How is the FJC off road?

[OGBeno]

what should i avoid if i have an essentially stock FJ? (IE no lift, mud tires, snorkel ,bumper, winch etc.). a friend of mine has an old ford F250, with what he claims is a 4in lift (he didn't do the lift himself, a previous owner did ...it looks like a 6-8in though), and 31in mud tires. him, and a friend of mine who has a liberty, offroad in his backyard. at one section of this course, they said, "if you want to see the truck (the F250) get batted around like its a toy, then check this out when its rained." i stepped in the obviously well traveled but somewhat caked dry mud pit, and my foot sank somewhat. they were both staring at me doubting the abilities of the FJ. this was only the 2nd day i had the FJ, i wasn't willing to try it out. do you think i could make it through a mud pit like this if i were to put in 4-Lo and then put on A-trac? (or use of rear locker)?

I would have some good tow straps and maybe a winch (at least on another vehicle) if you are going to play in the mud.

Good mud tires will also help.

But, those ar ejust technicalities. Go out and have some fun.

The FJC's wheel great in stock formation. I saw Mike Smyth wheel the crap out of it at the Badlands going up some straight up sheer walls using the ATRAC system and some skinny pedal.

I think wheeling the FJC has a lot to do with--as with all things 4 wheeling--the driver and the driver's experience.

Watch some of the FJC pros take the FJC where many would not. Tim Scully is an excellent driver and it amazes me where he takes the FJC with some mild tires, an ARB, underbody skid plate and a winch.

 

[Mustard Dog]

if you have good mud tires go for it , you will make it, if you have the crappy street tires that came on mine then good luck.

these are the tires on mine now!!

Will that ladder work with the stock roof rack?

 

[Brentbba]

I can only chime in from what I witnessed this past weekend on Holcomb Creek in Big Bear. Watched a completely stock FJ coming down a rock garden we'd gone up earlier in the day in our 2 1/2" lifted 285 shod cruisers. This guy had stock street tires and no sliders. He was doing just great where our longer but lifted cruisers had a little more 'fun'. I was impressed.

 

[k_os]

Well as you may you know my alternator gave in. I took it apart myself, and one of the bearings is fxxxed. It appeats that those "sealed" bearings are not so sealed after all. Oh well I'm getting myself some better quality bearings and problem fixed.

 

[mapleton cruiser]

Will that ladder work with the stock roof rack?

yes it will!

 

[Beowulf]

Well as you may you know my alternator gave in. I took it apart myself, and one of the bearings is fxxxed.

That's a technical term?

-B-

 

[k_os]

That's a technical term?

-B-

Dirt got inside of it.. not lubricated.. whatever happened in there.

 

[Beowulf]

Eloquent.

-B-

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

I have put about 500 miles or so on my vehicle just 4x4ing, I only have 1900 on it. I have done almost every trail around Tucson, Az. Extremely hard unforgiving terrain rocks, rocks, and more rocks. The only problem I've had is the cross member placement. Which I have hit a few times ( while testing capacities)but it always just scrapes by, what actually hits is the two arms that are attached to the crossmember (no major damage at all). The geometry of these vehicles squeaks by with no damage. A coil over lift with 33" tires will definatly suffice, and allow you to accomplish any trail no scrapes no problems. Just finished one of the hardest trails in my area Saturday with a Fj 60 customed out 33" tire all the goods, a fj 62 also very large, and an fj 80. Accept for an occasional low blow about the element jumping the scion assembly line, and something about a camry making it up the hill with active traction, and minor body damage from the wrong line I chose with no rock rails

all the guys were impressed with the FJC. It rocked and rolled over all the same obsticles, TOTALLY STOCK. Crossmember will survive and if you know how to offroad you will not hit anything, it's all about wheel placement and experience. Trust me it rocks!!!! Sorry so long.

 

[Michael1]

Another thing to consider is the shorter wheel base and turning radius. You'll negotiate tight turns on trails much better with the FJ and be less likely to high center.

Actually the turning diameter of the Tacoma is better than the FJ's! The Tacoma turning diameter is 40.7, while the FJ's is over a foot bigger at 41.8.

You are correct about the FJ being less likely to high center. Breakover angle for the FJ is 27.4 degrees vs. only 21 for the Tacoma.

Michael

 

[CandyPants]

I had mine out again yesterday and it was able to do everything stock that the others on the ride could do (4-runner, 2 FJ-60's, and a Disco). The only limitation I found is that it's wider than the 60's and the 4runner...at least it appears that way. The girl in front of me banged up her 4 runner compliments of a tree...so I didn't head that way and hit the mud bypass in stead. The guys in the 60's were ready to winch me out, but not necessary, I came through just fine. I had the ATRAC on in case I needed it, but it didn't fire once the whole time. Granted, it was not extreme conditions, but eveyone was impressed with what it could do.

I'll have it lifted and ready for another run at Tellico in about 2 weeks and we'll see how that goes!

 

[GXO]

I had mine out again yesterday and it was able to do everything stock that the others on the ride could do (4-runner, 2 FJ-60's, and a Disco). The only limitation I found is that it's wider than the 60's and the 4runner...at least it appears that way. The girl in front of me banged up her 4 runner compliments of a tree...so I didn't head that way and hit the mud bypass in stead. The guys in the 60's were ready to winch me out, but not necessary, I came through just fine. I had the ATRAC on in case I needed it, but it didn't fire once the whole time. Granted, it was not extreme conditions, but eveyone was impressed with what it could do.

I'll have it lifted and ready for another run at Tellico in about 2 weeks and we'll see how that goes!

Good thing you didn't ride with me, Taylor, and the boys in your truck

It walked up some things the fully locked and lifted trucks has issues with.

It is no wider than an 80, never had any issues on the same trails you went on. I think you had an issue with new owner worries!