Taco or FJ?

BigTaco

Observer
Never have driven the FJ but I would think they are both pretty equal. I think you have to look more into the body style to decide. Do you want an open bed space or do you want SUV cabin space.
 

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
Well, first off I think it depends on whether you are talking 1st gen Taco or 2nd. Schattenjaeger posted some stuff earlier about how he was disappointed with the lack of articulation in the 2nd gen Taco, but I think at least some of that can be cured with aftermarket stuff. If anything, I would think that the FJC might be better on tight off-road trails just because it's shorter overall and has less overhang, but, again, it depends on which Taco you're talking about. A regular-cab Taco is about the same size as the FJC, or maybe even a little shorter. A double-cab longbed is obviously quite a bit longer.

But if you are talking about "untrammeled off road ability" (whatever that means :D ) I think a Jeep Wrangler probably beats anything currently offered by Toyota.
 

Cackalak Han

Explorer
I agree with above. Purely off-road, the FJC takes it (we're talking all-stock. Any mods throws any fair comparisons out the window). It's just better equipped from the factory. No way around it.
 

SAR_Squid79

Explorer
I agree with Martinjmpr - A Jeep Rubicon Unlimited is the absolute, hands-down best production Off-Road rig out there. You could take a fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited straight from the showroom to the trail, and fare better than a lot of modified rigs...

...Between FJC and Tacoma, again if you're talking 2008 FJC Vs. 2008 Tacoma, you have to specify RegCab, DCab, ExCab, Longbed/shortbed, etc. Both vehicles unmodified has it's limitations, pros & cons. If you're talking older Tacoma (95-04) Vs. FJC, I would lean toward the older Tacoma.

Once you start discussing modified rigs, you could argue capability either way. I think at the end of the day, it's going to simply come down to each person's personal preference. I would personally choose a Tacoma over an FJC any day of the week.
 

wesel123

Explorer
"""""But if you are talking about "untrammeled off road ability" (whatever that means :D ) I think a Jeep Wrangler probably beats anything currently offered by Toyota.[/QUOTE]"""



Even more so than the FJ teams Special Eddition FJ???? At a 30K sticker still cheaper than an Unlimited. Comes with Atrac and rear locker, sliders and some extra skid plates.....And a bit more reliable.
 

Cackalak Han

Explorer
wesel123 said:
Even more so than the FJ teams Special Eddition FJ???? At a 30K sticker still cheaper than an Unlimited. Comes with Atrac and rear locker, sliders and some extra skid plates.....And a bit more reliable.

32" tires (255/75/17), front swaybar disco's, SFA, lockerS and an open top! If Toyota built something like that, they would sell like crazy. Perhaps bring back the FJ40 or 1st Gen 4Runner? :D
 

SOAZ

Tim and Kelsey get lost..
wesel123 said:
Even more so than the FJ teams Special Eddition FJ???? At a 30K sticker still cheaper than an Unlimited. Comes with Atrac and rear locker, sliders and some extra skid plates.....And a bit more reliable.



I think the Jeep Rubicon would out do even the special edition FJ or a somewhat modified FJ.
The jeep is lighter, solid axle, front locker too, smaller width, shorter wheelbase, better departure and approach, sway bar disconnects.
I'd rather have the FJ on most days, but on the trail the Jeep would win everywhere I think.
(fj wins in reliability, but thats long term, I'm just talking trail ability)
 

asteffes

Explorer
I'm a Tacoma owner and I can say that there have been several times I wish I had a center diff rather than a transfer case. Full time AWD is a big win, able to handle situations that a transfer case cannot.

If you want a big lift, big tires, extreme articulation and the like, my guess is the Tacoma wins.
 

SAR_Squid79

Explorer
asteffes said:
I'm a Tacoma owner and I can say that there have been several times I wish I had a center diff rather than a transfer case. Full time AWD is a big win, able to handle situations that a transfer case cannot.

If you want a big lift, big tires, extreme articulation and the like, my guess is the Tacoma wins.
What are you talking about? FJC's have the same Transfer Case and driveline as a Tacoma.
 

asteffes

Explorer
The 6-speed manual is available with full-time all-wheel-drive, which requires a center differential.
 

Cackalak Han

Explorer
asteffes said:
The 6-speed manual is available with full-time all-wheel-drive, which requires a center differential.

What would you say the advantage is to the center differential? I know right off the bat you can put a vehicle with a center diff into 4WD on dry pavement, which is helpful when you get patchy snow/ice/etc. mixed with dry pavement, but other than that, I don't see any other advantages?
 

asteffes

Explorer
My Tacoma binds up and has trouble turning with the transfer case locked while on pavement. A diff allows the front and rear to turn at different speeds to accommodate driving on pavement with AWD.
 

Cackalak Han

Explorer
asteffes said:
My Tacoma binds up and has trouble turning with the transfer case locked while on pavement. A diff allows the front and rear to turn at different speeds to accommodate driving on pavement with AWD.

You are not supposed to have 4WD engaged on dry pavement. You are causing large amounts of strain on the drivetrain and could damage something. I accidentally did that in my old 4Runner and ended up blowing the x-case seal. You'd better check under your truck for leaks.
 

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