FJC V. 80 series

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Could someone with experience with both the 80 and the FJC chime in on the area of the rear cargo area. i used to drive an 80 but it got totaled about a year ago... looking at maybe getting an FJC in the near future, just wanted to compare the cargo areas.

Measurements would be awesome.
 
There is more room in the 80, with the third row seats folded up. The 80 cargo area is longer. Can't compare measurements because one of my sons 300 miles away has the 80 now.
 
Well even if somone could just put up the measurements of the FJC i've got the same post put up in the 80's section and i'm sure that they'll post up some info over there. One main reason is because i have a box system left over and i'd like to know if it would at least be salvageable. Ive test driven a few FJC's but would still like to see some numbers so i could get a better feel as to how it compares to the 80. When i drove the 80 i had more than enough room.
 
I would never buy another FJC and I miss my 80 horribly.

The FJC may have more usable space. Tough to say. I doubt the box system would swap over. The FJC seats don't fold flat and I don't think there is as much room to the backs of the back seat.

Aren't there cargo room specs out there someplace?
 
I know it wont swap directly over but hopefully (if i end up with an FJC) i'll be able to get it to fit without much work. Just by cutting it and resizing (its home made) .

I'm sure they are out there i just hacent found em yet i'll have to dig a little deeper.
 
o and i meant to ask what is it that you miss about you 80 that the FJC doesnt offer?
 
rear windows

visibility

A normal w/s that allows you to see traffic lights and doesn't break

normal rear doors

I think a vehicle should be functional first. The FJC is all about form first.


I used to be a big defender of the FJC, but I was wrong.
 
What do you mean by a normal w/s? Are you refering to the "suicide" type doors on the rear?

As far as how much you like to drive it how do you think of it. I like to get offroad but i dont really go "wheelin" its mostly stuff that gets me to places where i do other things like fishing, climbing, camping, etc...
 
I think he's referring to the long short very upright windshield. It is very difficult to see traffic lights if you are in a position that allows you to see the road. Also it is a rock magnet and is one of the major contributing factors to the poor fuel mileage...
 
Ah got ya w/s=windsheild.

When gumby talks about normal rear doors is he talking about the "suicide" doors? Do they get anoying?
 
I own both and wheel with guys with both. Much of the answer really depends on what you plan on using the vehicle for.

I love my FJC and wheel the crap out of it. Yet, I think the 80 series has more potential (live front axle) in a couple arenas. Not that the FJC can't "keep up", just that the 80 is a tried and true workhorse. I drove my FJC from NC to CA to do Rubithon in '08 with my daughters and dog, hit Moab and Ouray on the way home w/o any issues. That trip alone impressed me like no other vehicle I've owned.

I'd agree with 1911 that the rear cargo area is larger in the 80 (not by a lot) as well as Gumby that it is a negative how the seats fold down in the FJC. Yet, I don't utilize my FJC much with the seats down so its really not an issue for me, though it might be for you. Yes, the suicide doors can be a pain if you have kids, someone needs to close the door for the rear occupants unless they learn how to do the seatbelt catch/close technique.

The biggest difference is overall visibility. In the 80, I feel like I'm driving the Popemobile where the FJC is driving in a much more "closed" vehicle. My daughters drive the 80 and I'm happy to put them in a 6klb vehicle with ABS and airbags, great vehicle for teenagers. Yet, still not the best daily driver as compared to the FJC IMHO.

Tough call, with more specific goals/plans for either vehicle, tough to give too much guidance...
 
like i said before "wheelin" isnt really my primary goal. I will proabaly shoot for 33's and just basic stuff, nothin hardcore. i would just use the truck to get me to camping, fishing, climbing places. thats really all i have as far as goals. Of course all this is if i actually do decide on getting an FJC, right now i'm just trying to figure out how big the cargo area is so i can compare it to the 80 which is what i know.
 
numbers don't mean anything in this situation. You need to go to a dealer and climb around the FJC to see if it fits your needs.
 
I guess i'm just not asking my question right. All i want is a measurement of the rear cargo area just length and width. I've driven a few but its hard to tell just by looking as to how it compares to the 80 i had because i dont have an 80 in front of me, thats why i want the numbers. I havent even made my mind up on the FJC yet, just lookin for info.
 
Sorry, I was too lazy to do it. Here you go:

FJC measurements:

Door opening - 35" tall x 43 3/4" wide at middle
Measurements with seats up:
Floor - 42 1/4" wide x 37" length
@ "Shelf" = 55 1/2" wide x 29 1/2" length
Shelf is 10" tall

Hope this helps...
 
Last edited:
Sorry, I was too lazy to do it. Here you go:

Door opening - 35" tall x 43 3/4" wide at middle
Measurements with seats up:
Floor - 42 1/4" wide x 37" length
@ "Shelf" = 55 1/2" wide x 29 1/2" length
Shelf is 10" tall

Hope this helps...

Just to be clear... these are FJC measurements?
 
As for a driver I think the FJC is going to be much more "streetable". For long trips and day to day driving it handles much more like a car with the IFS. The suicide doors really haven't been an issue for us since our children are still under five. Once we have to open one of the front doors just to drop someone off this may change, but can't say. All things considered I think if I were to do it again I would either get the FJC or a first gen four runner with straight axle and a car. It sounds like an FJC will better meet the needs that you have mentioned, if the storage space is enough. Oh and in a side note it is a bit frustrating that sleeping in the FJC would require quite a few additions where as you can just get a rear hatch tent for an 80. I do usually just sleep on my ARB rack when wheelin' but people find this an oddity... okay enough rambling from the peanut gallery. :cheers: good luck!
 
awesome just what i was lookin for, thanks.

No kids for me at least not for a good ling time, i'm only 22 so the most i'll be doing is unloading friends and they can just deal with it lol.

I'm not planning on looking seriously for about a year but i'm gonna test drive a lot of FJC's in that time to see what i think of them. I'm also considering a 100 but less so than the FJC. I loved my 80 but i'm looking for something with a little more power, the 80 just didnt do it for me in that dept. I might also try out a 4 runner or something, pretty sure i dont want a truck.

Anyway just some thinking out loud from me. Thanks again
 

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