Why do FJ Guys Think they own Jeep Rubicons?

[TOY2G]

This is a quote from from the FJ forums today. I am a member and sponsor, and YES we are buying an FJ this summer from Oregon... Buy the FJ guys bagging on the 4Runner is like telling your dad his DNA is Crap and yours is way better.

Sales have been steady for the last 4 years but dropped significantly from the 2007/2008 years:

Toyota FJ Cruiser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First off, I can't see them doing the FJ treatment to the 4Runner. The 4Runner has turned into a city-fied SUV with a wheelbase that is too long and overhangs that are too long to give decent approach/departure angles. For as hard as it is to justify banging up a ~$32K FJ, can you imagine anybody wanting to tear up the wife's $40K+ 4Runner?

Secondly, they are just starting to sell the FJ in more markets around the world (Middle East, Australia), and the cheapest way to do that is to continue to sell them a vehicle that they don't have to do any extra work to make.

The standard car refresh cycle is 3-4 years, so "industry people" who look at the FJ and see no refresh in ~6 years start to question why. But as has already been said, the FJ is not a regular car, it's like the Jeep. And the best way to keep the aftermarket support strong (and I told the TRD folks this at last year's Summit) is to STOP MESSING WITH IT.

Hopefully Toyota listens. Maybe they won't, who knows. But all I know is, if the next FJ has a turbo-diesel engine, soft-top and half doors then I'm gone :rofl:

 

[scjo06]

I got a good laugh out of the statement about banging up a 32K FJ but not being able to justify banging up the wifes 40k 4runner. Thanks for that!

 

[CXS]

Yep, as was posted: the FJC is like the Jeep which is why I own a 4Runner!

 

[JPWendtinc]

I looked at an FJ a few years ago. It would get very tedious putting two kids in and out of their car seats in the back of that thing every day. Plus there was not enough room in the back for my two Labradors. Plus it was 32K+ to have a cheap plastic interior and a plastic floor (same reason I don't own a Jeep).

I would very confidently take my Runner anywhere an FJ would go. How else would I be able to pull him out?

 

[NJshadow93]

The floor is actually the one thing I'm jealous about from the FJ. The fact that you can hose it down is awesome.

 

[JPWendtinc]

The floor is actually the one thing I'm jealous about from the FJ. The fact that you can hose it down is awesome.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea. I just have a hard time paying more than 30K for a vehicle that has it.

 

[NJshadow93]

Totally agree. I originally wanted an FJ just because the idea of one was perfect for me and exactly what I wanted. Not married, in college, likes to go off roading and loves Toyota. It wasn't until I was actually looking to buy a vehicle that I realized the 4Runner gives you way more for your money and just an overall better value. I love the FJ cruiser but the 4Runner will end up being more practical in the long run.

 

[Desert Fox]

James is a pretty level headed person and great guy to wheel with. I dont think he was outright bashing the 4Runner. The bumpers on the newer 4Runners do limit the aproach angles, especially compared to a FJ or a Jeep. But the purpose for each vehicle is a bit different.

I wheel with both groups here in Colorado and I dont have any trouble on the trails with the FJs. There are some places I dont attmpt because I dont have aftermarket bumpers and dont want to tear up the factory bumpers.

We have a 2007 FJ that my wife drives (does not leave pavement). I originally was envious of it and tried to talk her into trading me for my 4Runner. Now after a year of wheeling in the 4Runner I am very content with the 4Runner and I think it is better for my needs. The 4Runner has more interior room and creature comforts (Sun Roof).

The FJ has more interior head room and I like that but I never understood why the seat sits so low with all that head room.

I also think the 4Runner has a lower center of gravity compared to the FJ (no data, just my opinion).

For the 4Runner folks here in Colorado, hit the trails with the FJ group when you can. Both groups have good people with similar interests and vehicles.

 

[TOY2G]

James is a pretty level headed person and great guy to wheel with. I dont think he was outright bashing the 4Runner. The bumpers on the newer 4Runners do limit the aproach angles, especially compared to a FJ or a Jeep. But the purpose for each vehicle is a bit different.

I wheel with both groups here in Colorado and I dont have any trouble on the trails with the FJs. There are some places I dont attmpt because I dont have aftermarket bumpers and dont want to tear up the factory bumpers.

We have a 2007 FJ that my wife drives (does not leave pavement). I originally was envious of it and tried to talk her into trading me for my 4Runner. Now after a year of wheeling in the 4Runner I am very content with the 4Runner and I think it is better for my needs. The 4Runner has more interior room and creature comforts (Sun Roof).

The FJ has more interior head room and I like that but I never understood why the seat sits so low with all that head room.

I also think the 4Runner has a lower center of gravity compared to the FJ (no data, just my opinion).

For the 4Runner folks here in Colorado, hit the trails with the FJ group when you can. Both groups have good people with similar interests and vehicles.

I have no doubt he is a great guy, and has good forum participation. I wheel every year with the FJ guys at the Summit and I have not a single complaint. I just don't care for the chest pounding 'my dad could kick your dad's butt" kind of comparisons.

No disrespect to anyone, and that's my point if i even have one.

 

[Desert Fox]

I have no doubt he is a great guy, and has good forum participation. I wheel every year with the FJ guys at the Summit and I have not a single complaint. I just don't care for the chest pounding 'my dad could kick your dad's butt" kind of comparisons.

No disrespect to anyone, and that's my point if i even have one.

Hope we can meet up in Ouray for a cold one

 

[superman3043]

Hmm... We wheeled with an FJ owner last trip. Lets just say that buddy and myself did not see eye to eye (maybe because he was short?). Especially since he thought it a good idea to shoot his mouth off about me on an FJ forum afterward. Anyway I don't think it had anything to do with the vehicle but more with the person, but this thread made me smile. I mean, my mom drives an FJ and she's good people .

Seems like the 4Runner guys I've met and got to wheel with are pretty like minded and similar to myself. FJC? Not so much. I've driven them. Nothing wrong with them. Just not for me. I'll stick with my 4Runner. Truth be told, I'd personally rather have a wrangler than an FJ.

 

[1engineer]

A message from a linear algebra professor I had long ago sums it up best:
"Look at the guy on your left. Now look at the guy on your right. One of them is an a$$hole and the other one won't be here past drop date." He meant that half the guys will drop the class because it is too hard and you won't get along with most of the rest. I expanded the statement over time and age to include that in all walks of life, about a third of the people you won't get along with and another third won't stay around for any length of time. Co-workers, neighbors, internet forums and extended family are all applicable to the lessons of my professor.

 

[Night_Wolf84]

From what I've heard about FJCs, they wheel pretty well and can hold their own in most situations. However, again from what I've heard, they have terrible blind spots.
That's one of the reasons why I wouldn't buy one, but I like the looks of them.

 

[SUP3RJEFF]

I have a soft spot for the FJC, but I'd never have one over a 4Runner. As for the choice between FJ or the Wrangler, tough... I'd want the Toyota dependability with the Jeep aftermarket

 

[HHIRunner]

From what I've heard about FJCs, they wheel pretty well and can hold their own in most situations. However, again from what I've heard, they have terrible blind spots.
That's one of the reasons why I wouldn't buy one, but I like the looks of them.

My Grandam has an FJC and u drove it a lot when I was deciding between buying a 4runner or FJ and honestly the blind spot isn't as bad as people say. But compared to a 4runner its definantely bad. Overall though I like both vehicles a lot. I do feel that the FJ or Rubicon is complete overkill for most people though while the 4Runner can still be seen as a normal car.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The 4Runner has turned into a city-fied SUV with a wheelbase that is too long and overhangs that are too long to give decent approach/departure angles. For as hard as it is to justify banging up a ~$32K FJ, can you imagine anybody wanting to tear up the wife's $40K+ 4Runner?

What is so controversial here?

The 4th and 5th Gens are MUCH LARGER with a far longer wheelbase and much worse angle-of-approach. They are when sold stock, much less capable than an SR5 3rd Gen. :bowl:

Notice I said STOCK!!!!

The same thing could be said about the newest Tundras vs old T100 and Gen1_2 Tundras. :llama:

 

[KidVermicious]

But all I know is, if the next FJ has a turbo-diesel engine, soft-top and half doors then I'm gone

Sweet merciful crap, if the next FJ Cruiser has diesel and a removable top, I'll mortgage my house and my cat to buy one. Dude's wack.

 

[IanB]

Sweet merciful crap, if the next FJ Cruiser has diesel and a removable top, I'll mortgage my house and my cat to buy one. Dude's wack.

That was my thought as well! That statement right there removes any credibility that guy may have once had, it's crazy talk!

That being said, I MUCH prefer the looks of a 4runner to an FJC, and hate the 1/2 doors of the FJC as well.

 

[SV_Dude]

I wouldn't mind having an fjc. They have some nice features and good aftermarket support, if I had 30k to blow I would buy one. They are smaller than the t4r and have better angles. As far as capability goes, that all depends on how much you want to cut up a vehicle and how deep your wallet is. ANY vehicle can be capable if built correctly.

 

[the great him]

yeah bringing a TD here to the states is probably the single best thing toyota could do! this "guy" is a quack... he obviously has no idea about what he is talking about and sounds to me like 95% of the rest of the FJC owners out there.... yeppi and have more $$$ than practical knowledge. im sure his FJC is bought not built... just like most jeeps(which he secretly loves and wishes he had, it sounds like). he sounds very pompous