Upcoming Toyota FJ, very cool

lendaddy · 02-10-2005, 05:36 PM

4.0L V6 means it should be fairly reaonible on price. Other specs make it seem very serious offroader too. Me likey

Clowd · 02-10-2005, 05:46 PM

Would you happen to have a picture of the Honda Ridgeline? I've been trying to find one for my dad, I know I've seen pictures somewhere...

lendaddy · 02-10-2005, 05:54 PM

There are plenty out there. I like it from the front, but the side shot is a little too futuristic. I love Honda products though.

Stanley · 02-10-2005, 06:13 PM

Have they released any other specs on the FJ, like is it IFS? What kind of suspension will it have, axels, gears, lockers? To me it doesn't look like it has much ground clearance, just some cheesy 18in wheels. It also looks like another mall-crawler wanabe off-roader.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

As long as they (Toyota) stay in the FJ theme then this will be no "mall crawler". Very nice looking SUV though I hope the overhead lighting assembly is an option. Yuck!

jyl · jyl's Garage

The FJ pic looks overstyled to me, for an actual off-roader.
- Protruding tailights ready to be smashed off
- Doesn't see like much room for wheel (suspension) travel
- What's with the spats on the fender lips? Meant to get snagged and torn off, perhaps.

Its cute and I'd take one. But I'd rather have my old Land Rover back.

More pics:
http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/112_det03gal_toyfj/

Moneyguy1 · 02-10-2005, 10:54 PM

WHy do so many of the "off roaders" have the black plastic cladding (read lower body work)?

They look, to me, as if they aren't quite finished.........

oldE · 02-11-2005, 04:34 AM

A local guy has had an Avalanche for three years now. I asked him about the plastic cladding. He advises, for anyone actually taking their SUV off road, through bushes, they're perfect. He has a farm. Previously owned extra cab- short box trucks got badly scraped along the rockers. No big deal with the plastic. (Its still butt-ugly, though)
Les

lendaddy · 02-11-2005, 04:54 AM

Not to get snippy, but do you guys really think a serious rock crawler (I mean real serious) will ever be released by a major auto company again? I don't, the numbers just aren't there. It gets more and more illegal to use them with each passing year anyway and they attract nothing but bile from the press. The Defender was awesome in this respect and it died a noble death here(sales). If I want a long legged spider style rock crawler I'll build one. For a happy compromise, this new FJ looks good to me

magilla · 02-11-2005, 06:15 AM

I like the FJ, even though it looks like the Honda Element on steroids. (I don't care for the Element, much).

mattdavis11 · 02-11-2005, 07:21 AM

Lawdy, that thing is ugly! Bah, if it doesn't have an I6, it should never be badged as a FJ.

Stanley · 08:32 AM

A little bit of searching and I found this quote on edmunds.com:

Quote:

Built on a modified Tacoma platform, the FJ has a long-travel coil-over setup in back and a standard independent up front for plenty of off-road capability.

LOL, they are saying it has IFS for plenty off-road capability!! I have lost all respect for Edmunds now.

Here are some other funny quotes from the VP of Toyota http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/03january/fj_cruiser.asp

I have to admit that Toyota dose make some tough trucks. I have an 88 4runner and I beat the hell out of it and it refuses to breakdown and die. After going to El Salvador for a couple of weeks last summer I have gained a whole new respect for what these trucks can handle. I'd say that 70% of the vehicles there were solid axel toys.

The new FJ seems to be just another marketing scheme to make people think they have a real 4x4, just like all those asshats with their H2's.

However, the new FJ goes along with all of the recent Toyotas- boring vehicles that are afraid to take chances.

[/RANT OVER]

edit: Why didn't they give it a removable top like the old Fj's, Toyota really messed up on the design.

lendaddy · 02-11-2005, 08:52 AM

Man I gotta disagree. This is "boring"??????/ This is about as unique as I've seen in some time. Also, I cannot for the life of me imagine why I would want a solid axel on this thing. To each their own

mattdavis11 · 02-11-2005, 09:26 AM

When the FJ80 came out, the enthusiasts flipped a lid. "Not a true L/C!" It was the same vehicle as the 62, with a different body. Solid axel? If you put your vehicle thru the ringer, a solid axel is a must. A cv will never be able to cut the mustard in and around the terrain I put mine through. Sand, mud, fine. How about running over some brush and ripping the cv boot open? Better have a spare boot, grease, and tools handy, and pray that something told you it happend before reaching the next mud hole. If my FJ80 had cv's, it probably would have been put to rest by now, via a hand gun. Bad idea, IMHO.

lendaddy · 02-11-2005, 09:31 AM

But that's just it IMHO, you will not be taking a $40k+ vehicle rock knockin the baja. You buy an old FJ and put $10k into it and have a ball. Maybe I underestimate the number of CD listenin' A/C usin' rock hoppers who wear body creases as badges of honor, but I doubt it

mattdavis11 · 02-11-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
You buy an old FJ and put $10k into it and have a ball.

You have no idea. They don't need extras. If you want...Flip the leafs to over the axel, shocks, a longer drop for the pitman arm, and get bigger tires. That will pretty much do it. All that fun can be had for around $6K, including vehicle cost. 80's can't be done that way, coil springs in front.

lendaddy · 02-11-2005, 09:59 AM

I just threw out a number, I'm sure you're more accurate. i think we agree though that an old FJ fits the bill for that work, so why reinvent the wheel? I wouldn't want to put a brand new vehicle through half the abuse I'de be willing to give the old girl. You know?

mattdavis11 · 10:18 AM

I agree, but I still don't like it, and I don't have to. Similar to Porsche adding H20 to the 911, but different, this is more like a Cayenne being added to the marque.

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

That 4.0L V6 is one sweet engine, They put it in the 05 Tacoma's. I work at toyota so I get to play around with stuff. keep your eyes and ears open, toyota is comming out with some sweeeet stuff. The new avalon is sweet to and its got 280hp. For the sport truck guys, toyota has made the X-runner, 270hp 4.0 V6, 6speed, LSD, and some sweet styling, there is only 2 in CT dont know about anywhere else yet.

I cant wait to see the data on the NEW SUPRA thats due soon

Stanley · 02-11-2005, 11:17 AM

I agree that the 4.0 V6 is one awesome engine and the 5speed auto tranny is pretty good too. My dad just got a 05 Taco with the V6 and auto, he really likes it and has been getting surpassingly good gas mileage, (around 24 or so with mostly highway driving)

fast924S- got a few questions for you.
Is it true that if you use any antifreeze/ coolant other than the Toyota red stuff it voids your warranty?

Do you know anything about a lumber rack for the new Tacoma’s? The plastic bed makes it really hard to mount any type of tradition rack system.

I think I remember hearing rumors that the new supra might be a hybrid?? Has Toyota released any info on the drivetrain?