The 4Runner model was intended as a tribute to baja pre-runners, (4runner means "prerunner with 4wd") so the high front fender design is supposed to emulate this look:



Even when brand new, the 1st and 2nd generation 4runners had the front fenders cut high and the back riding low:





Toyota gave up on the style for the 3rd generation, probably because too many people thought the butt was sagging.

 

Uh...OK. However that theory falls apart when you look at the truck. Which happens to have the same fenders. Neither truck was designed to have no suspension travel...which was a result of the sag. Or did I miss something?

 

Hmm...true.



Maybe since the Truck generation change and the 4runner debut in 1984 were designed together, they just carried it over into the truck...but abandoned the stance in 1989.