Attention: ALL Current FJC Owners !!! - Page 4

**cruiserlarry** · 11-01-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

sincityfjc previously said:

Thanks again Larry, I went to local FJ club meeting couple weeks ago & we did a show & tell on this issue. Most were not aware of it & some were very surprised to find there FJs had bulges. We also compared 07 to 08 inner fender wells & looks like they made some minor/visable changes.

Everytime there's a meet and greet, or trail run, It would be great if those of us who know what to look for, assist those who do not know what to look for, inspect their vehicles. This will also help to spread awareness of this issue more quickly. I also think that we will help educate dealers on what symptoms to look for, by bringing affected FJs in for formal documentation.

**timbo2** · 11-01-2007, 12:40 AM

CL, I have a VIN <10K, odo around 55k, have been offroad for Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, over 200 miles in the Maze area, and Imogene Pass and no problems so far. After the first thread RE this subject I did a fairly decent exam of the areas and no bulges or cracks were found. I will continue to monitor these areas. Thanks CL, Tim.

**cruiserlarry** · 11-02-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

timbo2 previously said:

CL, I have a VIN <10K, odo around 55k, have been offroad for Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, over 200 miles in the Maze area, and Imogene Pass and no problems so far. After the first thread RE this subject I did a fairly decent exam of the areas and no bulges or cracks were found. I will continue to monitor these areas. Thanks CL, Tim.

Tim - what mods have you done ? manual or auto? this stuff is just for reference...TIA

**timbo2** · 11-02-2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

cruiserlarry previously said:

Tim - what mods have you done ? manual or auto? this stuff is just for reference...TIA

CL, Mods to date: Front and rear OME lift with 885's, still on stock bridgies-(2 more long wks to KM2's!), all-pro control arm and shock skids, ARB sliders with skid plates, and I have an AT. I have other Mods-lighting PIAA upgrades and 520's (Thanks CL for the advice), horn and other mods I don't think will have any impact. Also forgot to mention I have ran at Badlands ORP in Attica IN, and ran it pretty hard back when it was bone stock. I will do a comlete shakedown inspection this weekend and repost on Monday with findings. I know because I have an early VIN I am subceptable and will keep a diligent eye. Sorry for the late response. Take care and have a great weekend! Tim

**cruiserlarry** · 11-04-2007, 11:34 PM

Just got back from SNT '07 - checked out the Trail Teams' FJCs - they have cracked inner fender aprons, too. Everything else aside, if I was an exec at Toyota, I'd never let those vehicles out where the public could see the problem in living color - that would definitely cut into new vehicle sales, IMO...

**cruiserlarry** · 11-05-2007, 07:19 PM

Thought I'd suggest an additional bit of maintenance for all FJC owners -

After EVERY trail run, check out your inner fender aprons for bulging / cracking. Also, anytime you are performing underhood maintenance, too.
You'll beable to keep a close watch on any symptoms, or monitor the changes if symptoms are already present. Report what you find here...

pathrat · 11-05-2007, 07:50 PM

The inner fender wells look kind of 'off' on mine so I will keep a close eye on this. Thanks for the reminder!

**timbo2** · 11-05-2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

timbo2 previously said:

CL, Mods to date: Front and rear OME lift with 885's, still on stock bridgies-(2 more long wks to KM2's!), all-pro control arm and shock skids, ARB sliders with skid plates, and I have an AT. I have other Mods-lighting PIAA upgrades and 520's (Thanks CL for the advice), horn and other mods I don't think will have any impact. Also forgot to mention I have ran at Badlands ORP in Attica IN, and ran it pretty hard back when it was bone stock. I will do a comlete shakedown inspection this weekend and repost on Monday with findings. I know because I have an early VIN I am subceptable and will keep a diligent eye. Sorry for the late response. Take care and have a great weekend! Tim

No problems found. Will continue to monitor after every run, will report only if bulges or rips are found.

**cruiserlarry** · 11-07-2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

timbo2 previously said:

No problems found. Will continue to monitor after every run, will report only if bulges or rips are found.

Thanks for the report - I hope your FJC remains symptom-free...

**Swingshiftworker** · 11-07-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

cruiserlarry previously said:

<snip>

Not all dealers are aware of this problem, either. If you suspect your vehicle might be affected, contact your dealer for an inspection by the local Toyota field engineer. This will document your situation to protect your future warranty coverage regarding this problem should it occur later, and if affected, present your available repair options. At this time, Toyota has introduced redesigned inner fender well apron panels, and they are replacing those panels, along with the front core support, in order to eliminate the problem.

The panels that are bulging / ripping are crush zones designed to reduce the tranfer of impact forces in the event of an accident. So, this problem has the potential to affect vehicle safety in an accident if damaged panels are not replaced. PLEASE TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND HAVE YOUR VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR SYMPTOMS.

<snip>

Larry

I don't have the problem YET (9/06 build) but, if I do later, in layman's terms, exactly what's involved in "fixing" it? From what you've mentioned, it sounds like complete removal of the engine and all the wiring and equipment in the affected area and then cutting out the old panels and welding in the new panels.

Is that it? If so, how long would it take to do that work and, if you DON'T have the problem yet, how do you get a "field engineer" to come and look at your car? ie.,will they send a "field engineer" just because you ask for one? Please advise. Thanks!