So, I'm thinking FJ

[theicecreampeople]

ok i get ya on this one a taco would be better,i would have done the same thing but i still have a truck ,wanted something smaller ,do love the fj but not as my only rig ...good point ,just made the fj guys mad im sure ..:sombrero:

 

[cnynrat]

Builad a Tacoma... Better load capacity, better ingress/egress, better visibility... simply better. For an Expo rig the Tacoma is a VASTLY better rig then an FJC... Aside from being shorter and having less rear overhang the FJC has nothing going for it IMO. You're on the right track looking at a Toyota, you just need to switch to a different model

Cheers

Dave

Unless you are 6'4". Doubt I have enough headroom in a Taco. As a reference point, I don't fit in a 4 Runner, which isn't exactly a small SUV.

 

[Corey]

The FJ wins hands down in the headroom department over a Tacoma in case you are tall.
When they first came out many basketball players were snagging these up.

And as far as "epinions" go, the FJ is the superior vehicle
See, we all have opinions on what is best, and I feel the FJ is superior, or I would not have spent $30K on it.

It all depends on what you are going to use it for.
My kids are grown men, so I do not need room for rear seat passengers or easy entry for rear guests.

Having owned two Toyota trucks in the past and a '91 4Runner, I like this rig the best out of them all.

 

[Ramjet]

I've owned both as well, Taco and FJ, I do have to say, while I did love my Taco, I thoroughly enjoy my FJ better. The best thing of all, is no matter what, I own a Toyota. So, I think we all win the debate in that regard. Safe travels.

 

[Flagster]

The FJ wins hands down in the headroom department over a Tacoma in case you are tall.
When they first came out many basketball players were snagging these up.

Really...????...I just can't picture BronBron or any of his bros rollin in a FJ????

 

[4Rescue]

Ok so headrooms better... THAT IS IT... In terms of platform, the Tacoma is VASTLY superior, Leafs will always trump coild in terms of load capacity, a bed will always be better for hauling ANYTHING around (maybe not as secure, but a good toper solves that problem) and getting people and things into a 4dr P/U will always be easier then an awkwardly designed 2dr SUV. I have a 1st Gen 4Runner (one of the BEST all time 2dr Platforms ever mader by Toyota) and I even think the 2dr. config is annoying. The FJ's doors don't do alot to aleviate this problem, they just make it SEEM like you have two more doors when in reality you don't. FJC's IMO are a "looks" vehicle... Sorry guys but it's true. The 4Runner (while it may not have as much head room) is the same rig with better ingress/egress, so WHY did Toyota build it??? For sales figures to capture an audience who might also be looking at a JK Wrangle. It is JUST a re-bodied 4Runnerr... It certainly wasn't built to make the "all-time most capable Toyota" cause they make those... they just don't let us N.Americans buy them.

I realize others have differing opinions but from a purely factual and and duty based engineering viewpoint a PU wil always trump a small 2.3dr suv... there are LOTS of time when I find myself dreaming of a 4dr Hillux to replace my 4Runner (Or even 1st Gen 4dr. NA Taco, of course with a Diesel, although I'd rather have my 4runners chasis for it's inherent greater toughness...)

And corey: Having opperated a VASTLY greater varriety of 4wd's in some of the harshest environments on the planet under some of the harshest conditions possible, both Toyota and other (read 70-series, 80's, Hillux's, Mogs, Patrols, Nissan P/U's, Jeeps, FS trucks and Wildland Fire engines etc), I can tell you that the FJC is NOT the superior vehicle in ANY category...

Cheers

Dave

 

[Corey]

And corey: Having opperated a VASTLY greater varriety of 4wd's in some of the harshest environments on the planet under some of the harshest conditions possible, both Toyota and other (read 70-series, 80's, Hillux's, Mogs, Patrols, Nissan P/U's, Jeeps, FS trucks and Wildland Fire engines etc), I can tell you that the FJC is NOT the superior vehicle in ANY category...

Cheers

Dave

We can agree to disagree.
The vehicle is superior in my eyes, and it fits my commuting/off road/camping capabilities to the T.

 

[Ramjet]

It is JUST a re-bodied 4Runnerr... It certainly wasn't built to make the "all-time most capable Toyota" cause they make those... they just don't let us N.Americans buy them.



Cheers

Dave

It's actually built off the Prado platform and not the 4Runner.

 

[eli]

Ibarcher,
Not sure exactly what your requirements are for this but I'll chime in. I have an 07 6 speed manual trans. Full time 4x4 with locking center and rear diffs. I've had it since new as I approach approx. 97k miles. Im running adjustable Donaho front coil overs at 2" with matching rear springs and shocks. She currently wears approx 33.7" Good Year MT/R's on factory steel wheels. It is a work in progress.

I also had an 02'Tacoma crew cab pre runner and loved that truck. In hind site I could have saved a fourtune and got a solid axel installed up front with a Marlin or Atlas transfer case but I need to stay on task . .

Issues; Toyota did not offer this model with a turbo diesel. I would absolutely love more gears in the transfer case. In technical (ie; off road, down hill, off camber, moderate to large obstacles, etc.) I would be verry happy with more tourqe and lower gearing options to climb or control the speed of the veh.

If your running a late model FJ with an adult size front passenger and small children in the rear then that's about max. For trips (not the regular commute'etc) If you plan to carry all your gear in the rear. I think this veh is ideal for the two front passengers but after that your pushing it. Exiting the veh from the rear seats or back of the veh. Is a pain. I even sleap in the rear of mine but it's not easy when you need to water the trees in the morning and you need to fight to just get out of the thing. Toyota did not put in a inner door Handel in the rear and you have to open the front door(s) in order to open either clam shell side door.

The rear seats do not fold flat. Though the rear seats comem with red knobs that allow you to remove the seats fairly quickly the rear seat backs still don't fold down completly.

The right front and rear passenger side blind spot can be an issue for some. Combine that with a lift and the cock pit feel of the interior that could be a deal breaker for some folks. You realy should rent and or barrow one to make up your own mind.

Equipped with passengers, armor, gear, etc. Your gonna reach max gross veh weight rather quickly so plan accordingly.

Due to; full time four wheel drive, angle of the front windshield, and weight/size of tire and armor I'm running I'm only avg. Approx 15 mpg in the mountains. Fuel range is not good (stock) for an expedition veh. In my opinion. You can def check on the fjcrusier forum for advice, ideas, motivation, etc. .

Now that I've got your attention, honestly I love driving this thing. The on and off road capabilties of this veh. is very good. The locking center and rear diffs coupled with the electronics it's equipped with are an asset. In technical terrain or combined with poor weather conditions ive been very impressed. Ive had zero mechanical issues and it hasnt left me stranded yet. It's very comfortable and handels well for what it is. Around town you can haul four life size people comfortably three smaller in the rear seats if need be. The short wheel base is great for maneuverability on and off road. The rubber floor and water resistant seats are very practical.

In closing, now that I've had some miles and time with this vehicle I think it is a bit of a compromise. Do I miss my truck, without question. Have I put the rear seats down and loaded up the back with my chain saw & fire wood (after driving to some narly location to get that fire wood). I'd just say make sure this veh fits your needs. I'm keeping mine forever. Even if I won the lotto I'd just do a diesel turbo conversion.

 

[BIGGUY]

reply

BIGGUY, I too have the fridge behind the drivers seat without a rear seat at all.

I also noticed the same things you did coming from a '91 4Runner.
More space up front, but less cargo space in the rear.

And power, the 4.0 feels like a rocket ship compared to the 3.slow and auto transmission I had in the 4Runner.

You got yours a month later than I did, and I just turned 36K a few weeks back
I have a 30 mile round trip commute for work, so my miles are very low for the close to five years I have had the rig.

Hi Corey. I saw pictures of yours and did PM you about the back seat setup before. That is how I decided to do mine. I just removed the bottoms of the back seat and then folded the backs down. I didn't add a lock down for the fridge. I have the Tuffy drawer in the back so with it and the fridge in place it doesn't go any where. I also removed the handle off the fridge so that it didn't hit the back of the driver's seat and just keep it in the storage pouch of my seat cover. This set up works great for me. I can get drinks out of the fridge fairly easily and if it's something bigger, I can slide the lid off and then just slide the fridge to the edge and tilt a little for more room. I usually don't have to do that though.

I have an 85 mile round trip to work a day and the last few years I've worked a ton of overtime. I also get bored and tired of the WY winds and winters so I make a lot of trips down to Moab, Ouray, and other parts of CO, UT, and WY.

I had the '90 4Runner with the 3.0 and an auto and I had a '90 ex-cab pickup with the 5 speed and the 3.0. They weren't the fastest, but they did everything I asked them too. I bought the pickup brand new in '90 and the 4Runner used several years later. I did all of the normal recommended maintenance and oil/lube every 3000 miles and I got rid of the pickup a year ago with the original engine and over 475,000 miles. The 4Runner had a couple of issues when I got it that I had fixed and when I traded it on the FJ I had over 325,000 miles on it and half of them were mine and trouble free. I didn't mind the 3.0 and with the pickup I kept records and over it's life I averaged 19.5mpg with a worst of 9mpg and a best of 24mpg.

 

[4Rescue]

It's actually built off the Prado platform and not the 4Runner.

The Prado IS the 4Runner on non US countrys...

Listen, I'm NOT SAYING that the FJC is a bad vehicle. It's a Toyota... For overall overland use a P/U is easier to set up to do heavy hauling and alot of the things you want to do with an overland rig. Case in point: The Tacoma made the "Top 5" listy while the FJC did not. Now I'm not saying that this list can't be argued with, but still, it's a good list in my eyes and I've done ALOT of 4wheeling for work AND play.

IMO if a guy has to buy ONE 4wd to have as a DD AND an overland rig, I'd say Tacoma would be a better choice...

Cheers

Dave

 

[tacollie]

They are both good vehicles. I would prefer the FJC for wheel base alone. The FJC is aproximately 21 inches shorter than a double cab Tacoma.

 

[C-Fish]

...IMO if a guy has to buy ONE 4wd to have as a DD AND an overland rig, I'd say Tacoma would be a better choice...

Cheers

Dave

I disagree, When I was looking to replace my Heep, I looked at the Tacoma and the FJ.
Duties are DD and Overland/Mall Crawling/Grocery Getting/Weekend Getaway/Camping/Wheeling rig.

The FJ won hands down for me. I don't need a truck, I have a brother and friends that do. :wings:

-I can sleep in the back of the FJ (6'2) on a twin mattress.
-I'm single [OK, Divorced], no need for back seats, heck they've been out since October...
-My dogs can travel in comfort. Taco would need to be quad cab [for the dogs] resulting in a 5' box [no bueno].
-FJ has a mechanical transfer case, none of that electronic stuff like the Taco.
-No need to buy a topper to protect the cargo [ARB fridge, recovery gear, etc...]
-Excellent headroom compared to the Tacoma.
-Coil Springs for better on road ride.
-Shorter Wheelbase.


For ME [and many others] the FJ is the most logical choice...:ylsmoke:

 

[STREGA]

I looked seriously at the Tacoma but went with the FJ instead ('08 Trail Teams) and don't regret my decision at all. For me the only advantage the Tacoma had over the FJ was its load carrying capacity. I'am short at 6'0" but the FJ was roomier than the Taco and I still have a couple of notches left for the seat to move back if I want.

If I had a family, I would not have bought the FJ but would not have bought a Taco either. Since its just me, the wife and a 20lb dog I have just enough room for us and our camping gear and I'am just over GVWR by a couple hundred lbs.

My current "Expo" setup includes a rtt, ARB 50 qt fridge, AT 2 drawer unit, Aluminess frt. bumper, 9000 lb superwinch, Exp1 rear bumper, OME suspension, Ricochet skid plates Etc. I removed the rear seats, tossed the subwoofer out and a few other items and fabbed a Aluminum rack that I mounted the AT drawers, fridge and a large Aluminum Dry box that holds my recovery gear, tools and cook stove and some other camping gear. Except for the rtt most of the weight is down as low and in the middle as possible and it feels pretty balanced to me and is comfortable to drive at highway speed. The brakes still slow it down quite well, thanks in part to the rear disc's, which I believe the Tacoma doesn't have and I also like the hand "E" brake instead of a foot operated type. I feel with proper selection of parts and pieces the FJ can be a very good platform for a "Expo Rig"

I personally like the clam-shell doors, but I'am also not trying to load people into the back seats either. Getting into the dry box or other stuff behind the front seats is easy with the clam-shell doors. Adding a topper on a Taco negates its blind spot advantage over the FJ, which is a non-issue if you know how to/trust using mirrors anyway. As a DD, "Expo Rig", grocery getter, good or bad weather it always puts a smile on my face despite what BS is going on in the world.

I feel it was a travesty that the FJ didn't make the "list" (but the jeep liberty did? of course if they put the FJ on the "list" then it would have been mostly Toyotas on it) but it didn't surprise me either, its funny how many times I have had people comment on how well it does offroad (even completly stock) saying "I thought the FJ Cruiser was a poser mall crawler". The FJ is not for everybody, but it works well for me.

 

[C-Fish]

I completely forgot the #1 reason the FJ is better than the Tacoma...Mine's a Hybrid!!! :sombrero: