4th Gen Tacoma (2024+)

Reminds me of the added clearance that Chevy put on the new Colorado ZR2 for better tire approach angle. Top of the line offroad truck meet top of the line offroad truck. Lower end models still may look like the 2021 BEV Tacoma, right??

 

To compete with the MT Broncos and Wranglers

 

Manual Bros want them in everything even though only 7 other people in country would actually buy a manual 4Runner.

 

Yes, I know, and this fact has affected my decision making over the past 5 years.

Why would Toyota consider it?

Turbo 4 cylinder TNGA engine seems like a match for T4R once proven in 4th Gen Tacoma? I’m assuming this is a clear goal but what do I know, I’m a complete outsider.

Reveal states MT will be carried over. Questions remain as to which engines it will mate to, but there seems to be a fair chance we will see a Pro MT, otherwise why bother with the reveal? Maybe I’m assuming here, but they aced 5 lug MT a while ago so it seems all new MT’s are focused on enthusiasts rather than value conscious buyers. Pro for sure is TNGA, right? Should have the latest tech, it’s the flagship.

So, if you’ve spent a chunk and solved all the tech, where can you earn back some $? The T4R seems like the closest sister in the quiver, and it’s history with MT means it’s not entirely insane to bring back.

Maybe it’s worth thinking about like this. If you were in charge and you had already spent a chunk developing the tech for MT TNGA, would you stop there or try to proliferate? If you were to proliferate, which vehicle would be next on your list?

 

Honestly the smart move money-wise would have been to d/c MT Tacomas with the 4th Gen, just as 3rd Gen dropped RC and 2018 dropped 5 speed 2.7 MT. Lose a few pro sales maybe, but save yourself a ton of headache mating to an older transmission or developing a new transmission. Everyone else has dropped MT, while Toyota seems to be bringing more options to the table on the high end / enthusiast side. I’m not sure why but it seems to be not 100% based on financial numbers.

EDITED: 5 speed replacing 5 lug

 

5 lug was dropped at the end of the 2nd Gen in 2015, and I think the regular cab stopped around 2013 - 2014 timeframe.

 

2014 was the last RC.

2018 was the death of 5 speed MT. My apologies for writing 5 lug.

I see and also reject your distinction of dropping RC as part of 3rd Gen. I consider 2015 as a transition year to 3rd Gen with the introduction of the pro and the loss of RC. But we are mostly splitting hairs. A 2015 RC wouldn’t have been a difficult thing to build.

EDITED: 2018 being the death of 5 speed MT, 2017 the last year they were made, as you say, two factual errors, fingers and brain not well connected.

 

2017 was actually the last 4 banger 5 speed, 2018 was the start of all the safety sense stuff, so my guess is that was part of the reason for its demise.

 

Anyway, my point is that sales numbers are known since 2014 and 2017 respectively and they don’t show significant trouble from decisions made. The trucks sell pretty well and resale is excellent.

So why MT? It’d be a natural time to d/c due to the engine change. Nobody would be surprised. An 8-10 speed auto mated to a 4 cylinder turbo should be great, that’s already the highlight of the Ranger.

Days after the reveal I’m still scratching my head because it’s not the obvious move if chasing profits is the #1 goal. I love the decision but I don’t understand it.

 

Hopefully the other trims without a scoop have a simpler hood without so many bulges and creases.

 

They would need to bring back the FJ. The Tacoma is not in competition with either of those vehicles.

 

How was the FJ competitive? It doesn’t have the articulation of the bronco, nor did it come factory with 35s. No crawl gear in a manual, and I’m pretty sure the FJ doesn’t have a comparable crawl ratio to either.

The Jeep still a different game in terms of suspension with its solid axle. Speaking of which, 37s is like the new 35s, which is at least, the top end of what d44s should be handling.

Now, if you’re talking about an FJ80…in a diesel…not sold in the states…that’s another conversation.

 

Is it possible if Ranger raptor takes off well enough that the TTV6 version of Tacoma gets added later?

 

I'm still not seeing any tow hooks on the front...hope toyota doesn't make that same mistake as they did with the tundra. Other than that, I like it.

 

I meant the 4runner would be competing with the Bronco and Wrangler. Return of the FJ would also be sweet. If this reveal event was more accurate than just the Tacoma, maybe there's a chance.

 

The only way it would be a thing, is if the next gen 4 runner design was to position it in the market to give the wrangler and the bronco more competition, in that case, it would not be a bad thing to have a manual available since bronco and wrangler do as well.

 

Think that mini cruiser is just a beefy looking CUV, more competition towards the Subaru/Bronco Sport crowd than the Wrangler/Bronco Bros



Toyota kinda blew it the first go around with the FJ Cruiser, highly doubt they’ll get it right if they did a second. Since Toyota is the king of the parts bin, could have done an 80 series chassis, modern drive train, retro body, done. But no…


Something along these lines, but a 4 door version.


https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/custom-4x4s/toyota-fj45-troop-carrier-custom-4x4

 

The fact that none of the popular YouTubers are talking about this new leaked photo is telling enough lol

 

Right!...Tells you that it is a Toyota photo and the are afraid to lose their "deal" by posting it...lol

 

A 4Runner doesn’t need to compete against a wrangler or Bronco. They sell just fine as is.