What minor designed details do you appreciate most on the 3rd gen?

[Road Bull]

OK, having come from a 1994 Toyota Extended cab 4x4 3.0 V6, the 3.4 V6 felt like a monster. I could easily get up to highway speed when "I" wanted to. The seats also felt very comfy compared to worn out bench seats. The cabin is nice and quite too. Even with KO2s, I think the road noise is quieter than my special lady friend's Lexus RX350.

I guess what I am saying, is that perspective is relative, and when I got behind the wheel of my 4runner for the first time, and drive home, I felt like I made a big jump up in quality and capability.

One gripe. The person who designed the oil filter location was an A-holy-O. :tsk: And maybe the little plastic head retainers on the spark plugs on the passenger side. What the hell?

 

[StreetCreeper]

I must admit, minor design details and clever design touches? As much as I love my truck, I can't think of many to be fair! ('96)

I like that the back window goes down.

The reclining rear seats are cool, and the fact that if you remove the front seat headrest and put the front seat down it makes a constant bench.

The rear spoiler mounted parking mirror is cool (but now useless with a non standard width spare tyre)

I like the decorative indented (swage) line that runs from the headlights and tail lights

I don't have the ball vent (miss that from my supra)
I have the early centre console
No rear seat headrest mounts
No rear 12V supply

I feel a distinct lack of little storage spaces, especially a place for a gate remote!

Your back seats recline? Wtf — I want that too!

 

[shoota]

Your back seats recline? Wtf — I want that too!

Yeah..what?



I'll put my two cents in. I like that the rear gate swings up instead of how the 1st gen was truck-like gate. I know lots of guys like the other style but I've sat in the back and used the open gate as a rain blocker so many times. Works great.

 

[Airmapper]

For those complaining on the interior, I'm 6'3" and yes the 3rd gen is not the most roomy thing I've ever driven, however being a tall person, it's WAY more dignified trying to get in/out of than ANY car.

Anyone who is tall knows any low ground clearance vehicle is downright humiliating to try to haul your ass out of, especially if you have a winter coat on and a hunk of iron on your belt. By the time you scramble out, if you haven't put your knees on the ground at any point you are clearly a gymnast, and anyone observing you has witnessed a scene similar to a giraffe trying to get up from a drink at the pond.

That is something that was a factor in choosing a 3rd gen. The other vehicles I was looking at were the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Pathfinder, both much bigger but would have been much easier to get in and out of. But I didn't need 3rd row seating or desire the huge vehicle footprint. I also didn't want to pay that much for a second vehicle. I wanted something small, nimble, and comfortable driving to work, and I'm pretty happy with the 3rd Gen for that.

For the most part I'm pretty comfortable and I can hop in or out without feeling like a circus act. If I could change any dimension it would be the distance vertically from the seat to the floor, more room there would have been nice, but that would have led to either a taller vehicle (increased drag and thus lower fuel efficiency) or less ground clearance (reduced 4x4 capability) so I think they found a happy medium and given the average size of a human it suits the greater number.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Your back seats recline? Wtf — I want that too!

I'll get pics!

Downside, (not sure if this is the same on the non adjustable ones) but the location hoop gets worn and they can pick up a rattle. (I put a cushion of tape on mine to stop the rattle, might get a new hoop, or build up the old one with weld)

 

[snivilous]

I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, but I always really appreciate whoever designed the rear seats that there are only two bolts to remove each side. You can tell someone definitely intended to make the seats easy to pull out, and that coupled with the top section being able to lay completely flat is a nice touch.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

The extensions that slide out on the sun visors is a nice feature.

All of the grab handles are cool.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I like that the Power Seats (and maybe the manual seats too, I don't know) have virtually no space between them and the center console for things to fall between. All my other vehicle were a complete pain if I had my phone on my lap. It'd slide off between the seat and console then get stuck under the seat. Couldn't get to it without pulling over and playing contortionist on the side of the road.
There's just enough space to keep my 5" knife sheathed and nothing else, save for coins and other small items of little importance.

I love the auto power passenger windows. I never got people who don't like auto windows. If the button is not 'clicky' enough, it's gone bad and you can get a 'new' one from a junkyard. Honestly takes 5 minutes to change out, if even. It should have a good solid click between 'manual' and 'auto'. It should be almost difficult to get it to auto.

I like the little ID card slot in the driver sun visor. (99 Limited) Great place to keep parking receipts so I don't lose them and can get reimbursed.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I'll get pics!

Downside, (not sure if this is the same on the non adjustable ones) but the location hoop gets worn and they can pick up a rattle. (I put a cushion of tape on mine to stop the rattle, might get a new hoop, or build up the old one with weld)

A rattle is a small price to pay for some reclining back seats! Looking forward to seeing some pics.

 

[JZiggy]

My favorite feature? The 3rz engine. I guess only those of us who have them will appreciate this. It sure is a nice engine if you do your own maintenance.

Amen! And coming from a decade with a 22RE it feels like a sports car.

 

[Chim]

Going to toss in my two cents on size; I am 6'-4 and large and I don't hav any issues in my runner. I claim the arm rests as my own and my kids know not to challenge me on this although when I sit in the passenger seat I feel way cramped but that doesn't happen often so no worries. Drivers seats usually go back further on most rigs. I feel kind of cramped in my brothers FJ60 as well but not in drivers seat.

I also love the JDM goodies you can get for the 3rd gen.. I don't think you can get as many cool JDM items for the other generations. Its unique in that sense. I also love all the aftermarket upgrades and unique mods you can do with these.. There is always something to do which keeps the boredom from setting in

 

[gamefreakgc]

Your back seats recline? Wtf — I want that too!

I think that's an international model. Not sure that US vehicles are allowed to have reclining rear seats.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Pics as requested!!

Just taken so apologies, it's dark.

First pic the "longer" latch point. There are three positions.

Second pic, far seat is set to "normal" near seat is set to "Max reclined" there is a setting in between too. The rear roller blind part that latches onto the rear headrests has enough slack to compensate for the three settings. (But I don't use it as I have tints, and it rattles)

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I hate camera flash interior pics, they always highlight stuff and make it look filthy / manky. I can assure you my interior looks better in daylight!

I'm so going to have to take those apart and paint them now as the internals look like they have a skim of surface rust that I have never noticed under normal conditions. *ocd life*

I've also realised, this wrecks my plan of getting a USDM aftermarket seat leather kit for the rear... my plan was to get a company that does (quality) universal re trim kits, and get a matching set for a 4Runner Rear and SC400 front retrim kits, (and use locally sourced SC400, or Soarer seats at the front) :tsk:

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Oh, I just found this too (old pic, seat IS dirty here lol)

I'm sure you guys already know this, it actually explains it in the JDM manual! (or at least the weird "Engrish" translated one I have).

Goes well with the back seat back reclined.... just don't put all your weight on the front seat back when it is down!

And to save asking the red thing is a factory fitted flare for it you break down.

It is deemed a safety feature to essentially carry fireworks in your vehicle in Japan. (obviously)

 

[StreetCreeper]

Oh, I just found this too (old pic, seat IS dirty here lol)

I'm sure you guys already know this, it actually explains it in the JDM manual! (or at least the weird "Engrish" translated one I have).

Goes well with the back seat back reclined.... just don't put all your weight on the front seat back when it is down!

And to save asking the red thing is a factory fitted flare for it you break down.

It is deemed a safety feature to essentially carry fireworks in your vehicle in Japan. (obviously)

The back seats are pretty cool and I definitely wish mine did that — but now what I really want are front seats that fold back flush with the rear seats!

I can think of more than one use for that...

 

[reelamin]

Oh, I just found this too (old pic, seat IS dirty here lol)


Hell man...you have all the good crap...."Ted Bundy" factory seats. Freaking factory rocket launcher...what other cool stuff does it have....we lawyer infested Americans can't enjoy?

 

[thegipper]

The little vent between your legs that cools your balls down on a hot summer day.

Sorry for the crude post but it's seriously my favorite thing.....

 

[AntleredRuin]

The big honkin Dumbo ears these things have for side mirrors are amazing.

The are the same size (give or take) as full size pickup mirrors, but for an older mid-size SUV, they are MASSIVE. Especially compared to the competition size-wise. The Explorer and Xterra/Pathfinder are tiny.

The mirrors were the first thing I ever noticed about 3rd gen T4Rs and I seriously contemplated getting some junkyard ones to retrofit to my FSJ Wagoneer. Then I wised up and just bought the T4R!

 

[seabun]

Not sure what I was supposed to be offended by. But I said mid-size SUV, not truck, because I considered the 4Runner about mid way between the larger end (Sequoia, Suburban, QX, LX, Expedition etc) of the spectrum and the smaller compact suvs (Rav4, Sidekick, CR-V, Rogue, Sportage, Patriot, Equinox, lots more), albeit at the smaller end. My overall point was that I rarely notice the "mini" size and enjoy its benefits more.