3rd Gen Poll: Rear End Noise howling when feathering throttle

I had three (10, 14, 16) 5th gen 4Runners. I traded a 2016 TRD Premium on my Tacoma. Message me if you have any questions. They are good but like everything else, not the panacea everyone thinks they are.

 

2018 4 Runner has a odd seating position, feels like a HMMWV very boxy feel with the windsheild. Main thing I noticed is when you hit the gas on the 1GRE 4.0 it just goes.. No throttle lag like the Tacoma.

 

Thanks. I know the 4Runner is in need of an update from an SUV standpoint but figured since it is more rugged it might satisfy my truck need. I’m just not sure. I have a DC LB Quicksand OR and honestly looked for exactly what I got for over a year. I hate to get rid of it but I really hate the howling. If Nissan still made the Xterra I’d be in one. Again, I love my truck but this howling noise seems to be winning....

 

Is the seating like our Taco seating?

 

almost wana say a bit more sunken in, but appropriate height. This one had power seats.

 

Since that model is based off the second gen it may very well feel more sunken in. I also noticed the center console and that sent me back to my old second gen. I loved that truck too but geez that console....

 

Go check out the center console in a 2017 and 18 Tundra. Thing is massive!

 

I don't know about sunken in but the seating seems to have your legs more up/down rather than out (my prior vehicle was a 2010 4Runner Limited - 5th gen - that I got rid of last year so to mirror hiPSI, hit me up if you have questions). The best way to describe it is the floor on the taco seems higher. Imagine similar seating position with a lower floor for the 4Runner.

Also, it (the 5th gen 4Runner) technically wasn't "based" on the 2nd gen taco at all. It's based on the 150 platform which has no equivalent in the US (Land Cruiser Prado elsewhere).

OA

 

I have been waiting for a passenger to say something about the noise and the other night I had my Girlfriends Son with me and he said "what is that strange howling I hear sometimes?" I am not on the fence about getting rid of my truck as I like it but i sure as hell hope they come up with a fix for it.

 

My 16 T4R developed the same howl at 20k. It was replaced and has been quiet for the last 15K.

 

I traded my taco for my 4runner.......I don’t miss the taco and no howling rear!! Seats are more comfy and fully adjustable. The only thing I miss from the taco is the individual tire pressure readout on the display

 

I wasn’t on the fence either for the longest but now a trade is a possibility. My daughter asked me what was wrong with my truck the other day because it’s making a funny noise. She literally knows nothing about cars. Geez.

 

Last I heard Toy has not gotten to the root cause with the Tacoma. Both the T4R, Taco, FJ, and the Tundra have historically had front and rear diff problems.

 

Yep. The display options on the 4Runner are so limited. Gas mileage, tire pressure, etc. It is more roomy for my family, though. And the transmission is so smooth. The Tacoma tech is superior, though.

 

Had mine officially documented today. A year or so ago the service advisor stated that the field engineer said "it's from the way the gears are cut and it's normal." Nothing was ever documented. Today at my 30K service I added a note about the rear diff howl and a different service advisor asked if I could take the tech on a ride. Sure enough, it howled where I said it would. The tech seemed pretty surprised. By the end of the day they shop foreman and Toyota were informed and at this point it's still deemed normal and there's no mechanical defect. The service advisor did say that Toyota is very aware of this issue and that there might at some point be a sound dampening fix may be in the future, but there's nothing official yet. They also stated that they've replaced multiple parts on different trucks and still had the howl, so it's deemed normal. I just wanted it documented on my end. We'll see how long I actually keep the truck.

 

Ok,
My truck is going in tomorrow to have the diff replaced. They say it will only take a couple of hours. I’m assuming that they are going to replace the whole thing as one unit.
Let’s see if we’ll have better luck with these later units then the earlier ones.
I’ll keep you informed

 

What a stand up dealership! Let us know if the problem comes back. Hopefully this resolves your issue. Plenty of us, including myself where told this is " normal".

 

My original complaint started at 3000 miles and was documented at 5000. 10000 miles, they put earts on the driveline and determand it to be the thered member. Thay opened a case w/toyota and waited. After my 15000 mile service, my dealer ordered a new diff. Some people have reported that a new diff will not resolve this but I’m feeling hopeful or at lest lucky that it will work.

 

I think its really luck of the draw. I wish you a good outcome. But understand the Toyota techs arent checking the back lash and adjustments, Hino motors LTD is the supplier so when the third member shows up. It's really a roll of the dice. Just emphasize proper fluid levels from the beginning so you have a decent chance at a new start.

 

I plan on checking fluid level when I get it home. I checked my diff oil when truck was new and found it about a quort down.