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Japanese vs American assembly

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by BreakawayChris, Jul 31, 2020.

  1. Jul 31, 2020 at 9:52 AM
    #1
    BreakawayChris

    BreakawayChris [OP] New Member

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    When we picked up my 2020 SR5P the dealership said that it was assembled in a plant in Japan. Are there any differences between Japanese and American assembled 4Runners?
     
  2. Jul 31, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #2
    jason2006

    jason2006 New Member

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    I believe all 4runners are built 100% in Japan.
     
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  3. Jul 31, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #3
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    This is correct. They are all made in Japan.

    Take a look at your VIN number. The first letter will be J. J is the Country of Origin and J=Japan.
     
  4. Aug 10, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #4
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    All built at the Tahara Lexus factory so the build quality is about as good as any car you will find, or at the very least exceeds the build quality of most cars you will ever drive.
     
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  5. Aug 10, 2020 at 8:38 AM
    #5
    S.A. 4runner

    S.A. 4runner New Member

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    I know a lexus built in Japan brings more then one built outside of Japan.
     
  6. Aug 12, 2020 at 4:38 AM
    #6
    Red_5

    Red_5 New Member

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    Too bad they couldn't adjust my parking brake properly.
     
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  7. Aug 12, 2020 at 4:54 AM
    #7
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    The fit/finish on my 4Runner is much better than my California made 2005 Tacoma was.
     
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  8. Aug 17, 2020 at 9:02 PM
    #8
    V4runner

    V4runner New Member

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    I wish I didn’t have to spend what I did to have the paint from flaking off . You look at it runner the wrong way and has a nasty scratch.
     
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  9. Aug 18, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #9
    mrmike7189

    mrmike7189 New Member

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    yup the paint seems mighty thin.........and not mighty strong
     
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  10. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:29 AM
    #10
    JHawk

    JHawk New Member

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    Our 2002 Highlander that we bought new was made in Yokohama, I believe. Pretty sure the 4Runners are built in the Land of the Rising Sun, as well. To me, the fit and finish is really good. I see lots of folks who have received their 2020 Shelby GT500 cars are complaining about poor panel fit and lots of orange peel in the paint. For a six-figure car, that is unacceptable.
     
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  11. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:20 AM
    #11
    V4runner

    V4runner New Member

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    Unfortunately Mine has a lot of orange peel paint imperfections
     
  12. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:36 AM
    #12
    JHawk

    JHawk New Member

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    You own one of the new GT500s? Is the fit and finished pretty bad?
     
  13. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #13
    V4runner

    V4runner New Member

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    No no I would never buy junk like that!!! My runner has extensive orange peel from the factory.
     
  14. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:48 AM
    #14
    JHawk

    JHawk New Member

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    That "junk" is selling for $25K to $30K over MSRP. Almost every single one of them.
     
  15. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:55 AM
    #15
    V4runner

    V4runner New Member

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    you are absolutely correct.. I personally feel it is a horrible brand and won't support it! I have always only owned Toyota or Lexus Brand and all Japanese made vehicles. I was given a bran NEW Ford Fusion for a company work car that car saw the shop 64 times for major concerns AND EVEN ONCE THE ENGINE completely SEZIED and almost caused a major accident. I never had any issues with my Lexus or Toyota!
     
  16. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:57 AM
    #16
    JHawk

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    No issues with my 2013 GT500, but fingers crossed. We have had several Toyotas over our marriage, and zero issues with them. They are fantastic. No Lexus for me... just a pimped up Toyota.
     
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  17. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #17
    Red_5

    Red_5 New Member

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    True story: I had to get a door ding on my Jeep JK removed by a paintless dent repair place.

    After about 20 minutes, the guy comes out and says, "Mister, I don't think I can match your factory orange peel. Once I hammer this out, it's going to look smoother than the paint around it."

    And it did!
     
  18. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #18
    V4runner

    V4runner New Member

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    I only wish I caught the orange peel at the dealership before I drove away. I found it in better lighting in my garage and my fault for waiting but I waited for 5k service to have addressed, They won't touch it now. Spent $2000 for paint correction and Ultra Ceramic coatings. :frustrated:
     
  19. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:30 AM
    #19
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

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    Too many mods and too much money
    MMMMM Tahara good.....Sorry to hear about the QC problems with the paint tho. Toyota has had a few hiccups w the 4Runner in the last few years. I guess when you start producing over 70 - 80k vehicles, some issues arise. There are port of entry add-ons installed here in the US, but 95% is assembled in Tahara. Domestic brands and their issues to me reflect the overall state of affairs in the world, customer service be damned, but you gotta keep the stock holders happy. So they stick it to the average consumer most of the time. And to get anything resolved you have a 100 hoops to jump through.
     
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