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

[WallyT4R]

it needs-
-the 3.5L Tacoma motor with that sweet automatic transmission mapping
-unibody construction to improve gas mileage
-independent rear suspension cuz the ride is so nice
-safety sense cuz no one knows how to drive anymore
-Apple car play and google auto cuz my ADHD can't be without it.
-Also need wifi so I can surf Fakebook while driving. Remember safety sense.
-curb feelers :cheers:
-push button start cuz turning the key is so hard
-auto headlights for the same reason. What do you mean I have to turn my own headlights on/off??? just ridiculous! Come on Toyota, WTF!

 

[notoriouslyKEN]

No seatbelt alarm

Seat belt alarms can be turned off through TechStream. Ask me how I know :cheers:

 

[e60ral]

i'd pay a lot of money for an adaptive cruise control option. even knowing all of the numerous downsides and shortfalls of the grand cherokee, adaptive cruise control made it a tough decision.

 

[wild_turkey]

Driver side grab handle!

 

[Toffees]

LATCH car seat anchor points for the back seat middle position. Toyota needs to put their Safety Sense on that. :grouphug:

You can't use the latch points on the left and right seats? I've not tried a car seat in the middle of the 2nd row, but don't see how there's enough space there for one.

 

[Toffees]

it needs-
-the 3.5L Tacoma motor with that sweet automatic transmission mapping
-unibody construction to improve gas mileage
-independent rear suspension cuz the ride is so nice
-safety sense cuz no one knows how to drive anymore
-Apple car play and google auto cuz my ADHD can't be without it.
-Also need wifi so I can surf Fakebook while driving. Remember safety sense.
-curb feelers :cheers:
-push button start cuz turning the key is so hard
-auto headlights for the same reason. What do you mean I have to turn my own headlights on/off??? just ridiculous! Come on Toyota, WTF!

You had me until no push button. My life is changed by this.

 

[Jetboy]

Drop 500lb. Add auto headlights. Raise the roof 2 inches for headroom. Add the direct shift 8AT or 10AT. Keeping the same engine would be just fine with a proper transmission. Or a turbo 4cyl. Front locker.

Or just sell us the poverty pack version of the LC200.

 

[Toffees]

1) Ditch entune entirely or ($$$) fix it and make it useful; better yet, just offer a CarPlay/android compliant installation
2) Better ergonomics in the console and stack layout, although I guess more space offers more room for modifications
3) More engine options
4) Better back of vehicle AC
5) Better stock tires
6) Figure out the handling and stop offering trim-limited options (XREAS, KDSS, etc)
7) Useful safety options as add-ons would be nice, the malls get crazy sometimes

 

[N2TRKYS]

Seat belt alarms can be turned off through TechStream. Ask me how I know :cheers:

I'm definitely interested in doing this.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

The engine and transmission in the 4Runner is legendary. The fastest way to **** that up is to mess with the configuration. There is already enough software too. More only adds complexity to updates and repairs.

I want some usable storage space in the back. Otherwise, it is as good as it gets for its purpose.

 

[MidnightOffRoad]

The whole point of the thread is "fixes" not upgrades.

Of course we can all list a long line of wants in terms of UPGRADING the 4R (better engine, more power, better economy, more expensive brakes, better transmission, etc).

The thread is intended to outline EASY and either cheap or cost neutral things Toyota could do for "fixing" ergonomic or problematic areas with the current gen.

Of course we could all say "the stock stereo system sucks, we want better"

A perfect example is the sensory monitoring.

They've already spent the money on the LED screen and interface. They've already spent the money on all the sensors in the vehicle and their reporting to the ECU. It would literally cost virtually nothing (when spread amongst the thousands of 4R sold) for them to have the engineering time to develop a basic app in the screen that allows the driver to display ANY of the sensory inputs already communicated to the ECU.

They already do SOME of this via the economy settings, mph (digital) etc.

Why not allow someone to monitor the trans temps?

Like adding a rear cargo light. In the grand scheme of things, this is a very easy to do and low cost addition that makes an appreciable difference in the user experience. How many people on this forum WOULDN'T be willing to pay an extra $30 for an additional rear cargo light? Doing it AFTER the factory is expensive, painful and complicated. From the factory it would be economical.

I love that Toyota (and most manufacturers) have opted to put multi switches on all the windows now (and not just the driver's window). It was always curious to me that they'd skimp on something that costs a couple bucks, and put simple two way switches on the other windows, so instead of pulling or pushing the botton once and having the window open or close, you had to hold it down. Seems trivial, but when you're driving or preoccupied by other things, it's a distraction (and not a HUGE deal, but isn't a huge cost to fix either).

From my Gen4 to my gen5 they fixed the location of the auxiliary input. It used to be inside the console now it's at the bottom of the front dash. (not that I use it anymore with Bluetooth) but simple adjustments they make from beta testing or user feedback.

I love that on my gen5 they feature a multi configuration tow connection. My 2007 SR5 (with tow package) had a connection, but now it accommodates all the common types. It costs MUCH less for them to do that from the factory (and spread the costs out) than for us to deal with it AFTER the fact (with adapters and such).

I own a $60k car that came with a hood prop rod. Seriously. Granted it only cost me $100 to install aftermarket hood struts, but those are the little, easy things that they can do to make the vehicle BETTER without significantly moving the needle on the price.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Move the trailer plug in to a useful location like every other vehicle on the road. Lol

Storage under the second row seats.

 

[1jzgte]

I know a dealer who knows another dealer who spoke to a cervix guy who knows the janitor that works for Toyota HQ that overheard board members summon the spirit of Sakichi Toyoda and he said the 6th gen 4runner will come out in 2025.

 

[Jetboy]

Fix the damn hardware at least. The bolts and machine screws have really gone down hill over the past two generations. Put some decent coatings on them. I shouldn't be cutting out alignment cam bolts after 3 years.

And weld the weldnuts better. I'm tired of breaking them loose.

My 1975 FJ40 factory installed hardware is typically STILL in better condition than my 3 year old 4runner.

 

[sandcrawler]

7) Oil filter relocation. Say it with me. Again, this isn't exclusive to Toyota and my maintenance is covered for years, but if you've ever had to change your oil, there's probably not a single person who hasn't cursed at the idiot engineer who insisted on locating the oil filter where it's either impossible to remove without getting oil on SOMETHING else, OR you have to devise some sort of catch. Oil filter relocation kits are not expensive and would be even cheaper if done from the manufacturer. Rather than use an oil boy and vacuum it out of the dipstick (which I also recommend), wouldn't it be easier if they just put the ****ing thing somewhere easy to access and easy to remove without making a mess?

this has been discussed to death but, again, the oil filter was relocated on the upgraded, updated Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE in order to accommodate the variable valve timing on the exhaust cam. it's not "idiot engineers" it's just the reality that all engineering is a compromise.

in 8 years of oil changes, i've neither spilled a drop, nor cursed the design or its designers. i'd suggest you work on your technique, but you've clearly never even done an oil change on this vehicle and are just whinging in a vacuum.

say it with me: sometimes things are the way they are for reasons i simply don't understand.

welcome to the forum.

 

[metzger]

More engine torque!

 

[MidnightOffRoad]

this has been discussed to death but, again, the oil filter was relocated on the upgraded, updated Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE in order to accommodate the variable valve timing on the exhaust cam. it's not "idiot engineers" it's just the reality that all engineering is a compromise.

in 8 years of oil changes, i've neither spilled a drop, nor cursed the design or its designers. i'd suggest you work on your technique, but you've clearly never even done an oil change on this vehicle and are just whinging in a vacuum.

say it with me: sometimes things are the way they are for reasons i simply don't understand.

welcome to the forum.

I don't care. An oil filter relocation to a top bay access is both easy and cheap (if done from the factory). I don't spill because I use an oil boy and suck the oil out from the dipstick and I rarely climb underneath except every once in awhile to check the drain plug for metal. Which also means I don't have to remove skid plates or wind screens (on other vehicles) or poke my hands through trap doors, etc.

Every engineer has their "reasons" for the what they produce, rarely if ever does that consider maintenance or access after the fact.

This isn't exclusive to Toyota (or the 4R). It's also less of an issue in the past 10 years as we transition into the 5k-10k oil change durations (vs. the standard 3k intervals everyone followed for decades).

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Change a couple badges on a 2013 and call it a sixth gen.

 

[EEEliminator]

So glad I decided to read past the first post in this thread and see I agree with just about everyone except the OP's trivial changes....

I would like to see the hood line shortened up a bit to make better use of the cabin space and visibility of over the front a bit easier off-road. Gaining some space behind the 3rd row and AC back there would make it much more useful for a family vehicle.

 

[T4 Leaf]

I know a dealer who knows another dealer who spoke to a cervix guy who knows the janitor that works for Toyota HQ that overheard board members summon the spirit of Sakichi Toyoda and he said the 6th gen 4runner will come out in 2025.

"Cervix Guy" was my nickname in High School :lmao: