NoDak
Senior Member
go ahead and get it. if you don't like it, get the 6th gen 4runner when it comes out in 16/17.
hopefully it doesn't look anything like the prototype lexus TX that is replacing the GX
Talk me out of trading my 5th gen for an FJ
- Thread starter Riser
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go ahead and get it. if you don't like it, get the 6th gen 4runner when it comes out in 16/17.
hopefully it doesn't look anything like the prototype lexus TX that is replacing the GX
frames
The FJ Cruiser that I had (44K miles) did not have a full frame and I bent the front clip - yes I'm hard on off road vehicles. The seats didn't seem as comfortable either.
My current 4Runner (26K miles) has a full frame and can take off roading a lot better than the FJ. The seats are more comfortable.
Other than that, everyone has covered the issues very well.
The FJ Cruiser that I had (44K miles) did not have a full frame and I bent the front clip - yes I'm hard on off road vehicles. The seats didn't seem as comfortable either.
My current 4Runner (26K miles) has a full frame and can take off roading a lot better than the FJ. The seats are more comfortable.
Other than that, everyone has covered the issues very well.
Misterquad
New member
Please explain - FJ does not have a full frame and the 4Runner does?
Zeusmotorworks
New member
My Wife and I have had 6MT 2007 FJs for quite some time. Recently we traded her FJ for a 2014 TE. It all comes down to what you use it for. Hers was truly mostly a mall crawler. Mine gets the ****ing shit wheeled out of it. Coming from someone who successfully wheels rocks that my 6MT FJ should not be able to, I can say that I have the right truck for me, and she the right truck for her now. The 4runner had way too much rear over hang for the limestone shelves I spend a lot of time on. No matter the angle coming off a three to four foot shelf, your ass end is going to suffer. Going up not so much an issue. She on the other hand missed four REAL doors, sunroof, power everything, heated seats, and more usable cargo room. She loved her FJ, but for a daily driver loves the 4runner more. BOTH are great if you purpose them correctly and are honest with yourself. So it comes down to actual individual needs. This household is now complete with one of each.
Zeusmotorworks
New member
By the way, I come from aerospace manufacturing and had my own rally car business for a number of years. Unlike some, my hands are dirty, and my opinion comes from experience and not speculation. That and $7.50 will get you a good coffee from Starbucks.
Me IN MOTION on a "novice" trail
Me IN MOTION on a "novice" trail
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Zeusmotorworks
New member
Chop half foot off the front and two feet off the rear and I'd be driving a 2014 TE or 2015 Pro myself.
Visibility out of the FJ just sucks, in all directions. Forward, the near vertical windshield makes it hard to see traffic lights. The big mirrors make it easy to miss pedestrians when turning in intersections. The huge C-pillars cause big blind spots when changing lanes. The narrow rear window and spare tire make it impossible to see behind you when backing up.
The rear half-doors are a major pain when parked next to another car. The rear half-door make it harder for passengers to get access into and out of the rear seats.
The 4Runner has more room, better visibility, and easier access for rear seat passengers.
The rear half-doors are a major pain when parked next to another car. The rear half-door make it harder for passengers to get access into and out of the rear seats.
The 4Runner has more room, better visibility, and easier access for rear seat passengers.
LandCruiser
New member
The FJ has a bare plastic interior that scratches and scuffs very easily--it looks like some durable rubbermaid shit, but it's very delicate and if you use it a lot (it was my bachelormobile right before I met my wife) it will get immediately scratched.
The seats are some neoprene hybrid like the 4Runner, but mine was torn up after 35k miles.
The 4Runner looks cheap-ish for the price point but it's another story altogether.
LandCruiser
New member
Here is a photo of my 07 right before I traded it in. I took off the ARB bumper and parted it out and kept the steelies and put back the weird SE Toyota BBS wheels.
I'm not a big fan of how FJ owners think that people hate the FJ Cruiser because it doesn't have mall crawler features like leather, sunroof, etc. I hate the FJ Cruiser because
-front body tears from using ARB bumper (all Toyotas will get this because Toyota uses cheap, crappy steel)
-throwout bearing failed twice (this is a HUGE issue and the main reason I sold it)
-rear diff stopped engaging
-torn driver's seat
-trashed interior
-windshield cracked and replaced 3 times in Florida
-the clearcoat had completely come off of the roof and the paint was coming off, Toyota refused to address this and said it's the weather in Florida that did it
-pushrod on rear door had blown out twice
-rust on most of the screws holding the doors in place
-wiper motor broken
-leaking roof (the truck didn't have a roof rack to my knowledge, I had to take the roof rack shoes off and silicone the hell out of it every few months to keep it from happening)
-the paint was destroyed, there are deep scratches down each side from underbrush
I traded it in after the t/o bearing failed the second time. I didn't even wheel the hell out of it, that's been the duty of my 1997 40th Anniv. 80 series, which, BTW, has the comfiest leather seats you've ever sat in. They kind of smell because they've been dunked into water a few times.
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Sac State
New member
Rubbermaid! Perfect analogy. :bravo:
My knee, by gently resting on the arm rest over time put a big crack in it. The entire door is hollow with no supporting sub-structure. Plus, the height of the interior armrest is made for pygmies. You are relegated to constantly have your arm on the window frame to drive.
Still, she was the bomb.
KCcarguy
New member
I honestly can't believe you would ever buy another Toyota after that experience. Do you have a newer model now, or just your old LC?
13sr54runner
New member
My father had the 2010 fj and put 120k on it in 3 years. Since then he has only had 4runners (3yr work lease). It did not blink once and was basically bulletproof BUT anyone who sat in the back, fully grown adults, did not have a good time. If you want to keep it for a long time and plan on having people in your backseat, take the 4runner. Both will run forever but the 4runner has just been more practical for everyday usage. Cool part about the fj, however, was that you could basically take a hose and wash the interior without a problem.
LandCruiser
New member
I have two 4Runners and and old Land Cruiser.
Toyota makes some shitty cars (FJ Cruiser, FR-S) but for the most part their products are no better/worse than the competition.
KCcarguy
New member
Funny, I bought my 4runner because my Taco did so well for me. If I didn't think Toyota was better than the competition, I'd be driving a JK Rubi right now. You think it was a lemon?
Whiplash Willy
New member
Whats wrong with the FR-S?
Zeusmotorworks
New member
For the record, before this thread went all "honda-tech", I said our home was happiest with one of each for individual reasons. However, my perspective may be skewed as I see them both as "bang for the buck vehicles" and by no means high end. I to would have a heavily modified JK if I thought they would wear nearly as well and the Wife didn't find them so ugly and "common".
My FJ rolled over 100k today and had the squeaky TOB long ago that was remedied and stayed remedied when I put a PDM TSK kit in it along with Toyotas update. Fenders cracked (knew ahead of time that was coming) and I've broken a ball joint on the trail off a 4' drop. Also had an O2 sensor and brake pedal switch go. Otherwise it's lasted longer than I expected with the wear and tear it's received. On the flip side I've been involved in various types of racing and am easy on the skinny pedal when caution dictates (believe it or not the landing in the pic above was pillow soft). I expect the 4runner to last three times as long if not more due to the simpler life it will lead. Again, I say they are both great for different reasons/uses. First, you have to be smarter than the vehicle...
My FJ rolled over 100k today and had the squeaky TOB long ago that was remedied and stayed remedied when I put a PDM TSK kit in it along with Toyotas update. Fenders cracked (knew ahead of time that was coming) and I've broken a ball joint on the trail off a 4' drop. Also had an O2 sensor and brake pedal switch go. Otherwise it's lasted longer than I expected with the wear and tear it's received. On the flip side I've been involved in various types of racing and am easy on the skinny pedal when caution dictates (believe it or not the landing in the pic above was pillow soft). I expect the 4runner to last three times as long if not more due to the simpler life it will lead. Again, I say they are both great for different reasons/uses. First, you have to be smarter than the vehicle...
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LandCruiser
New member
Have you read about how many problems the thing has been having?
Interior, tail lamps, transmission, engine, and Toyota/Subaru not honoring warranties.
There are entire forums dedicated to the car's many problems.
You couldn't give me one of the things.
KCcarguy
New member
4 Runner for DD, camping and moderat trails..... JKU for wheelin. Any questions?
Nice. Any noticeable difference in build quality between the two? If you could only have one, which would it be?
oh ya apples to oranges. The Jeep is that... a jeep. box on wheels. If I had to choose 1? I am married with 2 kids so 4 runner wins
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