2010-2012 FJ Cruiser Air Intake Assembly Installation/Comparison

[BJ Cruiser]

Don't think anyone has carried out this modification yet...

Changed out the air intake assembly on my 4runner with one from a 2010-2012 FJ Cruiser. The reason for the switch was to get the cyclonic pre-filter which is standard on the FJ and not even offered as an option on the 4Runner. From first had experience with my FJ Cruiser it really does work.

4Runner (left) vs. FJ Cruiser (right)

4Runner (interior) - note the unobstructed intake hole

FJ Cruiser (interior) - note the smaller diameter intake hole due to the pre-filter

4Runner (left) vs. FJ Cruiser (right) - note the pre-filter cleaner valve on the FJ Cruiser intake

4Runner - in-fender air scoop

FJ Cruiser - cyclonic vanes

Install complete - FJ Cruiser intake installed in 4Runner

Only the bottom half of the FJ Cruiser air intake assembly is required to do this modification. All other 4Runner parts fit perfectly with out modification.

Very easy modification, takes all of 10 minutes.

I am sure that the air intake assembly is one of the reasons why the FJ Cruiser is rated at 260hp versus the 4Runner's 270hp. The 4Runner intake is physically able to intake more and less obstructed air. To me, I am happy to sacrifice a couple of horsepowers for better air filtration.

 

[jhawk]

Not sure how cranky the 4runner's ECU or air mapping is - might want to reset your ECU and drive like an a$$hat for the next couple of days

 

[BJ Cruiser]

Not sure how cranky the 4runner's ECU or air mapping is - might want to reset your ECU and drive like an a$$hat for the next couple of days

No issues to report, mind you ECU didn't have much time to learn the original air intake as the swap was done with only 200km (120miles) on the odometer.

 

[OBW2011]

I don't know too much about CAI systems so I'm probably asking a dumb question, but what is the difference between the cyclonic intake and the stock CAI performance wise, or is it just a personal preference?

 

[BJ Cruiser]

I don't know too much about CAI systems so I'm probably asking a dumb question, but what is the difference between the cyclonic intake and the stock CAI performance wise, or is it just a personal preference?

Could not feel any performance difference. Checked the cleaner valve after a 100km drive on city streets and highway and even in those driving conditions the cyclonic filter had managed to capture some fine dirt particles.

 

[Jtraskell]

I don't know too much about CAI systems so I'm probably asking a dumb question, but what is the difference between the cyclonic intake and the stock CAI performance wise, or is it just a personal preference?

Seriously, there are NO dumb questions, but in my case, this may be a dumb answer!

I think the OP feels that the cyclonic system "cleans" the air better then the Stock 4runner system. As to affecting performance, since the cyclonic is more restrictive, it "apparently" reduces HP from the advertised 270 HP (of the 4 runner) to the 260 HP of the FJ. This, since both vehicles run the same drive train and thus should have the same HP. The difference apparently being the FJ's air intake.

 

[BJ Cruiser]

Seriously, there are NO dumb questions, but in my case, this may be a dumb answer!

I think the OP feels that the cyclonic system "cleans" the air better then the Stock 4runner system. As to affecting performance, since the cyclonic is more restrictive, it "apparently" reduces HP from the advertised 270 HP (of the 4 runner) to the 260 HP of the FJ. This, since both vehicles run the same drive train and thus should have the same HP. The difference apparently being the FJ's air intake.

Who knows if it accounts for all of the 10hp difference, but I am sure that it at least accounts for part of it.

 

[WaterMan]

FJ intake part number

Do you a have a part number for the intake? I did this on my 2005 4Runner and the change kept my filter ridiculously clean.

 

[BJ Cruiser]

I will get the part number of the lower cover tomorrow, unless someone else out beats me to it by other means.

I see that there are a couple posted on ebay, though I got mine from a fellow fjcruiserforums.com member.

27,000km on my FJ and the filter is almost as clean as new. No changing the filter in sight anytime soon.

 

[brockeverly]

Anyone ever get a part number for this?

 

[cbielat]

Just curious, why would one replace the stock 4Runner intake for a stock FJ intake?

 

[Okki]

Just curious, why would one replace the stock 4Runner intake for a stock FJ intake?

Based on the description above, he made the change in order to move the dirt trapping to and earlier point in the system compared to the stock air filter.

This kind of seems like a pointless mod to me because of the following:

1. You now need to clean an extra filter.
2. You restricted your air intake possibly reducing performance.
3. You could have achieved both by using a more restrictive filter in the stock airbox, or letting it foul up more before cleaning it.

Someone please tell me where I'm not tracking right on this? The cyclonic blades spin the air, supposedly to give better atomization. (You can buy an aftermarket insert for this if you want: http://www.summitracing.com/search/...t-Systems/Part-Type/Air-Filter-Inlet-Inserts/.) It does not perform a cleaning function.

If there is filter associated with the cyclonic blades (I didn't see any in the pictures) than see the items above.

It's cool that it fits, but I'm not sure you're actually gaining any benefit from this aside from the learning experience that it fits.!?!?

Okki

 

[Michigander]

Based on the description above, he made the change in order to move the dirt trapping to and earlier point in the system compared to the stock air filter.

This kind of seems like a pointless mod to me because of the following:

1. You now need to clean an extra filter.
2. You restricted your air intake possibly reducing performance.
3. You could have achieved both by using a more restrictive filter in the stock airbox, or letting it foul up more before cleaning it.

Someone please tell me where I'm not tracking right on this? The cyclonic blades spin the air, supposedly to give better atomization. (You can buy an aftermarket insert for this if you want: Tornado Air Management Systems Air Filter Inlet Inserts - SummitRacing.com.) It does not perform a cleaning function.

If there is filter associated with the cyclonic blades (I didn't see any in the pictures) than see the items above.

It's cool that it fits, but I'm not sure you're actually gaining any benefit from this aside from the learning experience that it fits.!?!?

Okki

There is no extra filter, just your stock filter.

The cyclone insert is used to get the air turning, by using centrifugal force the heavier dust particles move to the outside of the air box.

It is hard to see but there is a duck bill oneway valve molded into the air box. The valve allows dust/dirt to exit the air box before it reaches your filter.

The same technology is used on farm equipment and large construction equipment that run in dusty conditions.

There are companies that make similar designs for expedition rigs and desert race rigs.

The key to the cyclone system is designing the air speed to work with the truck, ie intake airflow.

It is great that Toyota made it for the newer rigs, we just have to find a stock fj air box for our 4runners.

The mod is not worthwhile unless you are running in very dusty conditions, expo running in the desert in a long line of rigs, etc. for normal mostly street driving, it would hinder more than help.

 

[BJ Cruiser]

Anyone ever get a part number for this?

Does not look like you can by the lower part of the assembly by itself. AIR CLEANER. Fits: 2010 TOYOTA FJ Cruiser | Village Toyota Parts

Better off looking on fjcruiserforum.com, eBay, or auto wrecker.

It is surprising how much dirt this thing filters out even from drying on pavement. Take it off road on a dusty trail and you will truly amazed at how well it works.

 

[evomind]

Of all the cars Ive built ive never seen an air intake account for a 10hp increase, nor would you feel 10hp in any street car let alone a truck.

 

[Pinky]

I had the Cyclone precleaner thing on my 08 FJ and ill tell u what every time I got back from a run that thing was full of fine dirt particles and since most of the terrain in SoCal is desert/dry with lots of dust during runs I think this is a great mod. Dont think it will effect performance negatively at all if anything it should help keep your stock filter cleaner longer. At least that's the effect it had on my FJ.

 

[96r50]

I've got the lower half of an FJ airbox on its way to me at the moment. Based on how well the cyclonic filtration worked on my Land Cruiser I'm excited to be able to implement it on the 4Runner too, especially given how dusty it gets in this area.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Being new to the 5th gen from a 4th gen I had never heard of this mod before. It is definitely something I would be interested in. It gets very dusty playing in the desert and the air cleaner gets dirty very quickly. This should really make a difference.

 

[96r50]

It is surprising how much dirt this thing filters out even from drying on pavement. Take it off road on a dusty trail and you will truly amazed at how well it works.

Agreed. I've had mine installed for the last 6 months and 16,000km (10k miles) of winter driving on paved roads. I finally checked the dust trap yesterday during an oil change and was pleasantly surprised to find about a teaspoon of fine dust in it. The real testing season is starting now as it's drying up and already getting dusty around here.

I took a few photos of the dust it collected. A lot of it slid down underneath the second battery tray mount before I could get a photo.




I also added a Wix Filter Monitor to the top half of the airbox. This will allow me to monitor the condition of the air filter more accurately than just eyeballing it or going by mileage. It also reduces the chances of dirt getting into the engine as I don't have to open the air intake system every time to inspect the filter. Plus it was cheap and I wanted something to do!