Today is decision day....

[BamBam]

Do I go with the 2007 Sport 4Runner with V8 and full time 4WD? OR.... do I go with the 2007 FJ with auto trans and part time 4x4?

Prices are the same. FJ has way less miles (like under 3000). 4R has 25,000 miles.

This is the toughest decision I've ever had to make. They are both so cool. I guess I should expect 4Runner to win out on this site though!

I guess I'm in a good position, getting the chance to pick from the two coolest SUV's on the planet! Life could be worse.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Do I go with the 2007 Sport 4Runner with V8 and full time 4WD? OR.... do I go with the 2007 FJ with auto trans and part time 4x4?

Prices are the same. FJ has way less miles (like under 3000). 4R has 25,000 miles.

This is the toughest decision I've ever had to make. They are both so cool. I guess I should expect 4Runner to win out on this site though!

I guess I'm in a good position, getting the chance to pick from the two coolest SUV's on the planet! Life could be worse.

Good Luck! I say get the 4Runner. Especially in the bad weather the 4Runner will be much better due to the more advanced 4wd system. The 4Runner will tow better, the 4Runner has more space inside, your dog will appreciate the way the windows work in the 4Runner, the gas mileage may be a wash and the list goes on and on... (From reading the FJC sites the mpg seems to be a bit lower than the V6 4Runner and pretty close to what the V8 4Runner guys claim.)

The vehicle mileage is a difference but unless you drive over 20k a year I wouldn't think about that... A well maintained 4Runner is a great vehicle when it has 150k on it, a 125k FJC is good too but still small, the windows still don't go down, it still has part-time 4wd etc.

I will give you that the FJC has a little more "wow" factor visually but that's it.

Good luck, it's a tough one! :bigok:

 

[Even Steven]

Re: Re: Today is decision day....

Good Luck! I say get the 4Runner. Especially in the bad weather the 4Runner will be much better due to the more advanced 4wd system.

If anything, the FJ has a more advanced 4wd system. They have an optional rear locker and we don't. They also have a more aggressive ATRAC system.

And don't forget that all FJs have both selectable AND full-time 4wd, which is something that V8 4Runners don't have (only V6 4Runners have the same set-up), which is worth noting because he's considering purchasing a V8 4Runner.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

If anything, the FJ has a more advanced 4wd system. They have an optional rear locker and we don't. They also have a more aggressive ATRAC system.

And don't forget that all FJs have both selectable AND full-time 4wd, which is something that V8 4Runners don't have (only V6 4Runners have the same set-up), which is worth noting because he's considering purchasing a V8 4Runner.

I thought the only way to get the transfer case that had the Torsen on the FJC was to get the manual transmission. Am I mixed up? As I understand it (the FJC w/auto trans) when in 4hi it is an 'old school', no dry pavement 4hi.:awais:

As far as ATRAC goes I don't know. I do know that many who have had lockers say the ATRAC on the 4Runner is pretty amazing, not a locker but pretty damn good. I know it impresses the heck out of me on my 4Runner. I have had locker experience on my '05 Nissan Titan. The Nissan equiv to ATRAC was lame and I was thankful to have the locker but 4Runners ATRAC is so good I haven't missed the locker.

 

[sharp4runr]

It all depends on how you're going to use it. If it's more of a daily driver, the 4Runner will beat the FJ hands down. 4Runner drives better on pavement and the interior materials is way better. If you want a more dedicated offroad vehicle, then the FJ will outdo the 4Runner (not saying the 4Runner is a slouch in that dept, but just that the FJ is better at it IMO). Honestly, they are both great vehicles so you can't go wrong with either but one may fit your lifestyle better than the other.

For myself, if I had the choice I'd go with the 4Runner. I don't offroad much and the 4Runner is my DD. The interior feels much better, I have more room and the view to the rear is better. I don't like the huge blind spots in the FJ.

 

[Even Steven]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

I thought the only way to get the transfer case that had the Torsen on the FJC was to get the manual transmission. Am I mixed up? As I understand it (the FJC w/auto trans) when in 4hi it is an 'old school', no dry pavement 4hi.:awais:

As far as ATRAC goes I don't know. I do know that many who have had lockers say the ATRAC on the 4Runner is pretty amazing, not a locker but pretty damn good. I know it impresses the heck out of me on my 4Runner. I have had locker experience on my '05 Nissan Titan. The Nissan equiv to ATRAC was lame and I was thankful to have the locker but 4Runners ATRAC is so good I haven't missed the locker.

I'm pretty sure that the automatic FJ comes with the same set-up at the V6 4Runner, but I could be wrong.

As for the ATRAC and locker.... the FJ guys have the option to get BOTH! We only have ATRAC, but luckily it seems to work very well in just about any situation you throw at it.

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

I'm pretty sure that the automatic FJ comes with the same set-up at the V6 4Runner, but I could be wrong.

As for the ATRAC and locker.... the FJ guys have the option to get BOTH! We only have ATRAC, but luckily it seems to work very well in just about any situation you throw at it.

The FJ automatic 4wd system is a part-time system...you canNOT use 4wd on dry pavement. The FJ manual is a full-time system, like the V8 4runner model.

FJ has TRAC which is standard on all FJ.

FJ has optional A-TRAC which is optional and is ONLY operational in 4-LO. This A-TRAC is more aggressive than the system on the 4-runner...by a wide margin.

FJ has optional rear locker. And starting in 2008 (TRD in 2007), ATRAC and rear locker can be synchronized to work together. Thus, you have the rear locker powering the rear, while ATRAC controls the front axle. It's like having a rear locker and LSD in the front.

 

[Thai]

It all depends on how you're going to use it. If it's more of a daily driver, the 4Runner will beat the FJ hands down. 4Runner drives better on pavement and the interior materials is way better. If you want a more dedicated offroad vehicle, then the FJ will outdo the 4Runner (not saying the 4Runner is a slouch in that dept, but just that the FJ is better at it IMO). Honestly, they are both great vehicles so you can't go wrong with either but one may fit your lifestyle better than the other.

Agree 100%. The 4runner is infinitely more practical and comfortable on-road. The FJ is better off-road...stock for stock, the FJ is significantly better off-road IMHO...and i have off-roaded with both many times.

If you have kids, then i recommend 4runner all the way. Those suicide doors on the FJ is highly impractical and the backseat is claustrophobic.

 

[josh220]

I would go with the 4runner unless you like replacing your front windshield.

 

[ToyotaDan]

In my opinion the FJ doesn't look so hot. But that is personal opinion. It's like this, people either love em or hate em. They stick out - and things that stick out get messed with (that I learned having my vette).

I could not give up the 4wd torsen system the 4runner has. It is just incredible. And I drove a real hummer in the Marines.

 

[JB.]

This is the toughest decision I've ever had to make. They are both so cool. I guess I should expect 4Runner to win out on this site though!

Not much to say if you only have a few hours to decide. I presume you've seen the "4Runner vs FJ Cruiser" thread.

In general if you're going to use it for more practical reasons including outdoor practicality - camping, sleeping in it, etc - I'd say 4runner. If it'll be an off road toy, FJ.

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Today is decision day....

Not much to say if you only have a few hours to decide. I presume you've seen the "4Runner vs FJ Cruiser" thread.

Just to help the original poster out...here is the link to that thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16793

 

[JB.]

Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

If anything, the FJ has a more advanced 4wd system. They have an optional rear locker and we don't. They also have a more aggressive ATRAC system.

And don't forget that all FJs have both selectable AND full-time 4wd, which is something that V8 4Runners don't have (only V6 4Runners have the same set-up), which is worth noting because he's considering purchasing a V8 4Runner.

True. On the other hand, 4WD 4Runners have the Torsen-C center differential which the FJ auto doesn't, and the transfer includes 4low unlocked, which is not a choice in the manual FJ.

 

[JB.]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

FJ has optional A-TRAC which is optional and is ONLY operational in 4-LO. This A-TRAC is more aggressive than the system on the 4-runner...by a wide margin.

Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of room for more aggressive ATRAC in the 4runner when it's in motion. The increased ATRAC aggressiveness I keep hearing about must show up in standing starts, eh?

 

[Thai]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of room for more aggressive ATRAC in the 4runner when it's in motion. The increased ATRAC aggressiveness I keep hearing about must show up in standing starts, eh?

All i can tell you is that, on at least 2 off-roading trips where both FJ and 4runner were present, the FJ ATRAC (optional in 4-LO only) is better than 4runner's. The FJ is simply more capable when you talk about stock vs. stock...i do not think that anyone on any of our trips (e.g. 4runner owners) would disagree. I do not think that i am bias towards one or the other vehicle. My experience is from rock crawling, nothing else. I feel/see the FJ's ATRAC as being more aggressive/effective at transferring power to the wheel(s) with traction. 4runner's system allowed more wheelspin, thus less effective in rockcrawling. Then, you add in the FJ's rear locker (with ATRAC synch), and the FJ with off-road package is clearly better stock vs. stock.

However, this does not mean that the 4runner is a Tahoe (sorry Falls!). The 4runner is way more practical and can be modded to be equal to stock FJ (if not more). FJ can never be modded to be as practical as 4runner.

 

[JB.]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Today is decision day....

All i can tell you is that, on at least 2 off-roading trips where both FJ and 4runner were present, the FJ ATRAC (optional in 4-LO only) is better than 4runner's. The FJ is simply more capable when you talk about stock vs. stock...

I don't doubt the extra capability at all. I'm just thinking that what looks like quicker ATRAC could, in some cases, just be FJ keeping more wheel contact and spinning less in the first place.

Guess I'll just have to get out and wheel with one.

 

[jsgreen]

So - what was the decision?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The 4runner is way more practical and can be modded to be equal to stock FJ (if not more). FJ can never be modded to be as practical as 4runner.

:iagree: :yesyes: :clap: AMEN! And Thai, thanks for clarifying the transfer case deal. It's a damn shame the programming on the 4Runner ATRAC wouldn't run as it does in high range and get equally as aggressive as the FJC when low is selected. It's probably just lines of code which tend to be reliable and they add very little weight

 

[p nut]

4Runner all the way. The back seat in the FJ are a bit tight. Rear visibility (READ: blind spots) are gigantic. Not a bad rig, but I personally would never own one...unless they came out with a convertible version.

Also, I'd try to get a V6 4Runner instead. PLENTY of power. EASY oil changes. BETTER gas mileage. TIMING CHAIN! Unless you tow every day, look for a V6. Just my opinion, though. :bigok:

 

[Mirlen]

If you get the FJ you won't be allowed to post here!!!



Just kidding

I didn't even really consider the FJ but if I had the blind spots and funkiness would have probably turned me off. My 4Runner is also my daily driver so interior comfort and convenience and usability was important.