Best of the best of the best, SIR

 

All factors considered I would say bottom of the top 1/3rd

 

Off the showroom floor, never been my concern and have no comment. After dumping up to another 10 grand into a Rubicon and FJ for setup is more of what I am experienced with. After spending the money, the Jeep rides worse and has less interior room than FJ. The FJ will do 95% of the obstacles the Jeep will do at first attempt. The articulation is the difference in the most difficult situations. Traveling to that last obstacle the FJ will be much more comfortable. In an uphill sand wash getting with it I know the TOY will out pull the Jeep. Have no experience with the new Ford. Land Rover, who cares. Important thing to remember is the Jeep and the Ford are still in production.

 

FJC is still in production, just not distributed in North America, which bodes well for long-term parts availability.

 

IMO - Comparing my 2001 Land Rover Discovery SE 2 to the 2011 Toyota FJ, I will say the following:

1. Disco beats FJ in interior comfort & interior noise hands down
2. FJ beats Disco in over all engine performance hands down
3. FJ beats Disco in on road/ off road handling but, not by much (both top heavy)
4. Disco = FJ in ride comfort (considering 16" on both trucks)
5. Disco has slight overall advantage to FJ in off road (IMO)
   1. Disco has downhill brake assist is an extremely cool feature when you are going down a steep icy grade
   2. Disco has a manual override/lock for auto transmission for when you do not want the truck to shift for you in sticky situations
   3. Disco has pumpkins on the passenger side for when you are trying not to rip stuff off the undercarriage
   4. FJ has rear diff lock
   5. FJ has better turning radius
   6. Disco has cable throttle, FJ has electronic
   7. Everything else seems to be equal or no discernable difference
6. FJ beats Disco in reliability hands down
   1. But....Disco cost $3k as opposed to $24k
7. Disco = FJ in cool looks

I am very happy with my FJ but, there are times when I am on the trail and want to jump a stump or ram into a snow bank and miss the Disco

 

Disco cost $3k as opposed to $24k

I have an '02 Disco. The $3k initial investment was one thing, but we've put close to $10k into it over the past six years and just had our mechanic shake his head solemnly when we asked about the rust situation...

That said, my biggest gripe about it was the fact that the driver's side cupholder kept hitting my knee until I removed it (the cupholder, not the knee.)

 

Our FJ has a mild lift and skids, pretty much stock otherwise.

We were riding down a washboard wash with friends. One, with a nicely built older Jeep, called on the radio that he had to stop, and needed some pain drugs, because his rig was beating him to death. I stayed quiet, and did not admit the truth. I had been driving with the AC on, listening to tunes, and sipping soup out of a mug!

Another ride - five Jeeps and three Toyotas. Every Jeep had a mechanical issue - big leaks, parts falling off, overheating, etc. Not one of the Toyotas had an issue.

I really lusted after the lift-off doors - that would be soooo cool! Then a friend said "Where are you gonna put them when you take them off?" That was the last time I llonged for a Jeep.

 

It’s a very subjective question. Firstly are you comparing stock vehicles only? And are you taking opinion or knowledge based on owning and driving them?
If you want out of the box, commercially available capable off road vehicle (regardless of price) that is versatile and reliable then I would say Mercedes G Wagen, for off road toy the Suzuki Jimney but for all round use, capability, reliability and value for money the FJ with no hesitation.
Oh and if you want super capable but rough as anything try a Lada Niva!!

 

Yes it is a very subjective question lol. Which is why I am very interested in reading everyone’s experiences and opinions.

My thinking is right there along with yours. A lot of it comes down to personal preference. The FJ is almost as capable as anything and when you factor in the Toyota reliability then it really can’t be beat imo.

 

Capability is a moving target, with too many variables, but there are certainly some stand outs.
Stock configurations vs. aftermarket modifications muddy the comparison.

Suzuki Samurais in factory form are amazing on trails.

The new Bronco with a Sasquatch package looks to be a performer, ecoboost engines are a bit dodgy though especially compare to Toyotas 1GR FE.

There is certainly trends towards applications, no specific "Best" or rank that is up to the owner/operator.

 

Bottom line......FJ Cruiser=Chick Magnet...........Done.

 

No experience, but have always thought that a stock FJC could go head to head with a stock Rubicon, all but extreme rock crawling, where Rubicon has better articulation, and front locker.watch

 

comparisons must be made between Off The Showroom Floor. To date, before the new Bronco comes out... I think #2 behind the Rubicon with a front locker.

 

I was gonna post my own comment but I agree with this.

Of course with some mods the FJ can be made more capable than a stock Rubi. But with enough $$ the Jeep can easily far exceed the FJ in overall offroad capability. I think the FJ (and most late model 'yota's) are a good blend of reliability, street comfort, and offroad capability. And the toyota platform has good supporting mods to get you there.

The new Bronco has me very much intrigued though.

 

I've owned a couple of Wranglers and driving with the door and top off is GREAT, but for offroad...IMO...the FJ is a way better ride getting there. Washboard are never a problem. The FJ is heavier but also gives more confidence when towing anything...and like a duracell... the FJ just a keeps going and going. I'd choose the FJ again and again. I'll never sell mine. I sold 4 Jeeps that I modified and here I am.

 

In my opinion, the FJC is the superior IFS offroader. I can’t think of anything else without a SFA that can beat it. The Sasquatch level Bronco will probably overtake us though.

 

Converting my 2dr Bronco Sasquatch 2.7 reservation today... and keeping the FJ

 

I’m getting a 4door badlands and keeping my FJ. That way I could update you’ll when I get it within the next decade or so.
Poor Ford, God bless their heart 😒

First day reservation, what about you?

 

First Day about # 2,500 in reservations based on Bronco6G collected reservations... but who knows where that puts delivery.

 

If the Bronco lives up to the hype I think it will be the first vehicle that competes with or even overtakes the FJ in overall coolness/it looks beast, it is beast factor. Reliability will almost assuredly still go to the FJ but you never know.

 

Ecoboost engines definitely do not have the Toyota's 1GR-FE V6 service record. The 2.0L I4 ecoboost has gone 70K miles/8 years for my wife with no issues, fingers crossed. The 2.7 ecoboost is on it's 2nd generation and has a lot of F150 use. Bronco Sport with the 1.5 ecoboost 3 cylinder is even more unknown.

But no engine is more dubious and unknown than the new Land Rover Defender's 2.0 and 3.0 Ingenium both less than 1 year in service.

 

I believe the tfl YouTube channel are on their 3rd defender. Not sure if it has the engines you are talking about. Check the vids out the channel is called the fast lane car (tfl). Great vids.

Edit: brand new Defender. Like 2020 or 2021 less than a couple hundred miles.

 

Personal Experience Last year my friends and I took our trucks out to a place called Table Mesa. My buddy Matt had a jeep he invested closed to 70grand into that literally went everywhere. But thats with A LOT of investment.

My other buddy Ben had just bought the Chevy ZR2, which is an insanely capable truck, stock.

We ended up having to leave the ZR2 because it couldn't make it through the course. One example was a 32Percent grade. Ben had to calll it quits which sucked because this was the first thing his truck was not able to make it through.
The FJ crawled up with no issue.

Both my FJ and Bens Zr2 had all terrains. The jeep has some gnarly lookin' tires

A lot of times people say you get what you pay for, but the FJ is just one of those things thats like a Nike slogan. Just do it. And it does, and for not alot of money.

 

Personal Experience Last year my friends and I took our trucks out to a place called Table Mesa. My buddy Matt had a jeep he invested closed to 70grand into that literally went everywhere. But thats with A LOT of investment.

My other buddy Ben had just bought the Chevy ZR2, which is an insanely capable truck, stock.

We ended up having to leave the ZR2 because it couldn't make it through the course. One example was a 32Percent grade. Ben had to calll it quits which sucked because this was the first thing his truck was not able to make it through.
The FJ crawled up with no issue.

Both my FJ and Bens Zr2 had all terrains. The jeep has some gnarly lookin' tires

A lot of times people say you get what you pay for, but the FJ is just one of those things thats like a Nike slogan. Just do it. And it does, and for not alot of money.

I have an 07 FJ with 4:88' running 39.5 Iroks. It does great off road but it can't compete with my 2018 ZR2 Duramax with 4.5" lift. Pretty much go any where except deep snow where the skid plates make it float on top of the snow. It also has an incredible ride over wash boards & rough terrain with the DSSV shocks.

 

x2
Every time this topic comes up I am reminded of the guy who took a stock FJ up the Rubicon trail, at launch. Completely stock except for the tires (changed from the highway tires to the offload ones). Did the whole thing without a scratch. Of course, he was a highly experienced guide, which surely also helped, but that was bone stock.

 

I bought the FJ after looking closely at the options, so I obviously think it is the best option for my purpose which is moderate offroad and expedition trailer pulling. It has done everything I have asked with very mild modifications. I value the long range comfort and really don't mind if it will not rock crawl with a jeep, because that isn't my thing anyway.

 

I didn't read everyone's posts but I'm assuming it came up whether you are talking modern 4x4s or anything in recent history or altogether. Since we've only had the FJC up until '14 and there are newer offroaders out there that are probably better "off road" than the FJ, I would assume up through '14. What are your thoughts since it's your thread?

 

Yes I would like to compare to even the newest vehicles.

I do think the newest tech makes things easier on the off-road. However, when we are talking about pure capability, the ultimate features are low range 4 wheel drive, locking front diff, locking rear diff, off road traction control systems and good approach/departure/break over angles.

Taking all current tech into consideration, any vehicle that has all those above are top of the top as far as raw capability. When we are talking about stock vehicles, I’m not aware of too many that come with all those features because most are missing the front diff lock.

I know most FJ’s can operate ATRAC and the rear diff lock at the same time. So FJ’s and any other vehicle that can operate their off road traction control and rear diff lock simultaneously are very close to being as capable as a front and rear locker but there are just gonna be situations where the front and rear lockers are gonna win that battle.

When we throw reliability into the mix Toyota takes the cake. The smart move is to sacrifice the tiny bit of extra capability the front locker will give for peace of mind on the trail and so you can have a vehicle you can rely on for hundreds of thousands of miles. Of course some would rather have the extra capability.

I’m no expert so anyone feel free to correct me anywhere I’m wrong.

 

As a mechanic. Toyota really outdoes themselves with the reliability. And to be honest, there really isn’t anything a jeep can do that FJ can’t. It usually comes down to skill when one outpaces the other.

Jeeps and domestic vehicles in general a known for having mechanical problems and just generally not lasting very long. Trans issues(on the newer ones), cheap fancy interior that falls apart, the newer ones have a specific issue that requires them to replace the left head.

On the FJ. All we have to deal with is the silly Fake Jeep comments. Small price to pay to outpace the competition

 

As a mechanic. Toyota really outdoes themselves with the reliability. And to be honest, there really isn’t anything a jeep can do that FJ can’t. It usually comes down to skill when one outpaces the other.

Jeeps and domestic vehicles in general a known for having mechanical problems and just generally not lasting very long. Trans issues(on the newer ones), cheap fancy interior that falls apart, the newer ones have a specific issue that requires them to replace the left head.

On the FJ. All we have to deal with is the silly Fake Jeep comments. Small price to pay to outpace the competition

Skill can't overcome a better off road design.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

should have made a poll

 

Another question to add the the conversation....

Does anyone think there will ever be any sort of technology that beats plain old front and rear diff locks?

 

Yep. Electric. Look at Rivian with it's 4 motor design. Tesla Cybertruck with 3 motors too.

 

I would say the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series pickup, they come with three engines (V6, V8 and diesel). Three diff locks and still come in manual. The border protection police use them all the time in the middle east.

Best of all

 

I’ve never seen such a combination of 1980’s mixed with a light touch of modern technology.

 

It looks like Amaclatch has pretty much covered it right there! Not much more to say on this subject, other than some "yeah, but..." thoughts which will still have already been covered by his summary.