6th Gen Fail - Hybrid for Overlanding

I have no problem with a Toyota Hybrid powertrain, but the amount of space it takes up in the cargo area makes it a non-starter. 3rd row is gone, annoying lift over, no more hanging out back with the gate up, but the biggest hit is overlanding - we sleep in the back, on top of a storage layer and obviously this can't be done with the short cargo height of the hybrids. And most bizarre, if you want any of the offroad upgrades (for example, if you actually go overlanding), then you have no choice but to get the hybrid. Fail! Long live my 1st Gen Sequoia.

 

Reminds me of the submarine crew that says, "are these our bunks to sleep in - the ones directly over the explosive torpedo tubes !!!"

I would prefer not to sleep over a potentially hazardous battery pack that has been rattled and shaken to hell and back off-roading or soaked in water. This is just plain dumb of Toyota so we all know that the EPA had Toyota's balls in a vice !! - Too comical. Buy the last of the 5th gen as it is the last 4runner. Even keeping the 6th gen named as a '4runner' is a disservice to greatness.

Rant ends...

 

if you really want a overlanding 4R, i would go with a non HV SR5 and do aftermarket mods. you will get more bang for you buck and a better setup than the oem TH or Pro.

but thats just my .02 worth, you will save $$$ with a SR5 and the money delta from not buying a TH or Pro you can get better mods

 

How many do overlanding in their 4runners? Not very many

 

What’s “overlanding” anyway?

 

People argue about this all the time. It's hilarious.

Vehicle based travel over land.

Idc if you're on national forest trails in a jeep or highways in a prius. If you're living out of your rig and traveling it's overlanding imo.

 

Couple thoughts here…

You can option the 4Runner in gas only and get a third row to flatten it out. (but third row still means higher floor, but then again either way you have to deal with the 2nd row)

The battery hump is still lower than the second row folded flat in both powertrains so between the hybrid and 2-row gasser it’ll be a question of how high the platform you make needs to be and you’ll be at the same height - wherever the folded 2nd row is at.

Maybe someone will be able to swap in the 2-door Tacoma’s folding front passenger seat for more flexibility?

Don’t get me wrong I think the seat reuse and packaging is overall a miss.

 

1. then get the non-hybrid version. problem solved.

2. "battery pack ... soaked in water." You must do some serious offroading if your hybrid battery pack is soaked, because it's under the seat on the interior of the vehicle, and only accessible from the interior.

 

But then you are forced to get a lower trim. Problem not solved. A real 4runner can swim in deep water are you willing to risk it? Just my opinion that this 6th gen should not even be called a 4runner. It's a golf cart now. Most will just not buy one - problem solved.

 

F*cking savage

 

lol

 

Then buy the add-ons you want, get in the garage, and install them yourself. Problem solved, again.

 

Agreed.

Depends on your definition of "overlanding."

-Going days or weeks through the middle of nowhere, living out of the vehicle: probably very few. Maybe none.

-glorified car camping: definitely a bunch.

Yeah, golf cart.

What exactly has it lost, that made previous generations so superior?

The lower trims are the ones you really want if you're doing a serious build. Why pay extra for tires you're still going to replace, and a mediocre suspension upgrade that you'll end up swapping out anyway?

 

@Thatbassguy
Do any lower trims come with a rear locker and sway bar discos?
Those are valuable factory options even after suspension and tires.

I could see less of an argument for a locker if you intend of regearing anyway.

 

True offroaders buy the base model and trick it out to their liking.

Overlanders buy the higher end models and tell people they like to go offroading.

 

If you get a hybrid 4Runner deep enough to soak the battery, you'd be screwed in a non-hybrid as well. This is a moot point with old man shouting at the clouds vibes.

Considering oVeRlAnDeRs spend thousands of dollars on auxiliary battery and power setups, I think having this already built in with the 2400 w outlet is going to be a big plus for camping.

 

I'm assuming they don't. But, there's always the aftermarket.

I do agree that those are valuable options, though. And, I also wish they didn't force people into the hybrid with the higher trims.

But, there's always the option to buy the lower trim and add your own mods.

I really wanted KDSS and the locker. But, if I were going to start over, I'd probably get an SR5.

 

^ I agree with that for sure.
If I was going to trust any hybrid technology it would be a Toyota. They've been at it for a long time now.

Also this is why I try to avoid the word overland xD
So much hate toward the term for some reason. I'll usually use the term camping or road tripping if it includes multiple states. Although my wife and I will live out of the vehicle, cook every meal for ourselves, and only camp in national forests on these trips... for some reason it doesn't qualify for one reason or another.

Idc what we call it. Get out and see the world. Life is short.

 

Agreed 1000% with this!

 

the battery pack in these is about as hazardous as the AAs in your flashlight. Tour Samsung cell phone has more chance of exploding in your pocket than the hybrid pack.

 

I do wish there was on option for the Tundra's 5.7L v8 in a 4Runner. I'd buy one for sure.

 

The 4.7 in my '03 was plenty. Just glorious torque right from idle!

But, even the Tundra isn't getting a V8 ever again. And, the turbo 4 is going to have torque comparable to the 4.7 V8. And, the hybrid has more torque than the 5.7. So, at least we have that.

 

Anywhere in the great outdoors where the pavement ends...

 

Car camping? Not a bunch

 

Uhh, have you noticed the amount of sleeping platform discussions around here?

Also, I personally know probably at least 10 people who camp in their 4Runner or Tacoma. And I live in Wisconsin, which definitely isn't the most active part of the country around these forums.

 

I’m curious how you got this information?

There are companies (Luno for example) that make specific products for the 4R for car camping. I don’t think they would if no one was car camping with their 4R.

 

Just common sense, very few people go car camping.

 

Of the hundreds of thousands of people that own 4runners less than 1% car camp. It's just common sense James

 

Oh, I'm curious where you're getting those numbers?

Also, 1% (your made up statistic) of "hundreds of thousands" (again, your number) is a bunch, IMO. 1% of 100000 is 1000 people. Is 1000 not a bunch?

And, as mentioned above, how are these businesses that make sleeping platforms staying in businesses, if nobody is buying or using them?

 

Visited the Grand Canyon last summer, plenty of folks including us had setups involving sleeping in a vehicle. Whether it's the number 1, 2, 3, etc. way to sleep in the great outdoors (or as a friend asked, the great four doors).

Driving Sports TV wouldn't be giving us the "can I sleep in it?" as part of a review if nobody cared about that metric.