Runner

The lockers and differentials make sense, but seems like the rest are items that people like adding/styling themselves. It might make sense to create a dealer/distributor option system (although most distributors make really poor choices on options), but creating a fixed "box" of TRD options might work to decrease appeal.

The 4runner is still made in Japan so its tough to have specific custom options like that.
 
I would love to see the ignition key placed into the dash instead of the steering column. My knee hits the key when offroading. But, I dont want a keyless thing either for a 4WD vehicle. Lack of silly electronics is precisely why I bought this truck.

I have no concerns with changing the oil or oil filter placement. For those who complain, but a Fumuto valve and AFM skids with the trap door thing to access the filter.
 
My personal list of fixes would be (2011 SR5 4x4 for reference):

Better MPG.
More low RPM torque.
Much more comfortable seats.
More drivers knee room, right knee specifically.
Lessen the blind spots, trim the pillars as much as possible.
Maximize interior space.
More durable interior materials.
Get rid of the emergency braking nose-dive.
Get rid of the 'clunk' and stop light creep.
Less bulbous, plastic looking exterior, slim down the exterior a bit using the wind tunnel, would also help with highway mpg.
Tighter turning radius.
More robust factory roof rack.

Personally I'd like the safety sense type stuff- blind spot monitoring/ rear collision avoidance/ lane departure warning etc. After all this vehicle will debut in 2019-2021 or whenever, that stuff will likely be standard on many vehicles by then.

BUT I'm at just over 100K miles with no surprise repairs, so no major complaints, just my thoughts above on how to improve an already great vehicle.
 

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Man could this list go on and on. The 5th gen is oddly the best 4runner every built, but technically the worst.

The 4runner has never attempted to be a LC in terms of accoutrement, however in the generations past, its sparseness was at least on par with the market.

It seems that while Toyota addressed a lot of the 4runner, they never addressed the market. Frankly the 4runner is like the least equipped 45k vehicle you can buy. Notably the TRDpro. Which is the most expensive, rarest, and least equipped lol.

1) Bring back the v8. I know it won't happen, but could they at least get the memo every other manufacturer in the world got? More power! Civics come with more power than the 4runner..

2) Push button starts and smart keys across the platform. This one blows my mind. Why does a corolla have a smart key, and my 45k truck has a key from 1992?

3) HID/LED/Laser in all vehicles, especially those over 40k. I mean, kia's have HID's T4R's come with the worst night vision possible, while being one of the most off road capable vehicles ever..

4) While I actually love the interior, I know the 6th gen is going to go to unibody and get smaller. I hope they keep it large. Tech upgrades would be nice. Because entune is completely garbage.

5) Road noise. I don't need it to be a Range rover, but I think Wranglers may be quieter on the road.

Toyota is an incredibly efficient car manufacturer with hands down the most reliable vehicles ever built! The resale value despite all these missing things is the reason I own mine.

I almost just traded it for 18 Range Rover sport. (don't ask) The dealer laughed when I told him I wanted 44 trade. He called me back 30 mins later offered me 45, and said I dont know what this thing is made of, but I already have it sold..

I kept the 4runner. With a smile
 
i would love to have a 5th gen but with out redoing the front end it sort of kills it for me
SO [MENTION=47655]toyota[/MENTION] fix the damned ugly ass thing you call a front bumper grill on the 5th gen
It reminds me of Predator or the whale shark from finding Dory
 

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Raise the roof. Not sure how toyota thinks having your head 1” away from the headliner is safe.

How about lowering the seats instead? I can't understand why it has the seating position of a kitchen chair. The older models were much better with more of a sports car seating position. I can't understand the current fad of making the center of gravity of vehicles as high as possible.
 
1. turbo charged/super charged engine with more efficient motor(better mpg)and more tq/horsepower as the vehicle is way underpowered
2. more display options with different colors in the dash
3. led headlights, fogs, license plate light, drl, interior lights, and exterior lights.
4. push start button
5. individual tire pressure monitor
6. more usb outlets including the rear
7. power tailgate
8. electronic e-brake
9. oil life % (i don't see one)
10. auto headlights
 
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Things Toyota needs to "fix" on the 6th Gen 4Runner

I for one would NOT like push button start to be offered on all trims for the 6th gen. It is one of my biggest gripes about our LC200. Give me a key and a manual transmission and I will not ask for anything else (okay maybe a side exit exhaust like on my 3rd gen so I can drive with the rear hatch window open without fear of co2 poisoning).

I wonder if any of the folks who love push button start have ever been stranded somewhere with a dead key fob, unable to start their vehicle? Seems counterintuitive for an off-road vehicle IMO.
 
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Having driven lots of dirt roads, my request is a better air flow across the back window. The dust gets so thick I will have to put 650 lb springs on to keep the car level.
 
Had a good bit of seat time in the wife’s 4R the last week or so. It just turned 1,000 miles. My DD is the ‘17 Tundra Limited. Overall, I truly enjoy the 4R. It has good road manners for what it is, it’s a breeze to park and it just seems like the size is just right. My list of things i’d wish for:
1. The stereo is so inconsistent from one song to the next, I find myself adjusting the bass and treble frequently. That not the case in my Tundra.
2. For the wife - no power liftgate. We would have bought the 4R Limited if it had this option.
3. Headlights are pretty substandard at night. Same issue with the Tundra.
4. I wish the A Trac system was always on in 4WD like it is in my Tundra. It even works in 4H.
5. Bigger touch screen.
5. Push button start. Wish my Tundra had it too.

That being said, I hope they keep the general utility / off road chops of the 4R. Body on frame, no loss of ground clearance, and lives up to the reputation of what every 4R has been: tough, reliable as a Swiss watch and excellent build quality. We bought it because we live near Buffalo NY and spend time driving in the snowbelts quite a bit. Lots of winter miles in snow covered roads and deep snow / drifts on the back roads near our house and that ground clearance is especially handy coming up through the drifts in the driveway before I can clear it with the tractor. If they make it a unibody mall crawler, at least I’ll have one of the last built 5th generation trucks. Honestly, even if they made some of the changes above but the put an unproven motor in it or some 8 or 10 speed auto trans, we’d probably keep the 5th generation since I know it’ll last forever and do everything my wife needs it to.
 
i would love to have a 5th gen but with out redoing the front end it sort of kills it for me
SO [MENTION=47655]toyota[/MENTION] fix the damned ugly ass thing you call a front bumper grill on the 5th gen
It reminds me of Predator or the whale shark from finding Dory

:crazy:
 
The front seats, had my girlfriend drive for an hour or two while I rode shotgun and I hated the passenger seat. Tried getting comfortable by reclining the seat and felt as if someone was stepping on my back.
 

For as many people that like that dorky front fascia just as many hate it ;): :D


A lot of the “wishes” people are wishing for (in this “fix” list) belong in something other than a 4runner, buy a Highlander. Seriously, power everything bell and whistles are the anti-Christ of reliability.

Other things like “fix the seats” hell I am totally down with, my 3rd gen seats were way more comfortable than these bricks. :thumb:
 

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