FJ Cruiser VS Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

[Captain Texas]

So I ave pondering at this question for some time and I was wondering if anyone on the forum would have any knowledge on the subject.

I learned how to drive, especially a stick shift, in my Grandpa's 2002 Jeep Wrangler. I was really wanting to buy it from him but then my Dad bought me the 4Runner. Which I am really happy with!!!

I've still got around 3 more years with it because I'm almost at 90,000 miles on it, interior is really dated, and it NOT 4WD.

I am asking the question what would be better for a daily driver and something that could be used for off-roading and ranch use? FJ or Wrangler?

I am impartial to both because the FJ has Toyota reliability, the Wrangler I associate more to, better vision, 4 real doors.

Anyone have feedback?

 

[LandCruiser]

FJC will be more capable than every Jeep except the Rubi, and will be more reliable than all.

You can't see out of the FJC.

I had one.

You just can't.

Both can be modified cheap.

 

[AZrunner11]

Fj all the way

I bought an '07 FJ from a wise older man who wheeled jeeps in Arizona and as soon as the FJ came out he bought it and wheeled it. He was tired of always taking his wrangler to the shop. He loved that FJ and the stories he shared with me about his adventures and his lessons learned from the Jeep became another feather for the legendary Toyota reliability of their trucks. Get the FJ and don't look back.

 

[mattyrides07]

I use to own an 08 FJ with ICON EXT Travel on 35s. I went places that Jeeps (non-rubicons) got stuck and had to get winched. I also never broke (*knock on wood*) when the Jeeps constantly had problems. These factors are not limited to the vehicle itself, but also the drivers.

The JK is longer and harder to maneuver through tight spots, butrear visability is greatly increased over the FJ. If your ranching and have animals behind you I would say go Jeep. However, with all my knowledge I will say there is a reason I am now a 4runner owner and not a FJ or JK owner... just my .02

 

[ARC]

So I ave pondering at this question for some time and I was wondering if anyone on the forum would have any knowledge on the subject.

I learned how to drive, especially a stick shift, in my Grandpa's 2002 Jeep Wrangler. I was really wanting to buy it from him but then my Dad bought me the 4Runner. Which I am really happy with!!!

I've still got around 3 more years with it because I'm almost at 90,000 miles on it, interior is really dated, and it NOT 4WD.

I am asking the question what would be better for a daily driver and something that could be used for off-roading and ranch use? FJ or Wrangler?

I am impartial to both because the FJ has Toyota reliability, the Wrangler I associate more to, better vision, 4 real doors.

Anyone have feedback?

A 2nd gen double cab Tacoma would have pros from both vehicles and none of the cons. I love Toyotas but would never buy and FJC.

 

[Knotbob]

FJC blindspot

Calling your lack of visibility in an FJ a blind spot is understating the problem. My wife wanted one and I thought it would be a great vehicle for her and I could try not to tear it up on the weekends. (i have a company car.)
The visibilty was so bad that I had to give in and trade it for a 2015 4Runner SR5 4x4.
Merging into a road with cars coming from the passenger side having the right of way was scary and my wife's commute had 2 of those everyday.
Pulling my little 15' flats fishing boat was no problem but backing down the ramp or backing in the driveway was really awful. No rear view with the spare tire in the back glass either.
Reverse cam helped a little bit but not much.
Also the front windshield is close to a 90 degree angle and the roof is low so when you are the first and sometimes even the 2nd car in line at a light you can't see the light with out craning your neck.
There is a little "see the light" gizmo for sale that sticks to the inside of the windshield that refracts the light to you. It's about $17 and you need it.
The seats are far enough inboard from the sides that you have to lean way out the window to see the ground and the mirrors suck too.
Dang, I guess I didn't like it very much.
It would be great to make a serious off roader out of. Rip the doors off, put better mirrors on the roll cage, ARB's, lift it and yahoo.
New 4runner is awesome. None of the FJ problems. Need to get the spare tire out from under it so it won't hang up and want ARB's asap. No lift for a while since my wife doesn't want to need stairs to get in but 1 day it will happen.
Robb

 

[wheeldude]

Might not matter now...

I install little fish eye mirrors on all of my vehicles (on the lower inside corner of the exisiting mirror), including my old Jeep TJ Sahara, my wife's 4Runner and my FJC. No matter which vehicle I am driving I used these little mirrors to always view my blind spots and parking spot stripes.

I knew the FJ would have limited visibility but with these little add-on mirrors and the backup camera... non issue for me.

I miss the Jeep but really like the FJC. Neither are perfect and each of them are awesome in their own way. I like the 4Runner too but with being a Jeep guy for 13 years, the FJ feels more like home to me.

Note: When you buy these little fish eye mirrors they come in a little black housing. I pop the mirrors out of the housing and stick directly on the side mirror with either velcro or double sided foam tape. The result is a clean factory look.

 

[dwm2112]

Given your stated usage I think the FJ would be the better pick. The FJ is clearly better on road and will match the Jeep off-road in 05% of situations. If you are looking for serious rock crawling the rubicon would be the way to go but that is not what you stated. I had a 2002 Jeep Wrangler TJ before the FJ and I prefer the FJ in every respect except one. The removable top is nice...