Thoughts on FJ Cruiser?

[mr.smartass]

You can't compare a stock FJ with a stock K5, that isn't fair... K5 is fullsize and the last one was made in 1991... 16 years ago... of course they're gonna be peppier, and have better road handling... I was about to say compare it by price and aftermarket but that wouldn't be fair either, because the blazers are older and found for cheaper and have been around a long time so the aftermarket is huge... Apples and Oranges if you ask me.

 

[Robert D]

From what I have read about the FJ Cruiser, the majority of reviews say it is a joy to drive offroad. It comes equipped with some goodies (nice interior with water resistant fabric, rubber mats, 6-speaker stereo, etc.), a 3-inch lift kit can be purchased for ~500 dollars, and not to mention its under 30k... It is a great deal for a younger person, just out of college, beginning a new job, and in need a of a reliable DD. What beats a toyota? (I know some, but not brand new for ~25k). The fact is, this truck is a good DD with some offroad potential. Reviews even say it isn't toooooo sluggish despite ~250hp. When compared to the Xterra the FJ performed better off-road...I'm sold on one...

 

[roadnotca]

Not trying to inpune but $$ on premium only gas, $$ on Nip parts.

 

[89K5guy]

The FJ is underpowered? What would you consider a stock K5 then? A complete dog?

The FJ has a higher horspower to weight ratio than any stock K5 ever had.

Don't get me wrong, I really don't like the new FJs, but at least get the facts straight.

Let me make this easy for you.For less than half what an FJ costs,I could build a K5 that would surpass your horsepower to weight ratio worry and then some.Understood Amigo?Is that straight enuff for you MR. Facts?

 

[64suburban]

I personally like the FJ, when I first seen it I was like oh my word that is allsome, I don’t know much about it spec wise, though. I’m sure it’s a trustworthy vehicle coming from a manufacture like Toyota who some might argue is part of what is putting the hurt on gm right now in sales anyways. BUT for the Price tag that is on it? Do you really want to take it off road and scratch the thing? Maybe a nice drive through a freshly cut field is more in order. Or a stroll down an easy gravel road, not to fast though, don’t want a rock to fly up. Would I have one of these things? Oh yeah, there super slick I think. Would I take it off road? No! But if said person has the money to buy one and tear it up, then more power to you…

 

[MuddinManny]

I got so annoyed with Toyota's

advertising in the 4wd magazines every month that it completely turned me off to even wanting to look at the vehicle. Never thought, IMHO, that Toyota would turn into being a

to sell their trucks, as I used to be a 4x previous owner. The new stuff is nice, but it just doesn't have the same old 4x4 SA appeal. Especially on the FJ.

Manny

 

[6.2Blazer]

Let me make this easy for you.For less than half what an FJ costs,I could build a K5 that would surpass your horsepower to weight ratio worry and then some.Understood Amigo?Is that straight enuff for you MR. Facts?

Uhh, did you notice I used the terms "stock K5" many times. The FACTS are that a new FJ has a higher horsepower rating than a stock K5. Using the argument that you can put a more powerful NON-STOCK engine in a vehicle is pretty lame. Hell, I have a friend with a aluminum head V-8 in his Suzuki Samurai, so now I'm gonna' argue with anybody who says Samurais are underpowered..........

 

[goldwing2000]

Uhh, did you notice I used the terms "stock K5" many times. The FACTS are that a new FJ has a higher horsepower rating than a stock K5. Using the argument that you can put a more powerful NON-STOCK engine in a vehicle is pretty lame. Hell, I have a friend with a aluminum head V-8 in his Suzuki Samurai, so now I'm gonna' argue with anybody who says Samurais are underpowered..........

See post #21. You can't compare a 16 year old truck with a brand new one. The technology has changed many times over.

You can build a helluva sweet-ass Blazer for $25,000-$35,000!!

The only thing the FJC would have over it, in my opinion, would be fuel economy.

 

[6.2Blazer]

As far as the technology goes in ride handling and on road performance you have to allow that becasue its new and really isnt a fair comparison.

I don't really agree with this........so just because something is older means it's not fair to say that a newer version is better?

IMO crumple zones vs. a K5 the K5 would win. Airbags can also harm you instead of saving you sometimes.

Ok imagine that the engine and all that are pushed into your lap crucshing your lower back\pelvic area and demolishing your legs, the body and frame crumple and allow that to happen. The saftey rating tests are only 30-35 MPH front rear and side IIRC.
Most of us do not travel at that speed that the tests are rated at when in an accident. Im not saying that its safer than the K5 but i would rather take my chances in the K5

No offense, but you really don't have a good idea of what happens in a wreck. I'm not an expert by far, but I work for a company that does crash testing.

Can airbags "sometimes" cause more harm then they prevented.........sure, but that "sometimes" is very, very low percentage of times. You wouldn't be a very good gambler if you bet against airbags.

Yes, 30-35 mph are pretty standard speeds for performing a certification test.....but there is more to it then just the speed. Most of the time the method used for the testing provides a higher impact level (deceleration rate) than what the typical "real world" wreck at that speed would cause. Obviously running into a non-moveable barrier wall at 35 mph is a whole lot more severe than hitting another car at 35 mph. The other car will obviously absorb some of the energy, where the barrier wall will not.

You also have the wrong understanding of what the crumple zones do. They are usually just a short section at the outboard portion of the vehicles. The idea is for them to absorb part of the energy of the inital impact. They definitely do not allow the car to crush the occupants, in fact that would be the exact opposite of what the manufacturers are trying to do.......and they would never pass the governments safety criteria if this happened. In any case, it's pretty much a proven fact that occupants are safer in the newer vehicles then they were in a 20+ year old design vehicle.

 

[WantedaDodge]

this is funny

the adavantage of the FJ is it's right off the lot new! For a daily driver, I'd much rather have an FJ then a K5, sorry, but I wouldn't have to worry about breakage and repairs as much.

Of course you could build a nice K5 for $15K, that's not the point, the point is some people don't want or need something that capable and it would be a bear to drive EVERY day.

If I have the money, I'd take an FJ in a heartbeat, throw a little lift on it, 33's and a winch with good bumpers front and rear. It wouldn't be the end all do all, but it would be capable enough to get me wherever I NEEDED to go.

 

[misterfnygy]

Funny...

Not gonna argue which is better but--
A friend bought one and took it back to the dealer to be serviced----
because the rear hatch would open- even after he pressed the "rear locker" button

 

[mr.smartass]

the adavantage of the FJ is it's right off the lot new! For a daily driver, I'd much rather have an FJ then a K5, sorry, but I wouldn't have to worry about breakage and repairs as much.

Of course you could build a nice K5 for $15K, that's not the point, the point is some people don't want or need something that capable and it would be a bear to drive EVERY day.

If I have the money, I'd take an FJ in a heartbeat, throw a little lift on it, 33's and a winch with good bumpers front and rear. It wouldn't be the end all do all, but it would be capable enough to get me wherever I NEEDED to go.

Well in that case I'll take a Mercedes G55 much nicer and very wheelable...

As I said before, Apples and Oranges impossible to fairly compare both vehicles in all aspects.

 

[Thunder]

You also have the wrong understanding of what the crumple zones do. They are usually just a short section at the outboard portion of the vehicles. The idea is for them to absorb part of the energy of the inital impact. They definitely do not allow the car to crush the occupants, in fact that would be the exact opposite of what the manufacturers are trying to do.......and they would never pass the governments safety criteria if this happened. In any case, it's pretty much a proven fact that occupants are safer in the newer vehicles then they were in a 20+ year old design vehicle.

That is exactly one of the reasons I bought my wife a New Toyota Highlander. With air bags, side curtan ABs, Electric traction control, Electric stability control, I know with out a doubt. She, my kids, or any other pasenger/driver is far safer in the Toyota. Than if She was driving my 89 lifted, locked, and modded K5.
I like the new FJs. We looked at them, but the new car was for my wife and she liked the Highlander better. I dont think I would buy a FJ for hard offroad use tho. I dont think they could stand up to the use and abuse that I can put on a truck. I drove a FJ offroad and it is an nice 4x4 and could be built into a very capable little rig. But I like my K5 better off road. It fits needs way better than a FJ would. Plus its a lot cheaper to fix when I break it.

 

[89K5guy]

Uhh, did you notice I used the terms "stock K5" many times. The FACTS are that a new FJ has a higher horsepower rating than a stock K5. Using the argument that you can put a more powerful NON-STOCK engine in a vehicle is pretty lame. Hell, I have a friend with a aluminum head V-8 in his Suzuki Samurai, so now I'm gonna' argue with anybody who says Samurais are underpowered..........

DUUUUHHHH! If you noticed (which you obviously didn't and need things spelled out for you)I didn't directly compare the FJ to the K5.I said in fewer words that for the cost of an FJ you still don't get alot of overall power in my opinion and that I would rather have my K5 because I am old school not that it's HORSEPOWER TO WEIGHT RATIO is better or worse than an FJ! That's all! I hope you wear peppermint flavored shoes because you like to open mouth and insert foot apparently.
Go back to sleep and dream of your friend's aluminum head V8 Samuri and then when you wake up go buy that STOCK FJ then leave the K5 land and join a toyota web site but leave that FJ STOCK since it is soooo much better than a K5 in your words!

 

[DaPlumber]

This would be the only Toy you would find me In, It was on EBAY a month or two ago!!
This LandCruiser has the following Features: Full tube chassis, four wheel steering(Howe Rams, Howe Pump, Howe Filter/Reservoir,Electric Rear Pump,), 388 C.I. Small Block Chevy (560 HR) all new. 060" over 350/400 Steel Crank, 5.7" Rods H. Beam, 67cc Edelbrock #6089 Heads ported 2.02/1.60 Valves, kick out pan with diamond tray & crank scraper, block shaved for poralasis/oil drains blocked over crank, full balanced rotating assembly, 100 C.F.M fuel injection Edelbrock Pro Flo,Aeroquip Pump & fuel regulation, turo 400 auto, 3000-3500 TCI Stall converter/furnace brazed hub, reverse pattern valve body (manual shift), Art Car internals, Art Car reverse pattern shifter, Atlas 4.3-1 transfer case/32 spline output shafts, seperate coolers & fan for oil, transmission, power steering, all plumbing is high quality A-N fittings & hoses, ultra clean wire installation with fused protection, 600 watt sound system with six disc changer (Alpine/soundstream), all Aluminum floor boards/firewalls/dash/stereo console, all Aluminum tilt streeing column, Aluminum radiator, Aluminum Grill, Warn 9500lbs high speed winch with kevlar rope, Series/parallel switch for high amperage 12-24 VDC, Welding port @24 VDC, 24 VDC Oasis Compressor, 3 seats with 5 point harnesses, full set Autometer gauges include: speedometer; R.P.M; oil pressure; oil temperature; transmission temperature; pyrometer; water temperature; volt meter, dual alternators(130 AMP units), Fresh air intake (stainless), 3" dual exhaust (stainless), 1 7/8" Sanders headers, 3 quart oil accumulator with gauge & solenoid, 30 gallon aluminum fuel tank, shortened Rockwells with Detroits, 4 wheel disc brakes, Wilwood calipers & master/pedal, 16" x 2 sway away race runner coil overs, 4 link suspension front & rear, removable nylon skid plates on under belly, 44" x 18.5" x 15" TSL Swampers, steel double beed lock wheels, Matching Spare wheel, vinyl removable sun top, dual Optima batteries, full width ice chest rack, .065 thick 3" drive shafts 1350/1410 u-joints, with much much more!

 

[txfiremank5]

Man, I'm sure glad we bought my wife an H3, so that keeps me from being caught up in this mess.

I think all these vehicles, old and new, have their place in the world. Like some have said, the total cost building up something new would cost much more in the long run. As we all know, we can build a K5 that's very capable (notice I didn't say more capable) and enjoy it how we see fit. Yes, newer rigs can be built up too, and be just as capable or more... or less.. etc. It all depends on what you're willing to spend, and what you prefer. Scrapes and scratches tend to sting less on older trail dedicated rigs. But, it doesn't keep me from wheeling my wifes H3.

I think some of the vehicles coming out these days ARE more capable, out of the box than our K5's were when they rolled off the line. I'm actually glad they are. I'm glad the market is starting to take the term 4WD seriously enough that they understand that some of us actually like to use them for what they are intended for. We don't intend to use my wifes H3 as our primary wheeler, but I do use it here and there for family stuff that takes us off road. Things like creeping back into that more secluded area and all that jazz. Sometimes we take it wheeling for the sake of going wheeling in it... ... the horror..

In the end, I choose to build what I want.. and buy what I want, and be content in the world, without worry about what someone thinks of it. Maybe I'm just getting old..

 

[Clod_King]

I definately like the new FJ. I like the old Land Cruisers much better though.

And on top of all that I'd still prefer to buy a pre 90's K/V series GM truck. I am not specifying a K5. I have never owned a K5 in my life (granted I am only 21, and only owned two vehicles). I have offroaded my old 79 K10 chevy pickup, and then blew the engine up, and I just bought an 89 Burb.

So I cannot say I prefer a K5 over an FJ.

But you have to admit, a new vehicle is fun thing to drive as a DD. Quieter, smoother, faster, and did I mention quieter?? hahaha.

All I can say is that if GM came out with a SFA Blazer/Jimmy again, I would cream my jeans, and save my pennies. I hate independant suspension.

 

[89K5guy]

I am sorry to rant but I just don't like other people putting words in my mouth .Please accept my apology

 

[jekbrown]

I like the new FJ and my wife LOVES them. Add a D60 and an Atlas (ala the fauxwheeler build) and some good bumpers... and it'd be a pretty sweet camping rig.

j

 

[6.2Blazer]

I am sorry to rant but I just don't like other people putting words in my mouth .Please accept my apology

Hmm, explain how I put any words in your mouth. I know, go ahead and change your story again about what you REALLY meant...............