Thinking about it!

[Tooltime19]

I really enjoy my current 4th gen. Im considering upgrading the suspension to Camburg, Icon or Total Chaos with FOX and their new DSC tuning ability. Im starting to see more and more of the 5th gen's with nice systems on them and its starting to get me thinking.
A couple of questions;
1) Are my RCI skids able to transfer over?
2) Are the suspension systems exactly the same from the 4th to the 5th gen?
3) If so or not, what has been done to the 5th gen chassis to improve or take away from it compared to the 4th?
4) Those of you that had the 4th gen and switched, would you do it again?
5) My V-6 has been a rocket for a V-6. How does it perform in the 5th gen?
6) If the V-6 is ok in the 5th gen, how's the mileage?
7) If the V-6 isnt enough for the bigger 5th gen, hows the V-8 power, mileage, reliability ect?
8) Any negative aspects from the 4th to the 5th gen?
:cheers:

 

[ST1FLER]

if you are happy with the 4thgen and it is solid, why waste the money? Your stuff wont swap over for the most part

 

[marshal]

1) No. The 4th gen is a 120 series and the 5th is a 150 series. The frame has been changed accordingly. Skids won't fit, especially if the 5th generation is equipped with KDSS

2) YES

3) spring rates have changed very slightly, along with a wb and track width increase. As well, KDSS swaybars are an option on the trails. The 5ths are approximately the size of 100 series land cruisers, a lot lighter though.

4) I was looking at 4th gen limiteds, that only lasted very briefly when I realized I could afford 5th generation Trail models.

5) the v6 in the 5th gen is not the same as yours. In 2010 it was reworked for VVT-I and they upped the power. That said, it also has a fuel mapping that does everything it can to keep fuel Milage and the RPMs down. It is adequate, but does feel sluggish with the mapping and the added size of the 5th generation.

6) Stock 21-22mpg is easily attained. On my trip back from Denver heading east I got 24mpg with the cruise control set at 70.

7) There is no v8 power plant option in the 5th gens. If you want a v8 you'll have to go to the Lexus GX460. It's only an increase of 28 horsepower though.

8) no burger tray


If I was on the outside looking in and starting fresh on a new or new to me 5th, I wouldn't buy anything but a 2014+ limited.

 

[radicalwillie]

I went from an '06 V6 sport , to a 2015 Trail. I would absolutely do it again, I really love my '15. However, as Marshal stated, the power delivery in the 5th gen is not as well suited to its weight as the 4th gen V6 is. My fuel consumption is not nearly as good as my 4th gen in the city and Mt driving, averaging around 17, compared to my 4th gen which got 21. Flat highway, with no wind, mileage is pretty even with the 4th gen.

 

[salong53]

4th gen vs. 5th gen

I just made the swap from 4th gen SR5 to 5th gen SR5. Prior to my purchase I had considered buying a newer and lower mileage 4th gen (2008+ with traction control off switch), but as we all know the 4WD 4Runners hold their value so well it doesn't make much sense to buy a used one.

Regrets:
- I felt more comfortable getting my 4th gen muddy/dirty/off road because I wasn't worried about pin-striping or breaking something since I had no payments.
- The 4th gen gas pedal feedback, transmission mapping, and lighter weight made it feel more athletic.
- I had more money for mods since there were no payments
- 4th gen had more cargo capacity since my 5th gen has 3rd row seats

Why I would do it again:
- The audio/nav/electronic aids in the 5th gen are much improved.
- More cubbies and well-planned storage areas in the 5th gen.
- The ride is SO much better.
- I don't have to worry about maintenance out of my pocket for 2 years, and my 4th gen had some major items coming up for maintenance or repair (front axles, transfer case actuator, suspension bushings, wheel bearings, etc...)

Ultimately, if your 4th gen is still reliable, optioned the way you want it, and suits your needs the same way a 5th gen would, then I would take the monthly payments and throw them in the savings account. Wait a couple of years for the possible announcement of a 6th gen. If they don't announce it, then buy a 5th gen before they're all sold out!

 

[Tooltime19]

Thanks for the replies, it helped. I would be bummed if I lost any more power. And yes, my V-6 does feel very athletic. The 5th gen looks mean when it is set up with a nice chassis package.
Thanks

 

[philsey]

You do not lose power, in fact you gain power, but it will certainly drive differently.

Why haven´t you just test driven one?

 

[Dark Lord]

1) No. The 4th gen is a 120 series and the 5th is a 150 series. The frame has been changed accordingly. Skids won't fit, especially if the 5th generation is equipped with KDSS

2) YES

3) spring rates have changed very slightly, along with a wb and track width increase. As well, KDSS swaybars are an option on the trails. The 5ths are approximately the size of 100 series land cruisers, a lot lighter though.

4) I was looking at 4th gen limiteds, that only lasted very briefly when I realized I could afford 5th generation Trail models.

5) the v6 in the 5th gen is not the same as yours. In 2010 it was reworked for VVT-I and they upped the power. That said, it also has a fuel mapping that does everything it can to keep fuel Milage and the RPMs down. It is adequate, but does feel sluggish with the mapping and the added size of the 5th generation.

6) Stock 21-22mpg is easily attained. On my trip back from Denver heading east I got 24mpg with the cruise control set at 70.

7) There is no v8 power plant option in the 5th gens. If you want a v8 you'll have to go to the Lexus GX460. It's only an increase of 28 horsepower though.

8) no burger tray


If I was on the outside looking in and starting fresh on a new or new to me 5th, I wouldn't buy anything but a 2014+ limited.

I'd have to agree with Marshal's final point. I ended up purchasing a 2015 4runner Limited after debating what I wanted to transition to from my previous 3rd Gen. I was torn between the 4th Gen V8, 5th Gen Trail, 5th Gen Limited, and the GX460. I ended up with a brand new 2015 Limited and have absolutely no regrets about that decision.

My only gripe about the 5th Gen is the windshield chips easily, and I'm not sure if that's a ding on Texas roads or the windshield itself. To explain though, I had one windshield replacement on my 3rd Gen since moving to Texas. On my 5th Gen since I bought it in March 2015, I've had one windshield replacement, and two chip fixes.

Also, if you're torn between the Limited, Trail, and SR5 ask yourself, do you spend more time in the vehicle driving it, or outside admiring it?

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Thanks for the replies, it helped. I would be bummed if I lost any more power. And yes, my V-6 does feel very athletic. The 5th gen looks mean when it is set up with a nice chassis package.
Thanks

I came from a 08 sport to a 11 trail. You notice the difference in acceleration at first. Once you drive the 5th gen for awhile you don't notice it so much. The 5th gen has ample power.

I miss the burger tray. Otherwise in my opinion the 5th gen is superior in every way. The 4th gen is a good 4runner but I absolutely love my 5th gen and do not plan on getting rid off it until the frame falls off.

 

[wfo9]

Like other said... power in the 5th gen feels down....

From an off-road perspective, it seems like the 5th gen is significantly better out of the box. No science there, just observing 4th vs 5th gens in the wild... Think most of it is the a-track, but there also seem to be better angles and clearance overall.