Thinkin'
As I look for more excuses to trade in my fiancee's Camry (NOT my 80!) on a Sandstorm FJC, some of the practical things that help me hold back at this point are:
VISIBILITY: Specifically, first and foremost that hugemongous D (or whatever letter it is) pillar! Don't see what the point is - it's not retro IMO, and the practical complaints about it have surely piled up to the point where I would hope they'll fix this ASAP. I have some hope after seeing the convertible concept from SEMA 07; while a soft top, it didn't try to mimic the pillar so hopefully they'll also fix it on the hard top. I think the truck would just look better (maybe even more retro) as well.
FRONT SEAT BELT: Attaching to the suicide door is SO impractical; again, WHY?!? Shouldn't be too hard - Ford pulled it off on my 2000 F-150.
SUICIDE DOOR ENTRY: Just add an exterior handle for easy access without opening the front door, a la the suicide doors on the old Tundra.
OPERATIONAL REAR WINDOWS: I'd vote for manual sliding rear quarter windows (80-series) and/or roll-down suicide door window (also vote for the power up/down rear window), but anything to allow some ventilation back there would be appreciated.
LARGER TIRES: A 33" factory tire option would be awesome, but at least allow for reasonable upsizing without having to mess with frame components, etc. Also a la Land Cruiser, would be nice to easily fit 33" without a lift if you're not going to be hitting the trails hard.
FENDER/ENGINE BAY BULGE: This and any other quality/durability issue that's come up needs to be fixed yesterday - it's a Toyota!
Those are probably the issues that, if addressed, would likely make it near impossible for me to resist any longer. Other realistic things I'd love to see (many or most already brought up here or elsewhere) are:
FULL-TIME 4WD OPTION WITH AUTO TRANS
2ND GEAR START OPTION WITH AUTO TRANS
BEEFIER REAR DIFF - Full floater preferably
GRAB HANDLES - Passenger glove box, rear passengers
SIDE-ROUTED EXHAUST
SUNROOF
REAR SEATS FOLD FLAT
CONTROL ARMS - strength & location
STRONGER (STEEL!) & MORE FACTORY SKID PLATES
WIDER FACTORY ROCK RAILS - more side (door) protection vs. just rockers
SPARE TIRE MOUNTED TO BUMPER/FRAME (NOT BODY/SWING GATE)
GEAR-DRIVEN T-CASE - Throw in a timing chain (vs. belt) while you're at it...
LOWER T-CASE GEAR RATIO OPTION - Both ~2.5: AND 4:1, not one or the other.
FACTORY FRONT LOCKER - Nice-to-have, though it sounds like ATRAC helps make up for lack of it.
4.7L V8 AND/OR DIESEL OPTION - Probably unrealistic, but since it's the Prado/4Runner platform...also wouldn't mind seeing Toyota bring back an indestructible inline 6.
'GRANNY' (5:1 OR LOWER) 1ST GEAR OPTION (MANUAL TRANS) - Already at (a respectable) 4:1...why not?
MORE FJ40 COLOR OPTIONS - Freeborn Red, Mustard, Olive, etc.
TT SE BLACKOUT TREATMENT - Standard color scheme option
LISTEN TO THE TRAIL TEAMS - And the rest of us...especially when it's very practical and realistic feedback!
As I look for more excuses to trade in my fiancee's Camry (NOT my 80!) on a Sandstorm FJC, some of the practical things that help me hold back at this point are:
VISIBILITY: Specifically, first and foremost that hugemongous D (or whatever letter it is) pillar! Don't see what the point is - it's not retro IMO, and the practical complaints about it have surely piled up to the point where I would hope they'll fix this ASAP. I have some hope after seeing the convertible concept from SEMA 07; while a soft top, it didn't try to mimic the pillar so hopefully they'll also fix it on the hard top. I think the truck would just look better (maybe even more retro) as well.
FRONT SEAT BELT: Attaching to the suicide door is SO impractical; again, WHY?!? Shouldn't be too hard - Ford pulled it off on my 2000 F-150.
SUICIDE DOOR ENTRY: Just add an exterior handle for easy access without opening the front door, a la the suicide doors on the old Tundra.
OPERATIONAL REAR WINDOWS: I'd vote for manual sliding rear quarter windows (80-series) and/or roll-down suicide door window (also vote for the power up/down rear window), but anything to allow some ventilation back there would be appreciated.
LARGER TIRES: A 33" factory tire option would be awesome, but at least allow for reasonable upsizing without having to mess with frame components, etc. Also a la Land Cruiser, would be nice to easily fit 33" without a lift if you're not going to be hitting the trails hard.
FENDER/ENGINE BAY BULGE: This and any other quality/durability issue that's come up needs to be fixed yesterday - it's a Toyota!
Those are probably the issues that, if addressed, would likely make it near impossible for me to resist any longer. Other realistic things I'd love to see (many or most already brought up here or elsewhere) are:
FULL-TIME 4WD OPTION WITH AUTO TRANS
2ND GEAR START OPTION WITH AUTO TRANS
BEEFIER REAR DIFF - Full floater preferably
GRAB HANDLES - Passenger glove box, rear passengers
SIDE-ROUTED EXHAUST
SUNROOF
REAR SEATS FOLD FLAT
CONTROL ARMS - strength & location
STRONGER (STEEL!) & MORE FACTORY SKID PLATES
WIDER FACTORY ROCK RAILS - more side (door) protection vs. just rockers
SPARE TIRE MOUNTED TO BUMPER/FRAME (NOT BODY/SWING GATE)
GEAR-DRIVEN T-CASE - Throw in a timing chain (vs. belt) while you're at it...
LOWER T-CASE GEAR RATIO OPTION - Both ~2.5: AND 4:1, not one or the other.
FACTORY FRONT LOCKER - Nice-to-have, though it sounds like ATRAC helps make up for lack of it.
4.7L V8 AND/OR DIESEL OPTION - Probably unrealistic, but since it's the Prado/4Runner platform...also wouldn't mind seeing Toyota bring back an indestructible inline 6.
'GRANNY' (5:1 OR LOWER) 1ST GEAR OPTION (MANUAL TRANS) - Already at (a respectable) 4:1...why not?
MORE FJ40 COLOR OPTIONS - Freeborn Red, Mustard, Olive, etc.
TT SE BLACKOUT TREATMENT - Standard color scheme option
LISTEN TO THE TRAIL TEAMS - And the rest of us...especially when it's very practical and realistic feedback!
Last edited: