What are some annoying things about your 5th gen besides mpg?

This is a good story...my daughter has a '23 TRD ORP, and I have a '23 Limited. She came by the house, and I asked her to drive my Limited to the lobster food truck that was in town, to get some lobster tacos, clam chowder, lobster tots, etc. She looks down, sees the heated seat controls, and comments that those push-out knobs are different than hers, which are located on the center console. She gets around the corner, then says it would be nice if the steering wheel was heated. I reach over, push the button, and within a minute she says how nice that feels. Fast forward a day, and she's getting ready to drive her TRD back to her place, and she texts me, "hey, guess what, I have a heated steering wheel too!"...

 

I know this thread isn't supposed to be about mpg, but come on Toyota!

Took this pic on my way back from NC today. I filled up right before hopping on the freeway, so this is all freeway driving (on 87 octane):


Same trip from several months ago in my '22 Explorer ST, which has the 3.0 twin turbo V6 (with a 93 octane tune has about 200 more hp and ft-lbs of torque than my 4R):

 

I h8 sun(moon)roofs. One reason I've kept my 4th gen for 20 yrs is because it doesn't have one and I don't want one. Been window shopping for a new white 5th gen TRD Offroad w/KDSS and w/o a sunroof and it seems like unobtanium. Also looking for a RAV Hybrid for the wife and same thing...practically impossible to find one w/o a moonroof.

 

Yeah, that was the configuration I wanted. It was simply a no-go with any dealers in this area.

 

I'm like you, I hate moon/sunroofs. After seeing first hand how much more headroom there was in a 4R w/o the moonroof I was even more determined to find one without it. Unfortunately, In SoCal, 99% of TRD Off-Roads are premiums with moonroofs. I didn't want a premium because I wanted the cloth interior. I soon found out that what I was looking for (Classic silver, TRD Off-Road, KDSS, premium sound & no moonroof) was about as easy as finding a unicorn. When I started looking there were zero in North America and zero in allocation (in the works). I told my local dealer that since I wasn't in a hurry I'd wait and see what happens. About two weeks later I got a call from the dealer telling me that my Unicorn had been built. What's even more amazing is that Toyota only built one!!! My unicorn was destined for the East Coast but fortunately they were able to make a trade with the dealer. I've had my unicorn for just over two weeks and I couldn't be happier!

If you are looking for a unicorn and are willing to wait, find a dealer that is willing to help you by checking the allocation list on a regular basis.

 

Wait until your panoramic roof starts leaking and they won't warranty it, or cam phasers, or wastegaste rattle, or 10r80 starts slamming 4-5 and all you can do is replace it. Been there done that with a Raptor with lower mileage than your Explorer. You don't buy the 4Runner for power or fuel economy, you buy it because it will go many places, and be bulletproof for hundreds of thousands of miles.

 

The front valence. All it takes is one creek crossing or puddle:

 

That was one of several reasons why I opted to buy a SR5 over the Off-Road trim.

 

You gotta do the calculations by hand to be sure the computers are accurate. My 4Runner's estimates have ranged from bang-on to an MPG off or two. The Kia it replaced also ranged from a couple tenths of an MPG off to maybe a 3 MPG discrepancy.

But hey, similar curb weight, being less aerodynamic and a powertrain that's much older than the 3.0 both engine and transmission definitely seals the deal but interestingly, the 3.0 on Fuelly averages 16.9-20.8 MPG so I bet city driving is pulling it down if it's highway reading is accurate.

Definitely would've make me jealous even before the 4Runner though. My NA 2.4L I4 spinning along in the smaller Sorento would see ~22-25 MPG on the highway with a peak at the high 20's-30 only taking it easy somewhere 45-65 MPH.

 

I don't understand this comment. The SR5 has the same front and rear valences.

 

Negative Ghost Rider.

 

Really? What's difference? Every SR5 I see the front appears to look the same as my TRD Off-Road other than being color matched. I did see that the rear doesn't have the valence. I can live with the rear valence to get the rear locker!

 

Lack of headroom. But coming to think of it, the geometry is exactly the same as a 200 series LC LX. Had a LX570, same headroom situation

 

That silver piece comes off. SR5 does not have it.

But yes, giving up a locker and lever operated t-case because of a removable plastic trim piece is an interesting train of thought.

 

Sorry I was in a hurry earlier. Here’s a couple of pictures on my SR5, no silver valance.

And your right no locker with the SR5. The off roading I do typically isn’t off camber so basic 4wd is sufficient.

 

Very true, I had 20 years off roading with a 97’ Tacoma that didn’t have a locker or traction aids and never had a problem.
So to be honest, I never really gave it serious thought. SR5 does what I need it to do. I do miss the manual transfer case though. But as long as the knob works, I’m good.

 

Manual tcase is pretty sweet ya
Harder for the wife to mess with by accident lol

I just bought Diode Dynamics dome led and Diode Dynamics cargo trunk leds.

A lot of complains in this list about insufficient non existent 4R lighting. DRL are next !

 

Nice looking 4R!

The way I will be using the 4R a locker was a must.

I do like the color matched valence better than the off-colored one. My color of choice for my TRD Off-Road was the classic silver. I didn't like the miss-matched silver valences and while I was waiting for mine to arrive I was already planning on a wrap or possibly an after-market replacement for the valences. Much to my surprise my '24 came with color matched valences. Not sure if this is new for all '24 TRD Off-Roads or if they just decided to match the valences on the silvers but either way I'm happy.

 

1) The DRLs should have been updated to LED when they updated the headlights (2022?). Would have been a simple / cost effective fix and adds a lot to the cosmetics and safety during daytime / dusk driving (See 2020 Tacoma LED DRL option).
2) The RPMs are just a tad on the high side at 65mph. They're about 1800 RPM...1400-1500 would have been much more reasonable and added a few MPG...all they had to do was offer an optional rear axle ratio.
3) LED taillights would have also been a nice update when they went to LED headlights.
4) Why no JBL Sound option in the TRD OffRoad Premium package? You have to get a Pro or Limited for something that simple?
5) If you're gonna have a hood scoop, it should be FUNCTIONAL.

Other than that, it's the best vehicle I ever owned. Peace...

 

Or one “wheel-on-rock articulation bro pose”.

That’s the reason they put those rocks at campsites. No shame in it! C’mom, where’s the picture?!? Don’t hold out on us!

 

You can't see it in this photo, but yes, the worst scratch on my truck came from me trying to park on a wrecked car. A viper cut might've prevented that. And I babied the valence for two years, even though I like high speed water crossings, went slow instead. When I got home and found my valence missing, I knew immediately where it was, lol. Someone else pulled it out of the creek and left it where you see it.

 

Articulation pics on a wrecked car pretty cool. I’d say it’s a notch up from the typical rock.

 

Nice rig. Are those Nitto GP 265s?

 

Yes, Nitto Ridge Grappler’s. 265.

 

Replaced ball joints, MPG is up right now man.
454km cruising range.Highest it's been in a minute
I made it to Costco Gas 3 minutes before closing.
Gasoline is lowest it's been in like a year at $1.58/litre.
The 4R ain't so bad guys, let's forgive it.
I know we're not supposed to talk about MPG in this thread sorry.

 

The sun visor when the sun is coming in the side windows. When the primary shade isn't long enough, that plastic insert that slides out it to extend coverage is absolutely worthless! First car that I've ever tinted the front windows on.

 

Yeah, I’m not a fan of the non functional hood scoop and I’m not sure why Toyota thought it was a good idea. If I could swap the hood with one that doesn’t have that I’d consider that. In the mean time I may look at the matte black sticker that goes on it to block sun glare, similar to the Subaru Wilderness trim.

I’m also curious why Toyota stopped offering the AMD after 2014. I’ve got a harness and the AMD on order for my 2023 ORP.

 

Since obtaining my 2022 SR5 Premium 4WD this past November, I’m still not very happy with or used to the location of the power window and power door lock switches up so high on top of the door trim panel.

On my previous vehicle, my 2006 Tundra, I liked where the switches were located down further on the door trim panel.

Oh well. But I’m interested to see what they do about this on the 6th gen.

The other glaring thing I don’t like about my 4RUNNER is the lack of the fuel filler door not being secure through the use of an internal release feature from inside the vehicle.

Otherwise, loving this 4RUNNER.

 

There's no cup holders in the third row.

 

the level 4runner 3inches higher ....ball joints !