How can this possibly NOT be a safety issue? If the crumple zones are already crumpling in one area on one or both sides of the truck, does this not mean that there would be less intact structure there to absorb impact in the event of a frontal collision? If so, this is a potential MAJOR liability for Toyota Motor co., and I suspect they will respond appropriately. Wrongful death lawsuits related to this issue would be a PR and financial nightmare, and one I'm sure Toyota would try to avoid.
I would have to say I now agree this could be a major issue -
I had not really considered the fact that the crumple zone may not work as intended if it is cracked / bulged prior to a frontal collision. While I still don't think its a big deal structurally in itself, the ability of that crumple zone could be compromised in a collision, preventing it from "doing its job', with possible serious consequences - Most likely why Toyota is investigating the various trucks without arguement, and why I continue to feel they will act to remedy this situation to the satisfaction of current FJ Cruiser owners...
(Note: my fingers are crossed.....)
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I agree w/ it being not a safey issue, but at the end of the day, the truck was made for off road, and we as customers shouldn't be burdened by Toyota's design flaw.
I haven't gone any off-roading, and I don't have any bulge, or cracks(FJ was made on 3/06 btw) on my crumple zone, but I do feel bad about people who faced the problem early on, and do want to see Toyota find the solution rather than just replacing the panel which probably will happen again so we all can have peace of mind.
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Mud, have you confirmed if the panels they are replacing are current issue (late '07/'08) or something new?
It seems odd to me that they would be jumping through hoops to replace your front end if they haven't solved the problem yet. Unless they simply need your parts for examination. It may still mean that you'll have to go through one more tear down before the problems is resolved.
Is There Anyone With This Problem With A Stock Setup Around The Bay Area? I Talked To My Service Manager He Would Like To See A Stock Fj With Rips Or Tears. It Is Very Important To Be In Stock Trim. Please Pm Me For Info.
Yep, they show an FJ decked out with lots of aftermarket trappings and brag, yes, I said BRAG, on it's off road prowness! Then on the bottom of the ad it states that the addition of aftermarket parts may void the warranty.
A quick check with a very good lawyer friend of mine said that this was a "slam dunk" for a lawsuit with the vehicle owner almost always prevailing. The collective wisdom being that any company that blatantly uses advertising with aftermarket add-ons to promote the vehicles prowness is asking for trouble if they don't support the vehicle being used in the manner they are advertising.
Very good point, Dale.
Not to mention the fact that Toyota dealerships are now selling and installing aftermarket mods. (That's where a few of mine came from).
They've got heavily offroad-modded brand-new FJ's on their lots for sale (decked out with ARBs, OMEs, 33" BFGs, etc.).
And to top it all off, Toyota retained an advertising/PR firm soley for the purpose of creating the Toyota Trail Teams, whose primary mission is to promote the FJ's off-roading capabilities (while being equipped with an array of non-Toyota aftermarket 4x4 add-ons).
With all of that, a standard obligatory fine print disclaimer at the bottom of an ad depicting a tricked-out FJ in rigorous off-road conditions, really doesn't carry a lot of weight.
Is There Anyone With This Problem With A Stock Setup Around The Bay Area? I Talked To My Service Manager He Would Like To See A Stock Fj With Rips Or Tears. It Is Very Important To Be In Stock Trim. Please Pm Me For Info.
From your inquiry, it sounds like you're in need of some proof for your service manager that this can also happen to un-modified FJ's.
Has your FJ taken on some of the symptoms? If so, please don't keep it behind the scenes within the confines of PM's only. We need as many problematic FJ's to publicly post up here as possible . . . . especially since Toyota is using this particular thread as a part of their needed research.
Seems like Toyota is doing the right thing. But, worst case scenario, file an insurance claim and provide all the info from this thread. The big insurance companies would likely start to rattle the Toyota cages. Once insurance companies get involved with automobile issues, things happen.
Second, I don't see any bulges or rips, but mine are not straight edge straight, seems like about the same amount of curve on both sides. Should the inner fender wells be straight edge straight, am I seeing the beginning?
Anyone in the Denver Co area experiencing this problem?
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Ours Shows No Sign, If It Did I Would Have No Problem Telling Anyone. I Try To Look At All The Fj That Come Thru The Service Lane. I Want To Show The Dist Manager Stock Fj First.
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Re: Engine Bay Body Rips
Quote:
Redhook previously said:
Mud, have you confirmed if the panels they are replacing are current issue (late '07/'08) or something new?
It seems odd to me that they would be jumping through hoops to replace your front end if they haven't solved the problem yet. Unless they simply need your parts for examination. It may still mean that you'll have to go through one more tear down before the problems is resolved.
dont know yet if they are new panels, redesigned panels, or something else. they said they will take care of me, and i am confident in toyota that they will.
if my truck needs to be torn down even 2-4 more times just so this issue can be fixed im ok with it. as long as my loaner car isnt a chrysler minivan again
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Not to mention the fact that Toyota dealerships are now selling and installing aftermarket mods. (That's where a few of mine came from).
They've got heavily offroad-modded brand-new FJ's on their lots for sale (decked out with ARBs, OMEs, 33" BFGs, etc.).
And to top it all off, Toyota retained an advertising/PR firm soley for the purpose of creating the Toyota Trail Teams, whose primary mission is to promote the FJ's off-roading capabilities (while being equipped with an array of non-Toyota aftermarket 4x4 add-ons).
With all of that, a standard obligatory fine print disclaimer at the bottom of an ad depicting a tricked-out FJ in rigorous off-road conditions, really doesn't carry a lot of weight.
)
/ WPOK492 
4x4, AT, FE, CQ,GY, UR, CF, factory alarm, AVN 5500 Nav+BU cam, K & N Air Filter, and Trail-gear slider.
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