Anyone have a Toyota FJ Cruiser?

[ruthabagah]

Wow: that's an agressive post for somebody who doesn't know me or my driving style! So how many 4runner do you currently or have you owned?

Considering I had 3 other 4 runner before this one I think I pretty much know what I am talking about in terms of MPG, Performance and the air intake too. BTW: I have 3 close friends who have the same exact comlain about their 5 gen.... They all went to the TRD air intake chnage and noted some serious improvement. For me just replacing the air filter by a less restrictive Fram one did make a difference.

Electrical problem: Brake switch died twice (you can't start the vehicle when the brake switch is dead), radio was replaced once under warranty, and I had to pay 150$ when she screen died on the second unit (it's a 3.5 year old truck). Rear brake light bulb burned and got fused inside it's receptacle (after the warranty expired of course). Keyless system refused to recognize the key.... twice. First one was reprogrammed, second time, the ECM and the keys were replaced after the vehicle was towed 200 miles.


On my 2008 4 runner limited, I use to get 20-22 MPG in town, and 23 crusing at or above highway speed. yes, 17 on this one is a let down. Also, with my 2008 I could carry 5 people and all of our stuff, but still have both gas mileage and performance... One the new one: nope. Actually: perfomance is not even an option.

Somewhere you mentionned that you have a truck with a six speed. great, only a 5 speed on the 4runner, and this is the main reason why this thing is slow!

I have owned a SUV since the late 80' well before it was fashionable. This one will remain my least reliable one after my 1986 Range rover turbo diesel....

[drift_g35]

Wow: that's an agressive post for somebody who doesn't know me or my driving style! So how many 4runner do you currently or have you owned?

Considering I had 3 other 4 runner before this one I think I pretty much know what I am talking about in terms of MPG, Performance and the air intake too. BTW: I have 3 close friends who have the same exact comlain about their 5 gen.... They all went to the TRD air intake chnage and noted some serious improvement. For me just replacing the air filter by a less restrictive Fram one did make a difference.

Electrical problem: Brake switch died twice (you can't start the vehicle when the brake switch is dead), radio was replaced once under warranty, and I had to pay 150$ when she screen died on the second unit (it's a 3.5 year old truck). Rear brake light bulb burned and got fused inside it's receptacle (after the warranty expired of course). Keyless system refused to recognize the key.... twice. First one was reprogrammed, second time, the ECM and the keys were replaced after the vehicle was towed 200 miles.


On my 2008 4 runner limited, I use to get 20-22 MPG in town, and 23 crusing at or above highway speed. yes, 17 on this one is a let down. Also, with my 2008 I could carry 5 people and all of our stuff, but still have both gas mileage and performance... One the new one: nope. Actually: perfomance is not even an option.

Somewhere you mentionned that you have a truck with a six speed. great, only a 5 speed on the 4runner, and this is the main reason why this thing is slow!

I have owned a SUV since the late 80' well before it was fashionable. This one will remain my least reliable one after my 1986 Range rover turbo diesel....

Everyone knows you dont buy the first year of a remodel.

[x11]

Early couple of years were notorious for bad release bearing in the clutch. Also, note that the auto tranny version is part time 4x4 and the manual is full time 4x4. I bought mine used over a year ago with a 3" lift and 33" muds and it gets 15mpg. That sucks but it sure is real super fun to drive around. A few mods can really transform it's visual impact. Mine has some failing 4th and 5th gear syncros at 100k miles, but I think the first owner might have run it real hard. Regardless, I'm not looking forward to fixing that and didn't expect that out of a toyota. I can't find much info on the web about that so I don't think it's common.

Soccer moms hate the suicide rear doors in a parking lot situation. I don't have kids or use the back seat much, so I like them. Many also hate the giant c-pillars and blind spots. I've driven trucks forever and don't mind that, but it is quite noticeable, especially combined with the height of the truck and a giant spare tire blocking most of the small rear window. But the backup sensors save the day on that front when parking. You really feel like you are down in the truck when driving; the front dash and hood seem super high. But you get used to that and other vehicles start to feel weird. You can't fit as much stuff as you'd think into the back. It is faster and handles way better than any truck I've owned. After a year of ownership I still love it to death every time I drive it. Personally I do wish it was either a v8 or a diesel but toyota diesel trucks in the US are pretty much a pipe dream for some unfathomable reason.

I looked at 4-runners for a while, but they stopped making manual tranny 4-runners back around 2000.

-x

[Jer]

Wow: that's an agressive post for somebody who doesn't know me or my driving style! So how many 4runner do you currently or have you owned?

Considering I had 3 other 4 runner before this one I think I pretty much know what I am talking about in terms of MPG, Performance and the air intake too. BTW: I have 3 close friends who have the same exact comlain about their 5 gen.... They all went to the TRD air intake chnage and noted some serious improvement. For me just replacing the air filter by a less restrictive Fram one did make a difference.

Electrical problem: Brake switch died twice (you can't start the vehicle when the brake switch is dead), radio was replaced once under warranty, and I had to pay 150$ when she screen died on the second unit (it's a 3.5 year old truck). Rear brake light bulb burned and got fused inside it's receptacle (after the warranty expired of course). Keyless system refused to recognize the key.... twice. First one was reprogrammed, second time, the ECM and the keys were replaced after the vehicle was towed 200 miles.


On my 2008 4 runner limited, I use to get 20-22 MPG in town, and 23 crusing at or above highway speed. yes, 17 on this one is a let down. Also, with my 2008 I could carry 5 people and all of our stuff, but still have both gas mileage and performance... One the new one: nope. Actually: perfomance is not even an option.

Somewhere you mentionned that you have a truck with a six speed. great, only a 5 speed on the 4runner, and this is the main reason why this thing is slow!

I have owned a SUV since the late 80' well before it was fashionable. This one will remain my least reliable one after my 1986 Range rover turbo diesel....

I currently have a 2nd gen Tacoma which, for all intents and purposes, is a 4Runner with a bed save for a few differences. My sister-in-law had one she bought brand new a couple of years ago that never had a single problem. You keep talking about $400 intakes but if you search internet forums where people have actually dyno'd the various intakes on the 4.0L you'll find that they don't do jack snap regardless of what your seat-of-the-pants dyno reports. Your 'findings' and that of your close personal friends are lacking in details such as make, model, year, engine & which version of the TRD intake they had as there are several variants. It's not necessary though because I've seen numerous dyno sheets to back up what I'm saying and in addition I've run a K&N CAI, 1st Gen TRD CAI and currently have a AFE CAI with no change in performance other than possibly a slightly better throttle response off-idle and even that is negligible at best. I am supercharged though so take my first-hand experience with a grain of salt but there is GOBS of factual data out there to back up what I'm saying so don't take my word for it. I also don't know if I could own a 4.0L Toyota truck w/o a s/c but that's because I'm pretty used to very fast vehicles so to me a s/c'd Tacoma is pretty pedestrian and I think I would agree with your statement of nutless if it wasn't. I'm also quite content with my power to mpg ratio and wouldn't exchange one for the other where I am currently. For what this truck is capable of, what I paid and how long I plan on it lasting me I'm quite content.

[drift_g35]

I currently have a 2nd gen Tacoma which, for all intents and purposes, is a 4Runner with a bed save for a few differences. My sister-in-law had one she bought brand new a couple of years ago that never had a single problem. You keep talking about $400 intakes but if you search internet forums where people have actually dyno'd the various intakes on the 4.0L you'll find that they don't do jack snap regardless of what your seat-of-the-pants dyno reports. Your 'findings' and that of your close personal friends are lacking in details such as make, model, year, engine & which version of the TRD intake they had as there are several variants. It's not necessary though because I've seen numerous dyno sheets to back up what I'm saying and in addition I've run a K&N CAI, 1st Gen TRD CAI and currently have a AFE CAI with no change in performance other than possibly a slightly better throttle response off-idle and even that is negligible at best. I am supercharged though so take my first-hand experience with a grain of salt but there is GOBS of factual data out there to back up what I'm saying so don't take my word for it. I also don't know if I could own a 4.0L Toyota truck w/o a s/c but that's because I'm pretty used to very fast vehicles so to me a s/c'd Tacoma is pretty pedestrian and I think I would agree with your statement of nutless if it wasn't. I'm also quite content with my power to mpg ratio and wouldn't exchange one for the other where I am currently. For what this truck is capable of, what I paid and how long I plan on it lasting me I'm quite content.

Where do I find a supercharger for a 4.0L? That sounds fun.

[Jer]

Where do I find a supercharger for a 4.0L? That sounds fun.

Your friendly local dealership will be more than happy to order one up and install it for you. All you need to bring is about $6,000 with you. If a certified dealership installs a TRD s/c it will not only not void your existing factory warranty but it will fall under the remaining amount of your warranty as well. Pretty bad ass IMO. Some complain it doesn't add enough power but for me it's just fine.