used 100 or new FJ Cruiser

[crackerjack]

I am new to this forum but have been looking for a replacement Toyota for my daily driver. I live in Seward Alaska and need a tough vehicle as the roads are rough and icy and we do hunt every fall for subsistance.
I looked over the Fj Cruiser and am considering buying one and adding the usualy off road parts as they become available ARB, Winch, OME suspension with lift and tires. For this I will have close to 30K into one.
Last week I began to look at used "Soccer Mom" 100's of which there are quite a few that have never been thrashed. I looked at making the same changes to a 100 series and found that I can also get one of them with 55-75 thousand miles with all the same upgrades.
My question to you, much more knowledgable than I, Toyota owners is which do you think is the best bet:
New Fj Cruiser or used 100 Land Cruiser?

thanks in advance for your advice

Frosty

www.crackerjackcharters.com

 

[tabraha]

How much room do you want? Is gas mileage a factor? The 100 is known, and reliable. The FJ will most likely be very reliable as well, but is still unknown. How much manueverability do you want? Those questions are a good start as to which would suit your needs/wants.

 

[wngrog]

I thought about the FJ Cruiser too, but since I plan on towing a trailer with mine some and I have 2 kids (still in seats) the 100 series won out.

If I was single and did not tow, I think I would try out an FJ.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I think it depends on your needs. The FJ cruiser is fine if you're single and have an active lifestyle. But if you have anything more than a dog and personal gear, the FJ is way too small. You'd be better off w/ a 4runner than the FJ...same chassis, same engine, about the same price, but more space. The FJ cruiser seems kind of trendy, while a 4runner or 100 LC is more traditional.

I bought a 100 since I have an infant and a dog and occasional relatives visiting. A 4runner would have been the right size, but I figure it's better to have a little extra space. Plus if you bought a new FJ and decided a few years later you needed to sell it to get a vehicle w/ more room, you'd have to take the depreciation hit.

 

[SWUtah]

If you need a big one get the used LC if you can live with a small one get the FJ and if you need one inbetween these too look at a V8 4runner sport edition which has the XREAS shocks. You can get the 4runner at a discount and they are the same frame as the FJ but sized 1/2 way between the FJ and the LC. Plus you can get a V8 engine and 5 speed transmission just like the ones in the new 2006 Landcruisers. They also have lift kits already developed for the 4runners that have the XREAS shock system. You will have to pay full list for the FJ and you can get 4runners for $4-5K++ off sticker. Go here and check them out www.toyota-4runner.org or you can get a good used LC with 60K miles on it for around $22K or less, which is about $8K less then you will pay for the FJ and about $11K less then the new 4runner.

Good luck

 

[100 TD]

Well since an FJ is a Prado/GX with a different body, I would go the cruiser, but of course the cruiser will probably change platforms in a year or two, so get one now before it gets downgraded anymore.

 

[calamaridog]

You will have more room with the 100 series than the FJ Cruiser. Figure out how much room you need and go from there.

Speaking of need, I need to come up to AK and go fishing!

The FJ will have more suspension options and accessories within the first year than will ever be available for the 100 series. One more thing to consider.

 

[Jim_Chow]

The LC 70/80/100 have the most accessories available of any offroad vehicle, worldwide. Those 100-series diff drops were available as a commercial product in 1999 in Japan, and there are upwards of 30+ JDM suspension upgrades for the 100. Only catch is, hardly any of it is sold in the US market since we're such a small LC market, especially when it comes to mods (which is like everyone on this forum nationwide).

With the current 4Runner, the only lifts are those Cornfed spacers if you have XREAS. With no-XREAS, you can use OME Prado springs/shocks. There are no ARB bars available for the 4runner, either. ARB has been stalling on this for several years despite petitions, etc., from US 4runner owners. One problem is, the 4runner/hilux surf are only sold in Japan/US while the LC Prado is sold elsewhere; the market just isn't there. Prado bar won't fit, not even a GX (it's got a weird notch on the side corner). One might be able to adapt a Tacoma bar with some cutting/welding of your front cross-member. There is no aftermarket rear bumper, either.

 

[calamaridog]

JimChow,

XREAS is irrelavent. There is no XREAS on the FJ Cruiser. Most people don't buy the XREAS 4runners if they want to mod them and you can abandon the system if you want to.

Over 60 aftermarket companies took measurements for the FJ Cruiser and products are already in development.

As far as available suspension upgrades for the UZJ100, there are very few options available in North America.

The FJ Cruiser is going to spank the UZJ100 on the trail and there will be a ton of aftermarket goodies available for it before the end of 2006.

ARB has all the goodies for the current generation 4runner on the slow boat. ARB USA displayed a fully outfitted 2004 runner at SEMA which is currently in the hands of a magazine writer and will be driven on several documented off road trips in the next 6 months.

Low volume products are not rushed to market and real low volume products may never make it to market at all. That is just the facts of the matter.

I guess what I'm saying is that if Crackerjack likes choices, the UZJ100 platform is not a good idea.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The FJ Cruiser is going to spank the UZJ100 on the trail

It is? Why? The 4Runner and GX don't have a prayer except in RARE situations.

 

[calamaridog]

John,

It is lighter, smaller, and will have awesome aftermarket support. It's ok to face reality

BTW, you should trade the Tacoma for an FJ

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

John,

It is lighter, smaller, and will have awesome aftermarket support. It's ok to face reality

Lighter and smaller didn't help the Runner/GX vs the 100?

Aftermarket? Putting Hoes on ain't gonna make it a Toyota Rubicon.
BTW, you should trade the Tacoma for an FJ

Taco's lighter and smaller than the FJ. Why trade?

And my Taco can't touch the 100 either unless you mod the snot out of it. Then you realistically can't compare.

Back atcha!

 

[SINCITY100]

The FJ Cruiser is going to spank the UZJ100

Damn I wish I was a UZJ100 !!


Actually...

I wouldnt make that claim quite yet, well at least until we see ALL the offerings available for the F/J..

But It sure does look promising as the next VERY capable Toyota 4x4 ...

 

[calamaridog]

And my Taco can't touch the 100 either unless you mod the snot out of it. Then you realistically can't compare.

John, my Tacoma went places the 100 just doesn't fit. It was lighter, more manuverable, cheaper to upgrade, and had more ground clearance. And don't give me this "your can't compare" crap.

And the whole point of this thread is what type of vehicle will fit the needs of Crackerjack, not to have a pissing contest with you that turns into a 300 post mess

He has yet to reply to the thread with additional information about what his needs are so I'm not going to start fighting

Talk to me after you see the ARB USA 4runner in person which has similar mods to yours, then tell me it doesn't wheel as good as the 100 series. I suspect it will be every bit as impressive.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

John, my Tacoma went places the 100 just doesn't fit. It was lighter, more manuverable, cheaper to upgrade, and had more ground clearance. And don't give me this "your can't compare" crap.

And the whole point of this thread is what type of vehicle will fit the needs of Crackerjack, not to have a pissing contest with you that turns into a 300 post mess

He has yet to reply to the thread with additional information about what his needs are so I'm not going to start fighting

Talk to me after you see the ARB USA 4runner in person which has similar mods to yours, then tell me it doesn't wheel as good as the 100 series. I suspect it will be every bit as impressive.

No pissing match going on. You used the word "spank". That's grossly exaggerated to the person comparing on this thread IMO.

It'll depend on the trail, the obstacle, and such. No ONE truck will always be the best.

There's places the Taco will fit and there's places it's added length (my Double Cab) get's it into trouble. There's places the Taco has an easier time and visa-versa. No piss match about.

But to say to a potential buyer that the FJ will "spank" and 100 on the trail is very misleading. Stock? Maybe. Modified (which is part of this discussion) We shall see.

 

[calamaridog]

Your right, "spank" might be a bit harsh I meant to say whoop!

 

[crackerjack]

Thanks

Hey that was a great thread and thanks for the insight. I guess a heavier, stouter vehicle is better in Alaska. I am not so worried about offroad performance as I am about being able to make the 130 mile run on ice and gravel to Anchorage. I guess in the winter and spring that road might be considered off road. I am thinking that a used but very nice 100 with all the aftermarket stuff will be a better ride and probably worth more in the long run. the Fj cruiser looks like a sweet ride though especially the lifted blue one at the auto show. I am going to continue to check this forum out. It looks like there are some very knowledgable people on this board.

If you want to know about fishing in Alaska, just shoot me a PM and I will give you all the goods on the best places to be at the best times.

thanks again for the good info

Frosty

 

[SWUtah]

. I am not so worried about offroad performance as I am about being able to make the 130 mile run on ice and gravel to Anchorage. I guess in the winter and spring that road might be considered off road.
Frosty

Based on your stated needs you should look at the 4runner with Xreas. I have both vehicles and when driven on unimproved roads the 4runner with Xreas is way better then the LC. Plus the 4runner has all of the latest traction control of the latest model LC's. Now if you are going off road then the LC would be the way to go. Suggestion drive them both, I think you will see what I mean.

 

[spressomon]

If you are 6' or taller the 4R might seem a bit cramped for driver's room...

 

[hoser]

Just wanted to mention the obvious... from a financial standpoint, a 3-5 year used 100 is a way better value than a brand new FJ cruiser. In 3 years, the 100 will have lost little resale value compared to the FJ.