Owner Review: "Delivered! 2025 4Runner SR5 w/ 3rd Row Seats - Owner Impressions, Pics, MPG Figures"

Looking at that complete solid bar and star OUTSIDE of the cup, would say that was hyper extended. Meaning a high spacer lift like 2-3" stacked on top of the stock shock. This makes the droop travel much much higher than the OEM setup would droop, thats the only way i can even remotely see the axle bar and star pulling out of the cup.
See it all the time in ATV stuff when people stack lifts on axles that are not long enough. Normally it pops the whole CV out of the diff but if you are turning, the axle extends even more, so in a droop, hyperextended, and turn, sure i can see it yank a star and bar out of the CV.

Opened and read the OP, then started reading at page 10 but quickly realized i was missing too much info. Went back and page 2 he shows the lift, Icon Stage 3 2.5" with new coil-overs (front end looks like a SOLID 3-3.5" higher than stock). Noticed also on page 2 people start razing him about the diff drop down bracket which he shows back up on page 16 and says it was installed but not properly and that they claimed it on Insurance to get it all fixed. I dont know how the heck Insurance would fix a mechanical part, thats kinda odd. Kid just wont take the blame himself, longer coil overs likely dont have a limit strap or internal bump stop to limit droop travel, so the front suspension in droop, turning full lock, got in the throttle, axle hyper extended, diff drop brackets without hardware installed, the diff wraps up and axle pops out of the cup. I dont see how thats a Toyota problem.

 

Dealers take posed photos all the time for their social media, couples included. I’m sure I popped up on a CarMax display somewhere.

It’s gotta be a donut up there! The angle doesn’t seem low enough for even a donut to peek through to me.

Something about the assumption that finding a certain joke or comment distasteful meaning one must be part of the target demographic doesn’t sit right with me. (even if in this case they come back with a color lol)

 

If you are trying to find an automotive forum completely clear of snarky guys(and gals?) who break balls, maybe try the Highlander or Venza forums.

 

Hi, the original poster on the other forum here.

I'd like to just say that its pretty rude to sling insults at me in this forum. I simply posted pictures of my car because I was excited about it and yes I happen to have a side bag since its pretty useful.

In terms of the car itself, big whoop it was expensive yes but I am not planning on hardcore offroading the car. I bought it because I liked my 5th gen and I wanted something that could go on dirt roads and snowy mountains without much issue with my dogs. I have 2 german shepherds and the rear roll down window is a godsend for them, which pretty much limited my options to this 4runner.

I've tried to provide some images of things like my roof box on the car to be able to show clearances and what it looks like so I can help out someone who might be curious. This car is so new that nobody has pictures with a roof box yet so isn't that worth posting? I don't even intend on keeping it on the top as again, its for photos and to test the mpg impact.

If you're here to complain about the photos of the third row I have with some kids back there, I've received explicit permission from their parents to be able to post them unblurred. No they are not my kids.

If you have any constructive questions to ask me, I'd be more than happy to answer them here but I don't appreciate the mean comments.

Thanks to @jwocky for sharing my post here

 

Toyota has lost its way bit by bit since the early 2000s in the name of cost cutting. Drive a 2001 Camry and a 2002 Camry back to back and it is apparent that profit squeezing became the name of the game. My parents' pristine 2005 with only 40k on the odometer squeaks and drivers looser than my 1999 with 230k, with an interior that looks marginally better than contemporary Chryslers.

Before my 5th gens my newest Toyota is a 9th gen corolla, which was designed in the 90s. It's what it is. People are born every day and the baseline shifts with each new batch of new buyers.

 

Oh no I’m not the OP, just a fellow bag enjoyer!

I’ve been on the hunt for photos of what’s under the front and rear of the SR5 if you have it on-hand but not too much yet, I’m sure I’ll see one eventually anyway so if it’s inconvenient don’t sweat it.

But welcome, sorry it’s not under rosier circumstances.

 

I can take a photo of the undercarriage after I’m done with work in a few hours. Will upload it for you here

 

I’m just curious. How large is your backyard to comfortably accommodate two German Shepherds?

If you liked the 5th generation, what made you switch to the 6th? Were there any features you missed?

Could you clarify the types of vehicles you’ve driven over the past five years so we have a better understanding of the basis for your comparison?

 

The soft close rear tailgate on the 4th gen was so nice, just softly close the rear hatch and the electric mechanical latch will latch the back tailgate for you. We lost that in 2009, the 2010 5th gen offering ditched it and the 2010-2019ish were an absolute bear to slam the back hatch. The 2020ish+ seem to have gotten slightly softer pressure cylinders and seem easier to one-handed sling it down. The 5th gen also lost the nicer digital HVAC controls across all models, in the 5th gen only the Limited models got the nicer HVAC controls.

The lower levels of the 6th gen getting the big solid plastic tupperware bins for doors are not as nice either. This is straight out of Ford playbook using the big tupperware bins for door panels in everything other than a Platinum model.

 

Relax. It’s a silly clothing accessory. Every generation has had some questionable and comical clothing styles.

 

I'll keep my 4th Gen and my $47K.

 

Fortunately, my backyard is extremely long, but somewhat narrow so it's easy to use as a dog run.

I did like the 5th gen, but the unrefined powertrain, uninspired V6, and overall lack of driver assistance features and poor safety led me to want to get a 6th gen. Off roading was never a primary concern here since the most I'd need 4wd for is the snow, desert, and dirt at campsites. My 5th gen also got about 16 mpg combined which is pretty painful compared to the 22-23 combined I'm getting with my 2025 4R. The way I see it, I could spend 35 grand on a car that hasn't been changed meaningfully in 15 years or I could simply pay 47k for a car that has all of the newer features I wanted.

I've driven a variety of cars including a 2020 Subaru Outback and a 2022 Kia Sorento among other cars in the last few years so I've had both the "hyper AWD fan" experience and the "large unibody third row vehicle" experience.

 

I really miss the automatic digital climate control and soft close from the Gen 4.

 

Interested in hearing more about the 5th gen vs 6th gen experience. Especially after you get more time behind the wheel.

How long did you own your 5th Gen for?

 

I owned my 5th gen for about 2.5-3 years

 

So, you didn’t like the Gen 5, especially for the very reasons many of us appreciate it. The V6 engine, the absence of intrusive driver assistance features, and its unchanged design for the past 15 years. If I had the option, I’d take a W126 Mercedes-Benz with 1980s technology any day.
Honestly, you should have gone with a Volvo XC90.

 

Nice. I'm glad you joined here you'll be able to provide a useful review for people contemplating the next generation of 4Runner. If you feel compelled to do so of course.

Welcome to the forum. Sorry for these knuckleheads bashing, we all get it from time to time! Stick around and you'll get some thick skin that's for sure!

 

Damn, well this is awkward. I only shit talk when I don't think my subject will hear. Now I have to go hide for a while...

 

Adding some pictures of the undercarriage. Of note is the fact that the SR5 does NOT come with a full size spare.

 

Speak for yourself. I still rock my zip-off cargo shants loud and proud

 

I mean if you feel that way then I’m not particularly sure why you’re here sifting through 6th gen forum threads if you have nothing to say other than to pander at anyone posting. Nothing I can say will change the fact that the 6th gen is 4 cylinder turbocharged.

 

I believe you meant to call me "knuckle dragger"

 

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your meaningful contributions (unlike SOME people).

Don't be afraid to rock the murse. You be you

Edit: Forgot the winky face so you know I'm just joking

 

Thanks a bundle!

Looks like no more metal skid like I’ve read and transfer case seems tucked up above that crossmember. Good info!

 

You borrowed someone’s kids to take photos of them in your car so you could then share the photos on the internet?

 

How much money can Toyota really be saving by going with that donut instead of a full size spare? $20?

 

........

 

At least they didn't have cardboard taped up in the windows with a "free puppies and candy" sign on the outside

 

But hey, what do we know.