2007 FJ Cruiser [Archive] - NAXJA Forums -::- North American XJ Association

rock rash

March 23rd, 2006, 13:21

Went to my buddies shop today, and was able to take the new FJ Cruiser for a test drive. Rode fairly smooth, couldn't see anything out of the rear because of the pillars and spare tire. Has some lights on the side mirror. The dash is pretty cool though. Here are some pics...

http://i1.tinypic.com/s33ert.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/s33okm.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/s33oqo.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/s33oz6.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/s33pf5.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/s33pxi.jpg

Sorry about the pictures, they are from my phone...

Lawn Cher'

March 23rd, 2006, 13:27

Where's the pics of the undercarriage? How is this thing set up?

mdl

March 23rd, 2006, 13:31

Looks fugly :)

rock rash

March 23rd, 2006, 13:33

couldt get any pics, they guy had to take it back after a minute or so. Independent front, solid rear with coils. Smooth, but no good for offroad. Curious to see what it would look like with 33s or 35s.

rock rash

March 23rd, 2006, 13:34

A solid rear axle using a four-link coil-spring suspension system with a lateral rod, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-sway bar

rock rash

March 23rd, 2006, 13:36

GREAT FLEX!
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2005/12/fjoffrdng.jpg

red91

March 23rd, 2006, 13:36

I like the half suicide doors in the rear...(hmmm...they look honda-ish)

and nothing else.

IXNAYXJ

March 23rd, 2006, 14:54

It's got some things going for it:

3.909 gear ratio

278 lb/ft of torque

Center Locker

Rear Locker

Available black steel wheels

And as car and Driver put it: "...a clutch-interlock defeat that enabled starter crawling over the sort of slab-faced boulders that would trip a donkey."

9.6 inches of clearence

If this were a Jeep, we'd be heralding the return of the company we used to love. It is kinda ugly, though.

-----Matt-----

hackedxj

March 23rd, 2006, 15:07

Until recent models, I thought Toyota had great looking vehicles, nice grill though.

DrMoab

March 23rd, 2006, 15:54

It's got some things going for it:

If this were a Jeep, we'd be heralding the return of the company we used to love. It is kinda ugly, though.

-----Matt-----
So....if you could get a Liberty with a locker...what would be the difference? Last time I checked every jeep made still had a real 4wd (execpt for the new Compass but thats a differnt story).

Sorry I don't see anything that makes this so special.

tompatjr

March 23rd, 2006, 16:15

Until recent models, I thought Toyota had great looking vehicles, nice grill though.

I agree, that's the best thing about it.

IXNAYXJ

March 23rd, 2006, 16:21

So....if you could get a Liberty with a locker......it would imply that the vehicle is intended to be taken off-road. I'm just saying that it shows a commitment from Toyota to off-roaders, a commitment Jeep seems to be losing. Example: I can't wait to see the Jeep Compass Rubicon and the Jeep Patriot Renegade, FWD Dodge Neon platforms and all!

-----Matt-----

DrMoab

March 23rd, 2006, 17:56

...it would imply that the vehicle is intended to be taken off-road. I'm just saying that it shows a commitment from Toyota to off-roaders, a commitment Jeep seems to be losing. Example: I can't wait to see the Jeep Compass Rubicon and the Jeep Patriot Renegade, FWD Dodge Neon platforms and all!

-----Matt-----
Jeep still has the Rubicon....which still has a front axle. Toyota didn't build that one with a front axle so...I guess they aren't "Quite" as committed to off-roaders as Jeep is.

Jeep and Dodge are the only company who offerers front and rear lockers in one of their vehicles.(Power Wagon being the other).

My point is I guess that whenever jeep comes out with a newer vehicle that is less capable then what they had before everyone screams that they don't care about the off-road group. I have to call BS. because there is still the Rubicon which to this day has no equal as far as stock capability goes.

IXNAYXJ

March 24th, 2006, 10:57

Jeep and Dodge are the only company who offerers front and rear lockers in one of their vehicles.(Power Wagon being the other).
Not to pick nits, because it really doesn't matter, BUT Chevrolet (i.e. GM) offers a rear locking diff in ALL of their trucks and SUVs from the TrailBlazer to the Suburban and everything in between. Eaton builds it for them. Toyota also offers a locker on the Tacoma with the TRD package. Anyway, I agree that Jeep is still the most committed company to off-roaders...I just hope the Compass/Patriot don't foreshadow the way things are to be in the future.

-----Matt-----

LilRedRover

March 24th, 2006, 11:51

Jeep still has the Rubicon....which still has a front axle. Toyota didn't build that one with a front axle so...I guess they aren't "Quite" as committed to off-roaders as Jeep is.

Jeep and Dodge are the only company who offerers front and rear lockers in one of their vehicles.(Power Wagon being the other).

My point is I guess that whenever jeep comes out with a newer vehicle that is less capable then what they had before everyone screams that they don't care about the off-road group. I have to call BS. because there is still the Rubicon which to this day has no equal as far as stock capability goes.

The H1 Alpha still has front and rear lockers to go along with that mile wide stance.

DrMoab

March 24th, 2006, 12:43

Not to pick nits, because it really doesn't matter, BUT Chevrolet (i.e. GM) offers a rear locking diff in ALL of their trucks and SUVs from the TrailBlazer to the Suburban and everything in between. Eaton builds it for them. Toyota also offers a locker on the Tacoma with the TRD package. Anyway, I agree that Jeep is still the most committed company to off-roaders...I just hope the Compass/Patriot don't foreshadow the way things are to be in the future.

-----Matt-----
There are a few who offer rear lockers. But Jeep (and I guess H1s) are the only ones who offer it in the front. Standard.

Bradlybob

March 24th, 2006, 14:47

IXNAYXJ

March 24th, 2006, 14:56

I wonder if the rest of the world will still be able to get real land cruisers like they have been since Toyota stopped selling them here. The last time I checked the Toyota Australia site they were still selling them there.Yes, you can still get a REAL L.C. abroad. http://lc78.toyota.com.au/toyota/vehicle/HomePage/0,4666,1961_702,00.html I'd love to get one of those over here. The new FJ is actually based on the Australian Toyota Prado, a mid-sized Mini-LandCruiser.

-----Matt-----

XJClassic

March 24th, 2006, 15:07

www.tlcicon.com (http://www.tlcicon.com)

scoobyxj

March 24th, 2006, 17:53

There are a few who offer rear lockers. But Jeep (and I guess H1s) are the only ones who offer it in the front. Standard.
IIRC the top Lexus SUV comes with front and rear. and I'm thinking the VW Turegg (sp?) too.

Bradlybob

March 25th, 2006, 06:02

Wouldn't it be sweet to be able to go down to your local Toy dealer and buy a brand new Land Cruiser with a 4.2 litre diesel (LHD of course). You could outfit it with a nice lift and some large tyres and cruise the American outback.
Why can the rest of the world get the good stuff?
Damn nanny state!:passgas:

DrMoab

March 25th, 2006, 08:08

IIRC the top Lexus SUV comes with front and rear. and I'm thinking the VW Tuareg (sp?) too.
I'm not sure about the Lexus but you are right...THe Tuareg and Porsche Cayenne do. But...even though both of them are somewhat capable of road i don't think either one of them was really designed with the hardcore offroader at heart.

In fact I would bet that an Xterra would put one to shame off road.

jeeper95xj

March 26th, 2006, 22:02

looks as gay as the day is long

ladywolf

March 26th, 2006, 22:09

FUGLY!!!! yikes that thing is weird lookin

mylt1

March 27th, 2006, 08:54

is the 27k fully loaded? i would get one but thats because i have a 1 year old and another one due in a week and a half and i have a 4dr wj. this would be good as my dd when its paid for the kids can climb in the half doors with no problem and when they need bigger doors it would be time to get rid of it any way. the only problem is i wont buy the first year or second year of anything, usualy by the third year they have most of the bugs worked out. so when my kids are 3 and 4 it would be purfect.

PhunkXJ

March 27th, 2006, 10:36

i would get one but thats because i have a 1 year old and another one due in a week and a half and i have a 4dr wj. \

suicide doors SUCK when you are in a parking lot trying to load an infant seat in the back or small kids. if there's a car parked in the next spot you have to open the front door, hold the car seat in that opening then open the rear door wrestle the seat in the small back door opening... I just went through this over the weekend with my 3 month old nephew in our GMC Sierra p/u, our next truck will definately have 4 REAL doors.