2009 4Runner Trail Edition: Now with locking rear diff.!
 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...oyota_car_news

And why exactly they couldn't offer it earlier?!?

Yea - that's going to be a VERY nice platform, and a pleasant return to the 4Runner's roots. Maybe bye-bye FJC though....

That's the only source that is proclaiming this but I won't believe it til a 4Runner is sitting in a showroom with a diff lock in it.

It is what a bunch of people that want a new gen but with a bit more stock off road capabilities will be clamoring for if it does indeed come out.

http://www.toyota.com/4runner/trail-edition.html

does that make you believe it more?

mmm all kinds of pretty..... now how am i supposed to decide between a 4runner and an FJ..... (*&$^(*& TOYOTA MAKING MY DECISIONS DIFFICULT

If rumors are true that the Fj is getting the Axe, you won't have to :(

I would like to see them offer rock rails, like on the FJ Cruiser. That was one of Toyotas better options/ideas.

I could do without the Tom Tom and nerf bars.

And, I wanna see the "Rock Warrior" Tundra :roll:

That is pretty cool they are going to finally offer a locker in it.

The rumors about the FJ going away though are just that, rumors.
Nothing it set in stone yet.

2009s are here, and the Trail Teams are still hitting the trails teaching all about how they do off road.

That is a pretty cool factory stereo setup they put in the dash on this new 4Runner.

Pretty good Flash file on its use.
http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/Part...00K/index.html

Not at all impressed with the Trail Edition, no fog lights and no hood scoop. It's basicly a regular SR5 with sport edition tube steps and tube racks. And a few extra off roading enhancements added...

http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2...runner_te_.jpg


They are still making the Urban Runner in 09, that's definitely the way to go...
http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2...unner_se_3.jpg

Ok, that's all great, but that edition will probably cost $5000 more than the base 4Runner. That buys 2 ARB lockers, tires, a roof rack, and leaves plenty of change. Personally, that's what I'd do.


I'd be very sad to see the FJC go, it was almost like they were making a barebones vehicle again.

The rear diff lock has been absent from the 4Runners for 8 years and the addition plus it will work with the ATRAC and that is a big deal to the off roader Toyota guys that have been waiting for the return of the factory diff lock.

I bet fogs are an option and the scoop can be added later;it's the off road enhancements that make the 4runner finally be able venture further off road in stock trim than it has since the last locked 3rd gens.

It's nice to see the 4Runner return a little closer to it's off road roots but is this just a gimmick to sell a few more of the last year of the 4th gen or is this a sign the next generation 4Runner won't become the next Jeep GC?

The extra price is a bit steep and you could do more to a stock 4th gen with $5K in cash bit it's nice to be able to finance that extra $5k and it's all covered by a factory warranty and how many people can buya n ew truck and throw $5k at it right away and an aftermarket locker will void the drivetrain warranty immediatly.

I agree. I don't see how nerf bars fit into the "trail edition" package.

Dude.....
Definitely an option to weigh the pros and cons against. Its no different than the Tacoma - do you pay $3000 for the TRD OR package to get a factory warrantied e-locker, better seats, and a few other non-essentials, or do you buy the bare-bones package and add your own trail upgrades.

So.....the "Trail Edition" has offroading enhancements? :think: Whoda thunk.

Some people actually use their 4 wheel drive, and dont need fog lights and non-functional hood scoops :roll:

I like the idea of a 4th gen equipped for those who want it. Not everyone is going to want to rip open a new 4th gen's diff to put in their own locker.
Also the return to 16in wheels is an added bonus and the way they mimic the sought after 5 spoke LC wheels.
Obviously fog lights will be an option and most likely many will come equipped with them anyways.
It is nice to see the 4runners return a bit to their roots and not gimmick crap like the Urban 4Runner which is only there to get some folks to consider a Toyota before a chevy with chrome wheels or some other run of the mill suv to flex out in the parking lot.
I say good on Toyota, and hope the next generation of 4Runners is just as good as all the earlier generations.

I've heard the hood scope adds ground clearance. :hillbill:

sorry i don't see off road with that.

maybe if they returned the sfa and such! but that won't happen

so wait, the FJ might get the axe? they seem to be selling pretty decent around here, not in the volume of Corollas or Tacomas, but still...

and +1 for financing and having a warranty on all that stuff.