FJ Does Rubithon - PICS!

[woody]

Not exactly. I'm hearing reports of irate people stuck behind those stockers inching their way along the trail in spite of not meeting the minimum requirements for the event. Toyota got the lion's share of the publicity at this year's Rubithon while supplying nothing to the event. Real supporters supplied thousands of dollars of goods to the raffle and were busy helping broken rigs and cooking food while the "Trail team" was basking in the glory of the Rav4's spawn. TLCA is being taken for a fool on all this FJ Cruiser BS.

Minimum vehicle requirements 33" and either a: single locker or lower gearing. All vehicles must also have or carry: Hi Lift Jack easily accessible, front and rear hooks or strap attachment points, a strap (no chains or metal hooks), working fire extinguisher, first aid kit and personal toilet. Yes, Personal Toilets and packing out your waste will be the standard protocol at this event.

Per Rubithon.com, and per other posts, the FJC's were lifted over stock and had tires 1" over stock...with 32's being the stock tire, it would seem they meet the minimum requirements of the event. (33's, single locker)

Guaranteed they take more time tho, but I also guarantee I'm not exactlee quick with my 80-series when wheelin...

Rod, I'd love to "steal" a pic from your collection for the IH8MUD.com Featured rotation...do ya mind??

 

[woooody]

We had this discussion over on Pirate, and I think there are a couple of points both sides should consider. For background, I was on the Double Locker Run, and we came up behind the Trail Team on Wednesday.



I think there is a huge difference between team #1 (Yellow) and team #2 (Blue).

It's unfortunate, but the guidance that Toyota Corp gave to the trail teams was "no paint scratch, no dent". Having your employer give you that directive TOTALLY changes how you run this trail. If minor carnage was acceptable, they would have been much faster.

Having said that, I ultimately was happy that they made the trip in. I wish it would have went faster for them, but they took care in spots that I would have said "F... it". Of course, that's why my rig looks the way it does.

The reality is there will be more and more FJC's on Rubithons. I may be driving one. I hope that by that time there are better options for bumpers, sliders and exo-cages.

There is a whole running thread about exclusivity, and public access on the Rubicon. We need to work together to make the trail accessable and passible by properly modified rigs. Fixing some of the bad spots will reduce erosion and trail damage, but proper mods will also allow faster access for all.

my 2 cents
__________________
Ross Woody
Vallejo, Ca
TLCA #7704
TLCA Western Individual Rep
72 FJ40 * "Mudrak Improved"®

 

[TexasBadlands]

It isn't the new Land Cruiser! The new Land Cruiser hasn't come out yet. Another year or year and half. I'm not saying it is a terrible vehicle, but it is not a Land Cruiser. FJ does not have LAND in it anywhere.

I don't know what happened at Rubithon. At Cruise Moab the Trail Team and Toyota were awesome. They had a free dinner Thursday night. Let people use their big screen to view photos and videos taken that day and passed out lots of FJ Cruiser loot.

I am not going to be here debating this. It is in the Land Cruiser line, it is classified as the "FJ" model, instead of 100 120, or whatever. It is a Land Cruiser, and this site is "Exclusively for Land Cruisers".

DUH.

 

[woooody]

It isn't the new Land Cruiser! The new Land Cruiser hasn't come out yet. Another year or year and half. I'm not saying it is a terrible vehicle, but it is not a Land Cruiser. FJ does not have LAND in it anywhere.

I don't know what happened at Rubithon. At Cruise Moab the Trail Team and Toyota were awesome. They had a free dinner Thursday night. Let people use their big screen to view photos and videos taken that day and passed out lots of FJ Cruiser loot.

Pssst -- Eric -- The Toyota LAND Cruiser Association (of which you are not only a member, but also the MVP) has accepted the FJ Cruiser as a worthy vehicle for membership. You are using the FJC to increase membership in TLCA. So why the negativity?

Now, while you are technically correct, the word "LAND" isn't in the name, we are all in this together, and the FJ Cruiser is the next extension of the Land Cruiser line.

Having not only wheeled with the Trail Team on Rubicon, but also wheeled the FJC on the 'Con, I can absolutely say that it is worthy of Membership. In my mind MORE so that the current Land Cruiser offering.

 

[FirstToy]

Listen guys, this debate over the name has been played out in chit-chat many times. Revive one of those threads if you must

This is a great thread about Rubithon so let's keep that going.

Everyone that was at Rubithon, thanks for the info and perspective. Good & bad, I'm sure the FJC guys appreciate it all.

Also, check out the Rubithon threads in the "trails-events-exped" section for more about the whole thing.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Having spent more time with the FJ Crew than most at Rubithon they did very well, were always polite, professional and very well dressed compared to me! I had one outfit for 3 days!. We (Green Fox) and I were in the sweeper tailgunner position on the Breakfast run. Everyone needs to remember wheeling a stockish truck and you'll realize how difficult it is.. I can remember one moab where I showed up in my FZJ80 and was one of 3 80's there! Well they were one of 3 FJ Cruisers there so they did extrememly well, no breakage, they ran the run and had fun! We all learned to relax, enjoy the scenery.. I was a bit miffed at myself for forgeting my trial binoculars tho! When on the Con even if moving slow it's still better than surfin about wheeling or being at work! So.. Everyone had a great time! The FJ team is an awesome crew that kept they're cool, completed a very difficult trail and I"M sure have plenty of pictures of the ride thru!

 

[erfworm]

How can I get a better quality version of this shot, save as and resize gives me this. Awesome pics, FJs are cool and they are Toyotas that settles the debate in my mind.

 

[woody]

How can I get a better quality version of this shot, save as and resize gives me this. Awesome pics, FJs are cool and they are Toyotas that settles the debate in my mind.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=47248

read that thread, covers one program for resizing and rescaling....there are a few tricks/experiments to it, but once you have it set, it's good to go....

 

[erfworm]

Woody, I used irfanview to resize what I posted and saved at 100 quality as a progressive jpeg. Works with all my other pics, but this was saved as a thumbnail of Rooster's site ( hope that's allright Roosterdo) am I missing something? That is a great photo!

 

[Beowulf]

erfworm,
It is not likely that you will be able to create a hi-res image from a low-res (ie "thumbnail") image.
-B-

 

[roosterdo]

I have set it up to the pics can be downloaded for your fun and amusement, enjoy.

I just as i you use one in a commercial context let me know, and if you need better resolution send me an IM and I try to send you it. Though sorry to disappoint, I will have to charge for the pictures of me! (woody, I know that's what you wanted)

Rod

 

[erfworm]

erfworm,
It is not likely that you will be able to create a hi-res image from a low-res (ie "thumbnail") image.
-B-

Yeah thats what i was thinking but thought I might be missing something.


Thanks Roosterdo, I really like that pic, would look good on my desktop.

 

[greenfox]

I have so many pics of fjc on the Rubithon what do you whant to see. The pics that were posted were of cadilllac hill going out to Tahoe

 

[greenfox]

Here some real pics from Rubithon

 

[greenfox]

Big sluice,

 

[tnegiet]

Great pics rooster

 

[petescoffee]

I concure with Wooody on the FJ cruiser team and was ultimately happy the Cruiser team was with us on the trail and participated at the event. I was with "Yellow team" on the Wed. Breakfast run and they did well. I should have taken more time going through sections of the trail like they did, then I would have had less body damage. But I tend to say F..It as well. Instead I dented my new paint job on my FJ40. Thank god for the new fender protection that I had Decker's put on. I would be putting on 2 new fenders if not for them.
The Cruiser team was slower than most, but not all. We had a large group of about 24 or so rigs including, FJ40's, 80's, Mini trucks and the FJ Cruisers. That is a large group to get through the Con. The Crew was very cordial and had a good attitude especially when Gustav had to wade in the water to hook up the winch. They would not have gotten stuck if someone had told them about the rock in the water crossing. Gustav told everyone behind his team though.
I saw the Double locker run Wooody was on a couple of times. They were headed into Loon LAke when we were headed into the con. Then they caught us again before Big SLuice. They got held up more because of the 80 with a tire that lots it's seat. The Double Locker crew worked to set the tire and guide the 80 through that section of the trail. The double locker crew moves on the trail as all of the rigs and drivers were quite capable.

I think a little more lift and the FJ Cruisers would have had a better time getting through the trail. It was fun to see them go through though and fun to drive around the springs.On my test drive I found the rig to be much more capable than I thought it Would be.

For swag The Team did donate to the raffle as well as pass out back packs and info at the trail head for the breakfast run. They were also snapping pictures galore on the trail.

Any way just my $.02 and look forward to seeing them on the trail.
Dave Thomas

We had this discussion over on Pirate, and I think there are a couple of points both sides should consider. For background, I was on the Double Locker Run, and we came up behind the Trail Team on Wednesday.

I think there is a huge difference between team #1 (Yellow) and team #2 (Blue).

It's unfortunate, but the guidance that Toyota Corp gave to the trail teams was "no paint scratch, no dent". Having your employer give you that directive TOTALLY changes how you run this trail. If minor carnage was acceptable, they would have been much faster.

Having said that, I ultimately was happy that they made the trip in. I wish it would have went faster for them, but they took care in spots that I would have said "F... it". Of course, that's why my rig looks the way it does.

The reality is there will be more and more FJC's on Rubithons. I may be driving one. I hope that by that time there are better options for bumpers, sliders and exo-cages.

There is a whole running thread about exclusivity, and public access on the Rubicon. We need to work together to make the trail accessable and passible by properly modified rigs. Fixing some of the bad spots will reduce erosion and trail damage, but proper mods will also allow faster access for all.

my 2 cents
__________________
Ross Woody
Vallejo, Ca
TLCA #7704
TLCA Western Individual Rep
72 FJ40 * "Mudrak Improved"®

 

[ginericLC]

I am not going to be here debating this. It is in the Land Cruiser line, it is classified as the "FJ" model, instead of 100 120, or whatever. It is a Land Cruiser, and this site is "Exclusively for Land Cruisers".

DUH.

There is no Land Cruiser line in the North America, it is a vehicle of one. The having a choice from the line ended in 1984. I'm not knocking the vehicle but there is a huge difference between the current Land Cruiser offered and the FJ Cruiser. I'm definitely not saying it doesn't belong here or in TLCA. As matter of fact I've been trying hard to make sure it is accepted in TLCA and have been active in recruiting FJ Cruiser owners for membership. I'd be busting your chops on classification, if you called a diesel Land Cruiser a FJ I'd correct you there too. This is a Land Cruiser forum and also includes minis, 4Runners, Tacos, Tundras, Sequoias, etc... That doesn't mean that any of them are Land Cruisers they are just related. And I think it is a happy family. My worst day of wheeling with other Toyotas is better than my best day of wheeling with Jeeps. I've never wheeled with a Jeep that didn't break on the trail.

On a side note: originally FJ stood for Foreign Jeep. Later the F went to designate the F line of motors found in them. The current Land Cruiser is not an FJ in terms of motor, it is a UZJ as it has the 2UZJ motor. The FJ Cruiser would meet the guidelines of being an FJ in the original terms of what Toyota defined FJ to mean but not in the secondary definition because it does not have a motor from the "F" line of motors. And another interesting thing is that as early as 1993 Toyota dropped the FJ from the VINS. My 94 is a FZJ80 model but the VIN is DJ81 instead of FJ.

There is no negativity in my tone. I'm just trying to make sure people clarify what they are talking about. I actually ordered 4 FJ Cruisers trying to make sure I got one, I plunked down $2500 on them. So I'm definitely excited about it. 2 of the orders were canceled as the dealers did not have enough stock to fulfill their orders. Tom Scott Toyota had an 18 month waiting list after the first 2 arrived, so they canceled all orders they could not fullfil by Nov. 2006. One has yet to appear and the other was a color I didn't like without the equipment I wanted so I let it go. I'm not spending 30k on something I don't want. And I've sort of changed my mind about them and I'm not sure it meets my needs. They are awesome on the trail and in my opinion much better off road than anything Toyota currently offers. My issue has to do with small children and dogs. The rear seating and visibility is not so good for how I want to use it.

I have no comments on Rubithon. I wasn't there. However, at CM the FJ Cruiser trail team and the FJs both co. owned and privately owned were great. It was a true showing of how capable they are. I'm amazed at the ATRAC. I wish I had that weapon in my arsenal. And FJ Trail Team was top notch and I appreciated all they did for the event and their willingness to help out.

So probably more of a long winded answer than anyone wanted. But to me it is all about the details.

 

[saskdiesel]

There is no Land Cruiser line in the North America, it is a vehicle of one. The having a choice from the line ended in 1984. I'm not knocking the vehicle but there is a huge difference between the current Land Cruiser offered and the FJ Cruiser. I'm definitely not saying it doesn't belong here or in TLCA. As matter of fact I've been trying hard to make sure it is accepted in TLCA and have been active in recruiting FJ Cruiser owners for membership. I'd be busting your chops on classification, if you called a diesel Land Cruiser a FJ I'd correct you there too. This is a Land Cruiser forum and also includes minis, 4Runners, Tacos, Tundras, Sequoias, etc... That doesn't mean that any of them are Land Cruisers they are just related. And I think it is a happy family. My worst day of wheeling with other Toyotas is better than my best day of wheeling with Jeeps. I've never wheeled with a Jeep that didn't break on the trail.

On a side note: originally FJ stood for Foreign Jeep. Later the F went to designate the F line of motors found in them. The current Land Cruiser is not an FJ in terms of motor, it is a UZJ as it has the 2UZJ motor. The FJ Cruiser would meet the guidelines of being an FJ in the original terms of what Toyota defined FJ to mean but not in the secondary definition because it does not have a motor from the "F" line of motors. And another interesting thing is that as early as 1993 Toyota dropped the FJ from the VINS. My 94 is a FZJ80 model but the VIN is DJ81 instead of FJ.

There is no negativity in my tone. I'm just trying to make sure people clarify what they are talking about. I actually ordered 4 FJ Cruisers trying to make sure I got one, I plunked down $2500 on them. So I'm definitely excited about it. 2 of the orders were canceled as the dealers did not have enough stock to fulfill their orders. Tom Scott Toyota had an 18 month waiting list after the first 2 arrived, so they canceled all orders they could not fullfil by Nov. 2006. One has yet to appear and the other was a color I didn't like without the equipment I wanted so I let it go. I'm not spending 30k on something I don't want. And I've sort of changed my mind about them and I'm not sure it meets my needs. They are awesome on the trail and in my opinion much better off road than anything Toyota currently offers. My issue has to do with small children and dogs. The rear seating and visibility is not so good for how I want to use it.

I have no comments on Rubithon. I wasn't there. However, at CM the FJ Cruiser trail team and the FJs both co. owned and privately owned were great. It was a true showing of how capable they are. I'm amazed at the ATRAC. I wish I had that weapon in my arsenal. And FJ Trail Team was top notch and I appreciated all they did for the event and their willingness to help out.

So probably more of a long winded answer than anyone wanted. But to me it is all about the details.

Well said.
The TLCA, which I have been a member of for 9 years now, is open to all Toyota vehicles. As are all the TLCA sanctioned events.
I enjoy seeing Land Cruisers, mini truck/Hilux, Surfs, 4Runners and now the FJ Cruiser at theses events.

The FJ Cruiser is not a Land Cruiser, but that makes no difference when people enjoy all sorts of vehicles at an event. I like variety!

I hope to see a new FJ in action at the BHCC later this month, but since some of the trails are rather nasty, we shall see.

 

[alvarorb]

Here's one of mine:

It's nice to see new Toyotas on the trail.

Regards

Alvaro