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Detroit, 12:05 PM
Tue Nov 24
24 posts in the last 24 hours
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08/27/09
08/27/09
08/27/09
The big long tubular control arm with purely transverse bushings, connected to what is unmistakeably a bottom bracket is a BIG giveaway for a solid axle. If it were independent, the LCA would connect to the frame right where that bottom bracket is.
If you look at where the brake hardware is, you can understand that the axle tube itself is hidden behind the skidplate.
Second: the suspension is compressed, as it is on the uphill side of that rock slope, further hiding the axle tube and pumpkin.
I know it's cool to bash The 'Yote now that they're all #1 and stuff, but this is a full frame Soove, that's reasonably sized, and seems to be factory equipped with some impressive offroad gear.
The only people who have any right to call this soft are those who daily drive a TJ with a soft top.
08/27/09
Below I said I wouldn't be disappointed if it switched to IRS. However, they way the SUV market has changed and shrunk, it's better that they keep it. Comfort is great and all, but I'd just assume they didn't soften the 4Runner anymore. They don't need another Highlander.
And, you're right, this is no softroader. My '05 handles just about everything I throw at it, and it's nice having heated seats and climate control while I'm at it. Of course, I still need to take off those pansy-ass running boards.
08/27/09
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08/27/09
For shame, 'yota.
08/27/09
08/27/09
And the 2wd version?
Oh, wait, they don't sell a 2wd version here anymore.
08/27/09
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08/27/09
It's the people who use their SUV as nothing more than a glorified station wagon that are the morons. At least with 4WD, you have better all weather traction, but there are so many better alternatives to a 2WD, truck-based SUV for carpool duty.
08/28/09
Stomp it and all four wheels spin, which is frankly a hoot. And the car slides straight downhill, sideways.
08/27/09
08/27/09
Otherwise, I agree.
08/27/09
08/27/09
As for Toyota service...yeah, that's always been crap. I've yet to meet a Toyota dealer I don't despise. Don't fault the car based on the dealership/service dept. experience - independent shops are around for a reason.
I don't think Toyota's going downhill as much as the competition's caught up with them. My family's had Toyotas pretty consistently since '80, and none of them were perfect. At the very least, they all had at least one obnoxious, maddening rattle, squeak or defect. I've had Hondas, too, and overall they've been better in terms of reliability and customer service. However, Hondas a) don't come in the form of a real truck or SUV and b) are ugly as fuck.
Toyota has room for improvement all around, but who doesn't?
08/27/09
08/27/09
I really like my '05, so as long as this isn't unnecessarily bigger or heavier, I'd be willing to trade for a used one of these in about five years.
08/27/09
Unfortunately, they had to use "FJ" so everyone started comparing it to the FJ40s of old.
I owned an 85 and a 87 4Runner. No one's building a car like that ever again.
If you're overcome with nostalgia quit bitching and just go buy one. You can get a decent example for $3-4k, a great one for $5-6k
08/27/09
@Mad_Science: Those 4Runners were cool, mean mofos. I love the internal rollbar design.
08/27/09
@kerc (wants a Mustang!): I agree.
08/27/09
@Mad_Science:
08/27/09
Fact is, the current incarnation of the 4Runner is a dying breed. Some of us like truck-based, 4 door SUVs that can tackle just about terrain, carry lots of stuff, tow at least 5,000 lbs and carry 5 people in reasonable comfort. The TrailBlazer is dead, the Explorer's about to die and the only alternatives are the Grand Cherokee and Pathfinder.
So everybody needs to quit whining about model bloat and how much Toyota sucks these days. The 4Runner's a damn fine automobile and one of the best real SUVs left.
08/27/09
I grew up in a family that needed a "real" SUV: 4 kids, towing a boat, frequent snow trips = 1995 4x4 3/4 Ton Suburban.
The rise of "SUV as around-town car" really brought about the watering down of "real" SUVs as most of the sales were going to people who wanted the image of a truck, but had no need for the utility and no desire for the truck-like handling.
In a way, the movement of The Herd to CUVs should hopefully free up SUVs to get back to what made them useful to the people who used them.
I'd seriously consider a 4th gen 4Runner. Not particularly handsome, but it could be a great all-arounder. Lots of aftermarket support.
08/27/09
Also: the two door/removeable top body style is fine if the top is off and your friends aren't too fancy to use the back tire as a step. If that's a problem, get the minivan you really need and stop bitching.
08/27/09
"Secure" is a relative term, as both of mine were stolen, never to be heard from again.
08/27/09
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08/27/09
08/27/09
That said, we own a 3rd gen 4 runner. It's been a great vehicle, nonetheless.
08/27/09
The 3rd gen 4runners are my 2nd favorite to the 1st gen. They got more power out of the V6 and moved to coilovers. Oh, and you can get them with the rear e-locker.
My father in-law's about to sell his '93(?) FJ80 with a 3.5" lift and 35" tires...if you're in SoCal and interested. Great ride, he just doesn't use it much.
08/27/09
Yeah, a solid axle is better for off-roading, but if Grand Cherokee owners can have IRS, so can I.
08/27/09
08/27/09
08/27/09
I drive a Volvo, and I'm calling Toyotas bland and ugly. That's right.
08/27/09
08/27/09
Bring back the removable top. That way when I want to carry big stuff, I can. As it is now, if I wanted to put a bunch of friends in a big, numb car, I'd drive a Taurus.
08/27/09
Bet it's got a Camry interior with plush heated leather seats, a DVD entertainment center and 64.5 cupholders. Oh and an MSRP higher than what my parents paid for their house.
08/27/09
08/27/09
The tires are 355mm, it's the truck that's scaled up.
08/27/09
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08/27/09