2010, the FJs last year

[4Rescue]

Like I said guy's it's just my opinion... Yeah I've driven one and I really did feel that "in a coffin" feeling that others have discribed. I don't care for them, but that's just me.

Don't get me wrong, I still like them from the standpoint that they're Toyotas and as such they're better then 99% of what's offered and a Taco's not something to scof at either. BUT a Jeep wrangler will run circles around them and frankly way back when I really thought they might try to make something to compete with the Jeep... I guesss that's what left the sour taste in my mouth, I saw so much potential but I didn't get what I persoanly wanted. There was just SO much potential there that I think Toyota wasted on styling and gimmic that could have gone into making one burly little 4wheeler like the USED to make. I guess it's all part of my dissapointment with toyotas N.A. "bigger but somehow weaker" build phillosophy they've been following as of late. Sorry, but new Toyotas may be comfier, and faster, but they're hardly as tough as my old 4Runner.

Good points made about the Prado background, I didn't really think about that. Still, I think that really the Prado is just a 4Runner platform with the Cruiser name thrown at it... Prado means "cruiser lite" in all other markets.

Like I said, if you ahve one and love it great. I'm very glad you do. PLus now you're going to have a collectors item to hang on to.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Dave Bennett]

Sorry, but new Toyotas may be comfier, and faster, but they're hardly as tough as my old 4Runner.

My '88 4Runner suffered a bent frame at the rear lower A-arm mount (known IFS issue with 1st Gens) from being crossed up in a muddy rut - it should have easily resisted this damage but succumbed due to a less than robust design. It had a couple other design flaws as well. The IFS on the modern FJC/Prado/4Runner/Tacoma is MUCH more robust in every way.

I think we tend to rely over rate the older models some time with our nostalgic recollections of years gone by when it comes to old iron and we forget the flaws...

All makes/models/vintages have their pros and cons.

 

[SOAZ]

I love it.
I want a white Trail edition even though I know I can't get that color. Time to start drooling and in 4 or so years when my 4runner has 300,000 miles I'll buy a used one. Now I NEED to stop looking at this one or I'll go insane.

I also just watched the video of the new 4runner going through the Rubicon. Those guys put a nice dent in the driver side rear quarter. OOPS! Otherwise it looks like it did really well! :drool:

 

[Jim1960]

Sorry you are disappointed with the FJ Cruiser Dave.
Have you driven one?

I do not have the same complaints that others have such as blind spots, as I can see out of it clearly.

The FJ Cruiser and Tacoma are the only two new rigs that do anything for me from Toyota with the FJ being at the top for me.

IMO an off road rig should be sans carpet and no leather seats, and the FJ is built this way.
Easier to clean out after off roading or a camping trip.

I simply have the perfect rig for me and am 100% satisfied with it.

+1 here.

Out of all the 30+ vehicles I have owned in 31 years, the FJ tops the list. What more interesting is that a lot of people including cops, rangers and women all ask "how do you like it?" I did not get that reaction in my sports cars or luxury cars, at all.

 

[ryguy]

I love my FJ, I'll run it till the wheels fall off!

 

[Jim1960]

Just viewing the 2010 4runner, it's still a soccer mom vehicle. The last 4runner I sat in, my head touched the roof. It was skinny and squat. Starting at $29,174, I wouldn't drive that thing off road at all for fear of scratching that pretty hi-gloss paint job.

I'll keep my FJ and just keep replacing parts when she's old.

 

[Corey]

+1 here.

Out of all the 30+ vehicles I have owned in 31 years, the FJ tops the list. What more interesting is that a lot of people including cops, rangers and women all ask "how do you like it?" I did not get that reaction in my sports cars or luxury cars, at all.

I am constantly getting checked out on the freeway, in town, at lights, ect.
When some look at the interior and see no rear seat and instead my ARB fridge, Powertank, cargobox, and other camping/off road paraphernalia, most get a big smile on their face.

Here at the Boeing site I work at there are about five FJs including mine.
When I drive to the Renton plant (where they make the 737s) there are a ton there too.

I see them all over, many in my small town too.

I am not diggin' the front end on the 2010 4Runner at all, in fact I am not diggin' the whole rig to be honest with you.
Still looks to soccerish to me, and not down to business like the FJ Cruiser.
They have turned the 4Runner into to much of a plush vehicle.
This is what attracted me to the FJ Cruiser, its utilitarian interior and rugged exterior.

 

[tacollie]

I don't like most newer vehicles but the fj was more fun to drive than most for me. I agree with corey that if you are used to driving a truck with no rear window the blind spot is not a big deal. They have way more visibility than the dump trucks I used to drive. I liked the fact they seemed to bring the toy back to Toyota. Had my budget been better when I bought my 4Runner I would have gotten an FJ.

 

[wikid]

I really like both of my FJ's and yes Tim One is a Trail Teams. What I find interesting is, stock FJ's just don't have a good style, but great potential. I think when you mod it with Lift, bumpers and other goodies, they look like they should have been made that way. I agree, if they had a solid axle, they would have hit the mark, for sure.
I too, get the "how do ya like it" and lots of stares from folks, checking it out.
I never understood the blind spot thing. I agree with Corey, if ya know how to drive with mirrors, it's no different than any other vehicle. It cracks me up to see people in front of me, doing an, "exorcist head spin", to change lanes.
I snow plowed for about 10 years, If I did that, I would be permanently disabled from a loose head:Wow1:

 

[4Rescue]

Wikid: I completely agree, they don't look so hot bone stock to me, but (and what 4wd doesn't) they look WAY better lifted and armored up.

My '88 4Runner suffered a bent frame at the rear lower A-arm mount (known IFS issue with 1st Gens) from being crossed up in a muddy rut - it should have easily resisted this damage but succumbed due to a less than robust design. It had a couple other design flaws as well. The IFS on the modern FJC/Prado/4Runner/Tacoma is MUCH more robust in every way.

I think we tend to rely over rate the older models some time with our nostalgic recollections of years gone by when it comes to old iron and we forget the flaws...

All makes/models/vintages have their pros and cons.

I completely agree with your last statement mate AND, truth be told I've been known to drool over your very-own truck I also YURN for your power advantage when I try to go up and over Mt. Hood loaded to the Gills... I really do. I guess part of the way I look at it though is that if Toyota focuses itself and doesn't get off-track making All sorts of trucks, MAYBE the 4Runner and Taco will benefit from more focus and need for utillity. It already looks like that's happening to some degree with the 2010 Runner.

Even among fanatics of the same brand you'll find varriation as to wich is best right??? and just like you said, every model has it's pro's and cons.

BUT, per the above statement that the 1St gen 4Runner/Hillux (and your old 88) is weaker from a structrual standpoint... I have to completely dissagree, the frame is bigger and stronger (as well as FULLY boxed), the IFS, while not as plush is widely considered to be generaly tougher bone stock to bone stock. you are spot on about the rear sub-frame issue, but, and it's a big but, A simple truss to the rear sub-frame and the only real major problem or weak point is completely fixed. The thing you can't fake about these old trucks is how much abuse they take... they're all over the place where I live doing double duty as DD'ers and primary trail rigs.

As to the OP, I AM sad to see the Fj Cruiser go in the sence because I don't belive they'll try to replace it with something better (although hopefully like I said they'll throw more time and effort at the 4Runner as the "smaller nimbeler trail rig" option). And it's also sad that the FJC is going away because it means that the market for neat, different, varried trail rigs is narrowing by one and that's never good. Luckily there is SO much aftermarket for them after not that long a production run and they're Toyotas so they'll run forever hopefully.
As to the mirrors comment, I completely agree with that too, I use my mirrors ALOT and have spots on both out boards but to me the FJC just felt like my 4Runner does when I'm fully loaded and have only a slot to look out in the back. I'm not saying my 4Runner has a real great view but it is better and I like the roll down window.

I do LOVE the sand color that the FJC comes in and I just saw an all white with Black TRD Sport Wheels (love those!!!) and what not at the grocery store tonight and it looked pretty good, we exchnaged thumbs up's... I love that.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Accrete]

I enjoy the looks of the FJC though we needed the functionality of the TACO when looking back in 2006/07. I too really like the armored up look. There's one out here on the Oregon Coast that is ready for adventure every time it leaves the driveway. RTT, sweet (partial)body-cage, extraction gear. very nice.

...IMO an off road rig should be sans carpet and no leather seats, and the FJ is built this way...

I agree. I used to get a charge from opening the floor-drain plugs after mudding in my 1975 FJ40 ChevOTA and taking the hose to the interior.

...I still like them from the standpoint that they're Toyotas and as such they're better then 99% of what's offered...but new Toyotas may be comfier, and faster, but they're hardly as tough as my old 4Runner...

agree with that also. And as much as i enjoy riding in my wife's DD 07 TACO, it is not near the offroad-rig as my FJ40 back in the day. That thing was nearly indestructable. . . Did the Rubicon twice without any issues. But it was not the comfy ride for sure! though hearing that chevy 327 rumble under the hood and growl out the short pipes had it's own 'comfort' ; )

ah the fun we had...back in 1988 my daughter 'helping' dad on the FJ40, and now at 23 a USAF mechanic and loving it!

happy trails,
thom

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

I LOVE the look of the FJC and believe it to be a VERY capable vehicle. That said, im not sure it's a true iteration of the land cruiser. It is an iteration of the Prado. my friend has an FJC and I drive an FZJ80. It is difficult to compare the two.

again, we both LOVE LOVE LOVE the FJC and recognize it has many strengths over the 80 - speed, maneuverability, etc. But it frankly it is not overbuilt in the same way as the land cruisers, and to my knowledge, it is not used nor was designed to sustain the rigors of 3rd world countries.

 

[corbinwelter]

i came really close to buying a FJC recently so i could try it out for a couple years, nothing like a brand new, capable, reliable 4x4 with no miles!

But ended up buying a 96 FZJ80 with 160k, :victory:

Pros: looks sweet, toyota did a good job styling the FJC to look retro but still futuristic to keep up with the fad of all the other car companies.
Toyota did a good job with the offroad advertising, sure got a lot of attention and brought out some new offroaders.
Hats off to Toyota for building a capable rig with the FJ concept in mind, could mean more in the future.

Cons: i really dislike the interior, first thing that really turned me off. The dash sits to tall and to far away, Deffinetly not cruiser heritage.
Needs a straight 6 or even a V8.
Solid axle!!!! i know not necessary, but would of been sweet.

I will probably end up buying a FJC down the road when i can afford a monthly payment. Unless Toyota builds a new rig. I really like the new 2010 4Runner, but Toyota needs to do away with the new style front ends.

 

[Kodachrome]

One outstanding feature on the FJC that I would like to see handed down to the Tacoma and 4Runner is the all rubber floor liner sans carpet.

I agree, are there any aftermarket floor options for us 05+ Taco owners?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I started reading this and looking into it a little more. There are still no official statements about the FJC being discontinued but some well substantiated rumors.

One thing not stated is the the FJC's styling is largely in the style of the "Hummerization" of vehicles with the boxy vertical windshield, that was also prevalent in the changes of Jeep vehicles and the Hummer lineup itself of course. This has also largely gone out of style now and seemed to somewhat indicate It also wasn't so much the 'blind spots of the FJC that I disliked about it but that it felt like a cave to me inside and the amount of interior room was very small with all of the plastic and styling compared to other vehicles with a similar body style (for example a Honda Element, which is enormous inside).

I believe with the three models of the new 4 Runner that the 'built' version and the agressive styling of the new 4 Runner will replace it. They are also designed by the same designer. I hope the dash components of the 4 Runner will be less themed though (for example the faux diamond plating plastic interior of the FJC) which is also what I am expecting as the 4 Runner is more of a generic universal vehicle.

I am excited to see one.

Here are two good links discussing the possible discontinuation of the FJC with no real conclusive info. If 2010 were the last year though it would not surprise me. But I could see it going both ways...
http://yotatech.com/f5/fj-cruiser-drop-toyota-lineup-152305/
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/fj...09-toyota-fj-cruiser-greatly-exaggerated.html