Need some FJC insight

[packman]

I'm wanting to buy an FJC. Wanted to know if anyone has seen the 07 black TRD in Hendersonville (Liberty Motors). Not keen on buying from a roadside stand, but Carfax is clean and I plan to take any rig I buy to the nearest Toyota dealership. If someone has looked at it or knows of some other good FJCs in the area under $23k, please let me know. Rookie question - if someone has a list of things to be on the lookout for, I'd appreciate it.
Bring on the .02
Thanks.
Dan

 

[Southeast Overland]

2 big things to look out for are the early, weak diffs and fender buldges.

I would suggest you go over to the blue forum and look in the dealership problems subforum. Most of the major problems with FJCs are listed there.

 

[BMThiker]

I'd look for anything with a build date after Feb/07. Look on the driver side door frame for the factory tag. The upper corner will have a date stamp like "02/07"

You shouldn't have any diff issues with anything after 02/07.

If you go with the 08 model year, you'll get the A-trac and RR Locker synchronization that first year models did not have. Not a big deal since it can be hacked very easily in about 10 minutes.

Fender bulges continued to be a problem with the first couple model years, but I haven't followed that story closely in a while to see if later models still have the issue. I do know that TMC started putting additional plates behind the affected area on newer models, but it looks like a bandaid fix to me. I got bulges and cracks, but I'm not terribly worried about them either.

That's not to say you can't bargain with the seller on the 07 TRD you are looking at, especially if it has the bulges and pre 02/07 diffs. If you don't take it offroad, then you'll likely never have to worry about the diffs, since only failures occurred under offroad conditions. Bulges however seemed to be occurring even on the mall crawlers, so pick your battles with the seller based on what you find and what type of driving you'll be doing.

 

[Brock]

you can see what the dealership wants for my brick I just sold to them down here...it is 08. PM me and will put you in touch with the sales guy.

 

[AGreekBoy]

if you like to check one out and get and see some mods, you are more than welcome to come see mine and look through it and drive it if you want. I am pretty close to you

 

[90FJ62]

I will be out that way tomorrow and can stop by and take a look at it for you if you want. Also if you have not driven one yet, you can take a look at my 07 also.

Dave

Edit: Brock why did you get rid of the Brick?

 

[Brock]

Edit: Brock why did you get rid of the Brick?

Not enough room in driveway and garage to add a car for my wife to replace her last car...and keep both the FJC and the FJ60 between wifes car, my motorcycle, the FJ60 and the FJC it was too much....so made a choice and kept the 60 since she has been in family since new in 84.

 

[packman]

I drove a sweet 08 manual in Taylors Thurs. Mint condition. Kenwood Media system and back up camera. Nice ride. See listing on craigslist/upstate. Drove an 07 with a TRD package - not true TRD - or is it? Does that make sense? It had the TRD wheels/BFG ATs, TRD exhaust tip, skid plates, etc, but not black on black. Nice ride either way. The guy has a 78 40, 75(?) 45 imported and a 70 lefty, diesel imported from Canada. All pretty nice. Liberty Motor in Hendersonville. I am leaning towards this eventhough it's not cetified, etc. Bryan Easler had 4 all 4wd, 2 auto, 2 manual, but fairly proud of all 4.

 

[90FJ62]

I will swing by and take a look at it this afternoon on my way to the meeting. I have seen it from the road when i drive by. The 45 he has is a pretty sweet truck. I have looked at it a few times.

Dave

 

[packman]

I appreciate the help. I picked up the newest member of the family yesterday. Pics as soon as I can hold a camera outside without shaking.