FJC V. 80 series

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I did some more searching and found a post by 97 FZJ80 that listed the rear cargo area measurements for the 80.

If anyone else needs the info the are as follows...

1. Width between the armrests - 55"
2. Width between the rear wheel wells - 44"
3. Width of the tailgat opening - 52"
4. Height of rear seats folded down - the the seatback is not prefectly horizontal when folded down - the rear is 9" and front is 12" from the REAR load floor
5. Height of highest section of rear wheel wells (left and right) - 9" at the top of third row seat bracket
6. Length of rear wheels wells (left and right) - As measured from the bottom of the seatback 27" on the driver side and 28 on the passenger side (US). Add three more inches for the entire wheel well since 3 inches resides under the middle seat
7. Width of rear wheel wells (left and right) - 8" and 8"
8. Postion of Tie down holes (from rear tailgate center-line) - 18"-19.5" This is for the factory retractable tie hooks that is shaped like an inverted J

A few more measurements:
Rear cargo floor length - 45"
Rear cargo length between middle row seat back on one notch recline and rear tailgate handle - 38"
Rear tailgate handle height - 16.5"
Rear window height - from floor to bottom of rear window - 21"

Thought it might help just for searching purposes.
 
I own both, and both are great! I agree both have the advantages and disadvantages...that's why I can't part with either!
 
Well if you had to pick one for the reasons i stated above which would it be?
 
Well to me it's like having to pick one son over another... I love them both. Having to put myself in your shoes.

1. I would take an FJC being single and looking to build a cool truck that is eye catching. Great off and on road with plenty of aftermarket goodies.

2. I would take an 80 if I was single and looking to be more frugle with my hard earned money up front, knowing I have the spare time to put LOTS of swet equity into a project.

You can see pros and cons depending on what you want and what you envision down the road. I chose to own both, and doubful I'll be selling either for some time.
 
Good way to put it.. More test drives to come...
 
I recently traded in my FJC and bought a LX450. The FJC was great for the first two years I had it, but I could never get my mind around damaging a $30k vehicle. It didn't help that the first time I took it on a trail I put a $1500 dent in the driver door. Then I met my wife and all of a sudden I had a 7 year old stepson getting in and out of the back all the time. The suicide door was the last straw I guess.

You already had an 80, so maybe you should just test drive a ton of FJCs and look at them with your 80 glasses on. I find that the visibilty in the LX450 is so much better than the FJC. I feel like I'm in one of those forest fire watchtowers now. One major thing is I am 6' tall, and I could not lean out of the driver's window of the FJC to see my tire (without lifting my butt far out of the seat), because of the way the doors are made. I can lean out and see in the LX.

The FJC had more pep, a couple mpg better, and just felt more sporty. Oh, the interior of the FJC is much nicer for camping and trail riding than the carpeted LX. I definitely miss that. I think they are great vehicles for a single guy. I never cared much about the suicide doors or backseat, figured I didn't have to ride back there, so big deal. But if you find yourself having a rear passenger often it can get old, just like any rear suicide door on any vehicle.

For me though, with the family, the LX wins. Cost less, 4 doors, better visibility.


edit: If you use your mirrors you can overcome most of the safety issues with the visibility of the FJC. However, there is one situation that I found the blind spot was extremely dangerous. This is when trying to pull out onto a crossing road at something like a 45 degree angle. The C pillar spot really blocks your view and your mirrors are useless. It doesn't happen often, but when it does you will definitely be cussing.
 
Yeah i've driven 3 so far (all different ones) and like them so far. All the rides have just been short ones though, i plan on taking a longer ride in one if i can convince a dealer or find one for sale privately.
So far with my 80 glasses i like it pretty well. The power is great and, like you mentioned, i like the floors. The blind spots dont bother me too much they just take getting used to.

Time will tell.

Mtcoach. After searching some of your posts i see that you are probably a good resource as to the capabilities of the FJC. The wheeling that you do will be much more than i will ever get into, so with your experiences how do you feel about the quality of the FJC? The 80 was really tough and on the trails or unimproved roads that i'm often on for my activities it was overkill (in a good way). What do you think of the FJC? I know this is a sketchy question but could you answer as best you can without "bias"?

Thanks.
 
I wheel the heck out of mine and have been pleasantly surprised. When I took it to Rubithon with a buddy driving his 80 we were both impressed. We chose to take the one day straight thru run and by the springs I think all of the neigh Sayers that were on that run with us were dually impressed. I am one of the trucks that has had my inner fender panel crumple zones crumple and Toyota won't touch it since I have an aftermarket bumper. I also have had a few bits replaced (front pulley bearings, CV boot, half shaft...all under warranty) and now have a really bad squeak in the front end (think beat work truck). But my only dismay in the truck so far has been that Toyota won't repair the weak early inner fender panels (that have been upgraded twice now over the model years) when my vehicle has never been in any front impact. Hope this is a bit helpful. Oh and did I mention that my whole truck was filled with several hundred gallons of water on Rubicon? My inverter didn't work for a day or so until it dried out but aside from that temporary issue No damage and it dried nicely. Okay I'm really done this time.
 
Mtcoach. After searching some of your posts i see that you are probably a good resource as to the capabilities of the FJC. The wheeling that you do will be much more than i will ever get into, so with your experiences how do you feel about the quality of the FJC? The 80 was really tough and on the trails or unimproved roads that i'm often on for my activities it was overkill (in a good way). What do you think of the FJC? I know this is a sketchy question but could you answer as best you can without "bias"?

Thanks.

All bias aside, remember that I own an 80 as well as wheel with many who own very built Landcruisers of all models.

I have an "early" FJC (bought in April '06) and have done some fairly extensive and challenging travel in it. I've got 55k on it now and without jinxing myself, haven't had any issues. Now, I did swap out the "questionable" rear ring & pinion before doing Rubithon '08 and saw 2 people have issues in Moab on the same trip. In both cases, there was some "hopping" of the rear end, while locked, not a good idea IMHO.

The whole fender "bulge/rip" issue seems to have been an isolated issue without any common factor of lifts/wheeling/tires being able to identify why they have occurred. I haven't experience this issue either.

I'd simply say its a Toyota and have found excellent build quality with mine.

If I had to choose one or the other, it would be a tough decision. I believe that the 80 series has more potential in being set up for either hard core wheeling or expedition travel. The room is great, the live front axle is better, there are enough suspension options to make it a great rig to off-road. But, its slow, sucks gas in a big way, I hate the way Toyota placed the cats and is heavy.

The FJC wheels great for the type of use you plan on, right of the showroom. In fact, I think thats what Toyota really planned the vehicle for. For two people and a couple dogs, its great with plenty of cargo room to enjoy most anything outdoors. For more hard core wheeling in the FJC, it takes a significant investment and it still is arguably "hamstrung" due to the IFS front end. For expedition type stuff, you really wouldn't need to do anything to it but fit your drawer system to it and go. Upgrade your tires to a 255/85/16, put some OME suspension on it and you have a great vehicle that can go most everywhere but the "extreme" trails. I think that ATRAC is an excellent feature, so no matter what you do, if you get an FJC, make sure it has a rear locker so you can get ATRAC. Remember that if it has the rear locker, it is "wired" for ATRAC regardless if the switch is installed. I bought the ATRAC switch and for $50, I got ATRAC.

Sorry for the long reply. In all honesty, I'd probably go with the FZJ80 if I was FORCED to choose one or the other. I love my FJC, have pushed it to the limits but it falls short with the IFS when it comes to "serious" off-road capabilities. It doesn't mean the FJC can't be made to accommodate that short coming, it just comes with the expense and risk one must take with it.

Hope this helps and if you feel like driving down my way, you could take mine for a spin if you wish...
 
Thanks a ton Knoll and mtbcoach very helpful posts.

Mtb, I mught take you up on that test drive. I'm pretty busy through the holidays but it sounds like a great idea once things slow down.
 
Thanks a ton Knoll and mtbcoach very helpful posts.

Mtb, I mught take you up on that test drive. I'm pretty busy through the holidays but it sounds like a great idea once things slow down.

Just shoot me a PM and we can get it done. There is a chance I may get close to you when I visit Budbuilt in Lenoir...
 
let me know when you head up this way
 
Boone, "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."

You have an FJ-80 with the 3FE. Although I love my 3FE, the 1FZ is much better suited for an 80 with AWD. Just wanted to mention that, not that an FZJ-80 is a race car or anything. If you already knew then nevermind.
 
Yeah thats actually a point that i have been thinking about. I had a 3fe and have never driven a 1fz but probably will soon just to see what i think about it...

By they way i drove another FJC the other day and it, as before, was impressive for a short jaunt around town.

If toyota would quit making awesome 4x4's it would make my decision easier!!!
 
I'll tease you some more and say I've got both of those. You could drive each, side by side, both with 35's for a head-to-head comparison. My FJC is re-geared so it might not be a fair comparison but pretty close...
 
Dam dude I'm definitely gonna have to get up with you if for no other reason than to drool over your rigs. I'm sure i could learn as well.

Do you remember how those two vehicles compared when they were both stock? Strictly powerwise, i'm comfortable enough with the measurements and i think that either one would fit my needs. power is still an issue though, especially since i live in the mountains.


By the way big thanks to everyone helping out so much with my post.
 

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