Differences between 100 series and FJ Cruiser

[pkelly72]

I know this is the 100 section but has anyone ever had the chance to compare the two vehicles?

I had a well built 08' FJC and now own an 80 but I was looking to add a 100 series to the stable.

Difference between the FJC and 80 was night and day but I would imagine the 100 would be somewhat similar.

What are your thoughts?

 

[GaFJC]

I have both in my stable. Here are my thoughts, bet you've seen some of this with the FJC vs. 80:

The two biggest differences I've seen are MPG (FJ wins - even with it being moderately built) and cargo (100 wins hands down).

Both are worlds better than my '00 Tacoma XtraCab with the 3.4L moderately built (sold years ago but missed).

Others:

I love my FJ but two doors are a PITA with kids and a Lab.

I only have 42K miles on my FJ and haven't had any services issues to date. It will be interesting to see if it has some of the annoying quirks of the 100 at 122k miles.

If Toyota built a four door FJ I'd buy it in a minute.

Visibility from the cab in the 100 is much better than the FJ due to the lower belt line of the 100. You get used to driving blind in the FJ. It isn't that big so you quickly build confidence in your senses.

DIY oil changes are much easier on the FJ with the top mounted oil filter. Interestingly, the take the same OEM filter.

Seems to be better aftermarket support for the FJ.

The FJ is noisy. Lots of owners install DynaMat. I haven't.

The 100, even with AT tires, is quiet and smooth riding. My FJ with the OME sport shocks and mild springs (2") rides ok but can be a bit tiring at times. However if you can leave the FJ stock (who does that?!) it rides very well.

The 100's 2uFZE is a legend but the FJ's first gen engine is no slob either. V8 acceleration in a V6. So much of the FJ drivetrain comes out of the Tacoma or Prado.

The creature comforts of the 100, even mine being 12 yrs old, are better than the FJ. Maybe the newer FJ's offer basic items like sunroofs?

Many of the '07 and '08 have "hidden" ATRAC! Meaning the earlier (later?) models came with ATRAC prewired but no switch. Order the switch online and snap it in and you have ATRAC in 10 minutes or less! Read the FJ forums - the mod is in there and I did it! INCREDIBLE!

The range of the FJ isn't a confidence builder unless you stick with OEM size tires and no lift - but again who wants to do that?! Adding an aux tank is big bucks.

I love both of my rides but the comfort and cargo of the 100 equates to it being used the vast majority of the time. That said, I'll never sell my FJ.

 

[SupraTuRD]

I had a '07 FJC prior to the 100. They are two different animals... night and day as you said. If you're asking about off-road ability, here's my opinion.

Comparing both rigs in stock form, the FJC definitely off-roaded better than the 100 series. The shorter wheelbase, better approach/departure angles, rear locker, and newer ATRAC system made the FJC a pretty darn off-roader out of the box.

I sold my FJC to accommodate growing family needs, as the suicide doors just didn't work out too well when getting the baby seat in/out of the rig. The poor design of the inner fenders bulging/tearing made it easier to part with the FJC, but overall it was a very enjoyable little truck.

I love the 100 as it is plenty capable off road, and a much better constructed rig. The build quality difference is night and day. One thing I noticed in the FJC is that the interior plastics scratched so easily. I've never owned a vehicle that used such "soft" plastic materials. Perhaps it's the new "greener" material.

Anyway, add a 100 to your stable... I'll be adding a 80 to mine someday.

 

[GaFJC]

I had a '07 FJC prior to the 100. They are two different animals... night and day as you said. If you're asking about off-road ability, here's my opinion.

Comparing both rigs in stock form, the FJC definitely off-roaded better than the 100 series. The shorter wheelbase, better approach/departure angles, rear locker, and newer ATRAC system made the FJC a pretty darn off-roader out of the box.

I sold my FJC to accommodate growing family needs, as the suicide doors just didn't work out too well when getting the baby seat in/out of the rig. The poor design of the inner fenders bulging/tearing made it easier to part with the FJC, but overall it was a very enjoyable little truck.

I love the 100 as it is plenty capable off road, and a much better constructed rig. The build quality difference is night and day. One thing I noticed in the FJC is that the interior plastics scratched so easily. I've never owned a vehicle that used such "soft" plastic materials. Perhaps it's the new "greener" material.

Anyway, add a 100 to your stable... I'll be adding a 80 to mine someday.

Ditto, the soft plastic is everywhere and it does scratch easily.

 

[TeCKis300]

If Toyota built a four door FJ I'd buy it in a minute.

They kinda do. It's called the 4Runner. Even a GX could be considered a 4 door FJ as they share so many common underpinnings save the coachwork. Give them a lift, slap in a locker and they are just about as competent.

 

[liveoak]

no offense to fj cruiser owners but my personal opinion as a 100 owner with a friend that has an fj is this.
fj cons= 1. the fj is ugly. you have to spend all kinds of money on it to try to make it look good. 2. visibility is a joke. low seating position like the new tacoma.so many blind spots and a tiny narrow windshield. 3. suicide doors. what a joke. it's not like it's an extracab truck. they had the room to put rear doors. 4. no tailgate. the rear swings open like a rav4 which leaves very little room. you could have slept back there if it had a tailgate although you would be open to the elements. 5. it is too wide. it would have been better to make it a little longer and a little narrower.
fj pros= there aren't any. just kidding 1.good engine and drivetrain 2.coilover front suspension instead of torsion 3.available trd version including rear locker and atrac. 4.good aftermarket following. 5.competent off road.
100 cons= 1. bad gas mileage. 2. torsion bar front suspension. 3. no factory locker after 99. 4. aftermarket support not so good but getting better. 5. a bit on the large side. does not fit very well on a lot of trails.
100 pros= 1. smoooooth engine. 2. build quality is exceptional. this thing is a luxury tank. the interior is so comfotable with its leather and heated seats etc... 3. it looks good. no tail lights and big plastic pieces protruding out everywhere. it is just elegant. 4. the visibility is about as good as it gets. 5. a rear tailgate. this is one of the most overlooked features of owning a 100. it has a liftgate and a tailgate which costs toyota more to make so they don't offer it in most vehicles anymore.
by the way, i parked next to a new 4runner the other day and i swear it is bigger than a 100 series. why did they have to make it so big? it would have been sweet if it was a little smaller.toyota used to make vehicles that were small on the outside and big on the inside now they make them big on the outside and small on the inside. what a shame.

 

[OGBeno]

One was built by Araco at the Yoshiwara Plant.

One was built by Hino at the Hamura Plant.

 

[Nottajeep]

5. a rear tailgate. this is one of the most overlooked features of owning a 100. it has a liftgate and a tailgate which costs toyota more to make so they don't offer it in most vehicles anymore.

This is a LandCruiser trademark. No SUV has a tailgate like the LC and when folks walked up to my 80 or 100, they have always said "****... you have a tailgate?"

And if it's raining or really sunny, I point up and say "look we have an umbrella over the tailgate too."


The little FJC's have really grown on me. I like them, but it's more of a younger gen vehicle. Couples, singles, and college kids can make great use of the FJC.

 

[liveoak]

my 85 4runner has a tailgate but no liftgate and i utilize it on every outing. i couldn't imagine not having that feature on my rigs. it's the little things that make the biggest difference.

 

[GaFJC]

A few folks have mentioned the 100 possibly having an edge on build quality. Neither ride is perfect; the FJC has too much soft plastic and some earlier models had fender "bulges" but the 100 engine (earlier models) has water pump and exhaust manifold issues. The FJC had a TSB on break squeal when in reverse. The 100's transfer case whines like a broken turbo when it's cold.

They both have their quirks.

I don't believe there is much of a difference between the two in overall build quality.

The tailgate on the 100 is awesome. The swing out door on the FJC has always annoyed me.

 

[Brock]

also a FJC owner that switched to 100 series.....good comments from all.

1. Size....goes to 100...just cant beat the cargo room you gain with it especially with 3rd row removed and 2nd row lifted up out of way.

2. Comfort....goes to 100 series...it is a little heavier...just rides better for daily driver and is more plush for interior so the creature comforts are very nice (I have LX470)

3. Offroad....I would say if FJC has rear locker AND ATrac they are very similar.....but will give slight knudge to 100. The ATrac seems to work different on the 100 than my FJC....not sure why or what...but it seems to engage and do its movements better...others that have watched me wheel it in the same trails in both rigs....said watching my tires the 100 seems more ACTIVE in searching for traction than the FJC was.....

4. Engine/drivetrain performance.....equal...the 6cyl in FJC was very good for its size even with 33 inch tires and full body armor under, both ends, etc. The 100 is now but had to upgrade to 4.88....I would give edge to FJC for similar performance seat of pants with better mileage. Big tires, armor, etc on FJC still got 16 city and 18 hwy....with 100 it is 12.5 city....15 hwy. Edge goes to FJC for me.

5. Durability......short term equal (5 years or less)....long term I think we will have to wait and see but will give edge to 100 series.....heavier built components in my opinion...mine is 12 years old and still great vehicle...very few if any squeaks or bumps.....original windshield (LMAO inside FJC joke).....2nd battery....original exhaust system.....etc. Short term EQUAL....5-15 years I am going to say 100 series.

6. Looks.....stock I am going to say a BRICK or OD GREEN FJC looks pretty damn good....with tires lift armor on both ends....I am going to say EQUAL in looks...both bad ass.

7. Overall Expedition Vehicle.......100 series.....more proven record for durability without major fixes needed....much larger inside cargo storage....more creature comforts on extended trips. For rock crawling or weekend trips to beach, mountains, etc.....EQUAL. Overall....100 series.


The clamshell doors on FJC never bothered me...I liked them....plus I bought it for me as DRIVEr not for my passengers.
Rear visibility never bothered me...but I was taught how to adjust and use mirrors many years ago so really dont need to be able to turn around to back...if you are worried about something right there in middle close...get out and check before backing.
I loved the all rubber flooring in FJC but wish there was dynamat or similar under it instead of felt padding for moisture issues.
Loved glove box by steering wheel....that I could put Tuffy Box in for console....

Both are wide vehicles with tall hoods....so offroad I dont find much difference. Never had issue wheeling in tight places with either...just took my time and LEARNED my vehicles handling and size considerations off road.

 

[Gottagetone]

Loved my built FJC but the 100 is just a better fit for the family. Kids have their own window that rolls down in the back seat and its just more comfortable all the way around. The 100 does require more maintenance with the timing belt and wheel bearings but thats not a big deal.

 

[pkelly72]

I appreciate all of the comments. It's actually very interesting.

 

[OregonLC]

They kinda do. It's called the 4Runner. Even a GX could be considered a 4 door FJ as they share so many common underpinnings save the coachwork. Give them a lift, slap in a locker and they are just about as competent.

Technically, it's derived from an LC120, or the LC Prado/GX 470 platform. AFAIK, the 4Runner and GX are different chassis.

Edit: 4G 4Runner and Prado do sit on the same rollers.

I actually have a 5G 4Runner Trail loaner sitting in my driveway right now. It's nice, new, and tight. But it's no competition for a LC100 that's 11 years older!

 

[lexi4darin]

You're all wrong. Many of you keep mentioning this or that in terms of problems with the 100 series. Not one of you is correct. The single problem with the 100 series is that Toyota stopped making it.



The best way to tell the difference between the FJC and the 100 series is to drive them both. Everyone has mentioned the objective differences already so I'll try to describe them both from a subjective standpoint.

Daily driving: the FJC is nimble and quick enough that you can easily and quickly navigate any type of traffic, including tight parking lots, open highways, or bumper-to-bumper stop-n-go traffic with road rage on either side of you. Grip it and rip it. It has appropriately sized mirrors that make the lack of visibility a minor issue for any compotent driver and who needs mirrors when you're foot is mashed on the gas. The FJ scoots around briskly although crudely. The FJ100 is significantly more comfortable and classy. Significantly. Leather, power everything. Dimming mirrors. Sound proofing. It all adds up to more creature comforts. Also the 100 series handles all the same daily driving conditions as an FJC but with a lot less pep (and in some cases it feels like a slow dog). Maybe adding a 1,000lbs of class and comfort to an FJC would make these two nearly the same.
Off-road: the FJC feels like a rascally lil kid. It's quite capable and can get many of the same jobs done as a 100 series but the manner in which it does the job is different. The FJC is even louder when off road, which you won't think possible when you're DD'ing it. It's lighter and quicker on the trails but sometimes that's as much a negative as a positive. There's something more confidence inspiring about the 100 series. Maybe it's the stout weight or maybe it's all the creature comforts which disengages the drivers from the reality of harshness of bumps, drops, and bangs. When a 100 gets the job over obstacles, you know it got it done with confidence, braun, and class. When the FJC gets the job done, half the time I wonder how or had my hands so full I didn't necessarily get to enjoy it the same as I would with the 100.

 

[GaFJC]

Nobody has mentioned the $25 to $30 k MSRP difference between the FJC and 100 when new


You can get a whole lot more refinement with $25+ K

 

[GaFJC]

They kinda do. It's called the 4Runner. Even a GX could be considered a 4 door FJ as they share so many common underpinnings save the coachwork. Give them a lift, slap in a locker and they are just about as competent.

Last time I checked the 4Runner didn't look the same as the FJC. I'm a fan of the Fj40 ish grill and looks in general of the FJC.

Someday I hope to have a 4runner in my garage also. And a FJ40. And a 60. And.... Too many cool rides and not enough money or time...

 

[OGBeno]

Last time I checked the 4Runner didn't look the same as the FJC. I'm a fan of the Fj40 ish grill and looks in general of the FJC.

Someday I hope to have a 4runner in my garage also. And a FJ40. And a 60. And.... Too many cool rides and not enough money or time...

The FJC frame is a LC Prado/4Runner frame lengthened a bit and then reinforced a bit more. The rear axles are the same, trannies are the same, engine choices are similar (very different though for non-US market 150 series rigs and US market GX470/460 rigs), and chassis components are almost identical (PNs are almost exactly the same between FJC/4Rrunner/Tacoma/GX470-460).

Toyota is very good at cross-platforming vehicles for different markets. So are the other Japanese makes like Nissan and Honda.

 

[phsycle]

Nobody has mentioned the $25 to $30 k MSRP difference between the FJC and 100 when new


You can get a whole lot more refinement with $25+ K

I hate it when prices are brought up in these type of comparo's. Because they all end up with somebody saying you should buy a $2k pickup with $30k in mods to beat the pants out of any vehicle ever made.

 

[re_guderian]

Last time I checked the 4Runner didn't look the same as the FJC. I'm a fan of the Fj40 ish grill and looks in general of the FJC.

Someday I hope to have a 4runner in my garage also. And a FJ40. And a 60. And.... Too many cool rides and not enough money or time...

prolly because very, very few of us bought 100's new off the lot. There is also a total generation difference between them. Anyway, only driven a FJ once (Toyota Trail Team event) so I can't really comment. I can say that hardly anybody that rides in my 100 believes it is 12 years old and has 180K miles on it.