FJ New Tow Vehicle + Little Guy

[SameGuy]

After picking up our Little Guy 6 wide sport camper we quickly decided we would need a beefier tow vehicle. The 2000 4Runner could do the job but it had to work pretty hard to keep its speed up, especially in the mountains. We test drove quite a few newer 4Runners of various years but decided on a used 07 FJ. It is pretty much stock with the exception of the TRD exhaust and a CAI. It pulls the LG with ease which is more than I can say for the 4Runner that it replaces, especially with the platform loaded up with dirt bikes and a weeks worth of supplies.

We had our first short weekend with it in the mountains to get some of the kinks worked out. While the power was greatly appreciated and the stability off road was fantastic, there are a few flies in the ointment.

Back windows don't open, kind of a bummer on a hot day with 3 dogs in back. The auto trans hunted a little more than I would have liked towing at highway speeds and the drone from the exhaust was annoying in any gear other than the highest. Visibility when backing and hooking up to trailer leaves much to be desired. Not a big fan of the rear door side hinges which make it a little hard to access with the camper attached. (see last picture) Not the end of the world but will need to mod the trailer jack and spare tire holder to allow door to swing open.

All in all I'm happy with the FJ. It seems like a perfect platform to build upon and am looking forward to getting it decked out for adventure. Hopefully by spring we will have the camper lifted along with the FJ.

 

[ebg18t]

Install a folding tongue jack. $25-40 at harbor freight and trailer stores.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Back windows don't open, kind of a bummer on a hot day with 3 dogs in back. The auto trans hunted a little more than I would have liked towing at highway speeds and the drone from the exhaust was annoying in any gear other than the highest. Visibility when backing and hooking up to trailer leaves much to be desired. Not a big fan of the rear door side hinges which make it a little hard to access with the camper attached. (see last picture) Not the end of the world but will need to mod the trailer jack and spare tire holder to allow door to swing open.

If only Toyota made a vehicle with the same running gear as the FJC that also had 4 full doors, 5 windows that roll down, all-around visibility and a rear liftgate.....
.
How do you like the 6 wide LG? That must make for a very comfortable bed. Our teardrop is 5 wide and it's quite comfortable for the two of us and even the dog occasionally.
.
Edited to add: You can resolve a lot of the transmission "hunting" issues by keeping it in 4th, especially on hilly roads. I shift my automatic like a manual sometimes, for example, when approaching a steep uphill grade I'll drop the transmission into 4th or if the hill is very steep, into 3rd so it doesn't have to search for gears. I've also noticed this keeps the transmission cooler. Letting the transmission shift itself on steep uphills is a good way to get it very hot, very fast, especially if you keep it in D.

 

[SameGuy]

I wonder if Toyota might do something like that with the discontinuation of the FJ. One would think that if it appealed to a wider audience without its 'quirks' sales would be stronger.

We love the LG. The bed in there is bigger than the one at home, lol. We weren't planning on getting a 6 wide or the sport model but when we were looking that was one of the few models we could find used. That big deck on the front really makes packing easy, although it is easy to bring too much. I wanted something more for off road use but figured I could mod it if I got the urge. I'm planning on beefing up the frame and adding Timbren axleless suspension and matching FJ wheels & tires this winter for more ground clearance. It is pretty heavy for anything too rough but we don't really do any crawling.

Thanks for the tip on manually shifting the trans. I did some of that which worked great, also just slowing down a bit on the really steep stuff will keep it planted in gear. Wondering if anyone with an auto FJ has added a trans cooler. Seems like that would be cheap insurance. May look into that when I get the brake controller put in next week.

 

[austintaco]

Doesn't a company make replacement rear windows for the FJ so you can pop them out for your dogs/ventilation?
here it is:
http:/http://www.fjfreedomwindows.com/

 

[Martinjmpr]

I wonder if Toyota might do something like that with the discontinuation of the FJ. One would think that if it appealed to a wider audience without its 'quirks' sales would be stronger.

So much for my attempt at being funny, I guess I wasn't clear. "FJC running gear with 4 full doors, 5 roll down windows and a rear liftgate" = 4runner.

We love the LG. The bed in there is bigger than the one at home, lol. We weren't planning on getting a 6 wide or the sport model but when we were looking that was one of the few models we could find used. That big deck on the front really makes packing easy, although it is easy to bring too much. I wanted something more for off road use but figured I could mod it if I got the urge. I'm planning on beefing up the frame and adding Timbren axleless suspension and matching FJ wheels & tires this winter for more ground clearance. It is pretty heavy for anything too rough but we don't really do any crawling.

What's the weight on that with the platform? Around 1200 or so? Do you have brakes?

Thanks for the tip on manually shifting the trans. I did some of that which worked great, also just slowing down a bit on the really steep stuff will keep it planted in gear. Wondering if anyone with an auto FJ has added a trans cooler. Seems like that would be cheap insurance. May look into that when I get the brake controller put in next week.

I would recommend a tranny cooler. Like you said, cheap insurance. My transmission light didn't come on even when I was ascending from the floor of Death Valley in July pulling a trailer. Indicated trans temp got up to 260 degrees but the light never came on so the internal sensor never got above 239 (either that or my sensor is broken! )

 

[SameGuy]

I was about to say they do make a 4Runner but didn't want to be a smart ***, lol.
Weight is advertised at 1550 but I haven't weighed it. Unfortunately it only has 2200 lb axles so with my 2 dirt bikes on there it's completely maxed out. Another reason I'm upgrading to the Timbren axle less which will be 3500 lb. It does have brakes but I dont have a controller in the FJ yet.

AUSTINTACO: thanks for the link, I'll check it out, I was hoping someone out there could make them open. Still don't get why back window pops up instead of rolling and the windows in the suicide doors don't roll down.

I did find a new trailer jack that swings out of the way at ETrailer.com. Pretty easy fix on that front.



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[Deleted member 13060]

Here's a bit of info on the cooler.....

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...ng-transmission-cooler-instructions-pics.html