So if the next gen 4Runner…

If they get rid of the body on frame design, they might as well get rid of it altogether.

But, they sell like hot cakes, so I don't know why Toyota would discontinue them.

I thought that they had already announced that the landcruiser was going to start around $55K. I am guessing there will be some price. Overlap from the higher end 4runner trimms to the Entry level Landcruiser trims.

 

I would say that the majority of buyers do not know what body on frame means, and do not care either way.

 

Yes, you are correct. But, a unibody 4runner is basically a highlander. Therefore, if they get rid of the frame, they might as well get rid of the 4runner.

And, They are obviously going more hardcore off-road with the new Tacoma. That tells me they have interest in the off-road market. Which is why getting rid of the body on frame design would be stupid. Anybody who cares about off-road capability will care about the frame.

 

Agreed. But, in the meantime I will take Toyota's word over the speculation of internet forums.

 

Thats a really foolish plan. "Wild Conjecture or gtfo" I always say

 

Toyota says mid-$50,000 range for starting pricing. 2024 Lexus GX550 starts at $65k.

Current 4Runner starts at $40k, with the Limited at $50k. 2023 Lexus GX starts at $60k.

Seems like Lexus is worth a $10k premium over Toyota in their mind - at least for the entry point. I'm using the Limited as the entry point for the new LC, because let's face it - that's probably the most accurate comparison.

Given that the Tacoma TRD Offroad has gone up in price about $5k, this all seems to triangulate well... $5k more across the board unless you're talking about a de-contented version, and $10k premium for Lexus.

That would then mean that the base 4Runner should hit about $42k for a de-contented version, but that TRD Off-Road would be about $49k and ORP at $51k. TRD Pro at $60k.

Toyota really needs to figure out a way to get something that is cheap and capable out there.

 

The overlap and feeling of squeezing the 4Runner out is because Toyota options 4Rs as if it's their only SUV. I'm sure people love them and can explain to me why it has to be a 4Runner, but if you want the Limited, Toyota already has better tools for the job. SR5(P), OR(P), Sport(Limited), Pro, and probably soon Trailhunter? At this point 4Runner should have an SR5 with fulltime or parttime 4wd options, and an OR with optional Pro package and I guess a Trailhunter package though I think thats a stupid duplication on Toyota's part.

 

I don't know what's cheap anymore. But, I don't think any cheap capable off-roaders are going to be on the menu in the US anytime soon.

I think our best bet is getting an SR5 and modding from there.

 

Hopefully I dont get banned for saying it, but with all the crossovers and now LC, its a shame the 4Runner can't become a BoF version of a Rav4 in the $35-42K range

 

I wouldn’t mind a tacoma based 4-runner. Although it seems like basically all toyota models will based on each other now, since it’s a modular global architecture. I’d imagine they would make it a 4runner a little narrower track width.

I wonder how much part swapping will be possible. Imagine grabbing a slightly wider Control arms for an OE long travel setup

Hopefully they don’t rebadge a rav4 or highlander as a 4runner. That would be dumb. Ironically, the first Highlander was a 4runner trim level.

 

This would be preferable compared to rebadging the 4runner onto a rav4 unibody.

Ironically if they made a rav4 sized BoF 4runner, it wouldn’t be much smaller than out current 4runner

 

I would only be buying a NA motor. Probably a low milage Land Cruiser with a v8

 

You're a lot more likely to find a used 5th gen 4Runner with low miles, considering Toyota sells more 4Runners in two weeks than V8 Land Cruisers in a year, up to its discontinuation in 2021.

 

This, on a frame with real 4wd, is what I had in mind.
https://www.instagram.com/spaseyota

 

I thought I was looking at a 4runner with tasteful custom mod, until I finally realized it wasn’t lol

 

Vehicle models seem to gradually expand over time until they outgrow their original purpose. Land Cruisers started as tough and basic 4x4 vehicles, and bloated into huge land yachts, more like Suburbans than Jeeps. The 4Runner started as a sporty remodeled 2-door truck with a removable top. I'd love to see Toyota get each model back to its roots. The Prado Land Cruiser is a step in that direction, but it leaves no segment for a 6th Gen 4Runner. As much as I'd love to see a retro 1st Gen 4Runner, it wouldn't sell.

 

I'm fortunate enough because the current vehicles we have we'll keep until their wheels fall off and this includes the 4R. So if I do wanna buy the 6th gen I wouldn't be replacing any cars, it would be an addition.

But honestly, it doesn't bother me that the Taco is assembled in Mexico. My GTI was built in Mexico and the car is solid. I haven't had any manufacturing/assembly issues, just had 2 warranty jobs done but it was parts only and the parts were Austrian if I'm not mistaken.

But, seems like most insider info says the 4R will be built in the Tahara factory.

 

I'd be more concerned about it being VW than being made in Mexico.

 

I've always been a GTI fan boy and always known about their reliability, but after putting 60k+ miles after the warranty work, my MK7 has been super reliable surprisingly. I think I might tune it and put a new turbo when it hits 100k miles.

But the current MK8 GTI has been a reliability nightmare apparently. Plus that shit infotainment/HVAC oof. Never buying a VW ever again.

 

My ex had a '98 (97?) GTI, which I actually sold her.

It was a fantastic car, aside from when weird shit was happening. If nothing else, it was an interesting ownership experience.

 

I can’t see a unibody 4Runner making too much sense when there’s already a RAV4 and Highlander they can tart up. I think those have plenty of potential if they really wanted to engineer a better unibody soft-roader a la Bronco Sport or Maverick Tremor.

I’d say improving the approach, add an inch of clearance, giving the twin-clutch rear (gas models) and traction control more aggressive behavior will go a long way. (and for the hybrids tossing in a beefier rear motor)

But of course those add production complexity for vehicles that already sell very well so I’m not sure I can see Toyota putting more effort in than a couple smaller features to the lackluster TRD Off-Road RAV4.

So I can see the 4Runner in a narrow slot between the LC and RAV4 but who knows what they’re cooking. Can’t see it being a hybrid with the LC coming in and can’t see it really downsizing because CAFE and crossovers just below.

 

Can’t get over the made in Mexico stigma.. will buy the LC or gx550

 

I’m sure Toyota can make a good vehicle anywhere, but I have to admit there is a draw to having a Japanese produced vehicle.

 

Boy, I sure hope you don't own anything that's made in China.

Agreed. At least we know that the Tacoma has been pretty solid.

 

i should say, the stigma of not made in Japan.

plus, when i look around my house, i have zero things produced in Mexico. It’s an unknown unknown for me

 

You are correct there is a difference. The difference is that they are better…because the Tahara produced 4runners are born on the homelands of ancient Katana swordsmiths, whose craft passed across generations, culminated in the production of the 5th gen 4runner. So of course Tahara produced 4runners would be better than any other “good vehicle”.

 

^Meanwhile in reality, people who built your 4Runner:

 

Spent 7 hours on the interstate this weekend and after seeing 3 or 4 I realized my dream 6th gen is just an FJ Cruiser with a 4runner/new Taco-ish front end.