Anyone have a Toyota FJ Cruiser?

[brianakell]

I would have suggested 4runner as well. Not sure what theyve done in recent years to options, but the 4runner did get a v8 option in 03, though I think the rear locker option dropped in 01, not sure if that came back or not.

The FJ's Toyota was going to continue building until they sold less than 100k in a year, then drop them. Its a 4runner rebodied. The tcase having manual shift instead of the push button the trucks got, and locker option are the only things I personally like. The rear visibility and rear seat access is terrible.

[drift_g35]

I would have suggested 4runner as well. Not sure what theyve done in recent years to options, but the 4runner did get a v8 option in 03, though I think the rear locker option dropped in 01, not sure if that came back or not.

The FJ's Toyota was going to continue building until they sold less than 100k in a year, then drop them. Its a 4runner rebodied. The tcase having manual shift instead of the push button the trucks got, and locker option are the only things I personally like. The rear visibility and rear seat access is terrible.

The salesman said the 4runner Trail edition is a 4 door FJ. The Trail Edition has a Crawl Mode, front and rear lockers. It was also about $8000 more than mine.

[Madeinhb]

Did they change the trims? I thought it was SR5, Sport or limited? Never heard of SR5 limited. I have an 06 sr5 and love it. Couldn't afford new a year ago.

[drift_g35]

Did they change the trims? I thought it was SR5, Sport or limited? Never heard of SR5 limited. I have an 06 sr5 and love it. Couldn't afford new a year ago.

It is the sr5 with most of the upgrades the limited has. So it is leather, Nav, heated seats, sunroom and so on. I dont know if that is an actual trim but it was factory.

[Madeinhb]

[QUO TE=drift_g35;1520365]It is the sr5 with most of the upgrades the limited has. So it is leather, Nav, heated seats, sunroom and so on. I dont know if that is an actual trim but it was factory.[/QUOTE]

Nice. Probably just an SR5 with upgrades. Nothing wrong with that. Still a great drive. I was debating about a Wrangler or 4Runner when I got mine. Love the 4runner. Is it the AWD or the 4x4?

[drift_g35]

[QUOTE=Nice. Probably just an SR5 with upgrades. Nothing wrong with that. Still a great drive. I was debating about a Wrangler or 4Runner when I got mine. Love the 4runner. Is it the AWD or the 4x4?[/QUOTE]

4x4, I am excited to take it up to the mountains. I'm ready for summer now!

[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....

[Madeinhb]

4x4, I am excited to take it up to the mountains. I'm ready for summer now!

I'm not sure about the 5th gen but 4th gen 4x4 is awesome. Can keep it in 4hi all the time, as long as I don't lock differential. So 4hi is basically AWD. Works great in snow. Have to ask and see if 5th gen is same way

[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