What makes your FJ Cruiser an FJ? Or a Toyota for that matter? When does it stop being an FJ and become something else?
Let's say you build the hell out of your FJ.....you buy a pair of rock jock 60s for your Fj, lock it f/r, install an Atlas 4 speed; maybe Supercharge it or drop in a V8 (Toyota's or an LS2 or whatever). You're now running 37s with 4 link and coilovers and wheeling the crap out of it.
One day you're out on some gnarly trail and you roll it....bad. The body is destroyed, so you buy an F-Toy chassis and put all your stuff into it. Is it still a FJ Cruiser or is it now a buggy? My vote is buggy....but would it still be eligible at a "Toyota" event?
The reason I ask is: I've now been denied entry to two wheeling events b/c my buggy isn't a specific make. The latest is the Toyota Trail Teams Invitational to Big Bear in May.
Trail Teams Invitational May 10/11 Big Bear CA
I am honestly not upset about it, but it is an interesting paradigm to me that I'd like some input on from other wheelers.
What attributes determine what kind of vehicle you drive?
Does the body determine the make/model? Is it the engine? Is it whatever it's registered as? How much sheetmetal is required to determine the make/model? Is it a percentage of original parts? I have my own ideas about this....just trying to gauge others' thoughts on the matter.
I understand with a full on buggy it's a bit different, but what about the guy that buys a 1 ton mid 80s Chevy truck and then swaps the entire drivetrain plus an Atlas into an Xterra. Is he welcome at X only events even though his X is really just Nissan skin?
What about Jeep Jamborees? I've seen guys accepted as "Jeeps" at these things in full tube chassis with a smorgasbord of different mfg. parts and only a Jeep grill, no problems. We've all likely seen built to the hilt vehicles that started out as Jeeps with 42" Swampers, D60/14B axles, SBC engines, TH400 trans with an Atlas....but by God the tub is still Jeep. Is it really still a Jeep and if yes or no, why does it really matter?
What about BellyDoc's project FJ40? It's not really an FJ40 anymore except for the hood, grill and portions of the tub, but b/c it largely resembles an FJ40 in appearance, it would likely be welcome at such an event....so is it largely just "skin deep"?
Of course, I've seen some of the factory sponsored events (or brand exclusives) where there is a limit on tire size....nothing bigger than 35s or 37s. This one sorta makes sense, but at the same time isn't fair really.
So, what's your take?
Sean
