2012 FJC versus 2016 Tacoma? Which is more durable, fun, solid 4x4? (1 Viewer)

[ducatiman81211]

I have a nice, stock 2012 FJC (73xxx) and am constantly being ask if I want to trade or sell by the Toy dealer
& the other day was shown the new Tacoma w/crawl.
Which is the more solid rig? Shorter wheelbase FJC or new Taco?
FJC is so fun to drive, holds value, solid off road, smaller.
All things considered, looking for reasons why either is the better 4x4/vehicle to hold onto for awhile? I gave up waiting for a new Toy diesel truck...

 

[90FJ]

potato potato

 

[Mr Tibbs]

I had a FJC, my dad has an '05 Taco, the new Taco has a new motor (better gas mileage and more HP). Out of those vehicles I would choose my 1989 HJ61 Land Cruiser any day, all day!! Hope that helps!

 

[White Stripe]

The new tacoma makes a tad bit more hp than the 4.0 motor in you fj. But the 4.0 has more torque. Crawl control? Big deal. I watched the video on crawl control. To novice wheelers it might be interesting. The 4.0 is a proven reliable motor. The 3.5...no one knows yet. All you will get is a little bit shinier paint and more expensive insurance premiums, and its a pickup truck. Toyota probably wants yours so they can sell it as a certified preowned. They must be hurting for used cars. If you are getting bored with the fj, put a supercharger on it. Will be cheaper than buying a new truck. Plus the 3.5 has direct injection, while this provides more power, Toyota has had a fair amount of issues with direct injection. As in the valves get so caked up with carbon build up that the motor misfires, and in some cases the carbon has broken off in large chunks and destroyed pistons.

 

[Mattnatti]

I drove through a Toyota Truck lot the other day and was surprised at how bulbous the new Tacomas look in person. I'll keep my 12' and 80 series.
I would keep the FJ. I were you.

 

[OGBeno]

The new tacoma makes a tad bit more hp than the 4.0 motor in you fj. But the 4.0 has more torque. Crawl control? Big deal. I watched the video on crawl control. To novice wheelers it might be interesting. The 4.0 is a proven reliable motor. The 3.5...no one knows yet. All you will get is a little bit shinier paint and more expensive insurance premiums, and its a pickup truck. Toyota probably wants yours so they can sell it as a certified preowned. They must be hurting for used cars. If you are getting bored with the fj, put a supercharger on it. Will be cheaper than buying a new truck. Plus the 3.5 has direct injection, while this provides more power, Toyota has had a fair amount of issues with direct injection. As in the valves get so caked up with carbon build up that the motor misfires, and in some cases the carbon has broken off in large chunks and destroyed pistons.

3.5L is a very proven engine (2GR-FKS). It's the same V6 that they have been putting in Camry's and Avalons and Highlanders

The added the DI and did some other tuning and engineering to it and put it in a Taco. This engine is a part of the TNGA initiative.

 

[titanpat57]

The technology is going to be hard to pass up on a new Taco...don't downplay Crawl too much...it f'in rocks.




The electric rear locker is also a nice thing to have. You're already use to ATrac.

So to me, I think the new Taco is a hands down winner...I almost got one, but stayed with the 16' 4runner TEP again. I really like the new platform, and there are times I miss a truck...but I keep a flat bed trailer handy if needed.

 

[White Stripe]

3.5L is a very proven engine (2GR-FKS). It's the same V6 that they have been putting in Camry's and Avalons and Highlanders

The added the DI and did some other tuning and engineering to it and put it in a Taco. This engine is a part of the TGNA initiative.

Oh ok it looks like this motor has the twin injection. Ya thats a good motor if they can keep the timing covers from leaking. I would still rather have the 4.0, you know the saying, no replacement for displacent.

 

[cruiserkreutz]

The technology is going to be hard to pass up on a new Taco...don't downplay Crawl too much...it f'in rocks.





That video is crazy!

 

[White Stripe]

The technology is going to be hard to pass up on a new Taco...don't downplay Crawl too much...it f'in rocks.




The electric rear locker is also a nice thing to have. You're already use to ATrac.

So to me, I think the new Taco is a hands down winner...I almost got one, but stayed with the 16' 4runner TEP again. I really like the new platform, and there are times I miss a truck...but I keep a flat bed trailer handy if needed.

Its just fancy and very developed traction control. To me that more makes the driver just a passenger. I don't really care for those types of systems, part of the reason I go offroad is to drive the truck and push my driving skills, not flip a switch and watch the truck drive itself. But it is neat and Im sure some people will use it. It would be nice to see a side by side and have a stock older tacoma equipped with front and rear lockers get stuck vs a tacoma with crawl control get stuck and then have the older tacoma kick on the lockers and the new tacoma kick on the crawl control and see who gets out first.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

FJC, small inside, crappy visibility. Very small and capable off roader, fun to drive, great aftermarket accessory support.

Tacoma (dual-cab, short bed) Good room, pickup bed for hauling, decent aftermarket accessory support. Bigger for the trails, but still very capable.

Both hold value well, both good choices.

I would get a dual cab Taco with a snug top again as it would be my DD and light wheeler. FJC is just to small inside for me

 

[cruiserkreutz]

Its just fancy and very developed traction control. To me that more makes the driver just a passenger. I don't really care for those types of systems, part of the reason I go offroad is to drive the truck and push my driving skills, not flip a switch and watch the truck drive itself. But it is neat and Im sure some people will use it. It would be nice to see a side by side and have a stock older tacoma equipped with front and rear lockers get stuck vs a tacoma with crawl control get stuck and then have the older tacoma kick on the lockers and the new tacoma kick on the crawl control and see who gets out first.

I wouldn't necessarily want the crawl feature for me. I can see my wife using it to get down our unplowed road to home in the winter. She doesn't like four wheeling for fun, but sometimes it's a necessity here.

 

[titanpat57]

Its just fancy and very developed traction control. To me that more makes the driver just a passenger. I don't really care for those types of systems, part of the reason I go offroad is to drive the truck and push my driving skills, not flip a switch and watch the truck drive itself. But it is neat and Im sure some people will use it. It would be nice to see a side by side and have a stock older tacoma equipped with front and rear lockers get stuck vs a tacoma with crawl control get stuck and then have the older tacoma kick on the lockers and the new tacoma kick on the crawl control and see who gets out first.

Don't know who would get out first, but without it, one slip of the gas or brake at the wrong time your spinning, adding torque, etc. Seems Crawl takes that factor out of it.

Had it on the first 4runner and only used it twice. The times that your momentum is your friend , a system like that is counterintuitive. How many times have you said to yourself...a little more skinny pedal and you woulda made it.