Why is the sheet metal on the new 4runners so damn cheap?

[ToyotaDan]

Ok, Last year it hailed and my hood was peppered, while my GMC neighbor didnt get a spot. Last Saturday, a kid threw one of those balls that bounces up really high, it hit my neighbors car, (who was in my driveway) my brand new C6 corvette and my 4runner. None of the GM cars got dented, but my 4runner (2003 model) has a huge indent, and it was the last car the ball bounced off of. What the hell kind of steel is that? I love the reliability, but do they make their bodies out of recycled steel or something?

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

most of the time the last hit is the one that get cha! by the way its sheet metal not steel... when i see a bounch of little flucker outside playing near my driveway I pull my cars into the garage!:

 

[Fourty-four]

I'd guess that Toyota used a thinner gauge sheetmetal for the 4Runner, to try and keep the weight down.

I'd be interested to know how thick the sheetmetal is, especially if I had a basis for comparison.

I remember the old cars of the 70's had hoods strong enough to stand on without denting. I wouldn't dare try that on any new car, Toyota or not!

 

[Thai]

Isn't the Corvette skin made from plastic or something like that?? That would explain it's invincibility to dents.

 

[Fourty-four]

Isn't the Corvette skin made from plastic or something like that?? That would explain it's invincibility to dents.

Yes, Corvettes have been made from a fiberglass composite since forever. They don't get dings, but they can crack and splinter.

 

[nated05]

Trust me I know the feeling. We had a really nasty Tstorm here at work about 1 month ago. Mostly small hail but some nickel and a few quarter sized mixed in. I ran out to check my truck and didnt notice anything. Then this past weekend my car was in the garage and the light was just right I noticed about 10 indents on my roof and one or two on the hood. Of course everyone else parked around me had no damage. Oh well....nothing I could do.

 

[TeryT]

It is interesting to note that while the 4R's roof is lower than the Explorer, and has higher ground clearance, while being slightly shorter - it still weighs more than the Explorer. So while being smaller all around, it is heavier built (don't know about GM product comparo though).

 

[Koz]

It is interesting to note that while the 4R's roof is lower than the Explorer, and has higher ground clearance, while being slightly shorter - it still weighs more than the Explorer. So while being smaller all around, it is heavier built (don't know about GM product comparo though).

I don't know where you are getting your numbers, but I found that the base model 4Runner weighs 4,050 lbs and the Explorer weighs 4,440 lbs. The fully loaded 4Runner weighs 4,500 lbs. and the Explorer weighs 4,700. That's approx 400 lbs lighter for the base model and 200 lbs. for a fully loaded!

Koz

 

[TeryT]

I don't know where you are getting your numbers, but I found that the base model 4Runner weighs 4,050 lbs and the Explorer weighs 4,440 lbs. The fully loaded 4Runner weighs 4,500 lbs. and the Explorer weighs 4,700. That's approx 400 lbs lighter for the base model and 200 lbs. for a fully loaded!

Koz

HEY - Yer not allowed to disagree with my numbers!!! LOL

Maybe that's the new Explorer. I just know when I compared data back in 03 (on V8s), that was the case. In any case, the 4R is smaller, with nearly the same weight, so therefore it's just denser (like me).

 

[Presto]

Toyota's bean counters probably justified the cheaper cost and lighter weight (for better MPG) for the 4runner in lighter sheet metal.

Screw the 4Runner, I'm buying a Saturn. You can take a baseball bat to those...

 

[dingo]

One night I was in my garage claying the 4runner's hood and our clothes dryer was on. To my surprise the left side of the hood's sheet metal was vibrating/resonating ever so slightly to the dryer's motor. I could see the dust particles on the hood vibrate as the dryer was running. Could it be that thin?! I hope my truck doesn't fall apart because of drying our clothes.

 

[TeryT]

Screw the 4Runner, I'm buying a Saturn. You can take a baseball bat to those...

Yeah - you'll likey be wackin away at it in the driveway - since they have such a horrible reliability record! Shame, as it's a good concept, but leave it up to GM to make a good idea go south.

 

[Presto]

Yeah - you'll likey be wackin away at it in the driveway - since they have such a horrible reliability record! Shame, as it's a good concept, but leave it up to GM to make a good idea go south.

Saturn's are funny. Most cars just dent...Saturns shatter/break.

People with Saturn's like to repair their shattered bumpers and doors with duct tape. It's a funny sight to see.

Duct tape and silicone/caulk solve everything.

 

[Neil]

It is funny that you mention that. My 04 is in the body shop now getting the hail damage fixed. I won't have it back for 6 weeks. I will post some before and after pictures.

 

[ToyotaDan]

It is funny that you mention that. My 04 is in the body shop now getting the hail damage fixed. I won't have it back for 6 weeks. I will post some before and after pictures.

I dont even bother fixing it.. i am actually looking around for some fiber glass hood replacement.. performance catalog said one of their companies is designing one.. time to wait and see

 

[Koz]

Toyota's bean counters probably justified the cheaper cost and lighter weight (for better MPG) for the 4runner in lighter sheet metal.

Screw the 4Runner, I'm buying a Saturn. You can take a baseball bat to those...

Yes, but stay out of the sun!

 

[Boston_Runner]

If you guys think that Toyota's sheet metal is thin, you have never own a Honda or Acura. Honda's sheet metal is so thin that it makes a dent if you sneeze on it. On the other hand, the sheet metal on the GX is a heavier gauge, so it is a matter of weight savings or cost savings?