Not a 4Runner Owner Yet

Hello all,
I'm looking to possibly become a 4Runner owner so I thought I'd join the forum for advice. Without creating a long post, i'm looking for input from 6'2"-ish larger framed owners to see their thoughts on comfort. Right now looking at new 2019's.

 

My 2019 is definitely more comfortable than my 2015 Tacoma was.

Have you driven one yet?

I would make sure to take a long test drive. It seems like a lot of people take shorter test drives and buy vehicles they don't end up liking. See the 3rd gen section of Tacomaworld for examples

 

I was at the dealer last night, they let me take a Limited (which is probably the trim level I will get) home until Saturday. And, its interesting how you mentioned Tacoma...I currently am looking to replace a 2009 DCLB that I have owned since new. I did not look at it close enough So I want to make sure this time around. So far head room is boarder line. If not 4Runner It's probably Sierra, Silverado or F150....

 

I love my 4runner, and don't see myself owning a non-Toyota truck anytime soon.

That said, my brother has an F150 with the 3.5 turbo, crewmax, or supercrew. It's really nice! Plenty of power and room. If I were buying full size, I would probably go Ford. Or Tundra!

 

Welcome!

You say your headroom is borderline...is that with the seat all the way down? An does the model you are test driving have a sunroof? The sunroof takes up some headroom.

 

Yes, the seat is all the way down, I would prefer to have it raised a little but I can deal with it all the way down. Yes, it does have a sunroof. Not sure if I can get the Limited without one. So far I haven't seen a limited without one.

 

I think the sunroof breakdown is:

Not equipped: SR5, Off Road
Optional: SR5P, ORP
Standard: Limited, Pro

 

I'm 6'4" and have an SR5P with a sunroof. I can feel my hair brush the top on occasion, but I'm comfortable in the driver's seat. Passenger's seat I am not comfortable, it doesn't have the height adjustment and sits much higher. I have to really recline the seat to fit. Doing it again, I would've searched for a non sunroof model as I'd prefer the headroom, especially for the passenger, but I'm content overall.

 

Headroom fix $200. I am technically 6' tall according to my doctor's scale (or 6"1' after a hair cut) and have a long torso. I found it annoying that the top of my hair would touch the headliner...also I was not able to wear a high crown baseball cap. I spent much time searching the net for solutions and settled on modifying the rear driver's seat brackets which bolt to the floor.

I searched the net for local shops which specialize in auto upholstery and found a decently rated shop which removed the driver's seat (disconnected the battery then airbag connections) cut the rear bracket down ~1.75" welded it and re-stalled. All for $200 cash.

Pros:

1. Lots of head room (more that I need);
2. Does not affect power seat adjustments;

Cons:
1. I hate chopping anything in a $65,000 (plus tax) truck;
2. Plastic side seat trim (piece which hides the seat rail at the floor) needs to be modified (should be easy with a dremel).
3. Rear plastic bracket covers do not fit (completely covered by the Husky mats/liner).

 

I'm 6'3" with '19 limited and have no issues getting comfortable. Head does not touch the ceiling and I find the 4R more comfortable to drive than my wife's Lexus. When I first drove the 5th gen I did adjust the seat in a number of positions and found with seat back near vertical my hair would touch the headliner but that was not a "comfortable" position. This is the first vehicle I have owned in quite some time that I don't need the seat position all the way back on the track to drive. I actually found that moving it slightly forward from all the way back with slightly more recline is a sweet spot and my hair, kept quite short, is about 2" from the ceiling.

 

I'm 6'5" 220 and I do not have any issues with mine. But being bigger, you get used to being a little cramped up, so some of that may be in play here, but I love the 4Runner and I'm happy I purchased it.

 

Seating positions & head room are kind of like fingerprints in that no two are the same (likely not true). I know my seating position is a personal idiosyncrasy of mine...seat back slight recline and arms can easily reach head unit controls/temperature dials. I'm glad yours works well for you. These are nice trucks...I've had a Tacoma, Tundra and now a 4Runner....I think the 4Runner may be my favourite.