Well fella's - time sure flies. It seems like just yesterday I remember the news of "the 4runner is getting a V8" and "the next gen is coming out." I remember flipping through a mag and seeig pictures of the 2003 4runner back in mid 2002. And considering Toyota's history with redesigns for this vehicle - about every 5-ish years or so (consider 85-89, 90-95, 96-02) I'm wondering if its going to be out soon or what the story is?

My biggest question for you guys is what is the 4runners "niche?" now? It seems like with the large selection of SUV's in the Toyota line up that they have come out with in the past 7 years or so, that they have really narrowed down who the 4runner might appeal to. They kinda took it's offroad appeal away when they came out with the FJ Cruiser. They have smaller, friendlier, cheaper, and better riding car based (unibody) SUV's in the Rav4 and the Highlander. And they have the big boat Sequoia that can seriously tow and move cargo/people now. So what should they do with the 4runner?

Not sure if this would be considered "sad," but I remember back in the day when you had 2 options - you either wanted a Toyota compact truck, or you wanted a Toyota 4runner (and anything else was a car or the odd rare Landcruiser). They were the flagship models of the fleet. Now you can only bask in the nostalgia of how simplistic things used with Toyota back then.

So again I ask you, What should Toyota do with the 4runner?

 

They should make it with a solid front axle, leaf springs front and back, diesel V8, and removable shell. At least...I would pay for that? lol

 

That's funny! I'm curious to see what they would do to win the market for it.

 

I'm thinking the 4runner will fit in the Grand Cherokee market. A mid size SUV for those who don't want/need a full size vehicle and want a little more off-road prowess than a unitized cross-over style vehicle (even though the GC is unitized).

The FJ is Toyota's new answer to the Wrangler, though it has IFS. The Tacoma, I believe, owns the off-road oriented mid size pickup market. So the 4Runner only has 2 places to go. Mid sized off-road oriented SUV or out the door. With the reputation and following that the Runner has I doubt we'll be seeing it going any time soon, but we will keep seeing a departure from it roots unfortunately.

 

Ha, although that would never happen, mostly everyone on here would cream at the sight of that . And i would buy it also.

Honestly so am I.
I like the 4th gen, well rather its been growing on me.
but a nice more round body like the 3rd gens would be kool.
the 4ths are too boxy in a way.

 

Exactly, they narrowed it down to a certain group of people, i couldn't agree more. They end up doing that to basically every vehicle design i can think of. I personally like the 2nd gens, that is why i bought one. I also really like the 1st gen 4runners, but i doubt i would ever remove the top, which seems to be the reason they are so popular, but Would You/most people?

I think even if they redesigned the 4runner/ or fj with removable top like the 1st gen's do you think most people now days would want that? I doubt it, therefore i don't see toyota coming out with another removable top 4runner. or similar design that we all like. Don't get me wrong i think it would be cool if they redesigned it to look like the older models, but nowdays, i doubt the general population wouldn't utilize something like that, which means no profit for a corporations, so they won't do it.

Just my opinion on the matter!

 

Agreed, not too carried away with the "boxy-ness" but you dont want an egg like the Honda Civic..

Well isn't the 4runner the only Toyota SUV that is still made in Japan? I'm not sure, but that appeals to me. I like that it is the only one. Makes it special and I feel better about buying...

A 5th gen would need a strong engine for sure! It would need bright lights, crazy suspension, some futuristic 4x4 system, and maybe a hydrolic lift like the Range Rovers have.

One thing is for sure. You can't make them ass off-roady as you can with the older generations. I think the older Toyota's will be the ones doing the offroading. I just hope this one doesn't look like the Sequoia (BLAH!!!) looks ugly!

 

manual tranny would be nice
fo sho
and no when i say more round im not say a civic looking 4runner.
but i dont want it to look like the old scion Xb

 

Nope. Also made in Japan are the Rav-4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, and Land Cruiser. The only Toyota SUV made in America is the Sequoia.

 

Is the 4Runner still able to sleep two with the seats folded down? If so, it would be nice to see the return of the rear locker and the manual tranny. I don't know I could justify the FJC with lousy gas mileage and I can't sleep in the back.

 

at the very least a removable top

 

oh and remake the manual transmissions

 

Reintroduce sliding windows instead of fixed in the rear.

 

Well the 4Runner has its niche between the Sequoia and Rav4. I think they could refine the 4.7 V8, add a 6 speed manual, go to coils at all 4 corners with solid axles like the FJ80.

Keep it simple. No satelite nav, 10 speaker sound, etc. Just a good motor, tranny, a few simple add ons like A/C and cruise control and get the truck back to its roots. Enthusiasts will take it from there.

 

This I have to agree with make it simply yet with a great selection of off road options and engine options like diesel but a 6 speed manual or any manual would be exellent.

A hard core TRD style 1st/2nd gen body style removible top option, locker front and rear option, solid axle, rear springs, geared for 33's or even 35's set up from the factory option would be the coolest off road vehicle on the market and I bet they would sell like crazy.

With the exception of the new concept HUMMER being the only thing that could touch it TOYOTA would own the market. Jeep would really be in a serious bind to keep up and LAND ROVER being to expensive for the reguar guy to take off road for anything more then a logging road TOYOTA would be number 1 in the off road market hands down.