FJ Cruiser

[BajaTaco]

I see a lot of gripes about sleeping arrangements. Doesn't anybody toss a tent on the ground anymore?

I do when I am backpacking. Pitching a tent on the ground every night on a long trip gets old in a hurry. Not to mention if it is wet, stormy, or windy it becomes even more of a pain in the butt. The point of sleeping in a hard-sided enclosure (camper or wagon) is that it is super efficient as far as time and hassle goes, and is impervious to storms and keeps everything dry. It really is worth the extra planning of the vehicle IMO.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I can see your point, but I set my tent up no matter the weather and how tired I might be when I backpack, so it just seems like the natural thing for me to do when I am in my LC also. I would prolly take me more time to unload stuff and make a sleeping place than it would to pitch my tent, even in the rain.
I've never tried sleeping in my LC, though, you devils just might convert me.

 

[Scott Brady]

I have slept in roof tents, ground tents, trailers and under the stars.

My favorite is on a cot under the stars. It takes me about 2 minutes to set up camp and I am done.

The roof tent is the best so far for convenience and comfort. Just a few minutes and you have a great place to sleep.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Scott, I agree that sleeping under the stars is best. I also agree that when the weather turns bad, you want the fastest and most secure shelter possible. Our (sadly former) Four-Wheel Pop-up camper was superb at this: two minutes and you had a standing-height home with a queen bed, impervious to any weather that wouldn't tip over the truck. A well-mounted roof tent is just as quck, if not quite so spacious.

Interestingly, with the load deck I installed in my FJ40, which creates a platform the width of the vehicle, I can just lie down inside diagonally, in case of a sudden blizzard or something.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Chris,
Nice synopsis on the FJC. From the underside, it has more in common w/ the 4Runner than the Tacoma.

I bet the chassis is the Prado 3 door- almost certainly.

I have done 6 lifts on this platform now and can do it in my sleep- but it still is a long day and it isn't fun.
Knowing this, I can't get over the fact it is basically a 4Runner with less room.
I like the style, the attention to offroading and the enthusiasm with which Toyota has embraced it.

I guess I mean to say "I'm over it". It's cool and all - I have the same engine, same suspension, seats, and done all the easy to moderate mods.

But think of this- For $28K you can have a iForce V8, fulltime 4WD w/ nearly 2 feet more room and same offroad capability w/same mods. The V8 4Runner.
On top of that, more comfort, luxury and the other advantages of a longer wb and more interior space--which is at premium on anything more than a day trip.

A SWB wagon=rockcrawler/tight trails. That equals SFA.

This IFS is very good. Dana 44 equiv strength, good CV angles w/ 3" lift, 8" diff (unclear if the FJC will use the V6 diff or the V8 front diff), proven chassis from the Prado.

I know it will wheel very well but for this type of work SFA is king and everyone knows it. I understand the compromise tho- if I were Toyota, I would do the same (well not really but you have to be realistic about the market). Realistically, that era is gone for Toyota wagons.

Again, the style and everything that comes w/ it is really cool. I really dig it. I love that Toyota is into this market and say kudos for sure.

If it were at least open top like the 40, it could be more seperate from the truck lineup. However, buying new= it would be hard to invest alot of mod money based on just style. The V8 4Runner stands out even more as the real bargain wheeling wagon to me.

 

[BajaTaco]

From the underside, it has more in common w/ the 4Runner than the Tacoma.

I bet the chassis is the Prado 3 door- almost certainly.

Excellent points. I was speculating that that might be the case, but I haven't been under the newest 4Runner, so I was going off the written specs alone. Thanks for bringing this perspective to the conversation, especially since you have completed suspension lifts on six 4runners. (hats off to you!)

But think of this- For $28K you can have a iForce V8, fulltime 4WD w/ nearly 2 feet more room and same offroad capability w/same mods. The V8 4Runner.
On top of that, more comfort, luxury and the other advantages of a longer wb and more interior space--which is at premium on anything more than a day trip.

You make a very good point here as well. Not to mention the available payload for the 4runner is substantially more - 260 to 475 lbs. more, depending on the configuration.

A key difference (and consideration) would be that overall, the FJ is a smaller and lighter wagon. This could equate to a slight edge on trail performance and likely a definite edge considering traction alone. Obviously, this appeals to people who like to tackle much more technical trail scenarios. I would agree with you though, that for expedition work, the 4runner is likely a better choice due to the V8 option, and the larger payload and cargo ratings. I think what will bring the FJC up to a level playing field with the 4Runner is quite simply - it's style.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I agree- style is no small consideration in buying a car. The FJC has it in spades, I think it's really cool.

IMO, the only edge the FJC has is the shorter wheelbase. That is a double edged sword since it will sacrifice comfort and be less stable in other areas where longer wb do better.

The V6 4Runner (same engine, tied to a 5spd auto) is also in the mix as a worthy considration. Since the Prado, Taco, 4R and FJC share the same 4.0L V6 it is a proven performer. It has some idyosyncrasies but alot of good features- oil filter on top, timing chain, vvti, easy access to plugs. It seems to be a robust engine and I like it alot.

Overall I am really glad it's out and hope it leads to a improvement in the bloodline up the food chain. Just personally, I'm over it is all. Still looking fwd to seeing all the excited new owners on the trail tho! that will just be more fun for everyone.

 

[BajaTaco]

Hmmm...

 

[flyingwil]

:smileeek: Where did you find that? I wonder how the payload is affected by that camper?

Hmmm...

 

[Wanderlusty]

:smileeek: Where did you find that? I wonder how the payload is affected by that camper?

It's a photoshop, but a REALLY AWESOME IDEA!

BAJA. . . your gears are always turning. I can learn a lot just by standing back and watching you come up with ideas!

 

[Wanderlusty]

Heres more:

http://www.rollavan.com.au/default.asp

Really neat setup. BT, are they distributed in the states?

 

[Scott Brady]

Baja,

Now that my truck is (mostly) done, we need a project for 06... Lets do it!

 

[BajaTaco]

Oh geez, don't tempt me!

FM, no I think they are strictly an Australian conversion specialist. But it would be fun to build something like that, wouldn't it?

 

[Wanderlusty]

FM, no I think they are strictly an Australian conversion specialist. But it would be fun to build something like that, wouldn't it?

I would love to find a way someday to stretch the wheelbase on the TJ and find (or build) something like that for it.

I don't know how feasable it would actually be. Plus I am crossing my fingers that they DO build the Gladiator truck. I think that I could really build a sweet setup off of that platform.

Too bad nobody makes something like that in the US. Not that it would sell all that well in the land of "Bigger is Better."

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I would love to find a way someday to stretch the wheelbase on the TJ and find (or build) something like that for it.

I don't know how feasable it would actually be. Plus I am crossing my fingers that they DO build the Gladiator truck. I think that I could really build a sweet setup off of that platform.

Too bad nobody makes something like that in the US. Not that it would sell all that well in the land of "Bigger is Better."

Isn't the Unlimited a stretched TJ?

I really like the looks of the upcoming Jeep KJ suv and I love the pickup (Gladiator). I would love to drive an old-school looking pu w/ the tire on the side.