I have been in love with the rugged/different look of this truck and so now is about the right time for me to buy one. I am currently driving a 4x2 07 model on loan from a friend of mine looking to offload it (they own too many toys!) .
Can someone with young kids (in booster/car seats) please give me an honest opinion on the usability of this truck?
I am NOT going to be taking that truck off road and so I am going to stick with the 4x2. right???
The blind spots don't seem to be all that bad if you know how to use rear view mirrors ;-) it seems... Am I wrong?
Any other opinion and feedback would be greatly appreciated as well.
In my opinion, I think that you already know the answer to your question.
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K/N up the front / Flowmaster out the back / 6sp M/T in the middle / attatched to my hand / leads to a foot on the floor / leaving a Sun Fushion blurr / Silvania Ultras lighting the way with a little help from my Hella 550's / HunterTruck "Bull Bar" #2/Bandi Mount/Wilson Antenna/Cobra 19 lll c/b/Glade Plug-in
If your not going to take it offroad I wouldnt bother. Its a great truck, dont get me wrong, but with the continued high gas prices I would get something with better fuel economy
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-Mark
08' Black Diamond FJ. off road package, ARB roof rack, Kenwood DDX-6019, Gobi Ladder, OME lift!!
Wish list - BudBuilt skids, New shoes....
Welcome to the forum. I have a 7 and a 5 y/o. They fit back there without any issues. I have Trail Gear sliders and they function nicely as steps for them to climb into. IMHO, the money saved in getting a 4x2 is not worth it considering the potential lost of use of 4x4. You never know when you'll need a 4x4. You can take a 4x4 out of 4x4 (auto), but can't make a 4x2 into a 4x4. Get the 4x4.
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Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans adj. F&R reservoir shocks. Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers. Demello skid. Mile Marker SE9500C. Viking Trail Line. Super Swamper LTB 34s on Tacoma wheels. 305 MTR on Wheelers wheels. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240, Powertank 10lb, Hi-Lift, Jack Mate, Pull-Pal.
If your not going to take it offroad I wouldnt bother. Its a great truck, dont get me wrong, but with the continued high gas prices I would get something with better fuel economy
x2 It is a truck built to be used offroad. If you are not using it for that purpose, there is a very high chance that you will buy it, the novelty of the looks will wear off in about 6 months and the gas prices will out weigh the looks/coolness of the FJ Cruiser. This is, JMO, why you are starting to see so many used FJ's flooding the market right now.
I agree with FJamming. If you have ANY doubts at all, get the 4x4 w/ the auto transmission. There are many threads about people who bought 4x2s and later regretted not have the 4x4 because FJ ownership tends to get you involved in adventures that you might not otherwise have expected.
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An FJ rolls on
hills muted by mountains pass
a true adventure
6 spd MT Voodoo Blue
Rear diff and e-locker scuba mod
CB w/ custom CB antenna mount on uppper rear door hinge
A-Trac switch installed
Custom tube bumper in the works...
everyone's avatar has a dog on it...if you love animals, get an FJ. if you despise algebra, get the FJ then complain about it a lot, that's what I do. I'm 6'1" and get in the back of this wagon (it's NOT a truck) with none of the acrobatics these other forum guys talk about, so your kids will have no problems at all. Sometimes I think people confuse back seat ingress/egress (getting in and out) for the FJ with that of a '60's to 80's F-Body GM vehicle--now that is a p.i.t.a.
Thanks for reading my post.
edit: you will take this vehicle off road, it is a mathematical certainty. Get the 4x4.
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Clay
2008 FJ Cruiser (traded)
Bleck Diamond
4x4 6spd manual
"Spock~Bones, set phasers to shake and bake.." Captain Kirk
I have a newborn with a baby seat that detaches from the base. Plenty of room to get in and out, PLUS i love my FJ so if there was any diffuculties Id prob overlook them anyway. I think it comes down to if YOU really love the FJ and its something that can fit into your budget.
I have a 4X2 and do moderate off roading, now concerning the car seat I have a 4 month old and the only problem is on side by side parking the clam shell doors are a trap with the baby carrier. In my opinion. other wise good truck overall.
__________________ VooDoo blue, 4X2, gobi ladder, Nitto terra grappler tires on stock wheels, tail light covers, DVD, K&N filter, factory tow hitch, roof light bar w/ 4 130w KC daylighters, spacer lift kit fr & rr, All-Pro front winch bumper w/ large light bar, SmittyBilt 8000 lb Winch, ARB rear air locker, Spidertrax spacers, Maplight Kit fr swissarmysuv, ScangaugeII, Wet Okole covers, baby car seat for FJ.
Welcome to the forum!!! BTW I have the 4x2 and don't really do any off roading. I do play in an occasional mud hole but with the rear diff locker I can play pretty easily. As far as kids go in the back seat....... I think, from a mom's point of view, that the upholstery in the FJ is very forgiving to both animals and kids. My son is going to be 21 next month but I would have loved to have had a truck like mine when he was a baby!!! Don't have to worry so much about spills, dirty shoes and eventually the soccer gear in the back.
JMO but I am very happy with my 4x2 and though, if I had it to do over, I would have bought the 4x4 but for my use, my rig is perfect!!!
Happy hunting!
Kim
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Kim GO GameCOX!!! That is the original USC, BTW!!!
Pura Vida!!! Costa Rican for"Pure Life" live every minute of it!
The Cherry Garcia!!! '07 BC 4x2!!! Came home on August 10, 2006! Modded, trust me!! TLCA Member 18935
"New Orleans is the cradle of eccentrics. New Orleans is a gumbo, a melting pot of food, mood, mud and blood, where the Caribbean begins or ends, depending on your point of view." "Breathe in Breathe out, move on!!! Jimmy Buffet
VooDoo blue, 4X2, gobi ladder, Nitto terra grappler tires on stock wheels, tail light covers, DVD, K&N filter, factory tow hitch, roof light bar w/ 4 130w KC daylighters, spacer lift kit fr & rr, All-Pro front winch bumper w/ large light bar, SmittyBilt 8000 lb Winch, ARB rear air locker, Spidertrax spacers, Maplight Kit fr swissarmysuv, ScangaugeII, Wet Okole covers, baby car seat for FJ.
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