Need FJ Cruiser advice

[brushogger]

Hey Guys, I'm looking hard at these as I'm tired of running scared from the Disco Temp gauge. FJ owners- Give me your impressions. Happy, unhappy, glad you bought it or not? Recommended options? I've been looking online and have found nothing really bad about them. I'm going shopping this weekend.

[NothingClever]

You want to talk with ExPo member Corey before your wallet leaves your back pocket. Corey's the local Jedi of FJ Cruisers and is the site founder for www.yotatech.com.

[1911]

I've had a first-year model since 2006 and have 130,000 miles on it. It's been a great truck; you can drive it 80 mph all day long in air-conditioned comfort and still have a very capable 4WD when you get to where your going off-road. Toyota reliability (though the first year's production have a reputation for blowing rear diff ring gears if you hop the wheels when the diff is locked), good fuel economy for a 4WD when left stock. The main foibles are the poor visibility (which you get used to pretty quickly) and the suicide rear doors if you are carrying passengers in the back. Tons of cabin room for the front passengers. Way more powerful engine than any other 4WD truck I've ever had. It's not the perfect 4WD or expedition vehicle, but it's a damned good compromise of a really good comfortable highway vehicle with a capable off-roader. Huge aftermarket of cool off-road parts and accessories.

Recommended options? Get the rear diff locker and A-TRAC and nothing else if possible. The factory option skid plates are cosmetic jokes; the option rock rails are too close to the body to offer any real protection, and the factory roof rack is way expensive and not nearly as useful as any of the aftermarket offerings.

I use mine mostly for a work truck now, but it doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil and is perfectly reliable at 130,000 miles. I expect to double that and more easily. They're relatively easy to maintain.

[VDBAZFJ]

08 FJ here. I love it. By far the favorite car I've ever had. There are only a couple of things I "dis-like". That being the back seat. I have a 3 y.o. So, with only one car seat, its fine. If I had two...it'd be a little tougher to do comfortably.

Even though I average 20mpg, Id like more with the price of gas going up. 45k miles and thankfully no problems yet!

[Corey]

Best rock solid rig I have ever owned.
It is my 4th Toyota too.

Have not had one problem with it since I took delivery of it back in July of 2006.

When I first got it I averaged 21 MPG, but I am now down to around 16 average city/freeway due to the mods I have done to it.
Coming from a 1991 3.0 Automatic 4Runner, the 4.0 in the FJ feels like a V8 to me, plenty of pep.
Even when loaded down with all of my camping gear the rig never feels sluggish.

Like 1911 said, get the E locker and A Trac setup if you plan on doing any off roading with it.

Do not be put off by some who say the rig has blind spots.
If you can drive with mirrors (the correct way to drive anyways) you will have no problem.

Rear seating can be tight, but then I have no rear seats.
Mine are out to hold camping gear.

I use mine as a daily driver, and for camping, and light off roading, mainly exploring old growth forest service roads and side trails that take me to interesting out of the way camp spots.

[cnynrat]

I've got an '07 that we've had since Dec-06, which now has about 82k miles on it. I think 1911 is pretty much spot on with his assessment of the pros & cons. It's a very driveable truck, suitable for daily use, that is also very capable off road. Perhaps not as rugged as a solid front axle setup would be, but for the types of trails most folks run around here it's more than up to the task.

In terms of factory options, definitely go for the rear locker and ATRAC. I'd advise against the factory skids, rock rails, and roof rack. In all three cases there are better options available in the aftermarket for the same or less money. As far as the rest of the options available I think that's really a matter of personal preference.

There are some idiosyncrasies. Outward visibility is limited, but you do get used to it, and a pair of stick on parabolic mirrors work wonders in terms of the rear blind spots. The rear suicide doors are a little odd, so if you are in and out of the back seat a lot I can understand folks who find that to be a negative.

The 4 Runner is another choice that offers similar off-road capabilities without some of the idiosynchrasies of the FJC. I'm not sure the latest version is as well supported in the aftermarket as the FJ (it may be, I'm just not sure). I originally set out thinking I was going to buy a 4 Runner, but then found out it has limited head room for my 6'4" frame, so I went with the FJC.

[xpdishn]

'07 here with 82,000+ miles. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Still smile when I pull it out of the shop. The fam is myself, the navigator and two dogs. A couple of years ago, pulled the rear seats out and converted all the space to storage with the dogs on top. If you have children then that should be answered by those that also have.

Have you gone to the "blue" room? -- http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/index...=active_topics Nothing but FJ stuff.

You can drive all day on the pavement and not get tired - great truck for those long trips. Off pavement it is extremely capable and easy to drive. I have never broke down on the trail nor on the road.

Agree with all to get the ATRAC and rear lockers and leave everything else stock. The aftermarket is hugh and all of it bolts directly on the FJ.

Highly recommend the FJ.

[RocKrawler]

Having owned one for several years and built thousands for customers at the last 3 shops I can thell you they are capable, but the chinese fire drill that is getting front and rear passengers in/out in a tight parking space and the visibility of driving a football helmet, all other things are good. My history:

TERRYS FJC.jpg

sedfest1209075.jpg

[BIGGUY]

I've got an '07 bought in August of '06. I just turned over 163,000 miles on it. I had the brakes done on all four corners about 10,000 miles ago for the first time. I did have to replace a bad wheel sensor and I had a loose tie rod end replaced too. Normal maintenance other than that. Love it. Like the others said it is a great vehicle. I use mine as a DD and I also do a lot of dirt roads. I've been to Moab and done trails in other parts of UT, CO, and WY. I'm modded but on trips can still see 21mpg once in awhile. I mostly average about 18 in summer and 16 or so in winter. Mine was pretty basic with only the rear locker and cruise. I added the switch for Atrac and was set to go.




A couple photos when stock and modded on the stuff I drive.




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[01tundra]

We bought my wife a 2012 and we love it. Haven't started building it yet, but she drives about 60 miles each way for work and she's very happy with it.