Unfortunately, no. As I can now personally confirm that a repaired FJC has developed bulging AGAIN after hard off-roading (as was suggested to the owner by Toyota to test out the repairs), I am holding off on having any panels replaced. As I've personally hypothesized the entire time, I don't believe that replacing the inner fender wells alone will cure the problem - only address the obvious symptom. It seems I may be (sadly) correct. I feel (my opinion here - so tread lightly) that the fenderwell need to be braced by the outer fender skin, and the front body mounts should be firmer / shorter as well. All other Toyota trucks with similar suspension / build, such as the 4runner / Tacoma, have the inner fenderwell attached to the inner fenderwell at the top - making it more of a boxed design than the FJC's separate pieces. I think that would help stop the inner aprons from flexing as easily and bulging / cracking. We'll have to wait and see how Toyota responds to the second set of bulges on the same FJC - I guessing they'll realize that their work is NOT done...
This is what I've been worried about since Relic Hunter's post that his new fender aprons were ripping. If he would have post this info before mine went in I would have waited a bit. To date mine still look good. I will post up any changes.
This is what I've been worried about since Relic Hunter's post that his new fender aprons were ripping. If he would have post this info before mine went in I would have waited a bit. To date mine still look good. I will post up any changes.
bernd, have you been wheeling your rig or taking it easy?
Round two begins. Last May the left side inner fender was replaced. Now it’s beginning to bulge and crack again. I met with the Toyota rep this morning. He said that Toyota would replace both inner fenders (left side again) this time with the updated version. However there is a caveat to this story. The rep doesn’t know if the “new” inner fender that was replaced last May was the updated version. He is checking to see if it was the old or new version. The rep told me that all 2008’s have the newer inner fender reinforcement and some 2007’s were updated during production. The VIN number that the updated fenders started with is not available to me. What’s more is if the “new” inner fender replaced last May is the updated version, Toyota engineers will want to take a another, closer look at my FJ. That’s good in that they are trying to resolve this problem. I’m good with that; I just don’t like being without my FJ!
__________________ A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
A curious note, Toyota has been using exactly the same inner fender on the Fourrunner since 2005. I can find no commentary on inner fender rips for that model. What this means, and this is pure speculation on my part, is that the problem is not the inner fender alone. I won’t speculate on what the problem or problems are but clearly this is something Toyota did not expect or could anticipate.
__________________ A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
Benjamin Franklin1706-1790
Last edited by Relic hunter : 11-07-2007 at 12:27 PM.
A curious note, Toyota has been using exactly the same inner fender on the Fourrunner since 2005. I can find no commentary on inner fender rips for that model. What this means, and this is pure speculation on my part, is that the problem is not the inner fender alone. I won’t speculate on what the problem or problems are but clearly this is something Toyota did not expect or could anticipate.
Where did you receive this info? I have a hard time believing they are *exactly* the same.
Perhaps we can reference part numbers for both the FJ and 4runner panels to check..
Round two begins. Last May the left side inner fender was replaced. Now it’s beginning to bulge and crack again. I met with the Toyota rep this morning. He said that Toyota would replace both inner fenders (left side again) this time with the updated version. However there is a caveat to this story. The rep doesn’t know if the “new” inner fender that was replaced last May was the updated version. He is checking to see if it was the old or new version. The rep told me that all 2008’s have the newer inner fender reinforcement and some 2007’s were updated during production. The VIN number that the updated fenders started with is not available to me. What’s more is if the “new” inner fender replaced last May is the updated version, Toyota engineers will want to take a another, closer look at my FJ. That’s good in that they are trying to resolve this problem. I’m good with that; I just don’t like being without my FJ!
Did the rep specify exactly what the "reinforcement" is?
The rep's info contradicts other info we have from Toyota stating not to "assume the newer panel was changed in order to reinforce etc."
The "newer" panel as I understand has the 2 crumplezones closest to the firewall spread apart from each other and some odd dimples.. which I assume are for threading fasteners for another vehicle..
If there is another panel floating around I'd sure like to know about it.
The rep doesn’t know if the “new” inner fender that was replaced last May was the updated version. He is checking to see if it was the old or new version. The rep told me that all 2008’s have the newer inner fender reinforcement and some 2007’s were updated during production.
Did I miss something or is this new news?
So far I'm not aware that Toyota has put out any info to indicate the new or updated inner fender panels in any way address "the problem."
Also, If I'm not mistaken, there are documented cases of trucks with the new version panels exhibiting symptoms.
Quote:
Relic hunter previously said:
I won’t speculate on what the problem or problems are but clearly this is something Toyota did not expect or could anticipate.
Well they darn sure should have. The Prado has had these problems too!
Hey Relic hunter, sorry to hear you're having problems. Please keep us informed on your progress and especially on anything you might learn about whether the updated panels do or don't address the issue.
I looked at the Fourrunner myself. They are identical! I can’t comment on what others have said I can only state what was told to me by the rep. As for dimples and crumple zones: It is my understanding that the reinforcement is not visible from the outside. It is located between the inner and outer fender. Don’t shoot the messenger!
__________________ A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
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