FJ Cruiser

[DC Dude]

For offroading or daily use, what's the benefit of the FJ over the T4R? If anything, it's probably the 6 spd manual option.

I assume Toyota thinks they can convince people that this is a more rugged machine, but in reality, it may not not necessarily be better. I don't ever recall seeing a FJ commercial....and why is an offroad vehicle called a cruiser? I don't see PT cruisers going off road. :lmao:

 

[anotherrunner83]

uh...ever heard of a land cruiser? it was toyota's/the world's go to off road/safari/expedition vehicle.

i think the fj (stock) has better ground clearance and i know it has much better approach and decent angles. it also feels to be wider which would make it more stable. the short wheel base can have it's advantages, but no wheel base is perfect for every situation...

 

[Billf6531]

There is no benefit that I'm aware of. I put a truxx lift on my 4R, along with a set of FJ wheels for a little wider track, and I think that I have the benefits of both configurations.

 

[DC Dude]

uh...ever heard of a land cruiser? it was toyota's/the world's go to off road/safari/expedition vehicle.

i think the fj (stock) has better ground clearance and i know it has much better approach and decent angles. it also feels to be wider which would make it more stable. the short wheel base can have it's advantages, but no wheel base is perfect for every situation...

Any idea what FJ is abbreviated for?

 

[Thai]

FJ Cruiser has these advantages over the 4th gen:

1. Better approach, departure, and breakover angles
2. Slightly more suspension travel
3. Better ground clearance due to a higher front end
4. Lighter weight
5. A-TRAC (this is an off-road 4-LO only tool...and is more effective than the ATRAC that is avail in the 4th gen not named Trail Edition.)
6. Rear locker (quite obvious; again, not avail on 4th gen not named Trail Ed)
7. Rugged plastic flooring instead of carpet along with water resist. fabric
8. 32" tires standard (but bigger turning radius)
9. Bigger tires can be mounted on the rear cargo door
10. Avail. off-road shocks (Bilsteins) along with semi-gimmicky air intake (minor stuff)

Not sure if i miss anything...but you get the picture. I highlighted the main advantages IMO. So, yes, a stock FJ will outwheel a stock 4runner, not named Trail Edition (2009).

 

[M1911]

For offroading or daily use, what's the benefit of the FJ over the T4R? If anything, it's probably the 6 spd manual option.

Auto is generally easier offroad than manual.

The main advantage of the FJ is dimensional -- shorter, a bit more ground clearance, a bit better angles.

 

[daPitbull]

For offroading its true a stock fj has more gizmos like atrac and rear locker but if you're an experienced driver it shouldnt be that big of a deal. Also things like a rear locker for an unexperienced driver can be a disadvantage. Ive owned both so trust me, when modded there isnt much difference.

 

[galactic_04]

Really it comes down to are you going to have 4 people in the car? Getting in the back of my friend's FJ sucks. It's pretty mcuh the same drivetrain and suspension and everything.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

The thing about the six speed manual is that ALOT of people are having throw out bearing issues or the trans just won't give you 2nd or 3rd gear if you have alot of power like a supercharger on it. Also they have a problem with fender cracks. most of them have the problem with bumpers like ARB and others, but some have them when there STOCK.

 

[audiness]

^^^ yea the fender cracking thing is pretty scary. That would totally turn me off to one. a MAJOR design flaw

 

[Thai]

Auto is generally easier offroad than manual.

The main advantage of the FJ is dimensional -- shorter, a bit more ground clearance, a bit better angles.

Agreed about the auto. Actually, i would argue that the MAIN advantages of the FJ are the widely available rear locker and A-TRAC options.

For offroading its true a stock fj has more gizmos like atrac and rear locker but if you're an experienced driver it shouldnt be that big of a deal. Also things like a rear locker for an unexperienced driver can be a disadvantage. Ive owned both so trust me, when modded there isnt much difference.

A-TRAC and rear locker are big deals IMHO...and the more experience driver you are, the bigger the gap b/w a vehicle with locker and a vehicle without. A locker is of lesser critical importance in terms of breaking an axle when it is in the rear axle. And since the locker is only operational in 4-LO (as is the case with A-TRAC), the chance of it being used in the wrong way by idiots is much less.

Aftermarket support for FJ is huge...and since the platform is more off-road ready from the factory, the modding is easier.

Really it comes down to are you going to have 4 people in the car? Getting in the back of my friend's FJ sucks.

Yup...agree. FJ backseats suck. It is claustrophobic to some folks. The view out from the driver's seat is also bad...thus, limiting what you see when off-roading...spotting is definitely required for tough courses!

^^^ yea the fender cracking thing is pretty scary. That would totally turn me off to one. a MAJOR design flaw

Supposedly, the fender was "patched/fixed" in the 2009 and later versions.

 

[DC Dude]

Agreed about the auto. Actually, i would argue that the MAIN advantages of the FJ are the widely available rear locker and A-TRAC options.



A-TRAC and rear locker are big deals IMHO...and the more experience driver you are, the bigger the gap b/w a vehicle with locker and a vehicle without. A locker is of lesser critical importance in terms of breaking an axle when it is in the rear axle. And since the locker is only operational in 4-LO (as is the case with A-TRAC), the chance of it being used in the wrong way by idiots is much less.

Aftermarket support for FJ is huge...and since the platform is more off-road ready from the factory, the modding is easier.



Yup...agree. FJ backseats suck. It is claustrophobic to some folks. The view out from the driver's seat is also bad...thus, limiting what you see when off-roading...spotting is definitely required for tough courses!



Supposedly, the fender was "patched/fixed" in the 2009 and later versions.

Off topic, but the Nov. 2010 copy of Car and Driver has the Jeep Grand Cherokee beating out the T4R 5th gen Trail Edition (2nd place), the Nissan Pathfinder (3), and the Kia Borrage in an offroad contest.

 

[jlmilligan]

Off topic, but the Nov. 2010 copy of Car and Driver has the Jeep Grand Cherokee beating out the T4R 5th gen Trail Edition (2nd place), the Nissan Pathfinder (3), and the Kia Borrage in an offroad contest.

And Petersons Off road had the Jeep Wrangler beat a FJ in a contest. They used a FJ with the off road package and said that it did NOT have a locker. Really good reviews from some reporters. Or maybe it was because Jeep had a LOT more ads in that magazine.

 

[Thai]

And Petersons Off road had the Jeep Wrangler beat a FJ in a contest. They used a FJ with the off road package and said that it did NOT have a locker. Really good reviews from some reporters. Or maybe it was because Jeep had a LOT more ads in that magazine.

Do you disagree with their conclusion?? You think that a fj stock can beat a wrangler rubi off-road?

 

[DC Dude]

And Petersons Off road had the Jeep Wrangler beat a FJ in a contest. They used a FJ with the off road package and said that it did NOT have a locker. Really good reviews from some reporters. Or maybe it was because Jeep had a LOT more ads in that magazine.

Given that, the Car and Driver review noted that if the Trail Edition wasn't so expensive and didn't have all the unnecessary bells and whistles that don't contribute to offroading, that hands down, their guys would buy the T4R Trail Edition.

 

[jlmilligan]

Do you disagree with their conclusion?? You think that a fj stock can beat a wrangler rubi off-road?

I see you need people to be VERY specific with their posts. So here goes.

No, I do not disagree. But my comment was that the reviews tend to be bias. Especially when these mags are mostly jeep stuff. In the beginning of the referenced review, They list the FJ has having a rear locker. But in their final review, they say that the ATRAC is not as good as a locker and it should have one to be competitive. They (reviewers and editors) are either biased, or do not know how to use an E-locker.

The FJ should have a front locker and at least some good all terrain tires to be a good comparison.

 

[sschevy]

Any idea what FJ is abbreviated for?

Foreign jeep...and thats no joke...it fact

 

[kai920]

FJ Cruiser has these advantages over the 4th gen:


5. A-TRAC (this is an off-road 4-LO only tool...and is more effective than the ATRAC that is avail in the 4th gen not named Trail Edition.)

so whats the difference between our ATRAC and the FJC ATRAC?(other than the fact that our ATRAC wouldn't on a rear axle is a rear locker is locked). Thats all I can think of.

 

[Thai]

so whats the difference between our ATRAC and the FJC ATRAC?(other than the fact that our ATRAC wouldn't on a rear axle is a rear locker is locked). Thats all I can think of.

FJC A-TRAC is more aggressive...and is used as an off-road tool because you can ONLY activate it while in 4-LO. I have seen this in action personally...it really is fast to act and will brake a spinning/slipping wheel to a stop quickly. The 4runner ATRAC system is slower to react and allows for more slipping before it intervenes...and far less aggressive at braking the slipping wheel(s).