Newby: experts please help, how should I order my FJ?

[Itsky]

Hello all and thanks for the valuable information you've contributed to the forum. I'm excited about registering here as I look forward to becoming a contributing member of the forum.

I don't own a landcruiser...yet. I have an '04 Tacoma but will be selling to get a new FJ cruiser. The FJ will serve me as a great all around vehicle that will facilitate surf trips down in baja and my daily commuter to downtown Los Angeles. Right now my FJ will include 4x4, auto, rear-locker and convienience package

My debate is this: do I get the $2.6K upgrade package that includes ATRAC or would I be better off spending the money in the after market? I could possibly spend the cash to get BFG A/T's, front locker and possibly a front bumper. What would you do?

FJ fans...in your opinion is $2,600 a reasonable price for:
Locking Rear Axles, Multi-Information Display, AM/FM Stereo w/6-Disc CD Changer, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, Steering Wheel Touch Controls, P265/70R17 All Terrain Tires & 6-Spoke Aluminum Wheels.?

If I don't pay for the ATRAC what situations will I regret it? I have read extensively about the mechanical workings of ATRAC and I understand how it works, but since I have never used a system like it I can't really tell if it's all smoke and mirrors.

Will you be paying for the upgrade package which includes ATRAC?

Thanks,
Itsky

 

[76FJ40]

Do you even get a choice? When I ordered my wife's FJ, the only real choices I had were color and whether or not I wanted the gaytastic running boards.

 

[Itsky]

Right now I'm working with 2 dealerships, and so far they are promising to order exactly as I want (I am willing to wait 6 weeks). My premiliminary orders were pretty loaded (conv. and Up#2).

I bet if I ordered the base model they would try to add some other options that I don't want.

So what do you think, should I open my wallet for the better stereo and the ATRAC or will I be fine with 4wd and a rear locker?

Thanks

 

[uzj100]

Atrac

How much snow and ice driving do you do? I heard the stability control and atrac is awesome in those conditions.

uzj100

Right now I'm working with 2 dealerships, and so far they are promising to order exactly as I want (I am willing to wait 6 weeks). My premiliminary orders were pretty loaded (conv. and Up#2).

I bet if I ordered the base model they would try to add some other options that I don't want.

So what do you think, should I open my wallet for the better stereo and the ATRAC or will I be fine with 4wd and a rear locker?

Thanks

 

[semlin]

i believe atrac is only engaged in 4 lo so it can't help on ice/snow in normal driving conditions. also, if atrac really does simulate a locker then it could be a problem in very slippery conditions since lockers can make you crab sideways on ice. TRAC is the on road traction cotntol system that is standard on all fjc and it simulates a limited slip diff. that would be useful on the road in snow and ice.

if you are speaking strictly about offroading here is my take

atrac and the locker are the tangible offroad improvements on your list you can't get elsewhere.

i had thought you could order the locker by itself instead of as part of a package (it is standard on the base model std. in canada). i'd definitely order the rear locker alone.

if you upgrade the rims/tires from the dealer you won't get to keep the stock takeoffs. i would instead buy new tires from a tire shop and trd rims from an online source and either keep your fj stock alloys/tires so you can go with very aggressive tires on the trd rims or else sell the stock wheels and recover some of your money.

atrac is the wild card. if it does things better than a front/rear locker combo you are missing out by not getting it. otherwise, spending less money for an arb front locker with a compressor makes more sense to me. but, to be honest, i'm not even bothering with that. I have rarely ever needed the front locker on my 80 (although it sure was nice to have those few times ).

 

[Itsky]

uzj100 and semline....thanks for the response.

uzj100, I live at the beach in Southern California so I don't see much snow or ice. I just read the Motor trend comparison that praised ATRAC in the snow...my offroading will 99% of the time be in dirt, mud and sand.

Semline, thanks for the insight on the ATRAC I agree that it is the wild card. And you do bring up a great point about the stock wheels that you lose with the upgrade package.....personally I like the black wheels better.

Why don't they offer ATRAC as a stand alone option!!!????

Looks like I might be going with the 4x4 auto, convienience, w/ rear locker and rock rails....

that way I'll still have some cash to get the tires and wheels of my choice.

does anybody else have any opinions.

Thanks again

 

[spike6901]

I agree, keep the stock tires and wheels and then motor over to a Discount Tire or some place where they will give you credit for your tires. Then you can slap on some GY MTR's and life will be good.

I sure like the idea of the traction control but don't like the fact that it works only in LO (I assume they have a really good reason for that). Realistically, if you get into something where you need more than 4wd and a rear locker then things are getting pretty serious.

Also, lockers act really wierd in the sand and most of the time you don't want it locked anyway.

Add an aftermarket bumper with a winch and you can go just about anywhere you want.

I am seething with jealousy, by the way. I got soaked this morning on the way to work in my 40 getting 11mpg. But then, I can run over small cars with it.

 

[Itsky]

Spike 6901 (and others), thanks for advice, I am leaning hard toward a base 4x4 auto with rear locker and not getting the upgrade package with ATRAC. That brings MSRP down to $24,245, because I can avoid both the conveneince package ($1840) and the upgrade package ($2620). I think I will be much happier spending the extra cash in the aftermarket.

For the sake of second guessing myself, does anybody disagree?

Thanks again

 

[uzj100]

What color are you getting?

I agree with your decision. Sounds like a great FJC.

 

[Itsky]

What color are you getting?

I agree with your decision. Sounds like a great FJC.

The color is another 'fork in the road'

On looks my first choice is Vodoo Blue, and my second choice is black.

But my girlfriend hates the blue, and the black will always look dirty. I currently have a silver tacoma, which I think is a little bland b/c everybody on earth drives a silver tacoma. But on the other hand it never looks dirty.

So put simply I have no idea, to put odds I would say

53% Blue
27% Black
20% silver

I'm sure it's been discussed elswhere in this forum, but what color and how are you ordering your FJ's?