Fj cruiser vs. 4runner

[RECDOG]

Which would you think is a better ride... I know will be a biased answer.. But maybe some here have or have driven both..

Im talking non off road use.. Mostly urban and some dirt back roads

2014 models.. Prices for sr5 prem and Fj upgrade are about 4k difference.. Not to much... Both are made in Japan.. Good thing I think

Is one better made than other u guys think.?.. Or one better for DD highway?

 

[pepowdylan]

I actually sold my FJ for a 4Runner. I love that I made the switch. The FJ and the 4runner have the same engine and the same frame. The 4Runner just gives you a true 4 doors with more room for passengers. The main pros of getting the FJ is a cool look that not many people see, and the plastic flooring that you can hose out.

 

[JohnJerk]

FJ is better off road stock for stock. 4runner wins for your proposed use - more room and more creature comforts. FJ resale is better than 4R. Test drive both.

 

[Rubberdown]

The backseat in the fj sucks. So do the back doors. If you use those then 4runner all day. Also the fj has huge blind spots. I don't like that. But if you were single and wanted something, it'd be great!

 

[RECDOG]

Haha I did test drive both n I'm dead stuck!

Both would recieve toytec coilovers to tighten up nose dip.. Hate that... And black rhino wheels with nitto graps

I do have wife n kids.. My daughter actually loves the flip doors on Fj.. Me not so. Much... The 14 4runner interior is lexus quality I feel,, very nice.. As the Fj is bare bones

I do highway driving everyday to work.... Alone

I have to decide in a day lol.. Ehhh

 

[Rubberdown]

Sounds like your 4runner all day.

 

[JohnJerk]

I love the soft suspension on the FJ where it eats trail bumps and rocks. Nose dive is the trade off and fine with me. The suicide doors get old with kids in parking lots. If only one vehicle, the T4R no doubt. FJ is a niche vehicle, great second vehicle, great off road vehicle. Plus 14 is the end of the FJ, so it's now or never. T4R will be around for years to come, I hope.

 

[eddiebx]

Haha I did test drive both n I'm dead stuck!

Both would recieve toytec coilovers to tighten up nose dip.. Hate that... And black rhino wheels with nitto graps

I do have wife n kids.. My daughter actually loves the flip doors on Fj.. Me not so. Much... The 14 4runner interior is lexus quality I feel,, very nice.. As the Fj is bare bones

I do highway driving everyday to work.... Alone

I have to decide in a day lol.. Ehhh

Just my own opinion here but, I think those suicide doors are going to get real old in a hurry for your daughter. Especially when she gets older and bigger (not sure her age, lol). IMO the rear seats are just not practical if you actually plan to use them on a day to day basis.

And now for my totally biased and opinionative statement, get the 4runner because the FJ sucks, lol. Did you expect any less from a 4runner forum? :becky:

 

[RECDOG]

Lol.. No,, kinda what I thought!

Both are well made reliable beasts..

I was hoping to hold off to see if this pro TRD 4runner comes out.... Im so getting it if it's SC!

But I need something now... Will be a restless night sleep tonight

 

[Jimmy_D]

I've got one of each; 2007 FJ and 2013 4-Runner TE. For a daily driver I like the 4-Runner much better (especially the larger gas tank……I'm assuming the newer FJ's have the same capacity as my 2007). Passengers seem to like the 4-Runner better as well. Also, I don't worry about the windshield on the 4-Runner nearly as much (I'm on my 4th on the FJ…..the vertical nature of it's design seems to attract rocks). For more serious off-roading the FJ is definitely better. Easier to modify and there's considerably more aftermarket goodies available for it. Seems to hold it's value better than the 4-Runner from everything I've seen; although that doesn't really matter a whole lot to me because I tend to hang on to vehicles for a very long time. I guess the good news is I don't have to pick between them.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

Of course a 4runner Duhhhh! :der:

 

[STX4Runner]

I think FJs are really cool, but a while back I was at the dealer getting service and sat in the driver's seat of an FJ and didn't like the feel or driving position nearly as much as the 4Runner. Also, I know stock for stock an FJ is better offroad, but who here is offroading regularly with a stock 4Runner or knows of FJ drivers regularly offroading with a stock FJ? With some simple mods a 4Runner is just as good as an FJ and way more practical. I know you weren't asking about off road, but that's just my opinion. Also, not directed at the OP, but everyone that says FJs are more unique and unusual must not live near me. I probably see 4-5 FJs per day and I only drive 4 miles each way to work and back. I see about the same amount of 4Runners but never Trail Editions (which are almost a whole 'nother vehicle to me!)

 

[bimrunner]

I think FJs are really cool, but a while back I was at the dealer getting service and sat in the driver's seat of an FJ and didn't like the feel or driving position nearly as much as the 4Runner. Also, I know stock for stock an FJ is better offroad, but who here is offroading regularly with a stock 4Runner or knows of FJ drivers regularly offroading with a stock FJ? With some simple mods a 4Runner is just as good as an FJ and way more practical. I know you weren't asking about off road, but that's just my opinion. Also, not directed at the OP, but everyone that says FJs are more unique and unusual must not live near me. I probably see 4-5 FJs per day and I only drive 4 miles each way to work and back. I see about the same amount of 4Runners but never Trail Editions (which are almost a whole 'nother vehicle to me!)

Ha! I've never seen another like mine...:vader: but it is much harder to make an FJ that unique without doing weird stuff to it. I like both though!

 

[Gabex35]

i actually sold my fj for a 4runner. I love that i made the switch.

^x2!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Stock for stock, what makes the FJ so much better off road? They are on the same platform, so is it things like approach and departure angles?

 

[Lenny33]

With kids, this becomes a no brainer to me - 4Runner all the way. I have now owned a 2010 4Runner for less than a month after getting out of my old FJ that I had for 4 1/2 years. The FJ had a 3" toytec lift on it, front and rear warn bumpers, winch, sliders, skids, ... You get the idea. I felt like I could handle a lot in that truck, but in reality, the times that I used that stuff (having a five year old and 1/2 year old) was becoming less and less and having my wife and kids in my truck making a trip to Home Depot was becoming more and more.

What finally became too much for me with the FJ was the horrible blind spots, Stupid Freakin Suicide Doors (used to love them), and the lack of room in the back seat and cargo area..

I just now have a lot of stuff to do on the Runner over the next few years to "toughen" her up. Already upgraded tires. Blackout and lift on the very near horizon...

 

[Wepps]

FJ is better off road stock for stock. 4runner wins for your proposed use - more room and more creature comforts. FJ resale is better than 4R. Test drive both.

Say's who? The FJ is a beast but hands down a stock 4R TE will walk circles around a stock FJ any day. Resale values. Jury is still out.

The backseat in the fj sucks. So do the back doors. If you use those then 4runner all day. Also the fj has huge blind spots. I don't like that. But if you were single and wanted something, it'd be great!

Fact.

Haha I did test drive both n I'm dead stuck!

Both would recieve toytec coilovers to tighten up nose dip.. Hate that... And black rhino wheels with nitto graps

I do have wife n kids.. My daughter actually loves the flip doors on Fj.. Me not so. Much... The 14 4runner interior is lexus quality I feel,, very nice.. As the Fj is bare bones

I do highway driving everyday to work.... Alone

I have to decide in a day lol.. Ehhh

Ok, coming from a '08 FJ that was traded in for the 4R. The niftiness of the FJ wears off quick for the kids and any passengers in the rear. I bought my FJ when my son was 3 and by the time he was 4 he was over it. The airline windows on the suicide doors drove him nuts. Don't be me and buy the FJ cause of the cool factor and that it's liked now... It doesn't last.

I love the soft suspension on the FJ where it eats trail bumps and rocks. Nose dive is the trade off and fine with me. The suicide doors get old with kids in parking lots. If only one vehicle, the T4R no doubt. FJ is a niche vehicle, great second vehicle, great off road vehicle. Plus 14 is the end of the FJ, so it's now or never. T4R will be around for years to come, I hope.

Yes, suicide doors get old quick.

I've got one of each; 2007 FJ and 2013 4-Runner TE. For a daily driver I like the 4-Runner much better (especially the larger gas tank……I'm assuming the newer FJ's have the same capacity as my 2007). Passengers seem to like the 4-Runner better as well. Also, I don't worry about the windshield on the 4-Runner nearly as much (I'm on my 4th on the FJ…..the vertical nature of it's design seems to attract rocks). For more serious off-roading the FJ is definitely better. Easier to modify and there's considerably more aftermarket goodies available for it. Seems to hold it's value better than the 4-Runner from everything I've seen; although that doesn't really matter a whole lot to me because I tend to hang on to vehicles for a very long time. I guess the good news is I don't have to pick between them.

Serious off roading? FJ Better? WHAT? What makes the FJ better? The only aftermarket goodie that makes it's worth while is a snorkel... 4R's have suspension upgrades, skid plates, roof racks, winches, etc.... Oh and they share the same frame platform so there's sliders and the fully boxed frame.

I think FJs are really cool, but a while back I was at the dealer getting service and sat in the driver's seat of an FJ and didn't like the feel or driving position nearly as much as the 4Runner. Also, I know stock for stock an FJ is better offroad, but who here is offroading regularly with a stock 4Runner or knows of FJ drivers regularly offroading with a stock FJ? With some simple mods a 4Runner is just as good as an FJ and way more practical. I know you weren't asking about off road, but that's just my opinion. Also, not directed at the OP, but everyone that says FJs are more unique and unusual must not live near me. I probably see 4-5 FJs per day and I only drive 4 miles each way to work and back. I see about the same amount of 4Runners but never Trail Editions (which are almost a whole 'nother vehicle to me!)

Stock for stock what? 4R Trail stock will eat up any fully factory optioned stock FJ off highway.

 

[Lenny33]

I respectfully disagree that a TE will beat up on a stock FJ With atrac and a rear locker (if you are using the TE as comparison, only fair that the FJ being compared has these). The better break over angle, along with better approach and departure angles, and a smaller body make the FJ better, IMO.

 

[atipps]

pretty easy to answer… Same vehicle.. do you want a more family oriented truck or something more offroad oriented?

 

[Jimmy_D]

The better break over angle, along with better approach and departure angles, and a smaller body make the FJ better, IMO

Ditto; and I've wheeled both in stock or near stock form. I've also wheeled both in highly modified form. Also, there seems to be more stuff exposed underneath on the 4-Runner. I love my 4-Runner but for the serious stuff I'd much rather be in my FJ (part of which could be not wanting to beat the crap out of the 4-Runner).