An FJ caught my eye the other day. I’ve never been a truck or SUV guy but it’s starting to change my view on what I may want out of 4 wheels. I ride sport bikes so my speed / handling need is fulfilled with that hobby. Now I’m thinking a go anywhere / anytime vehicle would be fun / practical to have.
The things that I like about the FJ:
• It’s Japanese. I’ve had 2 Acuras with over 300K miles between the 2 and my family has had great luck with Toyota (Tundra, Tacoma, Camery, Supra, Lexeses)…
• It’s a 2 door (sorta, but I’ve always loved the suicide doors on my father Tacoma)
• You can get it in a 6 Speed (I will never own a automatic, well maybe never but not now)
That being said I have some questions as I’m doing my initial research…
1) It seems that if you spend 23Kish on a base model or 30Kish on a TRD model you are getting the same power train / off road capability (assuming both are 6 speed). Is this in fact true or are you getting something more in suspension / performance with that $7K? I realize wheels are upgraded but that is not important to me as I would want to switch to some kind of aftermarket steel rim / tire combo more suited to adventure riding. And the soccer mom options like rear sonar don't interest me.
2) Can you really hose down the interior if you get the non-carpet interior? I remember reading somewhere that all the electrical wires are ran in the roof
2a) How deep can you get in water with the stock set up before you have to worry about screwing something up?
3) Is the average gas mileage really 16ish with Premium being required (My Father’s V8 Tundra gets the same MPG on regular)
An FJ caught my eye the other day. I’ve never been a truck or SUV guy but it’s starting to change my view on what I may want out of 4 wheels. I ride sport bikes so my speed / handling need is fulfilled with that hobby. Now I’m thinking a go anywhere / anytime vehicle would be fun / practical to have.
The things that I like about the FJ:
• It’s Japanese. I’ve had 2 Acuras with over 300K miles between the 2 and my family has had great luck with Toyota (Tundra, Tacoma, Camery, Supra, Lexeses)…
• It’s a 2 door (sorta, but I’ve always loved the suicide doors on my father Tacoma)
• You can get it in a 6 Speed (I will never own a automatic, well maybe never but not now)
That being said I have some questions as I’m doing my initial research…
1) It seems that if you spend 23Kish on a base model or 30Kish on a TRD model you are getting the same power train / off road capability (assuming both are 6 speed). Is this in fact true or are you getting something more in suspension / performance with that $7K? I realize wheels are upgraded but that is not important to me as I would want to switch to some kind of aftermarket steel rim / tire combo more suited to adventure riding. And the soccer mom options like rear sonar don't interest me.
Base model is 23Kish, but those will be really hard to find. most dealers add the optional packages and the price ends up around 27-29k depending on which combo they make. (read around this site for what those are, and keep in mine all manual trans. FJs come with the locked rear diff. as standard equipment. The TRD edition FJ actually ends up around 32k and has different shocks, wheels, tires, a black roof, badging, exhaust, and more that i am probably forgetting. If you plan on doing your own modifications and taking it offroad on some more serious terrain, skip the optional skids and sliders and get them from one of the many vendors here making superior products.
2) Can you really hose down the interior if you get the non-carpet interior? I remember reading somewhere that all the electrical wires are ran in the roof
All FJs have no carpet. some have optional carpet mats, but all can be sponged out. you arent really supposed to hose it down. I use a bucket and sponge to clean mine out
2a) How deep can you get in water with the stock set up before you have to worry about screwing something up?
Toyota claims 27.5" Ive been through deeper when i was stock
3) Is the average gas mileage really 16ish with Premium being required (My Father’s V8 Tundra gets the same MPG on regular)
Id say yes, thats the average. Premium is recommended, but not required. I got the same mileage with low grade. Toyota came out with a service bulletin saying it was ok to use low grade, but the performance numbers were achieved using hi octane.
I felt the same as you do about the six speed manual (my 1 ton PU is even a stick) until I found out that the MT version is full time 4WD. My FJ is also my daily driver so full time 4 WD was not something I wanted. I am getting an average of 19 MPG with mine. Granted out of the 7,500 miles I have on mine at least 6,000 of those miles are highway between here and Key West. (Yup I am forced to go to Key West on business 5-7 times a year, tough but someone has to do it)
I would not hose out the interior as there are sensors in the seats, air bags in the seats if you have that particular option. I have not had mine deeper that 14-15" in water but Toyota claims that it will handle something like 27" of water stock. Good luck with it, hope the FJ is what you hoped it would be.
I have an Acua CL now with 205K miles that seems like it will never die (knock on wood). That being said I’m not in a rush and if the base model + my own upgrades is the way to go I’ll either order one or do a search.
I know the MT is full time 4x4. But I just can’t talk myself into an automatic at this point…
RTRAC1 and NCFJ covered the issues well. I would agree with the MT thing but found the AT much better off-road. I'm getting 18 mpg average on "low grade". I would not by the TRD edition unless you like the badge. You can get a better performing FJ through buying a base model (if you can find one) and spending the extra $7K on aftermarket suspension/wheels/tires/bumbers/etc and still have some left over.
__________________
Sun Fusion 4X4 AT ATRAC Hack'd
Demello sliders
Demello front bumper w/Warn M8000
Demello rear bumper
OME 886/140 Front, 895/N71e rear
All-Pro rear links w/bracket skids
Inchworm Lefty
ARB front air locker
Nitro 4.88 gears
Bud Built skids front to back
Super Swamper SSR 35 X 10.5
Safari Snorkel
ARB Full Rack w/wind deflector
Train Hard, Rest Harder
TLCA # 17784
You can get a better performing FJ through buying a base model (if you can find one) and spending the extra $7K on aftermarket suspension/wheels/tires/bumbers/etc and still have some left over.
This is what I figured! Also I'm picky when it comes to audio. I know $$ will be better spent on an aftermarket stuff over Toyota's overpriced 6 CD changer / speaker upgrade (CDs are so 1990!)...
This is what I figured! Also I'm picky when it comes to audio. I know $$ will be better spent on an aftermarket stuff over Toyota's overpriced 6 CD changer / speaker upgrade (CDs are so 1990!)...
Thanks!
I dig the factory FJammer stereo. It can read mp3 and wma CDs as well, so you can store alot of music on 6 discs.
I dig the factory FJammer stereo. It can read mp3 and wma CDs as well, so you can store alot of music on 6 discs.
Those radios are convenient and a good upgrade from base. But what is Toyota charging for that upgraded system? Since I’m handy with wiring and electronics an aftermarket system (one with direct ipod controls on the head unit) would be a better value for me. The more I’m lurking around here the more I’m thinking of just starting with a base model if one can be found or ordered…
Isn’t there some kind of active off road system that is not available with the base model but is still built into the trans? I think I’ve read somewhere that it’s just a matter of adding an $80 switch to the dash?
Thanks for all the response guys! I can tell this is a good group of enthusiast!!!
Linear Mode
