FJ Cruiser Four Year Review

[Corey]

It is that time of year again.
The rig just turned four years old last Saturday the 24th of July.
Also hit 30K on Friday the 23rd.
I have a short commute of around twenty nine miles round trip for work, so the miles do not pile on very fast.

No issues to report with the rig at all.

Took the rig into the dealership Monday after work for a 30K checkup which consisted of:
New filters, air and cabin
Drain and refill front/rear differentials and transfercase
Clean brakes and adjust parking break
Replace PVC valve
Replace spark plugs
All the other usual safety inspection stuff, no worries.

Rig feels slightly stronger going up hills taking less go pedal, so perhaps the sparkplugs helped, although the rig never felt sluggish in anyway to me, and as most how have seen my rig, they know it probably far exceeds its birth weight.
I bet I am pushing right around 5K lbs with all the gear I carry.
Standard everyday gear, not including being packed for a camping trip.
How much do kitchen sinks weigh anyways?

With everything on my rig I manage to pull a consistent 17 MPG using Super Premium.
This is around 60% city/40% freeway driving.

With mudtires and a tent on top 24/7, driving has to be adjusted somewhat compared to a stock rig.
Even the addition of the tires makes for keeping alert more with freeway speed driving.
I may switch to AT tires in the future, but not really thinking about that now.
The current tires have been on the rig since the summer of 2007, and they look almost brand new tread wise.

Only one current picture with the new BajaRack model MG, this is the current look of the rig as it sits today.
Will be getting better pictures later in August when I tame a week off to go camping.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Good report. How is it in terms of living with on a day-to-day basis? I've sometimes thought my next vehicle might be an FJC but the 4runner seems more practical and easier to live with (especially in terms of visibility, back seat access, cargo carrying, etc.) Love the look, though!

With everything on my rig I manage to pull a consistent 17 MPG using Super Premium.
This is around 60% city/40% freeway driving.

Were you having problems with knocking? Is the 4.0l motor a high compression engine?

At the risk of starting another endless regular - vs - premium argument, unless the answer to one or both of the above questions is "yes", you're throwing money away.

Maybe I'm just a cheap bastart but I always run the lowest octane I can run without knocking.

 

[Corey]

Thanks.

No problem with engine knocking, it never has.
I have ran regular before and Super Premium since I got it.
Never tried mid grade.
I have also kept a log since day one of my MPG, and it seems to be slightly better with the Premium, but not enough to justify using it all the time.

My next tank will be with Super Premium for my upcoming trip, then back to regular again for several tanks.

As far as access goes, my two sons are grown and flew the nest long ago.
I do not need toe back seats, so it is for cargo.
I have the FJ setup very good for carrying my camping gear and fridge.

Visibility has never been an issue for me as I drive a wide variety of vehicles at work on road and in the complex that are hard to see out of.
I got use to driving like a truck driver who relies on their mirrors eons ago.

Day to day for myself I could not have picked a better rig for my needs.
I also dig the utilitarian side of it with no carpets or leather.
I hate leather for upholstery, the only time I would want it would be if I drove a luxury town car.