Then you might've just answered your own question. Anyone that dedicated to the FJ needs to own one!! Look how much time you've already got invested in this crackable, yet lovable, beast.
I know, I know. To make matters worse, I actually like the brick.
Anyway, I was chatting with Chris Nelson, one of the drivers, and told him about the engine bay bulges/cracks issue. He didn't seem to know anything about it. I then asked him to take a look at one of the FJs they brought here (I tried to attach the pic, hope it works). We open the engine bay, and there they were: small bulges on the crumple zones on both sides, about 1/2 in. off plane. He claimed that that particular vehicle had been through a lot of punishment (it did have a few scars on the front bumper to show for it), and it that's true, the bulges were not nearly as bad as I'd expect. I looked at driver's side closely, and didn't see cracks. I couldn't take a picture of the engine bay, he closed the hood before I had a chance. He tried to explain the bulges as the results if body flexing, and didn't think it was a big deal.
That truck in your thumbnail looks very much like Team Millens. The Baja rig.
Ditto's on what Mike said. You and da' Bear are being extremely proactive on this and we're all hoping that the outcome is positive for those of us who put our $$$ and faith in this truck.
Hey . . . thanks for the kind words, Mike and Dale. But, the credit goes to every darn one of you guys in this thread who contributed to the solving of this issue. And, with that kind of team work, I have no doubt that this will be solved.
That truck in your thumbnail looks very much like Team Millens. The Baja rig.
I know, it has the same decals. But I can't tell if it's the same truck or just a replica; one thing is that the bumper on the truck they have here is different from the one on your pic. I suppose I could just ask them.
Wow!!! The brick would be my last choice... Possibly followed by that LCSteve color... ha ha
Titanium rules!!! No cracks (yet)
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Happy Trails!
TLCA #17625
LOS TRES AMIGOS IN MEXICO
TITANIUM METALLIC--A/T
ARB Bumper - Warn Winch - OME Heavy 286/295 - Bandi Mount - All-Pro Lower link skids - Bud Built skids - Snorkle - Toyota prefilter (cyclone air filter) - Optima Yellow Top Battery - Painless Dual Battery Control System - Scuba Driver Mod - Kenwood DN
X 7120 GPS - A-TRAC mod - 110v add-on - Rock Rails - Rear Locker - Roof Rack - BFG TA/KO's - ARB Fridge/Freezer - '08 side visor mod - Royal Purple fluids - E3.68 Spark Plugs - All Pro Rear Bumper - M-Pac rear and side mounts
To be continued...
Thanks again to LCSteve, CruiserLarry, Bernd and all the others who are really carrying our collective mail on getting this resolved!
From the feedback I read you have been receiving Toyota is living up to it's reputation of being very concerned with customer satisfaction! WOW!!!
__________________
Happy Trails!
TLCA #17625
LOS TRES AMIGOS IN MEXICO
TITANIUM METALLIC--A/T
ARB Bumper - Warn Winch - OME Heavy 286/295 - Bandi Mount - All-Pro Lower link skids - Bud Built skids - Snorkle - Toyota prefilter (cyclone air filter) - Optima Yellow Top Battery - Painless Dual Battery Control System - Scuba Driver Mod - Kenwood DN
X 7120 GPS - A-TRAC mod - 110v add-on - Rock Rails - Rear Locker - Roof Rack - BFG TA/KO's - ARB Fridge/Freezer - '08 side visor mod - Royal Purple fluids - E3.68 Spark Plugs - All Pro Rear Bumper - M-Pac rear and side mounts
To be continued...
I agree the writeups and professionalism of cruiserlarry and LandCruiserSteve are excellent. Kudos to both.
I still find it odd that the problem wasn't first noticed on one of the Trail Team vehicles, lot of miles on highway and offroad.
I discussed this very issue with the Toyota field team - No one had reason to check them before, so they may, in fact, have the bulging / cracking symptoms. The reps are going to see if the Trail Teams vehicles from last year are still around - if so they will investigate the structure on those vehicles for any signs of the problem. Usually, the vehicles are sent to the crusher after they are done...we outfitted the new Trail Teams vehicles, but they are all later production date '07s...we'll try to have them checked as well... Remeber, though, the current thinking is the issue may be caused by constant resonant vibration of the front end over time - this would show up more often on higher mileage, freeway use, as opposed to occassional off road abuse...
In the meantime, if anyone from this forum has the chance to visit with the Trails Teams this year, try to check out the inner fender wheels, and maybe snap a pic or two for the record...
The saga continues.....
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" I'm not aware of too many things, but I know what I know, if you know what I mean..."
"Your enthusiasm for the subject borders on the interesting..."