Although FJCs don't have many fans here, I have 110,000 miles on mine, and would buy another tomorrow. However, we don't have kids, and a week-long trip to the desert requires every cubic inch of storage possible. I bought my FJC after a string of three pickups, and I'm not sure I'd get a pickup again, but that's just me. The suicide doors on the FJC are inconvenient, and with kids seats, will make you crazy. The newest gen 4RNR seems to be a four-door FJC, with lots more storage space. As much as I like my FJC, I'd suggest its really too small for what you'll need.
Deciding between Tacoma, 4Runner or even FJ
- Thread starter conleybfow
- Start date
I'll get you some measurements of both tonight when the wife is home and take a picture with a box or something in both to give you an idea of scale.
Measurements (not exact because these aren't squares) Give or take an inch. Also the pictures are taken at the same focal length and then I cropped them to make the box the same size so you can see the difference.
FJ
Door Opening: 35"Hx42"W
Cargo Floor: 42"Wx37"D
Above Wheel Tubs: 57.5" at widest
Door Sticks out 45" From back bumper when fully opened
4 Runner
Door Opening: 48"Wx36"H
Cargo Floor: 44Wx41.5"D (measured between wheel tubs)
Above Wheel Tubs: 59" at widest
Door Sticks out roughly 24" from bumper
This may be worthless for you, but I spent the 5 seconds online to make it so here it is.
FJ
Door Opening: 35"Hx42"W
Cargo Floor: 42"Wx37"D
Above Wheel Tubs: 57.5" at widest
Door Sticks out 45" From back bumper when fully opened
4 Runner
Door Opening: 48"Wx36"H
Cargo Floor: 44Wx41.5"D (measured between wheel tubs)
Above Wheel Tubs: 59" at widest
Door Sticks out roughly 24" from bumper
This may be worthless for you, but I spent the 5 seconds online to make it so here it is.
Colonal Angus
Adventurer
I like the picture flipping skills, BrandonS. Very crafty.
deadbeat son
Explorer
I had the same quandary a couple of years ago when trying to decide between a new Tacoma DC and a 4 Runner. I ended up going with the Tacoma and a shell solely so I could keep the dog in the bed. My wife has a husky mix, and I just didn't want to mess with hair in the cab of the vehicle. If it hadn't been for that, I may have went with the 4R. I really wish the Taco was offered with a winter package (heated seats & mirrors, headlamp washers) in the US, but it's not. The 4 Runner lacks the headlamp washers, but at least the heated seats and mirrors are available. All in all, I'm glad I went with the Tacoma, but I don't think you can make a wrong decision for the two. I would just assess your needs as best as you can and decide whether the combined cargo area or segregated cargo area would work out best for you.
From your budget I guess you're buying new? Oh well, I guess somebody's got to be a sucker.
When I bought my Tacoma new in 2009, I paid $2,500 more than a used similarly equipped model with 35-40k miles. Now that I've driven it for almost four years and put > 50k on the odometer, the current NADA retail value is only $1,900 less than I paid for it new. It's not too difficult to get a little better than book for one equipped like mine either. Sometimes it's not worth the small amount of money saved to go used. I love knowing exactly how my truck has been treated since leaving the dealer's lot with 3 miles on the odo.
p nut
butter
Agree with you on that. Minimal price paid over used + knowing exactly how it was treated, broken-in, etc. is well-worth it IMO.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Small amount?
Hmmm...OK. Well, I paid $19k for my 07 (and honestly I paid more than I wanted to, but I was seduced by the Salsa Red Pearl color!)
A new 4runner would be, what, $35/$40K? Even a new DC Taco would be north of $30k.
I don't know about you but sixteen grand is a lot of money to me.
And my 4runner will be paid for next year which leaves more money for mods, trips, etc.
fjrohrs
Adventurer
Thanks, that really helps. The size difference isn't quite as much as I was hoping for, the 100 or 80 series has significantly more room in the back for those that are wondering.
p nut
butter
Small amount?
Hmmm...OK. Well, I paid $19k for my 07 (and honestly I paid more than I wanted to, but I was seduced by the Salsa Red Pearl color!)
A new 4runner would be, what, $35/$40K? Even a new DC Taco would be north of $30k.
I don't know about you but sixteen grand is a lot of money to me.
How about an 05 4Runner for even less? You were a sucker for paying $19k for an 07 when you could've had an 05 for $15k. $4k is a good for a few mods. How about an 03 for $12k?
Every individual has their price point for paying for feature X or option Y. Everyone's situation's different and putting out a blanket statement that someone's "a sucker" for buying new, or buying a particular vehicle at a certain price point, is ridiculous.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
"locked up transfer case?"
Not sure what you mean by "locked up" but here is the T-case lineup in the 4runner/Taco/FJC: All Tacomas, 5th Gen 4runner SR5 and TE editions, and automatic transmission-equipped FJC all have the same T-case, with the FJC and 5th gen having the added benefit of an actual mechanical lever (as opposed to the Taco's electronic dial.) This is a conventional 4wd T-case with 2-hi, 4-hi and 4 lo, with no center differential (meaning you cannot use 4wd on dry pavement.)
The manual tranny FJC and 5th gen 4runner Limited have a full time 4wd system with a center diff that you can lock with the push of a button.
4th gen 4runners have full time 4wd (V8 models) or multi-mode 4wd (V6 models) both with locking center diffs. Multi-mode is the same as full-time 4wd except that there is also a 2wd position on the T-case dial (Incidentally, I believe the Seqouia has this same arrangement.)
In terms of ruggedness/robustness, I've never heard an complaints about any of the T-cases, so I don't really think the Taco (or any other Toyota) neccessarily has an advantage in terms of T-cases.
I do think the Tundra tends to get overlooked (as does the Sequoia.) I seriously considered a 1st gen Sequoia when I was shopping for my current vehicle.
It is strange that FJCs don't get respect on this forum - I've watched for a couple of years and the only mentions have been some idiot jumping in the sand dunes and the rather tame build of a potential sponsor.
I have a 2008 Trail Teams with 75K on it and it has been totally trouble-free. I can drive it in comfort to Utah with three people, and hang quite well on trails with jeeps that had to be brought in on trailers because they are noisy, uncomfortable and unruly on the highway.
We've done four adults with two small dogs and all of our stuff to Cali, but it was very tight but do-able. The suicide doors are much better than no doors at all and with the short wheel base, were probably the only choice for the FJ frame. That being said, it is more of an adventure rig than a family truckster; I know that it will take me comfortably where I want to go and bring me back again reliably and safely. FJ's have an excellent safety record and the highest resale value of any vehicle and are worth far more respect than the moderators/owners of this site give them. My next vehicle is the one I own.
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p nut
butter
Despite my initial disappointement with the "faux" hardtop, FJC is a fun, reliable vehicle. I personally won't get one, because of the lack of space for a family and cargo. For you single people or +1 adventures, it's a great choice.
PS I'm still disappointed about the fake drop top. I might have even overlooked the shortcomings for that one feature, and bought one. I know I'm not alone in this.