[MDarius]

I put this in chat so I could get input from other than FJ owners. Is there a better place for this thread?

So the FJ Cruiser has had time to be trail and road tested by real people now. Put your pride aside for a minute...try to avoid the whole ''My [enter your personal bias here] is better than your [enter despised junk here]'' and mall references. Also, they've had a decent advertising campaign, but that's just it, it's advertising. I don't believe a nickel of it. Subaru competes and places at the Baja 1000 also. That doesn't mean I'm taking my Forester to Moab next week. Just keep the pissing match out of it, eh?

If you've driven it, seen it off road, ridden shotgun, and especially if you have experience in a different vehicle, give some input. If you don't have personal experience, please keep your comments scientific and realistic. Keep in mind that just because you saw someone stuck doesn't mean their vehicle sucks. Most offroad success is due to the driver, not the vehicle. But it sure helps having a decent vehicle.

One thing that will come up is the solid front axle vs. IFS. Can someone explain the dynamics of this? Why is the SFA so much better?

My personal opinion: I test drove one last week. I like it's manners on the road. I like the features. I'm beginning to like the looks. I've just never had any off road experience with it and all my other 4WD's have been SFA. All the pictures I've seen on MUD have been in moderate wheeling situations. I think Dragon's pics are the most extreme I have seen, and it seems capable enough.

Most pics I've seen of articulation have a wheel in the air where I've seen pics of other stock vehicles with all 4 firmly planted. Is that a correct observation? Is this a case of driver skill or vehicle ability?/

I saw one on the pedestal of pride at the Land Rover dealership in Centerville, UT the other day, which I thought was funny, but that's what got me thinking about it.
Ok, let's go!

[Noah]

i've heard it gets to the mall and back with ZERO issues...............

[Trollhole]

I personally like them. I drive my junk to the trail. And it doesn't always go as planned. Most trails are 3 to 4 hrs away. Hard on a lifted vehicle in the mountains. The reason I say this is a person who owns an FJC can just get in and go. No worries. Reliable.

I have been debating on whether to get one or not. BUt cannot find the will to part with the pig or the 40 and I just don't need another vehicle with less than stellar gas milage.

On the trail they have been great. Have personally wheeled with them over a dozen times and they amaze me every time. Driven one once in Tellico. Nothing beats cruising over rocks with traction, comfort, A/C, and satelite radio. A little Bob Marley and the woods mix very well with the FJC. The older I get the more comfortable I want to be on the trail. I could see myself owning one downn the road.

[Gumby]

My wife absolutely loves commuting in hers. It does have rearward visibility problems. It has taught her to use her mirrors and that is a very good thing. Rides and drives great. Does not get as good mileage as my 5.7L Tundra.


Off road you can not help but be impressed. They do very well. I've ridden with them a few times and driven hers. It really does very well.

[greytandy]

My stock FJC is far more capable than my stock FJ40. That said, I ain't gonna take my shiny new FJC for any serious offroading any time soon. Don't feel like bashing up a $30K vehicle just yet. In ten years it will be mine! It's currently my 's business vehicle.

[LI FJ40]

car and driver just wraped up a year long test on the FJC..

go check ou the article... BTW they gave it a great review.

the major complaints were.. c pillar blind spot, upright windshield cracks easily.

They made mention of the 60's era FJ40 a number of time in the article.

[cbmontgo]

They have really grown on me. I think it is a respectable little rig.

[Enigma]

How about an unbiased 4x4 review?

http://www.bc4x4.com/features/2007/fjcruiser/


From what I've seen, they do a pretty good job. I'm just wishing they had gone more along the lines of that new 4 door Wrangler.

[k9crazy]

I like mine a lot. I have been wheeling mine since March of 2006 when I bought it and have had no complaints. I don't do hard core rock crawling, but have run many of the trails at Tellico and other places in the east.

The only beef I have with it is that we are seeing an increased number of torn up rear ring gears. Apparently there was a production issue in earlier models and Toyota is aware and is replacing the whole rear diff under warranty.

I kinda went the other way with the purchases...I bought my FJC and loved it and wanted to own a piece of it's heritage, so I bought my pig.