You can have my FJ back... just give me a SEMA green soft top FJ with a TD!

 

No diesel for me. Gas is 4.00 for 87 octane, diesel is 4.80 gal. Not to cheap to run as they used to be.:mecry:

 

When diesels can achieve a 50% increase in efficiency, there is still plenty of savings to be had even at the higher diesel prices.

I'll second the opinion on the smaller pickups.

 

I'm going to a dinner party in a couple of weeks with the CEO of Cummins. If I get a chance I plan to get the low down on what they've got in the pipeline.

 

Like Woodsman said, Diesel is a higher efficiency fuel. It is worth more in miles/km's and will provide savings at the end of the day.

Also, for wheeling, a Diesel will outcrawl any identical vehicle with a gas engine. If you do the research, diesel is the way to go.

 

Scroll down to page 13 to see how the new 4.2 and 5.6 liter Cummins engines (which were in development with the Dept of Energy when this was written) compare with the 4.7 and 5.7 liter gas engines. Almost 50% increase in the combined driving averages.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/deer_2004/session9/2004_deer_stang2.pdf

Notice that these tests are dated 2004 which helps you understand how slowly things progress from development and testing to actual production . . . which helps explain why we aren't already driving diesel FJs.

One or both of these diesels is slated to be released in the Dodge Ram 1/2 tons in 2009 as a 2010 model. Ford and Chevy also have small diesel in development for their 1/2 ton trucks to be released about the same time.

 

Here's the energy output for various fuels. Diesel 129,000BTU, Gasoline 116,000BTU, 76,000BTU

My source: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/fueltable.pdf

 

I would trade my FJ in on a diesel version in a heartbeat. My first car was a VW Golf TDI. I love me my diesels...

Bill

 

I hope Toyota is listening!

When can I place my order?

 

X2

Needs a diesel!!!

 

I'd also like to say, that you made the Tacoma too big. Offer a smaller truck like my 89 Toyota "Pickup" that I still have and love, with the same diesel you put in the FJ, and Mel and I would buy it along with the diesel FJ.

We don't need anything so big in the pickup department, and you now have no options for smaller trucks. My buddy was thinking of getting a new pickup, and when we compared the size and price of the Ford Ranger to the Tacoma for a daily driver, weekend dirt bike hauler, and light camping/wheeling rig, the Tacoma loses. Sucks, because I would never drive a Ford but in this case, my buddy made some very good points I can't ignore.

I strongly disagree. If they made the Tacoma any smaller I would have bought an F150. The Tacoma is the perfect size IMHO. Keep the Tacoma the size it is and give the TRD Off Road a Front Locker.

Maybe a better idea would be to add in another small truck to Toyotas line up.

 

Yeah that would be cool. I like the size of the 89-95 pickups, and the 96 Tacoma's up to this new body style. They need to bring back the bare bones pickup so I can buy a new one. Heck, if they made my 89 NEW that would be perfect.

So long as it has the 4x4 drivetrain, everything else can be done later if it requires it.

 

I'm with you Joel. Every time I fill up I hope Toyota will offer a (turbo) diesel.
I put on over 60,000 KM per year for work and $1.31 / L is affecting the bottom line!

 

Not only is the Taco to big but the FJ is a little large IMO. As for oil burners (JP8), I drive military F350's & 3500's not to mention a HMMVE or two and I can tell you the fuel mileage is no where near %50 better. More powerful yes but only maybe 15-20% more thrifty due to the equally large engine displacemant to gas motors. What Toyota needs is to use a smaller V6 diesel maybe a 3.0 or 2.5 turbo to help with the MPG.

 

Not to hijack the thread, but the BASE tacoma is roughly the same size and price as the base ford ranger.

 

Ford.ca

2008 Ranger Super Cab Fx4 Offroad = $25,399

Toyota.ca

4x4 Double Cab V6 Tacoma = $32,050

That's 7K. Haven't even started looking at options yet...

Might be better in the USA...

Base isn't an option. Need 4x4!

 

As long as my aftermarket suspension bits fit on a diesel FJ, I'd trade in a heartbeat. I'd pay 30, maybe eve 35K for a turbodiesel 6 cyl.

Yes, diesel may be more expensive, but as mentioned, the mileage offsets the more expensive diesel nicely.

 

Que? The mileage in a 4000cc motor will be only slightly better. What I think you are wanting is a 4 cylinder turbo D or a much smaller V6 in displacement.
Otherwise 20mpg will be 25mpg with higher fuel prices and just wait until you go for an oil change and fuel filter swap every other oil change. Just ask a F-350 owner.

 

:bump:

Done yet Toyota?

 

Make this one, or better yet, stick a diesel in it and you'll get your money!

 

Considering the FJC is based off the LC Prado, the 3L 4 cylinder turbo diesel is already happening in OZ. Toyota does not import it here though. The only question I have would they stick with tradition and call it a BJ Cruiser?

Toyota Prado Australia: Specifications, Brochure, Test Drive: All Terrain 4WD

I'd also ask for more FJ62 NOS parts. It's getting expensive on this side of Cruiser Heaven.

Oh yeah, and FJoel still rocks!

 

A 3000cc 4 pot? Like the old 944 it must have coffee can pistons! :rocker:

 

I agree 1000%. Toyota made the newest Tacoma too big. It can't really fit down a normal trail now without being in major fear of body panel damage.

They should have left it alone size wise.

As for diesels.....I'd take a Toyota, Hino, Isuzu (or Fuji Heavy Industries) in a heart beat. Make a big one for the Tundra so it can compete with 1T Cummins/Duramax/IH and a smaller one for the minitruck, 4Runner, FJC, etc. so they get good mileage and have plenty of torque.

JMO,
Sean

 

:rocker:

Really, my FJ is a little too wide for some trails here, but the folding mirrors and AP rock rails help. I'd have less pin striping on my black paint if it were more like my old Pickup. I also feel the FJ is too wide for me inside, or they skimped on the bolsters on the seats. I get kicked back and forth pretty good, but I blame some of this on me being a little guy.

New seats with 4 point harnesses will help with that... I keeping this thing until the diesel one gets here!

 

BUMP TO TOP!

This should be a sticky until we gets some DIESELS on this island called NORTH AMERICA!

 

screw diesel.

in the communist republic of florida it's 4.79-5.00 a gallon.

 

You missed the part where diesel is more efficient and better for crawling...

If you really don't want to be paying for gas neither an FJ Cruiser or a 1983FJ60 is going to get you what you want.

Love ya!

Joel

 

But why is it around 80 cents more than gas? That's the question we should be asking since it's less refined.

This country is headed for a ****-storm the likes of which we haven't seen in generations.

We are literally going to be starving if diesel prices rise so high that truckers can't make ends meet.

Sorry...off topic.

Sean

 

Though, I'm not arguing about the fact that someone needs to get a swift kick in the junk regarding the gouging we, the consumer, are forced to tolerate on a daily basis at the pumps.

 

i think there is a higher tax on diesel that wasn't adjusted accordingly. that and the sulfur emissions thing and the clean diesel raised costs, too.

most people still fail to realize that this 5 bucks a gallon is affecting every bit of our shipping industry, since american freight is mostly carried by diesel trucks and less so by diesel trains.

 

Well first I would have to see it to believe it. I have had several diesels. They are much better now, but get no where what people claim they get for mileage. Pulling power yes, but miles not that I have seen.

With the cost of diesel supposedly being near 7 dollars a gallon by Christmas, I have no need or desire to put the filty noisey things in a good vehicle. If it came down to a reasonable price then I could live with it. Not to mention the value of a diesel is non exsistant after the initial purchase.

I paid 5.45 this morning and at 13 miles to the gallon that is very expensive. It is 2007 GMC Sierra 3500 and has never gotten over 13.3 on the highway, towing my 5th wheel I am lucky to get 9.5, normally closer to 8.

 

You're not seeing the mileage gains b/c of the big 3's "power wars".

When you're punching out 325+hp and 650 ft.-lbs....you don't get very good mileage.

My 02 high output Cummins puts out 245 hp and 505 ft lbs....and gets 20 mpg in town (and I drive like a bat outta hell) 24 on the highway and 20 mpg pulling a 5K lbs trailer at 75. Not bad for a 7800 lb 4x4 truck.

I've looked into the newer body style, newer Cummins trucks b/c I like the added room for passengers that the crew cab and Mega cab provide, but the gas mileage sucks compared to what I have now....all that power comes at a price. My friends with newer trucks are only getting 17 mpg empty on average.

As for efficiencies....diesel is 40-45% efficient compared to 25% efficiency of gasoline internal combustion. At 80 cents a gallon it's becoming a wash....what isnt' disputable is that diesel for towing will be more effective and efficient....which is why I have one. I don't even know my buggy's back there when I'm towing it.

Sean

 

I have the non smog 2007 GMC. I have never seen anywhere near those numbers nor have I talked with anyone else that I trust that have.

I drive very sensibly. No high speeds and very little stop and go with the truck. I had a F350 2006 that was the largest nightmare I have ever owned. It would not get more than 12 miles to the gallon.

All along Ford and GMC stating that I should get near 20 unloaded.

The cost of maintaining a diesel is so far and above the gas engines that it is laughable. The dealers actually try to get you to change the oil at 5000 mile intervals. Even though the manuals tell you to go by the percentage caluclator in the computer.

I had a F700 that got 11 miles to the gallon loaded or unloaded.

Yes they are quieter, nicer, but I would never own one if I did not have a large trailer to pull. The cost of operation one is so much higher in every aspect it seems to me.

I doubt seriously that Toyota would bring one in under the 40k mark anyway. You better plan to keep it forever, because the resale value will fall faster than anything out there. There is a place for a diesel, but I just do not think it is the offroad answer.

 

The cost of maintaining a diesel is so far and above the gas engines that it is laughable. The dealers actually try to get you to change the oil at 5000 mile intervals. Even though the manuals tell you to go by the percentage caluclator in the computer.

I had a F700 that got 11 miles to the gallon loaded or unloaded.

Yes they are quieter, nicer, but I would never own one if I did not have a large trailer to pull. The cost of operation one is so much higher in every aspect it seems to me.

I doubt seriously that Toyota would bring one in under the 40k mark anyway. You better plan to keep it forever, because the resale value will fall faster than anything out there. There is a place for a diesel, but I just do not think it is the offroad answer.

These are points that unless you have/own a desiel in the past many people fail to see. Higher price for fuel, higher initial purchase cost, higher maintance cost. And concidering that the FJ is basicly a brick wall going down the road, i'm kinda doubting that it will get the mileage that most people think that it will get.

I was having a disscusion about this with a couple buddies of mine today. They brought up a good point that hadn't crossed my mind. Lets say toyota does go for this. Lets say that they do put a deisel in the FJ, and even the Tundra for that matter. if there are issuses (And being the first model year of a new desiel engine there are bound to be some), we have to untrust our rigs to be fixed by techncians that have no experiance on working on desiel engines. Now i'm sure toyota will send there techs to school, but learning how to work on desiels doesn't happen over night. When i was a tech at ford, we had customers that drove 60+ miles to our dealer cause of some of the experaince our desiels techs had. Again, i'm not trying to be negative on a deisel FJ, but if toyota does read this forum, then i hope these are issuse that they will address.