Why did Toyota lower the headroom ??

[snap315]

I was planning on buying a 4Runner until I saw the comments on headroom.

After sitting in one with a sunroof I agree with the comments that there is far too little headroom. I can barely fit inside a model equipped with a sunroof. I only have a couple of inches headroom (enough to fit my fist almost).

I'm 6'1" at 200 lbs. The 4Runner was NOT made for people of my stature! Toyota made the 4Runner for asian markets where people are of shorter stature. The only exception to this is the pickup truck line which is sold almost exclusivly here in the U.S.

This is a real disappointment to me. The features and performance of the 4Runner are excellent.

While some people say I should consider a model without a sunroof I should not have to compromise on a feature I want because of a poorly designed vehicle.

It is even more of a shame since the GX470 has loads of headroom due to it's additional couple of inches in height.

If only Toyota had gone with that design for the 4Runner....

Oh well...

I just I've have to look at someone elses SUV. Maybe a Tahoe Z71 or a Pathfinder Armada.

 

[Thai]

Traditionally, 4runners have had that problem. The GX does offer much more headroom due to it's tall design, while 4runner is more squatty for sportiness.

Well, i guess that you have to choose: 4runner with no headroom or GX470 with a dumb cargo door. Or, like you said, move onto another brand.

Have you considered the Sequoia ($) or Land Cruiser ($$)??

 

[Caffeine Power]

Have you considered a haircut?

Or an aftermarket seat with lower stature?

 

[arouth]

Hmmm

Hey dude, i'm 6ft 195 lbs, and I didn't have a problem. I just special ordered a Sport with a moonroof. I did notice that the ceiling was lower than in my previous truck, but I didn't forsee it bothering me.
later

 

[loyd]

im 6'1 200 lbs, and i dont have a problem...maybe try sitting in a limited model which has the power adjustable seats...you can lower the seat significantly...or try a haircut

 

[peter78]

I am 6'4" and I have a problem sitting in the 03 4Runner while I have read other people with the same height don't have a problem. I figure I must have a longer trunk and smaller legs. The best way to find out if you have a problem is to sit down in one.

By the way I had a problem with height on the third generation model and I bought one without a sunroof. Of course at my height I have never owned a sunroof.

 

[davisc23]

I'm 6'4" and the headroom is indeed very tight. I bought an 03 Limited with the power seats and have the seats fully lowered but my hair still brushes up against the sides of the roof. I guess I've gotten used to it because it doesn't really bother me anymore. I also removed the drivers side sun visor which helped with visibility since the roof is so low up front.

My last car, an 01 RAV4, had about an inch and a half more headroom (with a sunroof) than my new 4runner does and it's like half the size! I'm wondering if there's a way to lower the stock seats even lower by adjusting how it's mounted to the floor. Probably not, but oh well, I still love my new truck.

 

[darktiger]

I'm 6'4", and I had to get one without sunroof just because I would loose 2 inches. But I manage. That is one reason I liked my jeep, plenty of legroom and head room. Try lowering the seat a much as possible and also reline the seat at a good angle.

 

[deniss]

Hi, I am 6'0 also. I sat in the Limited and drove it a couple times, and with the proper seat height adjustment, there is no problem. I was surprised that when I first sat down, my hair brushed the headliner (and yes I have very short hair, so no haircut comments please). Yes, the car has a rather limited headroom, but with proper seat height adjustment, the 6-footers should have no problem generally. I can't speak for people much taller than I am, though...

 

[White4runner]

I'm 6-1, with no headroom problems at all...w/ sunroof...maybe I keep my seatback reclined more than you guys???...i guess i would if i kept the back at a 90 degree angle..

 

[deniss]

i only wish the telescoping steering wheel was actually useful... they made telescoping length so friggin short that it almost makes the feature obsolete for me. i wish they had volvo's telescoping length. oh well. one can fit anyhow, i agree.

 

[gaslight]

I'm 5'6" and its just right.(Goldie LOcks reference). Sometimes it pays to be short. lol

 

[Blubble]

I have noticed a few people complain about headroom. I'm 6'2" and haven't had that problem in my 2003 or my 1999. Both have sunroofs.

I don't tilt the seatback very far back, but I do use the power seats to set the bottom of the seat to the lowest position in the rear part of the seat bottom. I hope that made sense.

 

[mtnrunner]

I'm 5'11 and after owning a sequoia and a tundra I had to get used to not only the lower roof but the loss of upward visibility in the 4runner

 

[Rayh78]

I also have the same problem unless I drive like P.Diddy

 

[sliaa]

lower the headroom ??

I thought the new 4runner is several inches higher than the old models ?? Though I did not notice that while I had a chance to part side by side to a 2002 4runner. I even had the feeling that my 03 4runner is lower than the 02 one Maybe I felt it that way because the same wheels look huge on the old model and make it look "taller".....

But anyway. It's too bad that Toyota decided to lower the ground clearance by almost 2".

 

[peter78]

Maybe

I always thought the 3rd generation was taller but checking the SR5 4WD at Edmunds, the 2004 is 68.9" and the 2002 is 67.5". I am thinking maybe Toyota is including the luggage rack on the 2004. Since it was not standard on the 2002 I am assuming they didn't count it.

Of course when you assume something, you can make a ass out of you and me. I heard that saying somewhere.:bonk:

 

[mtnrunner]

Looking at post:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1376

On page 4 it clearly states headroom is a 1/2" increased. Having owned both the 3rd and 4th gen I'd tend to agree this is about right.

I noticed riding in the passenger seat yesterday that the headroom is a plenty for me. Lowering the seat all the way down this morning in the driver side yeilded plenty of room too. Being 5'11 this car is a decent fit but it's not the moving house I got accustomed to with my Tundra and Sequoia.

Now who was it who generated the mis-info on this to begin with?! Shame on you!

 

[peter78]

Now who was it who generated the mis-info on this to begin with?! Shame on you!

I remember reading about the new 4Runner and when it came out I checked it out. The first thing I noticed was the lack of headroom. So much so, it was uncomfortable to sit in it. After the seat was lowered all the way, I would hit the side of the Moon Roof. It was so obivious, the salesman said this is not the car for you. So, I guess I am one that is generating some of this "miss" info.

As I said before, the best thing to do is to try and sit in the thing, we are all built different so you don't know until you try, except of course professional basketball players.:

 

[mtnrunner]

The mis information I was referring to is in the thread heading:
Why did Toyota lower the headroom ??

Which is just wrong. Toyota maybe didn't improve the headroom as much as it should have, I'll give you that but it sure didn't lower it.

Does your 3rd gen have a sunroof? And the one you sat in; did it too? Apples to apples the 4th gen has more headroom albeit, still not enough for certain folks.

My wife and I trade-off the drive into the city daily, we suv-pool, and she likes to raise the seat so when I get in I gotta lower it: Seat goes up, seat goes down, seat goes up, seat goes down...