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

[MidnightOffRoad]

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.

Let's be honest, no one from Toyota is reading this thread and passing along the feedback to their development team.

Having said that, the "trivial" changes are at least changes they could make.

I tried to avoid a thread where people dream up a bunch of wishful crap that's simply never going to happen.

There's a difference between "what would you do if you could do it all over again?" and responding "I'd be born an heir to a billion dollar fortune" and "I'd learn to play an instrument."

Sure, there's tons of stuff we'd all like to do with the 4R. I wish it had a blown V-8 and a 10 speed automatic transmission and got 50 mpg with twice the storage space and carbon fiber everywhere...….etc, etc.

That's why I said "fix" and not improve in the thread title.

 

[Sheepdogg]

Manual transmission

 

[Sonoran_Desert]

Fix the squeaks

Two bad dash squeaks in first 2000 miles. One was way back in the passenger airbag requiring major surgery at the dealer. The 2nd squeak is driver side. Styrofoam squeak when the car is vibrating in Drive or Reserve before moving and disappears when I push up on the dash or start moving. This is getting old.

I traded a 2000 Camry for 4Runner. Camry never had a dash squeak in 20 years of service. This is my first truck so maybe dash squeaks are common in in trucks.

 

[wfo9]

Pre-projector headlights are waaaaay better. My normal refractor housings on my 2010 put out better light than pretty much any other car I’ve owned.


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This is so true. Halogens work fantastic in the older models. They beyond suck in a projector housing. At least you can upgrade them, but it's crazy to have such poor performing headlights in 2018.

 

[ToyDB]

Agree with many of the posted fixes. I overland but also do a fair amount of highway miles. The only item I'd add - On long, rainy trips - I miss the rain sensing windshield that controls wiper speed.

 

[UTKSmokey]

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.

Middle of second row is safest. We originally had the seat there using the locking seat belt “mode”. It likes to tilt when you lock it down because the shoulder part lifts it on one side, so we are using the passenger side. I am going to try the seat belt clip that comes on the bottom of the seat. I believe it will interfere with folding down the 40 part of the seat. I’ll make that trade off.

 

[WallyT4R]

Really the only thing they need to fix on the 6th gen is to offer a legit PRO edition instead of an appearance package. Something that is worth the money.

-front and rear lockers
-winch
-small lift and tires
-lower geared diffs
-skids
-sliders

Since I'm a blowhard on this subject I may as well keep it rolling. Come on Toyota, quit ripping us off for a special paint job!

 

[honda250xtitan]

This is so true. Halogens work fantastic in the older models. They beyond suck in a projector housing. At least you can upgrade them, but it's crazy to have such poor performing headlights in 2018.

You think the toyotas suck? try driving a new f250 with the halogens. its an absolute joke. Not sure how the nicer trims work with the fancy LED's. Plus mine has 4, yes 4, low beam bulbs. why though...didnt dodge do this in the 90's? lol

 

[grumpy514]

1. Engine New v6 Option with port/direct injection. V8 Option.
2. Transmission- Old and and outdated.
3. Infotainment center/ GPS (Apple/Android Intergration)
4. Gauge Cluster Upgrade, Color LED Display.
5. Headlights, LED or Xenon = Standard. LED DRLs.

The truck is an absolute atrocity with gas mileage, my brothers 5.7 Tundra and 3500 6.7 Cummins get better gas mileage or the same as my 4runner with a LOT more power.

 

[Senorlechero]

I would say the trim around the radio and shifter to be painted in something is durable. I swear It scratches super easy like if my fingernail scratched it it would leave a mark.

Yep. If nothing else, just this change would be very welcome. Do the OR/Pro trims scratch up like the SR5?

Put the 4.6 V8 in the engine bay as an option.

BOOM!

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

dang dude. you a giant? I'm 6'4" and fit just fine....

- More safety tec

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Brighter headlights
Hot plugs without the key being on
No seatbelt alarm
No center console
Gear shifter on the column
Backup camera in the rear view mirror
Ditch the hugh navigation screen and navigation
Let the radio stay on for 10-15 minutes after turning the vehicle off before it shuts off
A radio with knobs and not a touch screen
Improve ground clearance
Make it ride as good as my 2500HD diesel
Make changing your oil as easy as other vehicles and not the ridiculous way it is now

This is just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

LMAO. So you want an '85 with better headlights? ound:

Seriously, how do you guys find the oil change on this thing difficult? My 14YO DAUGHTER can do it!

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!

So you want a Highlander not a 4runner.





LED headlights. The Corolla has killer LEDs
Different trim for the interior(ditch the scratch from looking at it silver)
Sunroof available on all trims
carplay
fix the nose dive
no chrome option
no roof rack option
bring back the manual Tcase for all trims
COLORS!!!!!! Why do tacomas and tundras get to enjoy the killer pro colors from previous years and not us? Thats some BS that I never got an answer to from the LA region rep. Seriously, give me some QS, inferno and cement!
Bring the TRD superchargers back. And when I say TRD I mean a rebranded Magnuson.

 

[Toffees]

Really the only thing they need to fix on the 6th gen is to offer a legit PRO edition instead of an appearance package. Something that is worth the money.

-front and rear lockers
-winch
-small lift and tires
-lower geared diffs
-skids
-sliders

Since I'm a blowhard on this subject I may as well keep it rolling. Come on Toyota, quit ripping us off for a special paint job!

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.

 

[MikeMike5280]

Only had my 2018 since February, but my initial "fix" list would be:

1) Fix the brake pedal lag. I have to push it too far before anything happens.
2) Fix the nose dive on braking.
3) Driver's side grab handle.
4) An interior color other than black, for Pete's sake!!! They market this as an off-road vehicle and I've never seen black dirt (but I hear they have it in Hawaii). Black shows everything!
5) Apple CarPlay (kill the Entune apps thing)
6) Flatten out the stock stance (less or no rake)

 

[RUNTHAT]

They need to make an Overland Edition.opcorn:

 

[1jzgte]

Only had my 2018 since February, but my initial "fix" list would be:

1) Fix the brake pedal lag. I have to push it too far before anything happens.
2) Fix the nose dive on braking.
3) Driver's side grab handle.
4) An interior color other than black, for Pete's sake!!! They market this as an off-road vehicle and I've never seen black dirt (but I hear they have it in Hawaii). Black shows everything!
5) Apple CarPlay (kill the Entune apps thing)
6) Flatten out the stock stance (less or no rake)

that black dirt will eat up your tires faster than anything

 

[mustangr2]

1. Infotainment system. I have a 2017 and I know the 2018 is slightly better but still not that great. I really can’t believe Toyota puts that system in new cars compared to other suvs in the same price range. It’s seems the 4Runner lags behind the rest of the models in the technology in general.

2. Third row option in more models. I had deposit on trd pro in cement but than found out baby on the way figured it would be good to have the third row more than the pro model. I would have bought a trail if it had a third row. I knowit’s not a great third row suv but I have used on several occasions already within the first year. It’s great in pinch.

3. Back ventilation. They really should have included another set of vents in the roof or something.

4. Powertain. The v6 doesn’t hugely disappoint me knowing how realiable they are but I think at least maybe an updated in the transmission might help in several departments. Mpg etc.

Probably a couple more things but those are the ones that stick out to me at the moment.

 

[jrandom]

Really the only thing they need to fix on the 6th gen is to offer a legit PRO edition instead of an appearance package. Something that is worth the money...
... Come on Toyota, quit ripping us off for a special paint job!

To clarify, plenty of people buy them without the special paint job. It is beyond me.

Hey its not my money, as long as they aren't trying to convince me it is somehow more special/better for whatever reason, could care less. : :biggrin1:

4) An interior color other than black, for Pete's sake!!! They market this as an off-road vehicle and I've never seen black dirt (but I hear they have it in Hawaii). Black shows everything!

I know right! Tan or light/dark grey mix, something, black is terrible.
To be honest I wouldn't mind if they got rid of the carpet and replaced with rubber/plastic easily cleanable floor material too. ie FJ like at least for the more "off-road" centric models.

 

[Rememberthecaptain]

Only had my 2018 since February, but my initial "fix" list would be:

1) Fix the brake pedal lag. I have to push it too far before anything happens.
2) Fix the nose dive on braking.
3) Driver's side grab handle.
4) An interior color other than black, for Pete's sake!!! They market this as an off-road vehicle and I've never seen black dirt (but I hear they have it in Hawaii). Black shows everything!
5) Apple CarPlay (kill the Entune apps thing)
6) Flatten out the stock stance (less or no rake)

Hawaii has a small amount of black sand, but wouldn’t stick to anything when wet like most dirt.

 

[the_economist]

Here's my list of things I'd like "fixed" -- these are things that have actually broken on my 2016 SR5 with about 35,000 miles so far, annoying things I've run into, or things I see others complaining about all the time:

-Drop the cheap plastic parts that keep falling off: The rails in the roof rack gutters, the end pieces on the valance on the outside corners of the windshield, the front and rear mud flaps with cheap plastic pin attachments.

-Figure out why a significant number of 5th gen 4Runners are experiencing transfer case fluid leaks with less than 50,000 miles -- obviously a factory problem with the seals.

-Fix whatever's causing so many people to report failed electronic door lock actuators. Either go back to manual door locks -- those were fine in the 1970s, weren't they? -- or use a better design that will hold up over the years. Lots of failures reported for these.

-Ship the 4Runner with LT rated tires, like Jeeps do. Those factory P rated tires are a total joke, obviously used just to squeeze out slightly better fuel economy.

-Where are the sturdy, steel tie-down hoops in the back for roping down loads to the frame? The tie downs in the rear are very weak, and mostly cosmetic. This is a truck, people need strong tie downs!

-I miss changing my own oil. The 5th gen is such a pain -- the placement of the filter, the style of filter, the need to pull off armor and undercarriage plates -- and that's a real shame. My old 3rd gen was fun to work on, not this one. But maybe I'm a dying breed there (what percentage of owners really want to change their own oil these days?).

Otherwise this truck is perfect IMO!

 

[SNORunner01]

Ship with HID headlights and LED fogs
Apple CarPlay & Android interface
Make Gobi full length roof rack standard
Make Icon stage 2 lift standard
Have SCS supply all wheels (just picked up RAY10’s today)
And BFG KO2’s standard

Then have factory options like a tepui tent
Front and rear bumber by CBI off-road

And finally... a removable top

[emoji12]


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[Jevans1770]

I live in Northern Kalifornia and its hard enough to find the 4runner you want given demand so I can understand if Toyota isn't interested in doing a ton to further boost sales. It's a niche vehicle too boot - about 120k units sold in the US in 2017 vs. nearly 400k for the Camry. And that 120k is peak of the cycle and likely to go down for a bit from here.

If you want a winch and more ground clearance - that's for you to do! 95% of owners don't care about that. Its a 40k vehicle loaded and a good portion of that is for stuff most people never use. And then they scrimp on the extras because they blew the budget on the drive train...

But:

1) Headlights suck - although is easy and cheap to do an HID install

2) The AC really sucks, particularly in the 2nd row as many have mentioned. I can't imagine sitting the third row. Sucks to be a kid if your parents own a 3rd row runner.

3) The smart driving/sensor junk. It's a pretty low cost option supply chain wise (a couple hundred bucks) - and far cheaper auto's have this in spaded.

But we keep buying the 4runner despite it's lack of now common features which isn't exactly putting Toyota on the hot seat to improve thing.