Differences between 100 series and FJ Cruiser

[OregonLC]

I'm still in denial D!
I can't let her go. Still get that loving' feeling every morning I see her!

That's hard to beat and to some extent you'll always regret selling a vehicle you really like even if it is an upgrade.

What about the 100 do you perceive as being too nice to take offroad? I'm not a big mudder, but I've had literally an inch of dust on it and it all cleans right up.

Sent from my iPod touch using IH8MUD

 

[Layonnn]

My only real complaint is the back seats don't fold down flat. Nor will those on the 100. I can almost sleep in the back of the FJ and can't begin to in the 100. .

The seats in the 100 fold up and outta the way (2nd row) to have an all flat floor that is perfect for sleeping on. The back of the seats in the FJ is about 4inches higher than the cargo area.

So how is it easier to sleep in the FJ than the 100? I find it a LOT easier to sleep in the back of the 100. And there is plenty of room for my dog to sleep next to me instead of almost on top of me as in the FJC.

 

[AmityFJ]

That's hard to beat and to some extent you'll always regret selling a vehicle you really like even if it is an upgrade.

What about the 100 do you perceive as being too nice to take offroad? I'm not a big mudder, but I've had literally an inch of dust on it and it all cleans right up.

Sent from my iPod touch using IH8MUD

I've always considered a 100 series Land Cruiser a luxury vehicle. All the refinements and appointments make it almost too nice to risk get ruined in a unanticipated situation where there would be water ingress or having to get back into a 100 after doing a trail repair involving grease, dirt, mud or whatever. It's what the FJC has over a 100. It's pretty low maintenance to clean up as compared to a 100. And if it doesn't come out - its a FJ and I'd get over it much easier than if it was a 100 I owned. But that's just me

If I ever buy a 100, I won't be doing the stuff I've done in my FJ. Not that it couldn't do it

 

[GaFJC]

Interesting read as I am considering moving to a 100. Almost got a '00 over the summer but the deal went south. Still looking for a really good deal as I'm pretty patient on my search.

I wouldn't even consider the move if it was for having two little kids getting bigger and the suicide doors being a pain. Yes it is doable, but it's beginning to annoy me.

What keeps me from selling my FJ is that I really enjoy driving the thing. It's got a lot of character and I know it's going to last a lot longer than anything made here in the states (including Toyotas built here)

I'm sure a 100 would be step up in quality, but it could be a con if you do go wheeling. All that niceness would get all messed up after a few real wheeling trips.

Another thing I've considered is the overall cost of maintenance and upkeep. Parts are probably more expensive on a 100 over an FJC. Hey, these things were very pricey when new, so I'm sure replacing components would cost a lot more than a FJC.

Also wondering how much a stealership would charge for a 90k service for an FJC versus a 100. I'm sure the 100 would be a lot more.

I would keep my FJ and buy a 100, but that isn't an option for me, so it's been pretty tough making this type of decision.

Nice points made by everyone who posted their observations.

It's early and no coffee but I don't believe the FJ engine needs the timing belt , water pump, etc. at 90k like the 4.7. The FJ motor may have been changed for 2010 and forward and it may need the 90k service.

The 3.4L in my 2000 Tacoma needed the 90k service also. I don't recall paying any less for it then I did my 2000 LC this summer.

While the 90k service bites and isn't fun to pay for look at how many people on Mud end up doing another at 180k because of the reliability of the 100 in general.

I'm still in denial D!
I can't let her go. Still get that loving' feeling every morning I see her!

I get it, that's why mine hasn't been sold and Ive driven it roughly 400 miles or less in the past 6 months

 

[AmityFJ]

I get it, that's why mine hasn't been sold and Ive driven it roughly 400 miles or less in the past 6 months

Sooner or later (probably later) reality will set in and I'll be selling her and will move on. Just out of sheer necessity. It'll be a sad day for me. What's worse is not having one and wheeling with all the FJC people I've become friends with. Pretty tight community.

 

[liveoak]

Having driven, and wheeled all dinominations of 100 we get here, the FJC for 2 up is more fun, and doesnt really miss out on many creature comforts here, though we only get the 11 model.

The 100 is clumsy, not nice in the front, tends to understeer, and isnt as nice to drive with similar mods on, or off road, its weight in slippery conditions makes it worse.

The 011 FJC is 150 series platform here, is shorter, and better approach and departure angle, 250kg lighter [500#] factory locker standard, rear parking sensors, reverse camera, and the mirror shape works very well for me. When Im loaded I cant see out the back of the 100, or FJC, the FJC has better equipment to cope with this std.

4X4 Australia mag just awarded it 4x4 of the year, using independent judges, over the 200 series, new Jeep GC, g-wagen, RR vogue, saying "fj's fun factor and simplicity of design won the judges over".

It was a shock result for 4X4 Aust mag, after the judges voted independently, after a week of testing, with 3 1'sts, 2 second places and a 3rd from 4wders, a couple of writers, editor.

Its a fun, love it or hate it car, the FJC, and the more I drive mine, the more I like it. When I heard it was coming, I decided against building a trick 100.

Im within a couple of inches of travel of my slinky long travel 80 set ups with IFS, and has more than our slinky long travel 100 set ups.



Its a fun, lighter, shorter, better handling, faster, car, if thats what your into.






I dont have kids either, so could consider the FJ, and its great door set up for 2 up touring, rather than go with the leather elbow patched cardy wearing 100 drivers set, who, going by some posts here, look at the FJ, and think mmmm, if only, just a little, for a second, before coming back to reality, of back seat occupants, more gear for them, wifes prefers the 100, yes, I have to like my hundy...

i think it's funny that here in the states we would give anything for a 70 series landcruiser or just about any diesel variant of our available toyotas and then toyota decides to release a gas powered fj in australia and it is actually selling well down there. in the u.s. we are stuck with the fj and 4runner as our only choices of semi affordable 4x4 toyota suvs. with so many choices down under i can't believe someone would want one. i guess everyone will always want what isn't available to them or maybe just maybe i am not giving the fj enough credit.

 

[liveoak]

i left out the sequoia on purpose. sorry bill burke

 

[OGBeno]

The 1GR-FE engine in the FJ does not need a timing belt, etc. It is chain driven.

The 1GR is prone to timing cover oil leaks over time and this would be a good time to R&R the water pump, hoses, thermostat, reseal the timing cover, new serp belt, plugs, etc.

It's a pretty reliable engine and easy to work on...probably some of the same reasons Toyota is using this engine in 200 series as well as 7x series in other markets.

 

[GaFJC]

ii guess everyone will always want what isn't available to them or maybe just maybe i am not giving the fj enough credit.

I think it's both

The 1GR-FE engine in the FJ does not need a timing belt, etc. It is chain driven.

The 1GR is prone to timing cover oil leaks over time and this would be a good time to R&R the water pump, hoses, thermostat, reseal the timing cover, new serp belt, plugs, etc.

It's a pretty reliable engine and easy to work on...probably some of the same reasons Toyota is using this engine in 200 series as well as 7x series in other markets.

I know it varies but is there an avg range of time or miles that this happens Beno? My OCD wants to add that to my lists of things to do.

Speaking of things to do, I need to connect with this week to place an order for my 100...

 

[pkelly72]

When I started this thread I was looking for a objective opinion between the two vehicles.

I owned and enjoyed my fj cruiser which was fully built. I enjoyed my 80 but not as much as the fj for a variety of reasons.

I guess I was just interested in hearing about the differences between the two vehicles. On road and off road performance, drivability, enjoyment. These questions can really only be answered by people who have experience with both vehicles.

I feel that there has been a lot of good discussion on here and by the end of the week I should be able to provide my own opinion.

 

[Nottajeep]

Time to wrap this thread up.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Time to wrap this thread up.

Ha. As much as I want to support the 100, I think in that video it's more about weight than traction. Maybe some skinny tires on the FJC would have helped it dig in.


After driving my 100 for a year and driving in some FJC's I don't think I could get used to the high dashboard, tiny windshield of the FJC. Also the front seat area in the FJC seems like a giant cavern. I think I'll stick to LCs and Range Rovers for the visibility.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Sooner or later (probably later) reality will set in and I'll be selling her and will move on. Just out of sheer necessity. It'll be a sad day for me. What's worse is not having one and wheeling with all the FJC people I've become friends with. Pretty tight community.

Amen! I miss my FJC from time to time. But hey many of us are over hear now also.... We traded the blue room for the black room...

 

[jonharis]

Time to wrap this thread up.

I agree, this video doesn't really prove or disprove anything other than that the LC is heavy.

of a

 

[GaFJC]

After driving my 100 for a year and driving in some FJC's I don't think I could get used to the high dashboard, tiny windshield of the FJC. .

Drove my FJC tonight for the first time in 2 mos. and had to adjust for a few minutes sitting in the cavern with the small windshield. Took a minute after so much time in my fishbowl Hundy.

Still won't sell the FJC. Well maybe for a nice LX470 ....

 

[pkelly72]

This will be the LAST time I reply to this thread.

I've owned my 100 for about 2 weeks and have put about 500 miles on it so far. This has been a majority of highway miles with about 70-100 miles of poorly maintained gravel/dirt roads. Below are my impressions of the 100 vs. the FJC:

Comfort: Hands down 100. The seat and cabin are much more refined. The seats are great (even heated). I hated my FJC drivers seat.

Power: The 100 has more overall power. I wouldn't say it's "quicker" than the FJC but it certainly feels more powerful. I hope this makes sense..I haven't had my 2nd cup of coffee yet.

Offroad: I just can't say. The FJC handled the crappy roads I drive just as well as the 100, maybe even better. I have yet to take the 100 on rocks so I can't say how it will do.

Aftermarket support: The FJC gets this by a long shot. It's surprising that there are so few vendors and aftermarket options for the 100. I know this is an area of growth for the 100 but it's way behind where the FJC is. FJC $$/100 $$$$

Bottom line: Different vehicles that both have their place. I wish I could have both of them but I'm really enjoying the 100 and don't see changing vehicles any time soon.

 

[Manhattan]

FJC vs 100? Like apples and steak. Other than some basic metrics, these trucks couldn't be more dissimilar. Like camping and staying at the W - like'em both. But how can the two be compared.

I had an FJC for 3.5 years - lifted, winch, etc. I loved that truck... now, have a 100 and love it... for a long list (all mentioned in others' posts) of reasons.

FJC: Toyota's attempt to reclaim what it had in the early Land Cruiser - a basic, well-built 4x4 SUV (emphasis on U)

100: Marks the middle of the out of control Land Cruiser saga and the last off-road LC The 80 started the slide too close to the lux market, the 100 put a "no turning back" stake in the ground. The 200 is just funny. No? Okay, compare a 70s era CJ to a 2012 JK. Now compare a 40 to a 200.

 

[OregonLC]

The reality is that the majority of us are going to become FJC drivers 10-15 years from now. Or maybe 4Runner drivers. Why? There's virtually very few LC's that will be hitting the used vehicle market after about 2005 MY. And vehicle supply worsens to an almost insignificant number for the 200's. I just wonder how the FJC's will hold up in the 150k-250k mile range. Hopefully they're as good as the 80's and 100's.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

The reality is that the majority of us are going to become FJC drivers 10-15 years from now. Or maybe 4Runner drivers. Why? There's virtually very few LC's that will be hitting the used vehicle market after about 2005 MY. And vehicle supply worsens to an almost insignificant number for the 200's. I just wonder how the FJC's will hold up in the 150k-250k mile range. Hopefully they're as good as the 80's and 100's.

I agree the 200s will not be easy to find. But currently there are 150+ used 100s for sale in the US. Check Cargurus and Cars for sale or Autorader.

I can't see going back to an FJC in 15 years. My next Land Cruiser will either be a newer 100 series or imported 70 series from somewhere.

 

[Nottajeep]

Alright, this has gone on long enough... A LANDCRUISER is that for a reason. The vehicle doesn't cost 2x a FJC for fun. Mr. T puts a hell of a lot more engineering and quality into the LC. Sorry FJC dudes but ask Toyota how much more quality of parts, engineering, design effort, testing, 3rd world applications are built around a LC over the FJC.

I like the FJC as it's a wonderful platform from Toyota to compete with the Jeep fags out there, but it doesn't merit being anywhere near the class of a LandCruiser. Sorry to poke some of the FJC guys in the eye but you can't compare a legend to some johnny come lately in 2007.

Like someone said earlier... we are comparing apples and oranges.