Is quality lacking??

I noticed my 2023 4Runner trd off road hood does bounce and flex quite a bit I have a 2015 Tacoma trd sport (so has the “scoop”) as well and that thing doesn’t move around on the same roads so i definitely think they cut corners on materials since Covid unfortunately

 

I once had my 340 Dart Swinger up to 140 MPH and the front door windows were sucked out about 1/4" where the met the top weather stripping.

 

The only time I notice the hood flexing on my 2022 T4R is when I’m running it through the drive through car wash at the air dry blowers. It doesn’t bother me.

I’m not noticing anything of that nature while driving on the expressways. I usually drive 60 thru 70 MPH. I’ve had the T4R up to 85 MPH a couple times, mainly to just get a feel for it, and see if the tires are doing OK at that speed, but never gave any thought or notice to the hood fluttering.

Now that this subject has been brought up, it’s going be on my mind, and I’ll take a closer look at how the hood behaves at 70 / 75 MPH. But I’m not in the habit of watching my hood while driving- my attention is up ahead and down the road a ways, as it should be. …..don’t think I’ll be getting up to 80 MPH + again any time soon, unless it’s some sort of emergency or something.

 

My 23 ORP hood has a minimum amount of flex and/or vibrations even at speeds of 80+ mph with strong head winds. My wife's 2015 Subaru Forester hood has excessive vibration, caused by bad/missing welds, so that may be worth looking into.

 

I see some flexing of the hood when on the freeway. Much more noticeable when its clean due to the reflectiveness.

 

Sell it get something else. Let someone else own it for the next 500k miles

 

All the body panels are flimsy for weight savings nowadays. This affects the 70 series Land Cruiser too after the facelift.

 

If it bothers you that much I would go to a autobody shop and ask if they can glue in some reinforcement bars under the hood. You wouldn’t be able to weld anything without messing up the paint but perhaps industrial metal bonding glue (like Toyota uses in the factory) could be used to put some stiffeners in there.

 

I noticed the slight flexing on my 23 ORP the first time out on the hwy on a windy day. It really does not bother me. The hood is large and heavy and there are a lot of forces acting on it going down the freeway at 80 mph. The thing that bothers me the most about my ORP are the tight body lines and panel gaps throughout the vehicle. I point out the these attributes to my UAW brothers when ever I get the opportunity - (usually around Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner). I also have two Fords sitting in my driveway for easy comparison if needed, but they have their strength's as well.

 

They are definitely lighter. My old body on frame Explorers had a very heavy hood, doors etc everything was solid. I think it’s just like anything else cheapen it up and lighten it up for epa standards. Otherwise though hopefully better long term longevity and maintenance on the 4R.

My buddy towed a boat with his new non frame explorer and it shook it all over in a crosswind. That’s what convinced me to stick with a frame vehicle.

 

I think the reality is that all

I'm Providing a observational data point, not complaining.

Even the best new vehicles will have little things going on that remind you they aren't perfect.

 

The weight reduction via thinner body panel is nothing new. Those who are old enough will know what I mean, the difference in heft between the XV20 camry and XV30 Camry was noticeable just by the hood or door alone, in fact a lot of old timers were initially not happy with the new models that came out after 2000, be it the sedans, SUVs, trucks, what have you. As EPA raised the MPG and emissions targets, and NHTSA crash/crush standards got harder to get stars on, all car companies had to cut weight where they can to offset new reinforced areas/airbags/stiff roof, and FMVSS mandated safety equipment while still comply with fuel economy and tailpipe targets.

Even today, if you are used to driving a Toyota that was from the last gen introduced before 2000, and then back to back with its next generation introduced after 2000, you will see the dramatic contrast.