How is the FJC off road?

[Crazykevin]

Ok im looking into getting a new car and i want eather an FJC or a Tacoma. What im wondering is how good is the FJ off road? Like will it get stuck does it have pretty good stock clearance(sp)? Will it fit in smaller spaces? Like my friends ford ranger does? How is there power off road and on the road? Also how is the after market for the FJC? I need something with four doors being i have a daughter but i dont want to sacrifice fun and style. Thanks in advance.

[woody]

I've wheeled with the FJCTT twice now, and have been impressed with it's performance....check out http://gallery.ih8mud.com and you'll find quite a few pics from GSMTR and other events where they've been taken offroad...

IMO, the FJC with the ATRAC and rear locker, the addition of a lift/tires and the bumper/winch, and you've got one VERY capable rig....

your only limitation will be your acceptance of body damage...

[Crazykevin]

Thats good to know. Does it fit in tighter spaces and will it compete with a ranger in terms of where it can go? I want to know because me and my friend will be going together off roading.

[Clutchee]

CrazyKevin......goto the TLCA events section & find a event near you. Contact the event orginizers & see if the FJ Trail Team is participating in there specific event & then go drive it on the trails!

You will find that the trail team is very supportive of having people & possible buyers drive the machine on the trails.

Oh yea....drives nice but with already having his & her cruisers no need for 3rd.

[Crazykevin]

Also what size tire will fit on the FJC with out a lift kit or any modding? Will a 31 inch tire fit?

[505FJ]

Kevin, I have a ford ranger also and after comparing them side by side, the fj is wider by a few inches but the fj is shorter. you might go to the ford and toyota websites for the exact dimensions. stock tires are 32"

[klaus9000]

Originally Posted by Crazykevin

Also what size tire will fit on the FJC with out a lift kit or any modding? Will a 31 inch tire fit?

They come stock with 32" tires so I would assume a 31" would fit

Some have reported running 33" tires with no problems some say they rub a bit.

[Blues Dawg]

Originally Posted by Crazykevin

Also what size tire will fit on the FJC with out a lift kit or any modding? Will a 31 inch tire fit?

I'm running an FJ with 285/70/17 BFG's (32.9") , no problems with rubbing, clearance etc. There are a lot of aftermarket parts coming available, the truck just hasn't been out that long, but check the other threads here to get an idea. I've had mine out 5 times, and it climbs like a billy goat. Clearance is good, but the vehicle is a little wider than a jeep, so jeep trimmed trails leave you with nice pinstripes. The rear seat should accomodate your daughter no problem, but the rear door can be awkward if you are parked side by side with other vehicles in a lot.

All that said, I love mine - and I have had a few 4x4s.

[k_os]

The FJ does awesome off road.. except for the fact that they put a camry alternator in there or something.. I went some mud and it appears that the fan kicked some mud around the engine bay, normal right?. So it seems that some mud got into the alternator and now I am left with the trouble of finding my own alternator because toyota doesn't want to cover when they advertise this an "off-road" vechicle. They also tried to tell me that they were going to check the the whole drivetrain and if they find mud, they were going to pull the warrranty. Ha, I got my truck out of that dealer faster than me jumping out the windows when my gf's parents blue balled my ass.

[Crazykevin]

That makes me want one even more. But i have another question (sorry i like to research before i buy something really expensive) what would be better an FJC or a Tacoma for off road use?

[FirstToy]

Crazykevin,
That sounds like a personal choice. Both can be had w/ suicide doors. Do you need a wagon or a pickup?

The FJC has coil springs and linked suspension (arguably better than Taco's rear leafs) but the Taco has much more cargo use flexibility.

[Crazykevin]

Well i like the idea of having a pickup but i also like the idea of the suv look. But i does the off road package for the tacoma come with good off road eqipment(sp) like the FJC does?

[FirstToy]

Yeah, the Taco has the same RR diff lock option and slushbox or 6spd M.

The FJC's ATRAC is Toyota's best right now. It also has a different mix of the Toyota parts bin to give it a bit more flex and features for the offroad crowd.

Tacoma's enjoy a pretty big offroad market and the FJC is getting there too so modding either will not be a problem.

[bulldog-yota]

Originally Posted by k_os

The FJ does awesome off road.. except for the fact that they put a camry alternator in there or something.. I went some mud and it appears that the fan kicked some mud around the engine bay, normal right?. So it seems that some mud got into the alternator and now I am left with the trouble of finding my own alternator because toyota doesn't want to cover when they advertise this an "off-road" vechicle. They also tried to tell me that they were going to check the the whole drivetrain and if they find mud, they were going to pull the warrranty. Ha, I got my truck out of that dealer faster than me jumping out the windows when my gf's parents blue balled my ass.

I would kick the dealer's ass who spewed that nonsense, and call Toyota Corp on them. Utter nonsense about mud and pulling the warranty. Just go to another dealer. That dealer obviously don't want your business nor any other Toyota truck customer or future customer.

[bulldog-yota]

Originally Posted by Crazykevin

That makes me want one even more. But i have another question (sorry i like to research before i buy something really expensive) what would be better an FJC or a Tacoma for off road use?

The dimensions and overhangs of the FJC will help it a lot out of the box offroad. Also Toyota made a number of changes to the suspension on the FJ compared to the Tacoma to optimize it for offroad. Needless to say the frame of the FJC is also a good improvement over the Tacoma.

So unless you absolutely need a pickup, get the FJC if offroad ability out of the box is your prime criteria.

The biggest thing I find disappointing on the FJC is the current average selling price.

[Blues Dawg]

Another thing to consider is the shorter wheel base and turning radius. You'll negotiate tight turns on trails much better with the FJ and be less likely to high center. Also, as alluded to earlier, the Taco is designed to perform with a load, thus an empty bed and half-ton leafs degrade ride and performance. The FJ will have a better unloaded weight distribution. but it really all dependes on the primary use for the vehicle.

[FirstToy]

It's interesting, compared to the 4Runner, the 4Runner has a tighter turning radius than the FJC. I think they widened the radius in an effort to minmize IFS breakage.

FJC will be more nimble, longer wheelbases are more stable. It's a bit of a tradeoff and as everyone says, it's more of what you want/need.

[mapleton cruiser]

i am extremely impressed with my fj's off-roading capabilities, i have owned toyota trucks nissan truck, toyota fj 40 ,fj 55 , and i am currently wheeling my fj every weekend it is my favorite off- roader so far. drives and handles great a-trac is a great tool and the rear locker works just fine!!!! few weeks ago took to the sand dunes , last weekend up to mineral basin through 3ft. of snow drifts mud, rocks etc. saturday took up tucker canyon up on skyline drive ( all utah locations) . i have a broken windshield already a small dent in passenger door and lots of scratches on back bumper from steep inclines.this is a good offroader! this months dirt trucks magazine ran the fj cruiser up against the new land cruiser in 9 different offroad categories they scored it land cruiser 2 pts fj cruiser 7 pts . i personally didnt do the test and am sure i will take heat for that comparison but that is what the magazine reported. the two areas land cruiser won were vehicle ride and towing capabilities.

[Commando]

what should i avoid if i have an essentially stock FJ? (IE no lift, mud tires, snorkel ,bumper, winch etc.). a friend of mine has an old ford F250, with what he claims is a 4in lift (he didn't do the lift himself, a previous owner did ...it looks like a 6-8in though), and 31in mud tires. him, and a friend of mine who has a liberty, offroad in his backyard. at one section of this course, they said, "if you want to see the truck (the F250) get batted around like its a toy, then check this out when its rained." i stepped in the obviously well traveled but somewhat caked dry mud pit, and my foot sank somewhat. they were both staring at me doubting the abilities of the FJ. this was only the 2nd day i had the FJ, i wasn't willing to try it out. do you think i could make it through a mud pit like this if i were to put in 4-Lo and then put on A-trac? (or use of rear locker)?

[mapleton cruiser]

if you have good mud tires go for it , you will make it, if you have the crappy street tires that came on mine then good luck.

these are the tires on mine now!!

[beno]

Originally Posted by Commando

what should i avoid if i have an essentially stock FJ? (IE no lift, mud tires, snorkel ,bumper, winch etc.). a friend of mine has an old ford F250, with what he claims is a 4in lift (he didn't do the lift himself, a previous owner did ...it looks like a 6-8in though), and 31in mud tires. him, and a friend of mine who has a liberty, offroad in his backyard. at one section of this course, they said, "if you want to see the truck (the F250) get batted around like its a toy, then check this out when its rained." i stepped in the obviously well traveled but somewhat caked dry mud pit, and my foot sank somewhat. they were both staring at me doubting the abilities of the FJ. this was only the 2nd day i had the FJ, i wasn't willing to try it out. do you think i could make it through a mud pit like this if i were to put in 4-Lo and then put on A-trac? (or use of rear locker)?

I would have some good tow straps and maybe a winch (at least on another vehicle) if you are going to play in the mud.

Good mud tires will also help.

But, those ar ejust technicalities. Go out and have some fun.

The FJC's wheel great in stock formation. I saw Mike Smyth wheel the crap out of it at the Badlands going up some straight up sheer walls using the ATRAC system and some skinny pedal.

I think wheeling the FJC has a lot to do with--as with all things 4 wheeling--the driver and the driver's experience.

Watch some of the FJC pros take the FJC where many would not. Tim Scully is an excellent driver and it amazes me where he takes the FJC with some mild tires, an ARB, underbody skid plate and a winch.

[Mustard Dog]

Originally Posted by mapleton cruiser

if you have good mud tires go for it , you will make it, if you have the crappy street tires that came on mine then good luck.

these are the tires on mine now!!

Will that ladder work with the stock roof rack?

[Brentbba]

I can only chime in from what I witnessed this past weekend on Holcomb Creek in Big Bear. Watched a completely stock FJ coming down a rock garden we'd gone up earlier in the day in our 2 1/2" lifted 285 shod cruisers. This guy had stock street tires and no sliders. He was doing just great where our longer but lifted cruisers had a little more 'fun'. I was impressed.

[k_os]

Well as you may you know my alternator gave in. I took it apart myself, and one of the bearings is fucked. It appeats that those "sealed" bearings are not so sealed after all. Oh well I'm getting myself some better quality bearings and problem fixed.

[mapleton cruiser]

Originally Posted by Mustard Dog

Will that ladder work with the stock roof rack?

yes it will!

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by k_os

Well as you may you know my alternator gave in. I took it apart myself, and one of the bearings is fucked.

That's a technical term?

-B-

[k_os]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

That's a technical term?

-B-

Dirt got inside of it.. not lubricated.. whatever happened in there.

[Beowulf]

Eloquent.

-B-

[TrAiLbUs1]

I have put about 500 miles or so on my vehicle just 4x4ing, I only have 1900 on it. I have done almost every trail around Tucson, Az. Extremely hard unforgiving terrain rocks, rocks, and more rocks. The only problem I've had is the cross member placement. Which I have hit a few times ( while testing capacities)but it always just scrapes by, what actually hits is the two arms that are attached to the crossmember (no major damage at all). The geometry of these vehicles squeaks by with no damage. A coil over lift with 33" tires will definatly suffice, and allow you to accomplish any trail no scrapes no problems. Just finished one of the hardest trails in my area Saturday with a Fj 60 customed out 33" tire all the goods, a fj 62 also very large, and an fj 80. Accept for an occasional low blow about the element jumping the scion assembly line, and something about a camry making it up the hill with active traction, and minor body damage from the wrong line I chose with no rock rails all the guys were impressed with the FJC. It rocked and rolled over all the same obsticles, TOTALLY STOCK. Crossmember will survive and if you know how to offroad you will not hit anything, it's all about wheel placement and experience. Trust me it rocks!!!! Sorry so long.

[Michael1]

Originally Posted by Blues Dawg

Another thing to consider is the shorter wheel base and turning radius. You'll negotiate tight turns on trails much better with the FJ and be less likely to high center.

Actually the turning diameter of the Tacoma is better than the FJ's! The Tacoma turning diameter is 40.7, while the FJ's is over a foot bigger at 41.8.

You are correct about the FJ being less likely to high center. Breakover angle for the FJ is 27.4 degrees vs. only 21 for the Tacoma.

Michael