NEWBIE NEEDS HELP! FJ Cruiser Vs. 4Runner Trail Edition?

[T4Rfun]

Finding a clean used 4Runner and letting the original owner take the hit on the initial depreciation is a good option. Don't worry to much about the 09 with the rear locker. It certainly is nice, but adding the ARB air locker isn't that expensive and you might end up regearing anyway depending on the size of tire you choose to run. If you are regearing, that's the perfect opportunity to add the locker. IMHO

Having said that, there are some amazing deals out there right now and you can't go wrong with new. Everyone loves that new car smell...

 

[1leglance]

I own an FJC and have put on plenty of trail miles...
If I were you get an 05 or whatever (save the off the lot hit on value) 4Runner..
FJC poor vis, tiny backseat, not much room inside

So save the money and get a 4runner that is a few years old.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

4Runner- longer wheelbase (more comfort,more stable, more room;more visibility;more luxury;better quality materials); V8 VVTi - great engine;
I would get a V8 4Runner w/ leather (seems to firm up the seats and easier to clean than fabric imo). You can get the ARB rear diff lock and it will be stronger than OEM electric diff lock. This will add $1500+ after the fact but worth it.

FJ Cruiser has a great look and presence. it also has cool interior and features. big aftermarket support. Great V6 (same as V6 4Runner and Tacoma).

The Trail Edition is cool- love the psuedo-80 series Land Cruiser wheels and options but they missed out on offering the V8 as an option. I know they were going for the "rugged" economical version but still... key parts bin choice is missing in that pkg for offroaders... but that V6 is nothing to be ashamed of...could always SC it later too

 

[teotwaki]

A built 4Runner will go anywhere an equally built FJ can.

The rig below (Crozhawk's) recently ran with the best FJs in SoCal and left those guys very impressed.

 

[bergx7]

4Runner- longer wheelbase (more comfort,more stable, more room;more visibility;more luxury;better quality materials); V8 VVTi - great engine;
I would get a V8 4Runner w/ leather (seems to firm up the seats and easier to clean than fabric imo). You can get the ARB rear diff lock and it will be stronger than OEM electric diff lock. This will add $1500+ after the fact but worth it.

FJ Cruiser has a great look and presence. it also has cool interior and features. big aftermarket support. Great V6 (same as V6 4Runner and Tacoma).

The Trail Edition is cool- love the psuedo-80 series Land Cruiser wheels and options but they missed out on offering the V8 as an option. I know they were going for the "rugged" economical version but still... key parts bin choice is missing in that pkg for offroaders... but that V6 is nothing to be ashamed of...could always SC it later too

Yea I also dont like the TomTom GPS they are putting in them now...

Can you get an 05-07 limited V8 without sunroof?

 

[GTKrockeTT]

A built 4Runner will go anywhere an equally built FJ can.

The rig below (Crozhawk's) recently ran with the best FJs in SoCal and left those guys very impressed.

*snip*

your rig ain't nothing to scoff at either. :smiley_drive:

 

[akoda]

I have an 05 Runner sport(w/sunroof) and an fjc. I am 6'8", based on head room go with the fj, most head room I have ever had in a vehicle. Offroad I agree that the runner is just as capable if equally equiped both amaze me.

Knowing what I know now, and this will hurt some of my fj friends, get the runner if headroom is ok or make damn sure you talk to the dealer about the fj and it's front end fender bulging issues.

 

[bergx7]

I have an 05 Runner sport(w/sunroof) and an fjc. I am 6'8", based on head room go with the fj, most head room I have ever had in a vehicle. Offroad I agree that the runner is just as capable if equally equiped both amaze me.

Knowing what I know now, and this will hurt some of my fj friends, get the runner if headroom is ok or make damn sure you talk to the dealer about the fj and it's front end fender bulging issues.

What are those? bulging issues? Haven't read about those anywhere :Wow1:

 

[4Rescue]

4RUNNER!!!

I'm still pissed at Toyota for the FJC.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Cackalak Han]

4RUNNER!!!

I'm still pissed at Toyota for the FJC.

Cheers

Dave

I'll never forget going to the dealership when they first came out. "Oh, so the top DOESN'T come off..........."



Still nice rigs. They're not for me, though. :costumed-smiley-007

 

[teotwaki]

What are those? bulging issues? Haven't read about those anywhere :Wow1:

Here you go, 295 pages of stuff:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/33440-engine-bay-body-rips.html

 

[4Rescue]

Here you go, 295 pages of stuff:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/33440-engine-bay-body-rips.html

These are known to be real problems...

Yet, overall they're still better made trucks than anything else out there. That's the problem with Toyota, they've set the bar so damn high that even THEY can't keep up at some point.

I'll never forget going to the dealership when they first came out. "Oh, so the top DOESN'T come off..........."



Still nice rigs. They're not for me, though. :costumed-smiley-007

Agreed, I mean they ARE Toyotas so I like them and they even come in favorite color of all time (desert Tan).

But I mean jeez, Jeep has proven that people will buy a solid axled, trail ready rig by the millions and Toyota could do it better than anyone if they just made it happen. Jeep has shown us that a 4dr JK is a good idea, now how about a REAL FJ-40 concepot with a removable top... Or how about you just give us the 70 Series and some Diesel's... That'd be OK with me

Cheers

Dave

 

[akoda]

That's the issue. Mine has minor bulging on the driver side, I haven't checked in a couple of months so it might be worse. I have maybe 10 weekends on the trails with some pretty good runs, 3's to 4's. My rig is off warranty and I recently saw a post where the cost to fix may be ~4k. Now I agree on the pay to play idea but this is showing up on rigs that have never been off-road. Toyota has redesigned the fender apron 3x.

I would still by another FJ, hell if the economy didn't suck I would trade for a new one, but I would make sure the dealer knew I knew about the issue and give me something in writing that stated they would foot the bill if it EVER happened to my rig.

Here you go, 295 pages of stuff:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/33440-engine-bay-body-rips.html

 

[Corey]

They are both good rigs.
The fender bulge issue has not affected all FJs though.
Mine is going on three years come this July, and mine is heavily modified, and no cracks/bulges.
Build date was June of 2006.

If you need the room for clients though, the four door makes sense with the 4Runner.
But from what my sources have told me, the next gen FJ Cruiser will sport four doors.

Mine suits me very well though, and I would not trade it for any vehicle out there.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18563

I also find the 4.0 V6 has plenty of scoot after coming from a 2nd gen 4Runner with the 3.0.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

We love our FJC.

We love our 4Runner. But its a 3rd gen.

We looked at the 4th gen 4Runners before we bought the FJC. We don't have kids, neither of us have jobs that require hauling people around. As has been echoed in the post already it really depends on what you want it for.

Both are very capable off road. If you are looking for a dd/off road vehicle then I don't think you can get any better than the FJ. I know there isn't a lot of love here for the FJ as an overlanding vehicle, but I've never seen anything more capable straight out of the box. We are very happy with the way ours is set up and if I won the lottery tomorrow and could start my cross country adventure I wouldn't think twice about taking it.

But it sounds like your truck is going to be spending more time in the city, hauling people around and maybe hit a dirt road every once in a while. I say get the 4Runner. It will have more room for you, better gas mileage and will still be able to take you to where you want to go offroad. I also would prefer you not continue to contribute to the US contingent of Mall Crawler FJ's I see out there! :sombrero:

On a side note after having finally ridden in a 4th gen 4Runner at Hump N Bump last year I have to say I'm glad we didn't go with it. It is a very capable vehicle but that front hood is so damn long I felt like I was off roading in a 50's Cadillac or something!!