00 t4r vs 08 fj

Francis

Francis

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I bought my 00 Limited about a year ago, and I love it but Ive always had a crush on FJ as well. There is a nice 08 with 45k miles for right at 20k. I almost bought one before my 4runner but I decided at the time the t4r was a better choice since I had enough cash to just buy it out right instead of having payments on the FJ.

Ive put some decent coin into my T4R- New steering rack, remote start, dvd with navigation and brand new 265-75s... and its paid off

Only thing I hate about the T4r is the turd of a v6. Indestructible I know but so gutless. Ive driven mostly v8s my whole life- I just cant get used to the 3.4.
I had a 2013 Tacoma for about 6 months (split with the ex and sold because I didn't want payments) but at least the 4.0 had some get up and go and the FJ has 30 more ponys than the Taco....

Maybe im just blabbing but ive seemed to convince myself I want something different all of the sudden... Its almost Friday at least.
 
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We were in the same boat just before we decided to get our 4runner. What it boiled down to for us was the interior space. We're using our for more of a camping/backroad rig, and the 4runner has a ton more room than the FJ did.
 
That was my concern too, I chose the T4R for the room but I now realize I never have anything back there but the dog! My brother in law has a trailer I can always use for hauling junk/large things...

Then again I do some ice fishing, Id have to measure but i think my drag along sled would fit back there fine...
 
It sounds as if you have talked yourself into an FJ, for that price it sounds like a good deal. I hope it has all the bells and whistles. It is just the pillar blind spot that kills it for me, but otherwise its gravy.

I have liked never having had a car payment; at 37 I can put my money towards retirement because Social Security will be long gone by the time I get there in age.
 
I am in the same boat as you. I bought a 97 4runner Lmtd, paid with cash, and have done a bunch of work on it, but I have been looking at the FJ's because they look like they are a little more capable off road. I recently came up with a brilliant solution. I'll keep the 4runner and trade in my wife's car and buy the FJ for her. Hopefully sometime next year!
 
Well maybe- Im on the fence anyway and id have to sell the 00 first. I turn 30 this coming summer and I figure there is little chance of Social Security for me so I may as well just spend away and enjoy life :)
 
3rd gens are hands down more capable than FJ's offroad. IMHO, the engine is really the only plus with going to an FJ. A 3rd gen will out wheel an FJ when similarly built.
 
The visibility out of an FJ is terrible. With the 4Runner paid-for, I say supercharge it, then you'll have more power than a 2014 FJ or 4Runner with none of the downsides of the FJ.
 
My supercharged 02 4runner is on par or just a bit more torquey than my 07 fj.

That being said my 1st gen 1uz swap knocks them both out of the ball park.

I daily drive my 02 4runner, 140k on the supercharger just with oil changes and factory service schedule. The space was a god send once the first kid popped out and bride likes driving the 4runner better visibility the the fj and more comfortable than the 1st gen.

The fj seems to sit in the garage for long road trips, the way the doors are set up are cool but not ergonomic for daily family use, plus the kids hated the back seat before I put in the pop out freedom windows in. The roof on the fj fit my need for the roof top tent that's why I keep the fj.

Ooh on a side not if you find a fj with out vvti I think pre 09, you can super charge that if your a power junky. URD makes a killer kit and ever since gadget reprogramed my trd 7th injector he has mentioned how much more reliable his supercharger system is than the trd unit.

The 1st gen is my trail rig, and everyone loves being topless.

That having been said you can go wrong they are all toyotas
 
I had an '01 extra cab Tacoma and needed more passenger space. It came down to a 3rd gen and an FJ. I do like how the FJ's drive and yes they have visibility issues, but nothing too extreme. I'm glad I found a 3rd gen though. The passenger space is better as well as the cargo space. I like the body as well. Not nearly as much plastic crap on it. I came close many times to ending my 3rd gen search and grabbing an FJ. Glad I was patient!
 
My vote would be to keep the t4r and work with what you got. Supercharge and/or bore and hone it. Look around for some other performance enhancing mods and you can really get this diehard engine to go. Milled heads, doug thorley exhaust header, lots of goodies you could do, all together well under the cost of the FJ.

FWIW, I grew up with a V8 Chevy Silverado K1500 and a 4-banger Corolla. Both have no giddy up. One is too big and heavy and the other has a no-go sized motor. The 4runner was the perfect mix of the two, giving me some decent acceleration, relatively speaking.

Look forward to seeing what you decide, either way will be a good choice.
 
Some good replies, thanks guys-
I do really like my 4runner- she just hit 130k this morning so really its got relatively low miles for what these engines will do. I have a 68 Mustang GT fastback in restoration So I do need something just "normal" and reliable. That's the only thing that eerks me from tossing a supercharger on it. It is my daily driver more than it is a toy. Not going to sugar coat it my t4r came from Minnesota and the undercarriage is solid but not exactly pretty from all the salt. I just figure I should maybe hand her off while I can still get some coin back out of her....If I didn't have my fastback project going on id be more inclined to go the supercharged route.... Just don't need two cars that need parts/work I have enough on my hands as it is.

Im a single guy with no kids (except the dog) so having room is not really a big concern. I don't haul much other than fishing gear.
I came from the Bronco world and had everything from a 69 to a 92- and they were a blast but the mileage was next to nothing. I really liked the 4.0 in my 2013 Tacoma....hell the new v6s are more powerful than most of the old v8s and it got a consistent 20mpg if I stayed off the throttle. By the way 20MPG is outstanding to me! until I had this 4runner I never had anything that got better than 13

I don't have a doubt about the reliability of my 4runner, just like the thought of something a little newer maybe. Have to head to Omaha for work this weekend so ill have time to think this over. We all know we have our vehicle projects going on in our head all day at work anyway hahah
 
If yo. Do the research on the super charger, the Trd gen 2 units are made to go 100k before a nose cone rebuild. It's all about fuel management with the 7th injector.

Since the 4runner is paid for just drop a supercharger in it
And spend the rest of the cash you were going to spend on the fj into restoring the 68 mustang. Better investment, just my 2 pennies

Then you will have a realible tow rig and enough cargo space for stuff when you tow the mustang to shows.
 
Your posts say u want the FJ in between the lines and are looking for someone to agree with you. Go buy the thing...u r young and free. Buy it and love it. They are sweet. We r all just 3rd gen junkies ...and alot of us with families and situations that require them. Go for it!! Better yet keep the 3rd gen and buy the fj too!!!
 
Buy what you really want to drive everyday.

I have always liked the FJ's, but they are just not worth a truck note and 20k for just a vehicle to me. I have done payments once on my 03 Tundra, I dont think I will ever again. I hate payments.

I have owned a 2nd gen 4.0 Tacoma, 1st gen 3.4 Tacoma, 01 4.7 Tundra, 03 4.7 Tundra, and now my 3.4 00 T4R. And I love my T4R more then all of the other trucks I have owned, yes the V8 power of the Tundras was nice, but I feel the T4R has plenty enough for what it is and for me.

I would rather spend the money to mod the T4R then to go put a down payment on a used FJ, save up money to mod it, and then still have to pay a truck note every month and full coverage insurance, no thank you..
 
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