MoJ
Moderator
Saw it and made contact with the Toyota staff - UPDATED PICS
Went to the Chicago Auto Show tonight. Saw the FJ. After going through a few drones I made contact with the product manager present at the show. I explained IH8MUD and the TLCA and the number of hard core LC owners involved. Left them with some hard copies of MUD discussions on this board, directions to the site, and one of Yooper's photochops. They were actually very interested in what I had to say, were eager to pass on the information I gave them, and asked for my contact info. Got some special goodies out of them as well from the back room area of the Toyota display! I took several pics of various angles, the underside, suspension, and invisible drivetrain. The display vehicle was gutless other than the motor and suspension. The inside which was difficult to see through the super dark tinted windows showed only the outline of headrests and steering wheel. Once I went to take a pic of the underside from the rear (it was on a pedastal) I quickly realized that it was empty - not even a floor. I could see the back side of the motor when looking under from the rear! The seat/steering wheel outlines must have been no more than head rests suspended from the sides of the interior. I'll post pics when I get back home on Thursday but here's a few observatons:
1. The production version may look more like some of the photochops posted on here in that the big ass side pillar will likely not be there. How do I know this? The Toyota staff made the comment that it had been ruled unsafe due to a huge blind spot (as many on here already said). This is good news.
2. Sliders (they're calling them rock rails) look like a copy of Slee/Hanna in basic shape. They look fairly stout but was unable to see if they'd hold up the way we'd expect. Skid plates on several underside areas.
3. Sales literature handed out at the show says "multi-function meter that includes compass, temperature gauge, inclinometer, and altimeter.
4. Spare tire is mounted to the rear via a very basic bracket. There's a cutout in the top of the rear bumper to fit the bottom of the tire.
5. It wasn't much better in person than it is in the pics released.
Picked up 4-5 extra copies of the literature they were handing out. If anyone really wants one PM me and I'll mail it your way. Sorry no pics tonight.
Jason
Went to the Chicago Auto Show tonight. Saw the FJ. After going through a few drones I made contact with the product manager present at the show. I explained IH8MUD and the TLCA and the number of hard core LC owners involved. Left them with some hard copies of MUD discussions on this board, directions to the site, and one of Yooper's photochops. They were actually very interested in what I had to say, were eager to pass on the information I gave them, and asked for my contact info. Got some special goodies out of them as well from the back room area of the Toyota display! I took several pics of various angles, the underside, suspension, and invisible drivetrain. The display vehicle was gutless other than the motor and suspension. The inside which was difficult to see through the super dark tinted windows showed only the outline of headrests and steering wheel. Once I went to take a pic of the underside from the rear (it was on a pedastal) I quickly realized that it was empty - not even a floor. I could see the back side of the motor when looking under from the rear! The seat/steering wheel outlines must have been no more than head rests suspended from the sides of the interior. I'll post pics when I get back home on Thursday but here's a few observatons:
1. The production version may look more like some of the photochops posted on here in that the big ass side pillar will likely not be there. How do I know this? The Toyota staff made the comment that it had been ruled unsafe due to a huge blind spot (as many on here already said). This is good news.
2. Sliders (they're calling them rock rails) look like a copy of Slee/Hanna in basic shape. They look fairly stout but was unable to see if they'd hold up the way we'd expect. Skid plates on several underside areas.
3. Sales literature handed out at the show says "multi-function meter that includes compass, temperature gauge, inclinometer, and altimeter.
4. Spare tire is mounted to the rear via a very basic bracket. There's a cutout in the top of the rear bumper to fit the bottom of the tire.
5. It wasn't much better in person than it is in the pics released.
Picked up 4-5 extra copies of the literature they were handing out. If anyone really wants one PM me and I'll mail it your way. Sorry no pics tonight.
Jason
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And great with the TLCA/IH8MUD stuff, since I'm sure the design is probably not solid quite yet, and I would guess they are doing some public opinion asessments based on how it was received at the shows and such. So hitting them up now, might very well get some real info back to the designers...cool!! Maybe there will be a TLCA version that comes with a TLCA membership when you buy it.. 
