What are some of the changes we can expect to see on the 2006 4Runner?

 

unannounced, but id assume theyd be largely cosmetic.

 

i'm guessing the usual stuff like new head/tail lights, bumpers, wheels, roof rack, dash, seats, etc...?

 

Higher price....actually Toyota has kept prices decent considering 3rd gens cost in the high $30s 5 years ago.

 

yeah, dont expect a brand new runner until at least 2009. the 3rd gen runner lasted 6 yrs from (96-02) and the 4th gen is dominating the entire mid-size truck based suv market. You can expect
different lights (no more pink tails??),
adding HIDs as an option (if they aren't already),
more aggressive front fascia (hood scoops, different grill, bumper etc),
different wheels as an option(larger perhaps 18+),
new instrument cluster (different color or something that looks nicer)
different exterior colors (slight difference, not any major changes)


The main difference you MIGHT see is the addition of the TRD supercharger option for the v8 only. Thats if they finally get all the kinks out of it. It's suppose to be to add more torque for towing to compete with the 5.6L v8 that nissan has (305hp @ 4900rpm, 385 lb-ft torque @ 3600rpm) so Toyota can attract the customers who want that towing power but dont want a refridgerator-looking Pathfinder Armada.

 

I heard they're gonna put a hemi in it with a solid front axle.
Possibly a 6X6 model with a removable top.

Just heresay....

 

no dude, thats the rav4 youre thinking of.

 

Now you're making it harder for us to choose between this and the FJ......

 

how so? runners and FJ cruiser are 2 completely different vehicles. If you are using it to go off-roading, get an FJ. While a runner is very suitable for off-roading (and does a great job of it) it is clear that Toyota is marketing the runner for a different segment. Toyota's target demographic for the U.S. is now the mid-size/mid-luxury SUV/family which has the occasional need for towing a boat, uhaul or whatever. Why do you think 3rd row seats are an option? and navigation? and leather? and nice alloys? It's just us Yotatech guys who insist on making the runner more off-road (and lemme just say, This beast is supposed to be off-road. It begs for it! Screw the fenders/bumpers/ doors...just scrape the hell outta it. Body damage is not scratches. Body damage is when its so bad you cant open the doors and gotta climb out the window)

OK, before people start saying "look at the 4runner commercials! they all show the runner climbing rock mountains and performing amphibious assaults in Afganistan. Thats the 4runner market!" Take a look at the majority of 4runner owners in the states. 95% are people with families who wash/wax their runners weekly/never off-road and throw a fit when a small scratch you can only see in a certain light at a certain angle appears.

Now, Toyota's markets for other countries (as the Hilux) is much different, as we see the Diesel engines come in (diesels are for work, not play like Volkswagen thinks) If you've ever been to Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, etc, you see Hilux's towing other cars, houses, donkeys etc ALL THE TIME. People there think you're crazy if you're doing the "Pimp my Ride" thing to a runner when it IS MEANT to do amphibious assaults and what not. BTW...3rd Hilux's are common transport vehicles in the Middle-East. My dad drove a Hilux 75 miles into the desert everyday to monitor construction of an oil refinery and said that runner's diesel engine was strong as hell, and the only option on that car was AC and a mini-fridge to carry water. (no beer allowed :cry: )

My opinion. if you off-road or tow alot and only have 2 people in your car 100% of the time, get a FJ. If you off-road occasionally, have kids, have boat, have a donkey or whatever, get a runner and have fun with it! If you dont tow, dont off-road, then you should get a highlander or rav4.

 

No highlander or rav4, we need a strong 4x4 system thats why the 4R and FJ's in the equation. we don't tow or offroad but and this will be a DD but i can't decide which, i like the look of both. i'm kinda leaning towards the Fj for the retro look but i want to get a v8, wife doesn't like the Fj, likes the Runner more. so thats why i'm holding back to see what the new runner will look like.

 

no hemi is dodge, so is that 6x6 idea... if i remember it correctly it will be the stretched version of the rav4 with 4x4, but dual wheels at each corner for more traction and the big lexus v8

 

my truck came with a hemi and a straight axle from the factory

 

haha, thats a good one kyle... the more funny part is that its true

 

Pray for the return of the 5-speed manual--or maybe a six!

 

the fj is gonna have an avialble 6-speed

 

so basically your saying that reliability is gonna suck and the toyotas are gonna start breaking down at 45k + miles...