Anyone Taken Their Own Stock FJ Up the Rubicon Yet?

[Michael1]

I saw a thread on an H3 forum where several members had taken their stock, or nearly stock, H3s up the Rubicon. The photos were pretty impressive, not only from the severity of the trail, but also the ability of them to negotiate the trail. That trail really finds the weaknesses of both man and machine. Other than a few scrapes, the H3s came through pretty unscathed.

I know Toyota has, and some modded ones have, but I was wondering if any members here have taken their stock FJs up the Rubicon yet? If so, please post pics, and details!

Michael

 

[TexasBadlands]

I saw a thread on an H3 forum where several members had taken their stock, or nearly stock, H3s up the Rubicon. The photos were pretty impressive, not only from the severity of the trail, but also the ability of them to negotiate the trail. That trail really finds the weaknesses of both man and machine. Other than a few scrapes, the H3s came through pretty unscathed.

I know Toyota has, and some modded ones have, but I was wondering if any members here have taken their stock FJs up the Rubicon yet? If so, please post pics, and details!

Michael

I think most people are still just trying to get theirs Michael !

Mine is being handed over to me this week, probably around Wednesday or Thursday.

If I had a good amount of experience on the Rubicon, I would take a stock FJ over it. However that isn't the case, but I would think others with Rubi experience would be right on it.

 

[GXO]

I would do it if:

1. I had an FJC
2. Didn't live thousands of miles away
3. Had the free time

 

[Runner Ryan]

I'd do it if I didn't live thousands of miles away.

 

[LukeO]

I still kinda do kinda don't want a FJ Cruiser. But of the FJ's that are local. I've yet to see one with a spec of dirt on it yet.

But shoot, I practically never wheel anymore either.

But then we've been stuck in a friggin bad faith/mold lawsuit for over two years over our previous and uninhabitable home which is sucking us dry.

And I'd rather go boating.

 

[Dragon]

They're mud magnets. No Rubicon in Illinois. But we do have mud.

and the poser skid plate has gotta go. It's just a big mud scoop.

 

[Dragon]

Oops, sorry for the hijack. The pics are due to this comment.

I still kinda do kinda don't want a FJ Cruiser. But of the FJ's that are local. I've yet to see one with a spec of dirt on it yet.

 

[FJMouse]

Well mine is super clean and I am going to keep it that way for a while. I bought the FJ for my husband and he will be home from Iraq in December. After he has seen his pretty shiny FJ, then we can get it dirty. For the time being only the Jeep will be getting dirty.;p

 

[BC_FJC]

I don't know about Stock? I started making mods the first day I got it. I plan on making it to the Rubicon next time my club go's. Just a bit of a drive but here it is worth it.

 

[TexasBadlands]

I don't want to mud mine til I get the new suspension parts on..........

Keep it clean under there - don't need dry clods of mud raining down when I'm wrenching on it!

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

a few different vehicles that were stock have made it over the Rubicon.. Check toyotas website and other forums for pics w/ only minor scrapes. I've been getting out as much as possible w/ my stock vehicle and I will tell you it is quite capable. I live in Tucson home of the rockest trails around, vehicle performs flawlessly. Went on an adventure this weekend w/ a jeep cherokee owner, and he could not believe how well it performs(he's going to be selling his vehicle to get one). We were forging rivers, rock hopping, mud bogging, pulling logs out of the trail. All of this with nothing but stock configs. Trust me this vehicle ROCKS!!!!! Rubicon Smootbicon. Put a lift and some larger tires and it's unstoppable!!Watch out now!!

 

[calamaridog]

Minor scrapes from the guy who thought his FJ could make it through the Rubicon without Bill Burke spotting him...

BTW, he destroyed his rear differential too and the Toyota dealer quoted him $15,000 to fix the damage.

 

[saskdiesel]

Those little scrapes should buff right out!

 

[k_os]

I still kinda do kinda don't want a FJ Cruiser. But of the FJ's that are local. I've yet to see one with a spec of dirt on it yet.

But shoot, I practically never wheel anymore either.

But then we've been stuck in a friggin bad faith/mold lawsuit for over two years over our previous and uninhabitable home which is sucking us dry.

And I'd rather go boating.

Then you haven't seen me on the road come on now.

Walmart @ kildaire parking lot

regency park?

 

[atomicpunk51]

Minor scrapes from the guy who thought his FJ could make it through the Rubicon without Bill Burke spotting him...

BTW, he destroyed his rear differential too and the Toyota dealer quoted him $15,000 to fix the damage.

That was from the NorCal TTORA run a few weeks back. I think both FJs that went blew out the Rear diff. Is this a problem on Lockered FJ 3rds?

For all the pics: http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/rubicon_06

 

[pjohnson]

That was from the NorCal TTORA run a few weeks back. I think both FJs that went blew out the Rear diff. Is this a problem on Lockered FJ 3rds?

For all the pics: http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/rubicon_06

This guy was a total wheeling NOOB. He slammed his FJ through and did all that damage. Stock FJ Cruisers have gone through just fine. It takes spotting, some rock stacking and some patience. Everyone who was with him said he could have avoided all the damage he did to his vehicle.

Phil

 

[FirstToy]

I think both FJs that went blew out the Rear diff. Is this a problem on Lockered FJ 3rds?

We were discussing this a little bit, maybe more can be brought to light
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=1264778&postcount=69

in this thread
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=1291150

 

[alvarorb]

After doing the Rubicon many times all I'd say to someone who wants to do it is to get some experience under your belt before trying to run the whole trail.
If you live close to the Rubicon, spend a weekend at Wentworth Springs: Go up Wentworth come back down through Loon Lake. Get your feet wet with the trail before committing to it. Go with someone that has prior experience and that is willing to spend the time spotting you.
And most important never ever loose your cool. Parts break, sheet metal gets mangles when people loose it. Keep it nice and slow. It's not a race.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[SHREG]

Well mine is super clean and I am going to keep it that way for a while. I bought the FJ for my husband and he will be home from Iraq in December. After he has seen his pretty shiny FJ, then we can get it dirty. For the time being only the Jeep will be getting dirty.;p

Cheers..... He is a lucky man. We all pray for a safe return.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That was from the NorCal TTORA run a few weeks back. I think both FJs that went blew out the Rear diff. Is this a problem on Lockered FJ 3rds?

I think it is. The trail team at Rubithon told me they had to replace the diffs in both trucks due to damage at other events.

It is very interesting to me that it seems to be a particular problem with the lockered trucks, since even Tacomas according to FirstToy have the same issue, and historically mini-truck rear 8 inchers do not. Also, again according to FirstToy, in Tacos, these have been known to blow on the street and unlocked.

A safer bet for someone determined to off-road a new FJC, might be a factory open diff with an airlocker.