Attention: ALL Current FJC Owners !!!

[spincycle]

Alpine_FJ previously said:

OK. Well, my '08 does look like the one in the second photo. Yes there is a difference between the ones in both photos. However, all I see are superficial changes (more holes, more dimples). I do not see any evidence of the "reinforcing plate", or any structural enhancement of any kind.

Someone please tell me specifically where is the reinforcement plate?

Alpine_FJ, I think that you are presupposing the existence of something that doesn't exist. The only 'reinforcing plates' I've read about in reference to this issue -- and I've been in the threads about it for a long time -- have been posters' ideas of what someone might do to 'fix' the issue (although it's been widely accepted that it wouldn't 'fix' anything, I think). It's not a Toyota thing.

[Alpine_FJ]

oscarr previously said:

sucks that others have this problem.My model is a 07.I see that a reinforcment metal plate is behind the fender just like my friends 08 model.Do earlier modesl have this????? Are they bulging because of extreme offroad?

Please see the above quote.

[Roll]

FloJo previously said:

show us the pictures you looked at. i may not be up to date on this fender bay bulge thing, but the last thing that i understood was that sometime during 2007 or early 2006, the fender design changed slightly from the original build FJs...the dimples and crumple area were changed.

original driver's side: (pics taken from this thread, ENGINE BAY BODY RIPS)



Revised driver's side: (notice the extra holes and dimples)

This is not making sense to me. The silver is an early model and the yellow a later version? Are there build date ranges to go along with the photos? Frankly, the extra holes, dimples and raised section on the yellow would do nothing to stop or change a potential bulge or tear in my opinion. Might even make the member weaker. Perhaps I'm missing something here....

Roll

[CanadaFJ]

Maybe the dimples are from 'spot welding' which would indicate there is a plate underneath the top crease. That's what it looks like to me anyways....

[sprior]

CanadaFJ previously said:

Maybe the dimples are from 'spot welding' which would indicate there is a plate underneath the top crease. That's what it looks like to me anyways....

sure looks like projection weld dimples to me. And the raised boss on the rearmost hole looks like it is there to bring the four new holes into the same plane. Looks like the new holes are designed to accept a bolt on reinforcement....

Simon

[FWB4TH]

Toyota Needs To Just Issue Recalls Already And Stop Dancing Around The Problems. This Is Just Like The Windsheild Issue....

[kokopelli]

Yes.. I agree with you both. I haven't even looked at my FJ to see, but I read the threads and have spent 20+ years in engineering.. FWIW.. Ron

CanadaFJ previously said:

Maybe the dimples are from 'spot welding' which would indicate there is a plate underneath the top crease. That's what it looks like to me anyways....

sprior previously said:

sure looks like projection weld dimples to me. And the raised boss on the rearmost hole looks like it is there to bring the four new holes into the same plane. Looks like the new holes are designed to accept a bolt on reinforcement....

Simon

[sincityfjc]

FWB4TH previously said:

Toyota Needs To Just Issue Recalls Already And Stop Dancing Around The Problems. This Is Just Like The Windsheild Issue....

I don't expect a perfect rig but how Toyota handles issues like this sure is frustrating

[cruiserlarry]

FWB4TH previously said:

Toyota Needs To Just Issue Recalls Already And Stop Dancing Around The Problems. This Is Just Like The Windsheild Issue....

No recall will be issued until Toyota is certain of the cause and the cure... it would be even more of a marketing nightmare if they issued a recall and the solution did not properly fix the problem (as seems to be the case with the current "interm" fix provided to all who seek immediate repair). They are testing a third inner fender design, about 90 days out , that is rumoring to go into all late '08s and future repairs...

While I am frustrated, too, Toyota has not stopped trying to fix the problem, and has not refused repairs to those who have demanded it. Despite the fact I have 45,000 miles, substantially out of warranty, Toyota has assured me they will fix the problem at no cost to me. period. So, I am trying to be patient while a true cure is found...

[treg88732]

I guess I'm lucky because mine was built 11/07
and no problems as of yet.