Finally...factory e-locker for the 2009 4Runner!

[benp]

WOW, I didn't think the day would ever come...We probably won't even have time to enjoy it before we all get sucked into the blackhole in Switzerland.

[Robinhood4x4]

Dammit I always buy too early!

[YotaFun]

Hehehe, Stepdad was thinking of the new LC, maybe I can change his mind hehehe...

Hopefully this is a change for the good.

[mysticzt4r]

Are those e-locker good on larger tire sizes? I heard some have failed due to oversize tires.

This is great news, especially since I am looking to trade in my 05 for a new FJ or 4Runner.

Thanks for the info.

[MTL_4runner]

I can't wait to see the new redesign for the 4runner in 2010.
Hopefully the locker will be standard for them then.

[paddlenbike]

The 4th gen has finally evolved to the point where it looks nice. I never liked the black trim and squared fenders of the early ones.


But this, I could handle sitting in my driveway:
[img width=800 height=418]http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2009/4runner/gallery/full/2008_4runner_v8_limited_5.jpg[/img]

I hope they don't mess up the 2010...

[dontdo_that]

I can't wait to see the new redesign for the 4runner in 2010.
Hopefully the locker will be standard for them then.

my thoughts exactly...

With Toyota dropping the FJ Cruiser (which is a little sad.. it adds diversity to the line-up no?) and the highlander taking on its larger size, I can't help but have some hope that Toyota will keep the 4Runner as capable as it is now or make it the primary off-road suv that it tries to market to enthusiasts. Its hard to believe that the introduction of the e-locker at the end of the 4th generation is going to be for only 1 year and the 2010 4runners will be rid of it... why would Toyota spend the money to engineer it to fit for just 1 production year?

I guess we will see soon enough :-D, thanks for pointing this out.. since I don't really frequent any other sites.

[Good Times]

Ned,

FJC won't be dropped. It can't because it shares the same platform as the 4runner/Prado/GX/Tacoma. Toyota's ability to use one plant (well not including the Tacoma) to build various models makes it very cost effective so we'll continue to see the FJC. Also Toyota will be marketing the FJC worldwide so that'll help ensure the safety of the FJC.

The Highlander is part of the Camry series so I doubt we'll ever see the 4runner get taken off the list in replacement of the Highlander.

The 09 and 10 models will be kinda like the 01/02 model of the 4runner. I don't expect to see Toyota release the 4runner until 11. I originally thought it would be 2010 but I haven't heard of any news from insiders so I'm guessing they've delayed it to 2011.

[DHC6twinotter]

I completely agree. I hated (and still do) the looks of the early 4Runner. The funky front end and plastic cladding were pretty ugly. The '06+ however, I really like and wouldn't mind having one myself. Toyota redesigned almost everything I didn't like about the early ones.

If I ever bought a pre '06 4Runner, I would at least make sure it had the body colored flares, swap out the grill and headlights to the '06, and throw on some bumpers. Like what Lance did with his.

But yeah, I hope the 5th gen 4runner isn't going to be as bad as the 4th gen was when it came out. And an e-locker with a manual tranny option would be really nice as well.

[KZN185W]

The new LC Prado will be introduced late this year, either in the geneva motor show or in the tokyo motor show (most likely). So most probably, the 5th gen will be coming out late this year also or latest would be early next year.

In Japan, the N185 4Runner was introduced nov 1995 while the N215 4Runner was introduced nov 2002. The LC95 prado came out apr 1996 while the LC120 prado came out sept 2002.