Toyota FJ Cruiser

mid-afternoon on Saturday, the 4th of March 2006 by Chad

I’m looking at picking up a new car here in a few months once its released.

Cherry FJ Cruiser The Toyota FJ cruiser, based a lot on the old FJ40. You know, the Jeep that isn’t really a Jeep. You just think it is until you get close enough…
For kicks, I’ve opened up a Toyota FJ forum site for people who want to chat about it. Hit http://www.toyota-fj.com to join in!
Side note: I’ve owned a real Jeep. A CJ-5. Chrysler can not make a real Jeep. If you have a Wrangler, you are actually driving a Chrysler Wrangler. The real Jeeps were discontinued in the early 80’s. How do you know if you have a real Jeep? A very simple test: Do you have carpet? What about any plastic on your dashboard? If so, you do not have a real Jeep.

Anyways, if any of my blogger buddies wants to help out and provide a link to the site, I’d appreciate it!

Update: Sure the conversation here is fast and furious about the merits of one 4×4 vs another. Take it over here!

(2 votes, average: 2.5 out of 5)

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533 Responses to “Toyota FJ Cruiser”

Maevyn Says:
March 10th, 2006 at 8:22 am +3
Just streaking by to say hello!! :)
kelly Says:
March 30th, 2006 at 4:59 pm +0
FJ Cruiser vs. Wrangler Rubicon

The original FJ Cruiser (FJ-40) was designed to be a competent off-road vehicle for off-roaders of the 70’s and 80’s. Though there was never a factory V-8 option like Jeep offered in the CJ-5 and CJ-7, the FJ of the day was still considered the Jeep’s Japanese counterpart and well respected.

Now Toyota has revived the FJ, and promoted it through print and video adds as an incredible 4×4 for the 21st century. Leaning heavily on the original FJ’s good reputation, Toyota seems to hope we will consider this new product as an option for the serious off-roader. BUT Does it stack up to it’s serious competition: The Jeep Wrangler?????? Lets see:

Comparing the best of the best, we pit the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s specs against the 2006 Toyota FJ Cruiser C package (the best they offer for off-road).

Turning Circle Curb to Curb Jeep: 33.5ft, FJ:41.7ft, difference: you need 8.2 more feet to turn around in the Toyota.

Minimum Ground Clearance Jeep: 10.3in., FJ:9.6in, difference: you can drive over boulder’s that are 0.7 higher with the Jeep.

Approach/Departure Angle Jeep: 44.9/33.9, FJ: 34/31, difference: you can tackle steeper embankments without digging the bumpers into the dirt if you have the Jeep.

Crawl Ratio Jeep: 66:1.0!!!!!!, FJ 41.8:1.0 ???? duh??

Tail lights Jeep: mounted inboard away from trees and rocks, FJ: Sticking out on the rear corner, Comment: Toyota hopes to get rich selling taillights to off-roaders. Why not just sell the vehicle with them already broken from the factory!

Bumpers Jeep: Steel with tow hooks, FJ: Plastic with NO tow hooks, Comment: PLASTIC?????? How Fisher Price.

Locking Differential Axles Jeep: lockers in the front and back, FJ: Rear Locker only

Suspension Jeep: solid axle front and back, FJ: independent front and solid rear, difference: Solid is solid! with better articulation, Toyota needs to look back at the ORIGINAL FJ!

Tires Jeep: 31 Good Year Mud Terrain, FJ: 265/70R17 All Season Wadials Cwazzie Wabbit

Wheel base Jeep: 93.4in, FJ: 105.9in, difference: 12.5in, if you’re thinking FJ at this point you might also consider a yellow school buss as an off-roading option.

Tread Jeep: 59.5in, FJ: 63.2in, difference: 3.4in, Hmmmm Hope all the trees on the trails are further apart than 63.3in!!

Weight Jeep: 3776lbs, FJ: 4290lbs, difference 514lbs, That’s like three of your buddies or two fat chicks!

Engine FJ: 278TQ & 239hp, Jeep: 235TQ & 195hp, difference: ok the new FJ’s variable valve timing engine has some more hp and more torque. However where you need the torque for most trail driving is just above idle. The Jeep’s 4.0L in-line six produces an incredible 85% of it’s peak torque at idle. This makes for about 200ft-lbs. Oddly enough the Toyota 4.0L V-6 produces the same amount at idle. So even here the Jeep is not really handicapped. Furthermore, that extra 514lbs of lard the Toyota carries around soaks up the extra hp and TQ difference to make things pretty even in this department.

Well I guess I could go on and on, but really if Toyota thought they were making a trail rig to beat out Jeep’s best, it looks like they should try again. This is while neglecting to mention that the new FJ’s doors are not easily removed, the top does not come off, and the windshield does not fold down. My prediction is that Toyota will sell piles of these FJs in the first two years as novelty vehicles just as Chrysler did with the PT Cruiser. However, off-road, when every one sees the Wrangler beat the snot out of it like Mike Tyson on Pee Wee Herman, the sales party will be over.
Chad Says:
March 30th, 2006 at 11:45 pm +0
Let me repeat: Chrysler cannot make a real Jeep. Sorry, won’t happen. Everyone I know with a Chrysler Wrangler can’t keep the damn things running long enough to take them off road. Chryler Wranglers are CRAP. Can’t get ‘em wet because the entire electrical system shorts out. That’s happened to 50% of the people I know that own Wranglers. Half of them!

But you rattle off the specs like most of them mean something. Weird that you left off something things like gas mileage.

It’s two different markets. The FJ is meant to be a capable off roader. Not a wrangler killer. Here’s the thing: If I was out in the bush somewhere, I would want something much much more reliable than a Wrangler. Maybe 1% of the off roading situations would be better suited to a Wrangler. But a smart offroader makes sure that will never happen.

Sorry dude, it sounds like you’re trying to justify buying a piece of crap to yourself…
kelly Says:
March 31st, 2006 at 12:10 pm --3
Poor Reliability Ratting of the Wrangler??? Come on! Back up your facts buddy. The J.D. Power Rating statistics rate the Wrangler mechanical reliability Five Stars out of Five! Yeah that’s right, the best you can get. If you don’t believe me then look it up for yourself, you can find it on http://www.cars.com.

I have never seen a wrangler short out on the trails they seem to handle the deep water just fine. Further more the 4.0L is probably one of the best off-road engines for the displacement. It is simple and extremely reliable. I have see scores of 4.0L over 350 000 miles with no major repairs and they never seem to burn oil even at that milage.

If you want to see some other comments on the wrangler’s reliability look here:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/testdrives/Reviews/jeep-wrangler-2001.html
http://www.autoweb.com/content/research/vir/index.cfm/vehicle_number_int/1018364/Action/Reliability

Further more, for the last several years the Jeep Wrangler has tied with the Toyota Tacoma for top resale value, followed by some Mercedes Benz models.

And EPA fuel economy? the Wrangle is listed at 17/20 city/hwy, the FJ is

Oh and some another thing that really choked me about the new FJ - it has no grease nipples. Everybody likes nipples! After a weekend of slogging through mud and water it’s a good idea to pump some new grease in the tie-rod ends, ball joints, and u-joints. But Toyota doesn’t think grease nipples are necessary. Why? Maybe because: 1. The average person to buy this vehicle wouldn’t know a grease gun if it was making their gal hot. 2. Its too expensive; spend that extra $1.25 would be better spent on the DVD option. 3. None of their other vehicles have it so why start a good thing now? 4. New FJ’s probably won’t be able to navigate the trail’s to the local beach or creek where they might get wet.

I have owned several Jeeps over the years, including your beloved AMC CJ-5, and I’ve been involved with Toyota’s. There is nothing wrong with the new Toyota for light off-road, but it does can’t even hold a candle to the Rubicon’s capability in the hard core stuff not even close. The new FJ is more like a Liberty.

And to say the new FJ is based on the original is totally laughable! Either you’re totally blind or in serious denial. Did you happen to notice that the new FJ does not have a solid front axle???? Hmmm how about those foam filled plastic bumpers? Oh did you take the top off??? Must be so nice to have the uninhibited sunshine pouring in from all angles when your on the trail huh?

Well have fun off-roading in your FJ land barge! I’ll see you when I get back to civilization where all the Subarus and CR-Vs are camped out.
kelly Says:
March 31st, 2006 at 2:37 pm --3
Sorry about not listing the complete Fuel economy. Lets try that again:

Wrangler EPA City/Highway: 16/20

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/New/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38720/Act/Specs/

FJ Cruiser EPA City/Highway: 17/21

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/New/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38910/Act/Specs/

You wanted to talk fuel economy, there it is, the FJ has the Jeep beat by 1mpg! Big deal! I guess if I had the Jeep I would just put synthetic oil in everything and gain 2mpg and be better than the FJ. What did you expect the FJ to sip fuel like a honda insight?? The stupid thing is just about as wide as a hummer and it weighs as much as most farm implements!
Jim Says:
April 21st, 2006 at 8:29 am +1
I have a 2004 Wrangler…it has all the guts of a Ford Fiesta. Torque and Horsepower…whatever. In water over 6″ it bogs down like a 4 year old pulling a wagon. The inline 6 is so underpowered it’s an embarassment to American engineering. As for the Wrangler’s top fuel rating of 20 MPG…what the hell! Mine has never gotten above 16 MPG, and when I pull my jet skis I’m lucky to get 12. I’m just glad I’m leasing it so I can get rid of it this fall.

The yahoo at the top was touting being able to take off the doors, top and put the window down. You are correct as long as you’re not in a hurry. And the road noise is unbelievable. I can’t even take a call on my phone when I’m on the highway.

The FJ is meant to be a capable off-road vehicle while still providing a comfortable ride on the road. I can’t afford two vehicles! And you can’t beat Toyota quality. When I take possession of my FJ this summer it will be our second Toyota and will sit in the driveway next to my wife’s Sequoia.

By the way…with two kid seats in the back of my Wrangler I can even take my Jeep to buy groceries.
kelly Says:
May 4th, 2006 at 4:19 pm --4
Well Jim enjoy your TOY because that’s about all the FJ Cruiser is. With an exposed plastic gas tank, plastic bumpers, plastic door handles I can see what the ‘FJ’ stands for: FisherPrice Jeep!

What a Joke! I can’t believe Toyota has the nerve to market this as a trail ready hard core off-roader.

And as for power, well I was not too impressed. It test drove one. It has no more balls than my Wrangler Rubicon with the “gutless” engine as you put it. It must be all that lard the FJ carries around. The stupid thing weighs 600lbs more than a Wrangler what a land barge! And then there was the total lack of bottom end torque. When I did some light off-roading in the FJ I kept stalling it because it would not idle of the stuff I’m used to idling over with my Rubi. The new FJ is crap! Nothing like the original FJ-40 we love. Toyota totally sold out to the posers and soccer moms. Its a soft roader at best!
kelly Says:
May 4th, 2006 at 4:28 pm +0
Oh and Jim, about the mileage: Those numbers are EPA test numbers. So the Wrangler and the FJ are tested in the same exact way by the government standards so that the public can compare fuel economy between makes and models. Since testing is done in lab conditions, the customer will likely never achieve the same mileage in a real life driving conditions. So since the EPA mileage for the FJ is just one MPG better than the Wrangler expect to get about 16.5 or maybe 17 with your new FJ! Enjoy! Ha ha.
Jim Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 8:45 am --1
Kelly,

You’re a moron. You probably don’t really even own a Jeep and if you do you must run it over the curb at the grocery store once in a while to convince yourself that you’re an off-roader. You just want to spout facts provided to you by your literature. I’m curious what division of Chrysler you work for…probably carpeting design…which a real off road vehicle doesn’t need.

I won’t get in a debate about mileage calculation with you because I have to assume that your math skills are as advanced as your writing ability.

You can be as cute as you want with your little names for the FJ and you can try to make a big deal about less than one inch differences in ground clearance or width but the fact remains that the FJ did the Rubicon trail…stock. So with that on the table why don’t you put two kid seats in the back of ol’ Rubi load up the wife and go buy groceries. You might appreciate the extra 600 lbs needed to give you the cargo area. I CAN’T use the Jeep to take my family camping, rock climbing, skiing, to a SOCCER GAME, grocery shopping, softball game or any other activity that requires more that a couple cubic feet of storage area. You can’t put a cooler in the damned thing to go to the beach. So keep shooting your mouth off about how great your Rubicon is but as I drive up the same trail you’re on with my family and a couple of coolers and all my camping and climbing gear you can yell after me “But your truck is 600 lbs heavier!!!”
kelly Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 10:37 am --2
Jim, you’re a pinhead who likes to ASS-U-ME. But that’s beside the point here.

I have owned several Jeeps, and the Canadian Rocky mountains are my off-road playground where there is some of the best 4×4ing in the world. So don’t talk to me about trail experience. Furthermore, I test drove your Flamed I mean Famed, FJ Cruiser. The bottom end torque absolutely SUCKED compared to my Rubicon. The FJ’s forward, side and rear visibility was also lame at best! The Crawl ratio was 50% less than my Jeep. And while the FJ’s rear solid axle did articulate not too bad the IFS ensured that at least one wheel is airborne most of the time.

You tout that a stock FJ finished the Rubicon trail BIG DEAL. So did the stock Jeep Liberty, Hummer H3, and a whole bunch of other soft-roaders that I neither respect or be seen in if someone paid me.

You know I’m not saying that the FJ does not have off-road potential, it does: After you put a solid axle in the front with a locker. Replace the FisherPrice Plastic bumpers with steel. Spend about 4 days building skid plates for everything from the plastic gas tank to the exposed aluminum transfercase. Replace the transfer case with an NV241. Ditch the stock slicks and put some grips on it. Move the bulbous taillights inboard so they don’t get smashed on first twig that brushes them. Put some rocker guards on. Rip out that POS V6 and put in a diesel or even an I6. And then you * MIGHT * have something to talk about. Oh well, I guess while you’re doing all the mods to your new $35 000 FJ, I’ll be on the trails enjoying the sun with the TOP DOWN in my STOCK Rubicon!

Oh and if you are complaining about the space in your TJ, Ha ha, Why don’t you try to put a car seat on a KX250 or on Ninja??? I guess they just don’t make bikes big enough huh. If you were in charge of product development everything from dirt bikes to corvettes would either have 4 doors or be 20 feet long! It’s not my problem you either don’t know what to use your Jeep for or that you bought the wrong model for going to the grocery store!

Sounds like the only vehicle you really need Jim is a minivan, Toyota makes a nice one.
Jim Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 11:55 am +0
I don’t ride motorcycles you jack handle I put people back together who do. I hope you ride without a helmet so you save me the trouble.

I’m sure you do ride around on the trails all weekend with your top down wearing a wife beater and sucking on a PBR. It’s clear that your a self centered, hairy red neck with little to be concerned about other than your own personal comfort. At least you got your grammer problem figured out on your last note. Thank goodness for Microsoft so even a nimrod like you can thunk out an email. Index fingers hurt yet?

By the way…you may be able to drop all that cash for the FJ to meet your expectations but no amount of money would make the Rubi meet mine.
kelly Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 1:54 pm --1
Ha ha Jim you must be an EMT. LOL. You certainly couldn’t be MD cuz they would have at least enough technical background to understand me. You know the only reason car companies put seat belts in is because people like you are just to lazy to look for the body EMTs! You truly are a techno-dolt! Not to mention you sound pretty pompous and self-righteous.
Do you even know what a 9/16 wrench is? or should I say 14mm Mr. Toyota lover??? I bet you never even changed your own oil. Ever fill the tank by yourself Jim??? Could be pretty dangerous, gasoline fumes can ignite if something somehow surpasses the activation energy (oh am I getting to technical for you?) Oh and then those burns 1st, 2nd and maybe even 3rd degree yeah you understand that part. Too dangerous! I get the feeling you’re bleeding heart liberal; a rubber steak knife wielding kinda guy! I think an FJ is way to hard core for you. You should buy a CR-V; that’s more your thing.
By the way, I don’t own a wife beater, I hate beer. I have never owned a motorcycle but I hoped the analogy would help you understand (I’d better off teaching an Antarctic Tree Sloth) that a vehicle is designed with a purpose in mind and that’s what DCX did when they developed the TJ. They wanted to focus on off-road ability not clutter the concept up with a bunch of compromises like the FJ is testimony to. So if you want to drive all the neighborhood kids to school every morning, or you want to be on contract for Home Depot delivering building supplies then you’re right, the Jeep just isn’t for you.
Jim Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 2:20 pm --1
You are so pathetic. It’s nice to know that you didn’t forget everything from high school chemistry. Did it make you feel intelligent to talk about activation energy? If you want to impress someone with your vast knowledge keep your ignition discussion to LEL and don’t worry your pointy head about activation energy…any spark or flame will do.

And I’m sure you’re very proud of yourself being able to change your own oil with your very own wrench…and you’re at least aware that there’s a metric system!…You must be an ME. By the way, that drain in the garage doesn’t go the recycling center.

You know damn well that the Jeep is an inferior vehicle and that the engineering sucks. You wouldn’t have GM executives coming out with stuff like “We know we had poor quality in the past but we’ve changed.” Well, American car companies haven’t changed and if you look at Toyota’s earnings versus any American car company everyone in the world knows it.

Now git back under yer rock boy.
Jim Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 2:42 pm --1
Hey Kelly…enjoy your Zima this weekend while your at the arcade.
kelly Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 2:50 pm --2
‘Now git back under yer rock boy’ LOL!!!!! ‘GIT’? LOL! Oh let me guess, you’re a white knuckle dragger. Soft manicured hands Jim?

Did you pass high school chemistry Jim??

What are you calling a ‘ME’?? To me, ME stands for Mechanical Engineer, but obviously you couldn’t mean that, because you probably think an Engineer is just somebody who drives a train.

Yeah well despite your yap about Chrysler, they’re not one of the two North American makers that’s knocking on chapter 11’s door.

And actually I don’t agree at all about the CJ, YJ or TJ platforms being inferior to Toyota even if they did make something in that category. I have seen a lot of real crap come out of Toyota in the past 25 years.

And while I’m ‘GIT’N’ over my rock in a real off-road vehicle you can go back to putting band-aids on little girls with skinned knees. The FJ probably has a built in bandage dispenser just for you.
kelly Says:
May 5th, 2006 at 3:26 pm --1
Zima Jim???? I didn’t even know what that was till I looked it up, but you seem to know a lot about all this kind of thing. Got a case of it in your bar fridge by the cheezie-stained sofa Jim? Why don’t you invite me over to your trailer this weekend so we can suck some back while we watch the game???
thomas (swede) Says:
May 6th, 2006 at 1:37 pm +0
wow kelly these guys have road rage,they must not get out in nature to unwind and relax you are correct the jeep is superior for off road or the old toyota land cruiser but i drove my sisters cj5 on the freeway and wow ,the road noise tarp flapping tire noise mud tires of course sounded at 55 like i was going 75 so i gues if you want a smooth ride get a caddy but if you want an offroad machine get a jeep ps or an old land cruiser also you guys find a girlfrind and relieve some tension and lay off kelly he has the facts you have to admit the fj does look cool if it just got 35 mpg i would buy one for a commute vehicle myself
Kevin Says:
May 7th, 2006 at 1:34 pm +0
Wow, the difference between an FJ and a Rubi are pretty easy to distinguish.

First, the FJ is marketed to appeal to the fun, adventurous crowd, which includes both men and women, mostly young. And the FJ delivers well in this category. It has adequate storage (it’s not a lot, but for its size…)for camping gear or whatever else you decide to carry.

But, it has more off-road ability than the average vehicle. The rear axle has good articulation, the IFS is surprisingly strong and an electronic rear locker is a nice factory option.

The bumpers are still plastic, the top doesn’t come down, but it’s still a good base for an off-roader. The FJ is a hybrid of an on-road grocery-getter and an off-road warrior.

The Rubi is built for a different purpose. It’s built for off-roading, and that’s it. Dana 44s front and rear, lockers front and rear and other goodies are for the hard-core enthusiast.

But, the Rubi has little storge, a noisy interior and poor on-road handling.

I think both are good vehicles for different people. However, the Rubi should have a more “hardcore” interior given the nature of the vehicle. The FJ’s interior is actually better-suited for water spills than the Rubi. The FJ shouldn’t have plastic bumpers either - they don’t allow it to fit any more groceries.
kelly Says:
May 8th, 2006 at 10:25 am --1
Thomas and Kevin,

Yeah I have to agree with you guys on this whole FJ Cruiser/Jeep Rubicon thing. Although I think the the Rubi offers so much more off the show room floor for your dollar if you want to go hard off-road. That being said, the Rubi is short on room (even the current Unlimited is slightly less than the FJ) and with the soft top up or down it is noisy.

I’m not saying the FJ is bad vehicle, I’m just saying it’s more of a compromise than the Wrangler. And I think Toyota is promoting it as serious competition to the Wrangler, which it is not. The FJ is a cool daily driver that can do light(er) off-road. But it’s not a crossover for the old FJ or the current Wrangler.
Kevin Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 1:16 pm +0
Hi, Folks

Well, I own both. A 79 jeep and the 07 FJ. My wife has a 05 Rubi which I drive also. Sorry Jeepers but the FJ is VASTLY better for everything short of stump grinding. A jeep is better only if you can leave it at the mud site and drive an FJ home!
Let me make this simple on a 1 to 10 scoring platform
Off road/ JEEP 9 - FJ 7 ~ FJ SMOOTHNESS 10
on road/ JEEP 3 - FJ 9
IN AN ACCIDENT/ JEEP 3 - FJ 9
RESALE/ VALUE JEEP 7 - FJ 9
RELIABILITY/ JEEP 5.5 - FJ 9 based on it’s proven eng/trans
POWER/ JEEP 7 - FJ 9
OFF ROAD FOR A PURPOSE/ (CAMPING, FISHING) JEEP 5 - FJ 9
STYLE/ JEEP 7 - FJ 9
COMFORT/ JEEP 2 - FJ 9

Kelly’s expert comments on Jeep reliability were side splitting funny. Chrysler has a stake in JD Power. Honey, a Jeep is among the least reliable vehicles of any kind in the world. Kelly is right about one thing, a Jeep can approach and depart at steeper angles if it’s running on that day!
Buy an FJ and smile real BIG!
Hey Kelly, want my Jeep? You can have it because it’s getting rather lonely. Even my off road buddies can’t stop talking about the FJ long enough to make an offer.
One final thing.. Got sand dunes? If you do, go there and watch the FJ teach the Jeep a lesson.
kelly Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 2:30 pm --1
Kevin,

You’re on! I’ll take your ‘79 Jeep and that ‘05 Rubicon. I guess you’re pretty upset with them so you’ll be making me some kind of ‘amazing deal’ right? After all how much could a couple of Jeeps that never run be worth? Let me know and we’ll exchange information.

Kelly

P.S. Kevin when I test drove the FJ Cruiser, I did smile real BIG because when I laugh that hard I smile, just like you’re making me smile now!
Kevin Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 3:17 pm +0
Kelly, do you own both of them? Do you drive to work? Do you work or just fret over opinions other than yours in regards to off roading? Get real, I drive it to work and through rivers too. For doing both, the FJ is better in my opinion and my opinion counts because I own them both. Jeeps have their place and it’s not on the highway! Maybe you can answer me this question without straying too far from reality. Which vehicle would you rather be broadsided in? If you say the Jeep, I will be certain that you are either clouded with bias or you simply don’t know. Most folks drive on pavement from time to time. I bet even you have when racing out for Jeep parts. There is simply zero comparrison between them in terms of pavement.
Leaving the pavement puts the Jeep at an advantage in most circumstances but not all. Sand is ruled by the FJ and I live at the beach. For years I have enjoyed the same beach area in my Jeep, it’s capability was absolutely great but when I got the FJ I was impressed with it’s sand prowess. For me the FJ is a much more logical fit as it would be for many. Die hard offroaders with gas cans, tools, parts and spotters would generally appreciate the Jeep more. That is a fact which no-one can honestly dispute without looking foolish but there is a greater point to be made here. The Jeep rules the rocks while the FJ rules the road. That is beyond dispute. HOWEVER the FJ does a more appreciable job on the rocks than a Jeep does on the road. I feel comfortable taking the FJ to either venue while I really don’t with the Jeep. Sure a Jeep can scamper down the street but will it protect you when some idiot decides to lose his lane and slam you head on? That is real world not just fun land. Some of us have to take all of this into concideration. Looking only at articulation, compliance and attack angles is great if the vehicle does not need a license plate! Oh and don’t try to suggest that the Jeep’s steel bumper will protect you, it won’t. In fact, it will be the steel bumper that shoves the engine back and severs your legs.
Get off the soap box and pay some hommage to the fact most people drive on the street and the trails are secondary. Your evaluation would suggest that there is no such thing as a street.
Did you like the placement of the oil filter on the FJ?
Kevin Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 3:29 pm +0
ooooo Kelly, I forgot one thing. Have you ever seen a Jeep fetch a higher price than the sticker? Hmmm the FJ is doing that where I live. Even in it’s first model year! Happily I paid sticker but they are currently averaging 2k over sticker. I know, a bunch of suckers right! Boy if only those suckers knew about this Jeep of which you speak. Oh, maybe they do…
kelly Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 4:54 pm --1
Kevin,

I do drive to work. In the summer I drive my ‘81 CJ-5. It has the factory AMC 5.0L V8 in it. It gets 25 mpg on the highway at 60mph, and will wax any front-wheel drive creation with a ‘bull symbol’ on it at every intersection. It then pulls double duty on the weekends in the mountains plowing through rivers that will get the carpet wet in your FJ.

Then I have a 1982 FSJ Cherokee wide track with an AMC 5.9L V8. It has a touch more room than the FJ Cruiser and gets 22mpg on the highway. It’s not bad on trails like what the FJ Cruiser was designed for, and it will out corner just about anything four wheel drive other than a WRX. Corners that would put skid marks on an FJ’s roof, my FSJ Cherokee will do at nearly twice the speed - and I’m not kidding about that. The low C of G with respect to the tread width of 68″ makes a real corner burner - I was amazed the first time I pushed it. And it’s long enough for two people to sleep in when you pop the back seat out. I took it on a 7000 mile road trip a couple of years ago and it was a complete pleasure: Quiet, comfortable and extremely practical.

I have and have had a few other Jeeps in the past, and none of them have ever been a reliability problem, but the FSJ Cherokee and the CJ-5 are probably my favorites in many respects.
kelly Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 5:12 pm --1
Hey Kevin,

Just thought I would like to add some balance to your ranking, since you’re probably comparing your abused and under maintained ‘79 CJ to the 2007 FJ. I’ll be comparing the FJ to a 2005 Rubicon.

Ride harshness Rubi 4, FJ 7
Ride bounce Rubi 9, FJ 4
Interior quit FJ 8, Rubi 5 (with hard top)
Over all Ride comfort FJ 6, Rubi 4
Traction Rubi 10, FJ 6
Bottom end torque Rubi 9, FJ 4
Acceleration - Rubi 6, FJ 6
Versatility Rubi 10, FJ 4 (its that whole foldable windscreen, removable top and doors thing)
Visibility (forward, side, rear) Rubi 8, FJ 3
Family man practicality FJ 8, Rubi 3
After market goodies Rubi 10, FJ 3
Ramp Travel Rubi 8, FJ 5
Skid plate protection, Rubi 9, FJ 2
Resale *Rubi 10*, FJ unknown
Off-road ability Rubi 10, FJ 5
Bumpers Rubi 7, FJ 1
Reliability Rubi 8** FJ unknown
Style completely personal, but if you like the Honda Element, and Toyota Echo you’ll probably like the FJ

Oh yeah and as far as safety goes. What factory vehicle offers a 6 point roll cage from the factory??? Certainly not the FJ Cruiser. The Wrangler is the only one I can think of.

I figured you’d whine about these **, so I’ll explain:

*As of last year the TJ/Wrangler had the best listed resale value world wide tied with the Toyota Tacoma followed by some Mercedes Benz models.

**Reliability is rated as high 8+ by JD power and other listing. JD power is a independent research firm and is not owned by Chrysler as you suggest.

Sorry FJ guys, we (Jeep people included) were hoping Toyota would build something in the spirit of the original FJ but that just wasn’t in the Japanese corporate cards. They made something for soccer moms and dads who get excited about driving over the median during rush hour. Yes the FJ is more practical than a Wrangler for the family man. Yes it has more creature comforts and yes it is quieter. However I wouldn’t take the FJ on a hard core trail any more than I would go grizzly bear hunting with a BB gun.
kelly Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 5:24 pm --1
Kevin, to answer your question if I have ever seen a Jeep fetch higher than sticker price? The answer is Yes. In 2003 and in part of 2004 Rubicons were being bid up above sticker in some regions because of the short supply.

This also happened with the PT Cruiser and it likely to happen again with the Shelby Mustang when it comes out. It really means nothing except that the factory didn’t make enough to meet a spike in demand. People who pay above sticker for anything are either to impatient or stupid.
Kevin Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 6:02 pm +0
Kelly
Why on earth is there a selection of vehicles available beyond the Jeep? With WRX like handling and jet like power combined with a fabulous ride and supreme styling the Jeep should be the only thing on the road! Toyota on the other hand should be faced with a class action lawsuit for that travesty known as the FJ.
So, you stalled the FJ on the test drive as mentioned on one of your earlier diatribes. Must have had rusty plugs from the factory or maybe they assembled it backwards. Perhaps it was your inability to drive! Anyone else have stalling problems while driving? Not me. If you think ANYONE believes the Jeep sports better engine technology, you are thinking a lonely thought. 25 mpg in a Jeep V8 with 20 year old technology. I believe that too! Handles like a wrx, are you kidding me. This stuff is so far fetched it’s making me wonder if you are all there!
God bless your frantic and troubled soul!
Kevin Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 8:14 pm +0
JD Power is part of a multi corporate conglomerate (Mcgraw Hill) which includes major media groups. Corporations who control 4 advertisement accepting publications cannot be perceived as unbiased. Last year alone Chrysler paid for nearly 3 million in advertising expenses with Mcgraw Hill entities. That is a stake in Mcgraw Hill and thus a stake in JD Power. Kelly, if you give me 3 million I’ll reciprocate by tauting your ride quality. Not even 3 million can make me refer to you as quiet however.
Well, it’s been fun. Hope some good folks were able to extract some useful information from this string. Believe me folks (not you Kelly) the FJ can be a really great choice for fun seekers. It is a pleasure to drive wherever you are heading. I do about 1300 miles of driving per week at my job and those miles have improved enormously since I aquired the FJ. It does a nice job at balancing life with fun. Like most, I love to have fun but I must make logical choices with what I drive. The FJ afforded me the opportunity to have both without making loads of compromises.
For those who bleed hard core manly fun like Kelly, I guess the Jeep is still your best bet.
For those on the fence… My buddy just unloaded his 05 Rubicon for a voodoo blue FJ. He also is very pleased with his purchase. His only dissapointment was the trade value offered so he sold it himself. During the sale his perspective buyer was drooling over the FJ in his driveway! The third potential buyer finally put up the cash and bought his Rubicon. Hiding his FJ during the sale did the trick.
Common sense Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 10:53 pm +0
“It has the factory AMC 5.0L V8 in it. It gets 25 mpg on the highway at 60mph…”

There’s still no so thing as a V8 that gets 25 mpg in a truck, much less a 20-year-old one.

“…and it will out corner just about anything four wheel drive other than a WRX.”

How is a solid axle vehicle going to out corner anything?

By the way, the roll cage on the Jeep won’t help you out very much in an accident unless a car lands on top of you. It’s designed to protect the driver when the car rolls over slowly, not when a Semi hits it on the side at 70 mph.
Ron Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 11:13 pm +0
I have been watching this thread for a few days now. It’s been alot of fun reading.
I have owned two Toyota trucks and two Jeeps in my life.
I was not disapointed in the Toyotas or the Jeeps.
Over all I had to replace more parts on my Toyota’s than the Jeeps. The parts replaced on the Toyotas included a front main oil seal on my 85 Toyota 4×4 truck, starters in both my 85 and 84 Toyota 4×4 trucks.
I also had a U-Joint go out on my 84 Toyota and the drive line came off at the transmission and I ended up rolling home in front wheel drive. I had to replace the driveline and put a new differential in the 84 truck as a result of the u-joint failure.
The parts I had to replace in my 95 Wrangler included a starter, radiator at around 120,000 miles and a new muffler.
I now own an 06 Rubicon.
I drive on dirt roads and rocky trails often.
I am not into the rock crawling thing. I just like to get to where I am going in remote areas of northeast California and northwest Nevada.
I go into very remote areas frequently and I had faith in my Toyota tucks.
They never left me stranded 150 miles away from everything.
My Jeep never left me stranded either. It was a very reliable, tough vehicle and it was stock just like my Toyota trucks were.
I now have the new Rubicon and it is by far the most capable 4×4 I have ever owned.
If it holds up as well as my 95 Wrangler did it will be a great vehicle.
I test drove an FJ. It was nice to drive on the road. It was comfortable and quiet. It would have been great for hauling the family around and going shopping and limited off road use. It would have been a nice vehicle for my wife. The FJ would be a much better family transporter than the Rubicon.
It may have some off road capability but it is not in the same class as the Rubicon for off road use PERIOD
My wife drives my family around in a F-350 Quad cab. It is big and safe for my family. We use it on long trips and runs to the grocery store.
My Rubicon is my go to work ride and my go anywhere ride on the weekends.
It is much better than the FJ for my purposes.
If I were going to buy an SUV for family hauling I would have gone with the FJ. If I were buying a new truck for me and me alone I would have gone with a Tacoma.
What I needed and wanted was the Rubicon.
Ron Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 11:19 pm +0
You will be screwed in anything if a semi hits your side at 70mph.
Ron Says:
May 15th, 2006 at 11:29 pm +0
Kelly, I was also hoping that Toyota would make their version of the Rubicon or a new, modernized sraight axle FJ “Land Cruiser” type vehicle.
The FJ Cruiser is just another SUV yuppie pretender for the most part. I hope Toyota will someday make a vehicle that can live up to the reputation of the old FJ40 for toughness and off road capability.
Jeep (Chrysler) has done that in the Rubicon. I was torn between a professionaly restored FJ40 or a Rubicon.
I dont think I made a mistake with the Rubicon.
kelly Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 8:58 am --1
Ron, I agree. I too hope one day Toyota will make their version of the Rubicon. The old FJ-40s were a nice machine.
Common sense Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 9:19 am +0
Toyota’s current lineup doesn’t exactly appeal to the enthusiast looking for niche vehicles, such as pure off-road warriors. But it is also my hope that Toyota will someday produce a Rubicon-like vehicle, and maybe even a GTR to go along with it.

Kelly, even though I believe you exaggerate the good qualities of the Jeep, like gas mileage and cornering, I still agree that it is a far better rig for pure off-roading.
kelly Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 11:41 am --1
Hey Kevin,

Fuel Economy

I am not joking with you about that CJ-5 and the fuel economy - I actually do get an honest 25mpg on the highway. But perhaps there is a catch here because you are thinking in US gallons and I’m in Canada so we have the imperial gallon which is some bigger by about 18%. So if we convert the numbers I would be getting close to 21mpg to the US gallon.

Handling

As for the Cherokee and the handling, maybe you should read better - I DID NOT say it would handle better than a WRX, I said the WRX is one of the few four wheel drive vehicles that will out corner it! - There is a difference. Furthermore, most people don’t even know what an FSJ never mind ridden one!

On one vacation, I got into a little cornering competition with a late 80’s Toyota 4 Runner on the Oregon coat highway; a very scenic ocean view, windy single lane highway with 100 foot cliffs on one side. In the first place I was in front of him driving the posted speed limit. He was on my butt to go faster so I did - for a while. Then I started to slow down to the speed limit again. He go fed up driving the speed limit again and made a pass on a straight stretch. So I guess I thought I would see what he could do in the corners. So I decided to be on his butt like he had been on mine I know this was a foolish game in hindsight. Rather than pull off and have me pass he sped up. As he saw me just off his bumper, he knew the game was on! I stayed glued to he back bumper. Faster and faster. I could see his Toy was leaning a lot in the corners. However the Cherokee’s much wider track and lower C of G kept it glued to the pavement. This went on for about 10 minutes with speeds increasing incrementally. Then he came to a sharper corner than he expected. As he did his best to clip the apex of the curve and use the oncoming lane to his advantage he went up on two wheels! I was horrified thinking he would soon be off the edge and plunge down the 100+ foot cliff, but fortunately, he managed to just keep it together. After seeing him nearly loose it I decided this was too dangerous and no longer wanted to risk being involved with a highway fatality so I backed off. However, all this time my Cherokee being right behind him without any sensation that I was even close to danger. Furthermore, I made the corners by using less road than he did. In another competition (on the same trip) I got into it with a late 90’s Ford Explorer. It consistently took him 2 lanes of intersate to do what I could do in 1 lane. There simply was no comparison. And I have not driven a truck or SUV, INCLUDING the new FJ, that could come close.

That all being said, I haven’t seen a Jeep made since they quit the FSJ wide track Cherokee that could keep up to it in the corners either.
kelly Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 11:59 am --1
To Common sense:

Well yes, Toyota’s focus has been to make practical good quality vehicles. I won’t take that away from them, but you are right, Toyota is short on specialty vehicles.

By the way, I’m not exaggerating about the fuel mileage or the handling. Have a look at my previous post.
Kevin Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 12:56 pm +1
From Edmunds (however Kelly knows better)
****start***** We personally tested all of these items in some of the most aggressive off-road driving we’ve yet experienced. The articulation of the double A-arm front suspension and four-link rear suspension was truly amazing to behold (whether riding in the cabin or watching from outside). Our test car also had Toyota’s optional A-TRAC system, which can be activated with a switch on the dash and offers much of the same effect as a locking differential without any binding during tight turns at low speeds. In the months leading up to the FJ Cruiser’s launch in March you’ll hear much ado about the vehicle’s off-road prowess. It may come off as hype, but trust us when we tell you it isn’t.

also

If your first thought when gazing at the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is something along the lines of, “Oh great, another retro vehicle,” you’re not alone. Between the Volkswagen “New” Beetle, Mini Cooper, Ford Mustang and recently unveiled Dodge Challenger, it could be argued that automakers have run out of new ideas and are simply living off their past glory.

But there’s a flaw in that line of thinking. Simply put, Toyota is having plenty of success with its current SUV lineup. Even the company’s oldest off-road design, the Land Cruiser, continues to win awards and accolades, including Edmunds’ 2006 Most Wanted SUV over $45,000. So unlike the companies building those other retro vehicles, Toyota doesn’t need the FJ Cruiser to revive interest in the brand. In fact, the original FJ concept vehicle was designed at Toyota’s Calty Design Research center in Newport Beach, California, and shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show as a pure concept study, with no serious plans for production.

However, with consumers doing cartwheels around the FJ Cruiser’s show stand, and the automotive press writing rave reviews, Toyota decided to put it into production six months after the concept debuted.

*****end*****

Hey Kelly, how bout those idiots at Edmunds! They should have spoken with an expert such as yourself before making such off base remarks. Remember the BB Gun for Bear hunting? I thought I was reading a passage from some hillbilly publication on man shaping!
Oh and I merely suggested WRX LIKE handling. Yes I can read however viewing some of your commentary was like an out of body experience. Listen, taking an FJ through a river WON’T get the carpet wet as you pointed out. IF YOU REMEMBER from your test drive, there is no carpet! Remember now? How about that clutch feature that allows you to restart a stalled vehicle without depressing the clutch. Nice in a tight spot, although I’m sure you noticed that during your test drive as well.
Ehhh, that kinda garbage is for rookies anyway!
Toyota will survive regardless of your “test drive” opinion. That’s if you believe a test drive ever took place.
Kevin Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 1:02 pm +0
It would behuve a Toyota dealership to decline you a test drive. Sounds to me as if you are a habitual danger on the road. That Oregon story is nice and smart sounding. In all your vigorous efforts to sound intelligent, your stories paint a picture of someone who is not!
kelly Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 2:22 pm --1
Kevin,

I’ll be the first to admit the Oregon cornering competition was not the best thing to get dragged into. However other than breaking the speed limit I stayed in my lane and did not venture into the oncoming traffic lane as my Toyota counterpart did in order to make the corners. That being said, I have had several years to reflect on this incident I would not repeat it.
kelly Says:
May 16th, 2006 at 2:54 pm --1
Also Kevin,

Regarding Edmunds, Kevin give me a break! They probably had to look ‘articulation’ up in the dictionary to find out what it meant before they published the article. They come up just a tad short when it comes to testing off-road vehicles. ie. in my experience they are used to testing pavement vehicles NOT trail rigs. I’ll wait till I see a FOURWHEELER or 4WHEELDRIVE Magazine tests on the FJ. Edmunds says trash like “The articulation of the double A-arm front suspension and four-link rear suspension was truly amazing ” BUT where are the RTI numbers to back it up????? And compared to what??? A Camry??? Its a well established FACT that independent suspension SUCKS when it comes to articulation. Lets have some stats that we can compare, but Edmunds’ off-road testing is not that complete.

Speaking of good testing; there it bound to be a real off-road test between the all new 2007 Wrangler Rubicon and the FJ. We’ll see who comes up on top Kevin.

Furthermore, the reason I kept stalling the FJ is because the Jeeps that I drive have far MORE bottom end torque than the FJ. There were rises in the terrain that I would just idle over with one of my Jeeps which stalled the FJ. I had to get into the throttle to get over them. The clutch override feature the FJ had was good - I liked it. But it does not make up for the lack of bottom end.

And your right the FJ I test drove had no carpet, it had a rubber mat, but I was using carpet as an expression. If you would like me to re-phrase that I’ll say “get your feet wet” There, happy Kevin????

And you’re right, what I have to say on this topic will not affect FJ sales, just like when I said the PT Cruiser was garbage they still pre-sold more than they could make.
kelly Says:
May 17th, 2006 at 11:28 am --1
I just don’t understand why all these FJ proponents get so worked up and defensive when someone says this vehicle is equipped to meet hard core off-road demands. Unlike the Wrangler and Wrangler Rubicon, the FJ is not intended for this type of use. When I test drove the FJ a couple of weeks ago the Toyota salesman told me that it is recommended that this vehicle be lifted and shoed with different tires if customers wish to go off-road. So there you have it right from the guy that relies on selling this vehicle to feed his family It’s not set up from the factory to do serious off-road.

Really people, there is nothing wrong with the FJ Cruiser! In fact it looks to be very well set up for an every day use vehicle that needs to carry more than two people and for those who like to go camping and do some light off-road. By contrast, unless you’re young and single, the Wrangler makes a poor only vehicle because of space constraints and difficult access to the rear seat. Solid axles and the short wheel base do detract some from the ride quality. However it’s that very configuration which has taken away some of the practicalities that also makes it world class in hard-core trail performance. This is why I don’t own just a Wrangler or just a CJ. I have my trail Jeep but I also have a daily driver(s). My (main) daily driver is AWD, has more room, 4 doors, and gets better mileage than either the Wrangler or the FJ. We have to keep in mind that one size does not fit all situations. However, auto makers try to hit as many bases as they can in one package to appeal to the one vehicle owner. This is why the FJ Cruiser, Jeep Cherokee and Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Range Rover, Hummer H3 etc are built and sell well.
Dan Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 5:37 am +0
How can anyone compare a Chrysler to a TOYOTA?

No one here mentions “service”. Go Look at the Toyota Dealer vs the Chrysler Dealers repair departments. First, if you have a Chrysler or a Jeep, you will get to know the service department very well as you will be there often.
I have owned all types of Jeeps. They all have slowly fallen a apart. Now, my first Toyota went into the shop fopr a latch that broke. This is the first problem in 4.5 years.

NO Chrysler , No Jeep, No American Auto manufacturer is able to offer this great benefit to a consumer. Toyota’s track record speaks for itself. It solely “kicked ” the shit out of all USA auto manufacturers. It has been a disgrace to our country.

I swore for years I would never own a Japanese vehicle. The quality and, watching my brother with every Toyota manufactured over the past 13 years and, having No Problems, Convinced me.

Rubicon Jeep,,,,is a well marketed over kill product. Some one like Ted Nugent may own one because, he has the time, money to use and repair them!

Comparing Chrysler - Jeep to Toyota is a not even realistic.

This guy and his opinions are so ,,small minded, archaic and backward. He must love Jeff Foxworthy and, I ll be he has a fuzzi velvet painting in his living room of Dale Earnhart,,,,and, a shrine thinking nascar is a sport and dale is a God,,,

Have a Great Weekend,,,if your Jeep works,,,,,,,,FJ,,,stands for “F*** Jeep”.

D
Ron Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 10:04 am +0
Dan, I have had fewer problems over all with my Wrangler than I did with my Toyota trucks. Not to take anything away from my Toyotas, they were great trucks.
My first Jeep was a great vehicle.
As for the velvet pictures and Nascar thing, I dont watch Nascar at all and I never owned a velvet picture of anything.
I own an 06 Rubicon..
The FJ is a great vehicle for a person that commutes from Orange County to LA and drives down a gravel road once in a while and hauls groceries.
The FJ is a Toyota and it will probably be a reliable vehicle.
I have owned a 95 Wrangler, 98 Cherokee and now an 06 Rubicon. I have had excellent service from Chrysler on all of my Jeeps. I havnt had to have any major components worked on or replaced on any of my Jeeps.
What kind of problems did you have with your Jeeps that caused you to be so bitter?
Sounds like you are just a bad luck kind of guy. Ron
Ron Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 10:22 am +0
Dan, I Forgot to mention, The Rubicon is not over built. It comes from the factory with certain options that certain people want or need. Most people these days live in urban areas and do not need a vehicle with the capabilities of the Rubicon. Most people these days need a vehicle to comute to work in and haul groceries in.
No Toyota vehicle offers what the Rubicon does. The Rubicon will out perform any “factory” Toyota product that has “EVER” been built for pure off road driving.
If Toyota builds another “small Jeep type vehicle” with the same options as the Rubicon I may buy one some day
The old FJ40 and the Toyota trucks are the only vehicles that come close to the capability of the Rubicon. To have the same capability as the Rubicon you would need to spend alot of money on aftermarket parts.
The Toyotas are reliable vehicles though. So were my Jeeps.
You sound like an urban type that has no need for a truly off road capable vehicle.
I dont understand why people become loyal to one procuct. Makes no sense at all. Buy a vehicle that works for you and if it holds up and lasts then you are doing well.
Kevin Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 11:23 am +0
Kelly

Just returned from the dump… I had my new FJ crushed! Was that the right thing to do? At the same time I am having my Jeep christened!
Does that satisfy you or should I have the FJ melted into something unrecognizable as not to offend you.
Later this evening, I will also pop the tires on my buddys new FJ!
Thank you for your well balanced advice, I am appreciative. Anyone contemplating an FJ purchase should be arrested and locked up for life!
kelly Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 11:40 am --1
Dan,

I guess you’re now so sophisticated and highly evolved you would never own a Jeep now. So far advanced that your pale smooth skin is never exposed to a single UV ray from our planet’s nearest star. The buzz of flying insects, cling webs from arachnids, smell of partly combusting wood combined with airborne oily vapors from cooking animal flesh, the soaking mists from a crashing waterfall has all long been wiped from you senses and memory.

No, for you Dan, life as you know it solely consists of the bright colored lights, bling, $7 lattÃ©s, toy poodles, the melodies of Brahms (maybe some Joni Mitchell too) and of course completely smooth dust free pavement. You have complete faith that a socialist government would ALWAYS work in the best interest of those whom they govern. You regularly give donations to Green Peace, The Sierra Club and of course those ‘hard working’ bureaucrats at the United Nations. Some of your best friends are Alec Baldwin, Barbra Streisand and Michael Moore. You have evolved so high that to avoid soiling recently manicured hands, you call an electrician to replace one of the burnt out light bulbs over your heart shaped rotating bed. An FJ Cruiser is perfect for a guy like you!

See Dan, I can make stupid assumptions about you and your life too. :)
kelly Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 11:49 am --1
Kevin,

Strange how you ’seem’ to be able to write, but your reading skills are somehow very lacking. If you READ one of my recent posts you would know that I have nothing against the FJ Cruiser for the use it was designed for (not necessarily the same thing that Toyota markets it for). So why don’t you quit wasting my time (and yours), READ first!

Kelly
kelly Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pm --1
‘FJ’ stands for FisherPrice Jeep: Plastic bumpers, plastic (unprotected) gas tank, plastic door handles - plastic plastic plastic. That’s what its all about in an FJ Cruiser
fourx4ever Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 3:45 pm +0
Kevin,

You crushed that new FJ!! LOL! Good boy! Kelly will soon tell you that plastic doesn’t crush, just bounces back! LOL!

Ironically, I was at the auto wreckers a few months ago looking for some trim for a project vehicle when I saw an FJ-40 body sitting there. No engine or drive line just a body. Strange that you made that comment because as it turned out they did crush this one despite the fact that its condition was not really that bad - kind of sad in a way. I have yet to see a CJ or a Wrangler show up at a U-pull-it yard like this though never mind them crush a complete body.
Kevin Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 4:06 pm +0
Kelly

Oh my, sure I can read! Thing is, I seem to find myself just sort of skimming through your threads. Will pay more attention. Hey at least we are on the same page regarding the United Nations. That consortium of worthless and self important blood clots should be destryed from the air.
Ron Says:
May 18th, 2006 at 9:58 pm +0
Hey Kevin, I agree with you on the UN thing, lol…. Ron
fourx4ever Says:
May 19th, 2006 at 9:33 am +0
Kevin,

The UN thing? - Yeah what a bunch of useless morons - Bin Laden would have done us all a favor if he would have flown a plane (by himself) into their headquarters in NY. I guess we should talk about politics - we might agree more!

Kelly
Kevin Says:
May 19th, 2006 at 9:52 am +0
Well, I live in Massachusetts and I deeply hate Ted Kennedy! That should be worth something…
fourx4ever Says:
May 19th, 2006 at 11:43 am +0
Well Tedd Kennedy might be the least of your worries if Hillary wins 2008! In Canada we are just starting to come out of the black hole those underhanded, tax happy, police state Liberals had us in for the last 13 years. Man was it nice to see them defeated in the last election.
David C. Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 12:02 pm +0
Hey guys, Thanks for the laughs! You are all pretty fart smellers. I mean pretty smart fellers. I’ve been driving my FJ for two weeks. The visibility took a little getting used to but now I love the privace “feeling” of my FJ. I’m in Spokane WA. and own 750 acres of trail riding heaven. While I can cover most of it in a two-wheel drive pick-up the FJ is nothing short of amazing. The only reason I wanted a new multi-use vehicle was for its up-graded safety features, and the FJ is loaded with them. I purchased the Toyota because it seemed to be the most fun. Also I am six-five and love the room in the FJ. I should have purchased an MDX or a Pathfinder but they weren’t roomy enough. Also this FJ is a bomb at 80 mph. The roof rack makes noise, at higher speeds, though and I may remove it until I need it for camping. I’ve owned an 87′ Pathfinder since new and loved it. But, last winter I drove the thing, with studded tires, to Seattle to visit my daughter and hated the engine noise. Other than that it performed perfectly. I actually needed the studs, on the pass, while on the way home. The reason I like “all wheel” or “four wheel” drive is for the feeling of freedom I get with them (especially in snowy winters). I actually drive relatively little (about 7000 miles a year). So, I found the compromise of purchasing an “all wheel drive,” even if it was more economical, a difficult choice because I would have felt cramped. Once again, I am appreciating the secure feeling of the FJ. Thanks again for the laughs. D
David C. Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 12:19 pm +0
I just read my paragraph and think it might have been a little confusing. What I meant by the “b” word at 80mph was wonderful, quiet, safe feeling, and efficient. Also I meant to use the word private not privace. Ta
fourx4ever Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 12:25 pm +0
Dave,

Sounds like you like your new investment. That’s good. Looks like your using it for what it was designed for. Have fun!

Kelly
David C. Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 6:46 pm +0
Thanks Kelly, If you wish, please take the time to talk about some of the fun discoveries you have experienced while off-roading. How do I find out about places to go and do some camping? I guess I could cruise the net. I don’t intend to climb serious trails, at least until the shine wears off a little, but I would like to explore a little. Spokane is a great starting off point. I’ve been a boater all my life. New vistas sound exciting. What should a novice look out for? You know, risk/reward ratios slanted toward the safer side. I want to take my fifty year old girl friend with me. That might give you some clues as to what I am asking you for. Thanks again, David
Gus Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 8:02 pm +0
I think the new FJ should be compared to the upcoming TK/Wrangler. They are more suited for comparison as the TK is newly designed as well as the FJ. The old TJ / Rubi is a 10 year old design. LEt’s be fair.

I like Both vehicles, I think the FJ

Toyota FJ Cruiser

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