Any FJ clutch issues?

[gerry100]

Looking for my new winter "hammer" and a 4R is top of my list but...

I'm seeing that FJs may be a little cheaper used while offering 4R durability and that stick shifts even cheaper ( many can't drive them anymore).

Downside of a well worked FJ manual is possible clutch wear/failure.

Anyone here had any problems w clutchs? Should I worry on a high mileage unit?

Thanks in advance for inputs

 

[LandCruiser]

The FJ Cruiser has a design flaw in which the clutch throwout bearing fails. This is also documented with 6MT Tacomas.

Toyota claims that this is due to water entering the tranny, but mine failed without any deep water crossings.

 

[LandCruiser]

The T/O bearing, when it's starting to go bad, will chatter/squeak when the truck is idling. When it's really starting to go FUBAR on you, you will be able to notice it when the tranny grinds gears or won't let you shift into gears at over 3000 RPM.

Toyota dealers and Toyota itself is aware of the problem, but will probably stonewall you unless you tell them it's the T/O bearing and they need to replace it. There is no TSB and you're out of luck if it happens after the powertrain warranty expires. Mine failed at 49998 miles, then again at 68000 miles. As a side note, the replaced T/O bearing was considered part of a 12 months 12k miles Toyota repair BS job.

If you are dead set on buying an FJ Cruiser (and I think it's one of the crappiest 4x4s Toyota has offered in decades and you should steer the hell away from it) get an AT model... the only problem is that doesn't have a proper full time 4WD like the MT.

 

[gerry100]

Thanks for the heads up.

Incredible that Toyota, noted for building some of the most durable vehicles available in this age of complexity, can't execute basic old technology.

I thought TOs were something you threw in while replacing the clutch and never thought about otherwise.

Sorry to hear about your hassles