5th Gen Build Quality Video

Granted they are not new, but Jeep XJ, ZJ, and WJ are all unibody vehicles with solid front and rear axles that offer great articulation stock and can be built into trail slayers on the cheap.

All the newer Jeep SUVs other than the Wrangler are IFS/IRS and don't flex nearly as well.

To be fair the Toyota front suspension doesn't flex much either, it's the solid rear that is it's saving grace. A unibody Jeep WK1 (IFS with solid rear) probably has suspension articulation about the same as the 4Runner.

Same with late 90s- mid 00s Pathfinders, I believe those are unibody with IFS/SRA.

 

Nah, my needle bearing apparently has finally, after 39,000 miles, stopped making noise in cold weather.

I changed the diff fluid after I noticed the sound hadnt come back this winter, and I didnt have needle rollers on the drain magnet….so maybe we just need to wait it out lol

 

Being a unibody is not the limitation, the push towards IFS/IRS is.

BOF fully independent vehicles don't flex much either.

You really only have 4(5) SUVs with solid rear axles these days... Wrangler, Bronco, 4Runner/GX, Sequoia.

 

That makes sense from a business perspective sure. Also explains why I don’t see a lot of Old Benz’s on the road. This is good to get all the different perspectives.

 

I think you need to add the weight of the fuel, oil, radiator, transmission, etc., to come up with a better comparison. Yes, that's a lot for the Tesla, but it's no Hummer EV.

 

It makes short-term business sense, I think that others will start viewing them in the same way they view themselves. As the manufacturer who builds fancy short-lived vehicles that start to fail in annoying ways until you get rid of it. That type of company will last through the good days, but with a reputation like that, they’ll evaporate in the tough times.

But ultimately, the truth is literally nobody cares about that, and neither does MB. That kind of leadership seeks customers that consume the vehicle for the perishible ego stroking the’ll get from a new Benz, and the leadership themselves consume the brand to so that they can get the numbers necessary for ever increasing minimum profit expectations (and their resulting personal pay). Nobody in this equation here is getting paid to care about anything beyond short-term horizon. It’s the way of the world, but it makes it easy for a reasonable person to spot where the idiocy is.

 

I'll be in my 2016 forever, or until I die or it gets totaled in a wreck.
If the latter happens, I'll be re-buying a 5th gen. I'm never going to drive anything else ever again.

Unless someone donates me an FJ60!

 

Depends on how much use her and how well you take care of her. I have a 2005 Accord I got new with less than 70k on the clock. I don’t drive much for sure but it’s my everyday car.

To me it’s a game to see how long I can keep cars in good shape and running. I am 48 and only owned a five cars since age 16 (and always had two at one time) since 21.

Invest that money boys and girls it’s rough I admit. Hell to be honest and full disclosure now I want to get something new again in addition to the 21 ORP. I have the itch for a Tacoma or Canyon I don’t know.

It’s a balance I get bored now and I can afford it with no kids and single. But I remind myself my own advice. But as you approach mid life you say what am I saving it all for?

 

Life is great when you have options!

I am 60 and I heard a great line recently - "You will outlive your health, before you outlive your wealth"! Time to rigorously enjoy the next 12 years while I physically can.

 

People have been conditioned to be short sighted. Those of us who think about keeping a car for more than a decade are the minority, IMHO.

 

+1, well said.

My 18’ runner will probably be my last unless a deer jumps out in front of me or someone runs a red light.

 

Wild, the technology is impressive when it works; surprised/not surprised the Rav4 is *one of the* the most capable. The Macan is clearly not built for that course, and the LR Disco Sport is depressingly poor.

 

Overall that was most impressive to me as well, I like the drive height adjustments, could get you out of a bind if you need it. None of these (even the Disco Sport!) are intended to go off-road, and that's excessive for the average driver, but knowing the system is capable is nice.

 

Ok, I've got to ask. Right at the beginning of the video, he says the 4Runner is made out of "mixed steel, not pure steel." I spent 35+ years in manufacturing, so I know a little bit about the subject, and I've never, ever heard that term. All steel is an alloy.

 

I don’t read too much into his video. I consider it feel good entertainment.

 

None of those cars impressed me. It was a contest to see which of them sucked the least. YMMV.

 

It made me feel good. I watched Part 1. It has a little more substance.

 

Street tires and clutch packs and couplings so viscous,
Spinning wheel sensors make me so suspicious.
Gosh darn computer can’t make up its mind -
All wheel drive systems get you left behind …

(Sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things”.)​

 

All terrain tires with tread that is grippy
A little more lift but don’t make the truck tippy.
Low range and lockers to climb up the hill
Only real four wheel drive gives me a thrill …

(Sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things”.)​

 

You’re a poet, I didn’t know it!

 

I have a mechanical engineering background and I got a chuckle at that part also. I’m sure he knows what alloys are but is just dumbing down the language so non technical audiences can understand.


There are other parts of the video where he does similar,p. Also, there is a lot more to aToyota’s quality philosophy than just lots of inspections, but it would take a miniseries to explain it all.


For those who are interested and don’t mind reading, the book

$25 The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer

The Toyota Way is a good overview of how they do things. It was reccomend reading for me at work as my employer is a software supplier to Toyota.

 

I agree 100% with what you say. I spent the last 15 years of my manufacturing career teaching and implementing Toyota Production System methods around the world. Most folks have no idea how disciplined the Toyota system for manufacturing is.

As for the guy "dumbing things down so non-technical audiences can understand," to folks like you and me, we take that to mean he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Correct it's all about factory applied corrosion prevention.

 

Watched that video all the way through, and while I agree with a lot of what is said, a lot is just pure opinion. I don't think anyone would be convinced to buy a 4Runner by this video if you didn't already know Toyota quality. How many times can you say "see how much thicker/better/more robust/etc. etc." this has than "other modern SUVs"...

 

Agree^, a Ford enthusiast could make the same video for their vehicle.

I think most of us here are Toyota fans because we’ve previously owned other makes and had negative experiences.

IMHO, it boils down to vehicles that are kept long term. That’s where Toyota’s rise above the rest.

I’ve had friends and family that were satisfied with other makes, But they typically trade in their vehicles in 5 years or less.

 

Also, I don't think too many on this forum would agree with his assessment of the paint quality on 5th gen 4Runners...

 

Yes^,

Matter of fact, I raised a eyebrow when he made the comment that the metal was thick or thicker than most. I’m not sold on that. But again, I appreciated seeing a video with a car reviewer ranting in a positive manner about our runners.

 

Get a winch bumper and forget-about-it. Full on hit @ 55 mph. Bent the license plate frame.

 

ill sell you the thicker metal comment. I worked in a body shop years back and many times we would have to literally cut door panels or rear hatches just to get them open. most cars were no problem for the tool used. Also pulled minor dents and patch with bondo. The 4runner and Land Cruiser body panels were considerably thicker and made the job a real PITA. Theyre more like the old boxy early Toyotas and Nissans. Sequoia, tundra, and tacoma were thin and easy. NOW THE PAINT..... im not sold on that either

 

Thank you for your insight!

Those of us with no hands on experience could only make assumptions. I figured they would have gone to a thinner metal to try and trim precious weight. I’m very pleased to hear you say that. I wonder if that would help minimize hail damage?