FJ Cruiser

firefighter_186 · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 291 City: Killeen

Now don’t get me wrong I think these little cars are kinda cool, but don’t they look like the illegitimate non-consensual love child of a Hummer H1 and Mini Cooper?

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

I would say the H2 and the Honda element!

Darin · Guest

I would love one. I dig how the profile of the tires look like they got big ole knobs. It's different from everything else really, which makes it cool in my opinion. But then, I'm not too proud that I wouldn't drive an H3 either. Heck, I so don't care what anyone think of what I drive, that I would even be seen on a HD 883 if I found one cheap enough. It's better than watchin the bikes go by while sitting on the porch. A friend was at the lake once, laughing to himself at some rednecks on an aol beater boat. Then he realised, he was on the shore, they were on the water, and they were better off than he was.

timmy · Addict Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 882 City: Jupiter, FL

these things are all over around where I live....so much for being 'different'

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

I hated them at first, but they are growing on me.

QNev · Posted: Jun 22, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject:

I love the look of those things. Kind of hard to believe it's toyota that came up with that.

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 23, 2006 3:14 am Post subject:

I like it but I wouldnt call it an FJ...thats an insult to its heritage. Its nice for a family SUV but it has no place on the rocks....

goofyboy · Posted: Jun 23, 2006 3:45 am Post subject:

can it pull a boat - more than just around the neighborhood?

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Tbonez, I 100% agree. That's blasphemy.

I don't like them. They are just a "cute ute", that's it. Not versatile. And yeah I have seen that one photo of them off road. But hell I used to take my Buick Park Avenue off road. Doesn't mean it was supposed to be there.

nmballa · Posted: Jun 23, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

If they made a diesel version with the drop seat and the removable top. Then maybe i would buy one. QNev, I can totally believe that toyota came up with this. The Fj 40 was one of the toughest machines ever built in my opinion. Dont really know if this new version compares but who knows...

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

89comp · Posted: Jun 23, 2006 8:57 am Post subject:

Bin Laden always cruises around in a Land Cruiser. I wonder if he will upgrade.

firefighter_186 · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 291 City: Killeen

How is a Toyota an upgrade from a Landcruiser?!?

JeffR · Addict Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 608 City: Victoria, BC

My friends have a FJ crusier exactly like the one in the pic, and I still haven't decided weather I like it or not, there's more room in the back seat than it seems, but I don't know about how they think this constitutes an FJ nametag and its just so unusual.

But on a more general note doesn't it seem that everyone is making shitty remakes of old classics, one has to look no futher than the theaters, but does anyone else remember Pontiac's new "GTO", it was a piece of sh*t, and it was the biggest insult to the muscle car's name ever

Damon · Posted: Jun 23, 2006 9:59 pm Post subject:

firefighter_186, He's talking about a Toyota Landcruiser... and I see any toyota being an upgrade from a Land Rover...

firefighter_186 · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 291 City: Killeen

My bad, but seriously how is a Toyota better than a Land Rover Defender 90 or 110. Ever heard of the camel trophy. The Land Rover defender 90 is probably the most bad-ass small suv made, except for the IH scout.

89comp · Posted: Jun 24, 2006 2:41 am Post subject:

firefighter_186, my friend's D-90 was a POS. It would constantly turn off while going down the interstate @ 70 mph. Sure it looked cool, but I'd only have one to "wheel" in.

DunDunDun · Posted: Jun 24, 2006 5:55 am Post subject:

like the name says, its a cruiser, not a climber. cruiser

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 26, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

You never see Rovers on the trail because they either broke down before they got to it or because the owner doesnt want to pay the repair bill...Ask me how I know...My buddy has a completely built rover that he cant afford to take off road...

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Tbonez,

Aren't the Land Rover's tough as nails? Except for the rust problems caused by the use of different metals I always thought you couldn't break one. You always see them on Wildlife Safari in the desert a 1,000 miles from nowhere. Just curious because I've always loved the Land Rovers but never owned one. Still would like a Daktari D-110 with a roof rack.

Also like Landcruisers--could always beat the die hard jeep (Willys) dudes up or down every mountain we crossed. Only place a jeep could win was in how long it took when going in tight trails because of the short wheel base.

I'd take the new cruiser and still leave the jeep dudes in the dust. Some of us don't have the time to spend fixing an old 4X4. We want to take it out of the box and beat the snot out of it without it breaking down every trip. A CJ-5 would be nice but 50 year old parts tend to break.

jryoung,

That is one nice looking Bronco!

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

wake_board_skate_surf, umm

The new goat is a fantastic example of a modern GT/muscle car. 400/400 1/4 mile times in mid 13's, onramp runs in less than 5, stops from speed excellently, and all the modern amenities/safety features/AC to boot for about 33,000?

Yeah, those suck donkey d!ck.

twitch88 · Posted: Jun 26, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

This is from another site

4 link front and rear
dynatrac rear, not sure on front but would imagine the same
39's

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 26, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject:

There is no doubt about it Rovers are excellent 4x4s. The problem is, is that the Rovers you see in Africa are not the Rovers of today. The old rovers were near indestructable...The Rovers built in the last 20 or 30 years are crap. They are always listed as the worst in reliability and the worst in customer satisfaction. With that being said the only off road factory vehicle in the US that I am aware of that has solid axles is a Jeep wrangler. Todays jeeps are far superior from the CJs. Todays jeeps have coil over suspensions, factory installed lockers and disconnecting sway bars. An FJ cant touch them due to the fact that they have IFS...Solid axles and lockers make ALL the difference in a 4x4. The FJ is a mall crawler..a nice one but a mall crawler.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Tbonez

So has the thought of building a quasi plush 4 X 4 overtaken the real purpose of these vehicles? I thought from what I read the FJ was suppose to be a no nonsense, no frills harsh riding 4 X 4? Did they forget the mission? I've wanted to kick the tires on them but all the dealers are always out of stock.

If you were to buy an off the shelf 4X4 vehicle to play around in the mountains in what would you look at?

twitch88 · Posted: Jun 26, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject:

A mall crawler? Rolling Eyes

A mall crawler is something that has been modified to look like a crawler when in all reality it never leaves the pavement and/or would suck anyhow if it did.

The fj is just a small ute that was designed to do what 90 percent of the people do 90 percent of the time.

Jeff206 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1002

twitch88

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 27, 2006 2:51 am Post subject:

I would disagree with the 90% comment. What usually happens when someone buys a car that can go off road is that it never actually sees the dirt. If someone does actually take their car off road they usually get the off road "bug". They quickly become disillusioned with their vehicle and end up scraping it for something more compatible or beating the crap out of it. Ask me how I know...I destroyed a brand new Toyota 4x4 and I have seen countless friends do the same thing. If you want to say you go off road meaning you want to occasionally drive gravel fire roads and a dusty trails these type of vehicles will be fine. If you want to get into anything more difficult you will need a straight axle vehicle with lockers. I salute anyone that takes their rig off roads. I do, however, spend more of my time pulling "yahoos" that took their brand new FJ or H2 out of the woods than I do wheeling. It gets very frustrating when you go out on a trail to have fun and all you do all day long is pull these type of vehicles off the trail. Im not saying these vehicles cant be moded to make them efficient off road. I am saying that by the time that you spend the money to make these vehicles trail worthy you have spent double their value. If you want a good off road vehicle with a warranty get a Jeep Rubicon. It has stock dana 44 axles, lockers and a short wheel base all with a warranty. If you dont want to spend that type of cash get an old jeep, on an old FJ or an old Bronco. These vehicles are off road classics for a reason....

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 27, 2006 3:16 am Post subject:

If you get stuck off road in these type of scenarios you have no business being off road...

DunDunDun · Posted: Jun 27, 2006 3:23 am Post subject:

i saw one yesterday. i was surprised at how big they actually are

twitch88 · Posted: Jun 27, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject:

Tbonez, If you're tired of pulling people out then don't do it. I agree that solid axles are way better for wheeling but you make it sound like you can't wheel at all with ifs. Granted it does suck I have seen plenty of ifs rigs complete the con.

Oh and jeeps suck, I would rather sas any toyota anyday. Fo Runna'!

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

twitch88, I got yo heep right here, sucka. Mr. Green

The FJ just doesn't have the true off-road capability people think it does. Can it do some light trails, slight off-camber stuff, and some easy rock play? Sure. But you better know what the hell you're doing or you will bash the living crap outta it.

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 27, 2006 5:01 pm Post subject:

There are reasons why 80% of the vehicles you see off road are Jeeps..

1. Solid axles
2. Great viewing ability (with doors and top off)
3. Ease and cheap price of add on parts
4. Short wheel base
5. They are extremely adept off road (departure angles)
6. Fairly reliable
7. Perfect size to fit on trails

I dont take anything away from the Yotas cause I wheeled a 94 4x4 Yota truck until the wheels fell off. It was a great vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler in my opinion is FAR superior due to the factors I listed above. The Jeep, however, is no where near the ultimate off road vehicle. The guys that fab the hybrids and custom buggies are the real deal....I personally will not own a custom because you have to be close to death to challenge yourself and your rig to have any fun. I had a guy that had a custom buggy almost kill himself. He offered to sell it to me for 10k. I turned him down flat because I knew that I would end up just like he did...

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

If you want to go off-roading, why in the hell would you buy that useless Lego-mobile? Confused

Get a Jeep. ... that thing's like having a Ferrari body on Toyota Tercel. Useless.

twitch88 · Posted: Jun 28, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:

Tbonez, Things must be different on ga cuz 80% of the wheelers you see here are yotas.

1. Toys can be had with solid axles. If not an sas is a cake walk, either way you put just as much work into the front end. With a factory ifs rig you don't need to mount a crossover steering box as they already came that way.

2. The doors can be taken off anything, and I wheeled the runner doorless/topless last year.

3. I gaurantee you you can find just as many aftermarket parts for yotas, and you can build one at a FRACTION of the cost.

4. Once you are done with a sb p/u or runner the wheelbase is about perfect.

5. Bob a yota! If you don't want to the departure angle ain't bad to begin with.

6. Unlike a jeep all of my 22r/re powered vehicles have been extremely reliable.

7. In case you haven't noticed toyotas aren't very big.

I fail to see the downside of the toyota wheeler. They can be built for far less money than a heep, are way more reliable, and are every bit as capable.

Tbonez · Posted: Jun 28, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject:

I think you are getting me wrong twitch. I am not saying Yotas arent good 4x4s. I owned one and was very happy with it. In my opinion the layout of a Jeep is still the best factory platform for a 4x4. Meaning short wheelbase, view ability etc... You cant and I doubt you ever will be able to get a stock Yota on straight axles, with lockers, disconnecting sway bars removable top, doors and fold down windshield (rubicon like vehicle from Toyota. All of this under warranty far below what you could usually build a like vehicle for. Dont get me wrong cause Im not riding Jeeps jock. There are plenty of custom builts that make Jeeps look silly. If you go to any rock crawling event ( I use to participate) and ask what the sports car of the off road world are 99% of the people will say a Jeep. The other 1% will say early Bronco, FJ40 and a couple of people will say a Scout....