First Test: 2010 Toyota 4Runner
09-25-09, 03:55 PM
#46
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Compared to other 4Runner generations, yes, your 4th gen 4Runner is not as capable off-roading in stock configuration.
This is not just my opinion, but that of many 4Runner owners and loyalists.
Fact is the 3rd and 4th gen 4Runners were targeted at more luxury-oriented buyers.
The first two 4Runner generations were more no-frills type SUVs, that focused more on off-roading performance and less on luxury or on-road manners.
This new 5th-gen model goes back to the roots of the first two generations. It's on-road manners are still quite nice, but the design and capability of the new 4Runner is clearly aimed at the off-roading "tough SUV" demographic rather than a luxury-oriented demographic.
This is not just my opinion, but that of many 4Runner owners and loyalists.
Fact is the 3rd and 4th gen 4Runners were targeted at more luxury-oriented buyers.
The first two 4Runner generations were more no-frills type SUVs, that focused more on off-roading performance and less on luxury or on-road manners.
This new 5th-gen model goes back to the roots of the first two generations. It's on-road manners are still quite nice, but the design and capability of the new 4Runner is clearly aimed at the off-roading "tough SUV" demographic rather than a luxury-oriented demographic.
You called it the worst 4runner because it is more refined than the older generations?
I have had 2nd gen, and also 3rd generation (both were JDM Hilux Surf with 1KZ-TE diesel motor). I don't think 4th gen is any less capable off roader than the previous gens but much more refined, and more powerful.
I just hate seeing all these crying babies on the internet forums talking trash about how 4th gen is not a true off roader and "too soft" to be 4runner.
09-25-09, 07:27 PM
#47
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nice, did you have to switch her into 4LO to pull off the side of the road like that?
j/k - the 4th gen is my favorite also, just needs a front lift and it's good to go. but seriously, you gotta put up a better pic than that when trying defend your ride
09-25-09, 09:28 PM
#48
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You have to consider that there are a few factors at work here:
1) The truck is at the end of it's life cycle
2) The economy is awful
3) SUV sales have slowed down as people are still in shock from gas prices
Considering all of that, the 4Runner still sold almost 50,000 units. There is CLEARLY a market here.
1) The truck is at the end of it's life cycle
2) The economy is awful
3) SUV sales have slowed down as people are still in shock from gas prices
Considering all of that, the 4Runner still sold almost 50,000 units. There is CLEARLY a market here.
50k in one year from a old 7 year old design is better that the Venza or Sequoia introductions in the 2008 model years.
09-25-09, 09:38 PM
#49
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Excuse me but this is just opinion, not fact. There are very few things that the 3nd gen 4runner can do that the 4th gen can't and vice versa. The 3rd gen 4runner might have a slight advantage of ground clearance and dimensions but the 4th gen makes up for it with mechanical advantages such as DAC/Hill start (verygood for offroad), torsen and more torque.
Last edited by pagemaster; 09-25-09 at 09:52 PM.
09-25-09, 09:52 PM
#50
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I don't think 4th gen is any less capable off roader than the previous gens but much more refined, and more powerful.
Also, the frame of the 4th gen is much stronger than the 3rd gen.
3rd gen frame rails were 5.5" x 3"
4th gen frame rails were 6.3" x 3.3"
Stonger frames are better for off-roading.
Third gen had 8 crossmembers while the 4th gen has 9 fully-welded.
The 4th gen 4runner is a much stronger machine than the 3rd gen.
09-26-09, 01:25 AM
#51
Holy smokes batman...this truck has turn to crap..
I can't believe it! I 'm very very disappointed.. Did this truck really digress or go back in time in every way? I had the 1st year of the current 4-runners. My '03 was V8 Limited 2wd and i could literally go anywhere. What was wrong with the image of the current 4-runners except their gas drinking 'lil suckers..
The 2010 look so bad in my opinion - looks just like my dad's '93 Mitsubishi Montero (Inside and out) Did we go back in time.. WTH is happening here with Toyota??
I want to puke.. I'm disgusted with Toyota's direction of turning such a long time legacy of beautiful 4-runners into crap. .
I can't believe it! I 'm very very disappointed.. Did this truck really digress or go back in time in every way? I had the 1st year of the current 4-runners. My '03 was V8 Limited 2wd and i could literally go anywhere. What was wrong with the image of the current 4-runners except their gas drinking 'lil suckers..
The 2010 look so bad in my opinion - looks just like my dad's '93 Mitsubishi Montero (Inside and out) Did we go back in time.. WTH is happening here with Toyota??
I want to puke.. I'm disgusted with Toyota's direction of turning such a long time legacy of beautiful 4-runners into crap. .
09-26-09, 04:42 AM
#52
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So....... when everybody else does retro..it's cool. Toyota does it.....instant **** up.. wow. IMHO the only thing as cool as this SUV to come out recently has been the Venza. Everything else, just meh since they stopped making the MR-S.
09-26-09, 07:23 AM
#53
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weak car always fails me. 
09-26-09, 10:25 AM
#54
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I see this half of the time when a bigger, better, newer model comes out. Makes people feel inferior apparently. It gets old real quick.
09-26-09, 10:51 AM
#55
I think the 3rd gen was my fav partially because we owned one..I think the plastic fender flares are needed again, So when you trash the plastic you can just replace that instead of the whole fender 
instead of like that rear 1/4 panel/door in the new one
partially because we owned one..I think the plastic fender flares are needed again, So when you trash the plastic you can just replace that instead of the whole fender instead of like that rear 1/4 panel/door in the new one
09-26-09, 10:59 AM
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Yeah, but look at trucks in general. Silverado, F150, Tundra. 10 years ago it wasn't about luxury and comfort. Now the automakers know that people will buy these who will never go offroad or haul/tow large loads.
09-26-09, 12:30 PM
#58
Speaks French in Russian
Whatever. Every generation has shown a nice improvement over the previous generation. IMO, Toyota has improved upon the previous gens weaknesses without compromising any of its strengths.
09-26-09, 01:06 PM
#59
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While I'm not so sure the new 4Runner is dripping with retro, it has definitely taken on a very truckish and old school persona. This again is appleaing to a small select portion of the market, which does not yield high volume. As mentioned before, I guess Toyota can afford to take this route, with so many other SUV's in the line-up picking up the slack.
Last edited by Fizzboy7; 09-27-09 at 02:23 AM.
09-26-09, 02:34 PM
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