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Toyota FJ Cruiser vs Jeep Wrangler

541 messages,  Last post on Apr 04, 2013 at 2:31 PM

You are in the Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler

Messages Page 4 of 55

#24 of 541 FJ Cruiser vs. Wrangler Rubicon by fourx4ever

Mar 29, 2006 (3:57 pm)

The original FJ Cruiser (FJ-40) was designed to be a competent off-road vehicle for off-roaders of the 70’s and 80’s. Though there was never a factory V-8 option like Jeep offered in the CJ-5 and CJ-7, the FJ of the day was still considered the Jeep’s Japanese counterpart and well respected.
 
Now Toyota has revived the FJ, and promoted it through print and video adds as an incredible 4x4 for the 21st century. Leaning heavily on the original FJ’s good reputation, Toyota seems to hope we will consider this new product as an option for the serious off-roader. BUT Does it stack up to it’s serious competition: The Jeep Wrangler?????? Lets see:
 
Comparing the best of the best, we pit the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s specs against the 2006 Toyota FJ Cruiser C package (the best they offer for off-road).
 
Turning Circle Curb to Curb – Jeep: 33.5ft, FJ:41.7ft, difference: you need 8.2 more feet to turn around in the Toyota.
 
Minimum Ground Clearance – Jeep: 10.3in., FJ:9.6in, difference: you can drive over boulder’s that are 0.7” higher with the Jeep.
 
Approach/Departure Angle – Jeep: 44.9/33.9, FJ: 34/31, difference: you can tackle steeper embankments without digging the bumpers into the dirt if you have the Jeep.
 
Crawl Ratio – Jeep: 66:1.0!!!!!!, FJ 41.8:1.0 ???? duh??
 
Bumpers – Jeep: Steel with tow hooks, FJ: Plastic with NO tow hooks, Comment: PLASTIC?????? How Fisher Price.
 
Locking Differential Axles – Jeep: lockers in the front and back, FJ: Rear Locker only
 
Suspension – Jeep: solid axle front and back, FJ: independent front and solid rear, difference: Solid is solid! with better articulation, Toyota needs to look back at the ORIGINAL FJ!
 
Tires – Jeep: 31” Good Year Mud Terrain, FJ: 265/70R17 All Season Wadials – Cwazzie Wabbit
 
Wheel base – Jeep: 93.4in, FJ: 105.9in, difference: 12.5in, if you’re thinking FJ at this point you might also consider a yellow school buss as an off-roading option.
 
Tread – Jeep: 59.5in, FJ: 63.2in, difference: 3.4in, Hmmmm Hope all the trees on the trails are further apart than 63.3in!!
 
Weight – Jeep: 3776lbs, FJ: 4290lbs, difference 514lbs, That’s like four of your buddies or two fat chicks!
 
Engine – FJ: 278TQ & 239hp, Jeep: 235TQ & 195hp, difference: ok the new FJ’s variable valve timing engine has some more hp and more torque. However where you need the torque for most trail driving is just above idle. The Jeep’s 4.0L in-line six produces an incredible 85% of it’s peak torque at idle. This makes for about 200ft-lbs. Oddly enough the Toyota 4.0L V-6 produces the same amount at idle. So even here the Jeep is not really handicapped. Furthermore, that extra 514lbs of lard the Toyota carries around soaks up the extra hp and TQ difference to make things pretty even in this department.
 
Well I guess I could go on and on, but really if Toyota thought they were making a trail rig to beat out Jeep’s best, it looks like they should try again. This is while neglecting to mention that the new FJ’s doors are not easily removed, the top does not come off, and the windshield does not fold down. My prediction is that Toyota will sell piles of these FJs in the first two years as novelty vehicles just as Chrysler did with the PT Cruiser. However, off-road, when every one sees the Wrangler beat the snot out of it like Mike Tyson on Pee Wee Herman, the sales party will be over.

#25 of 541 Videos of FJ by chiefjojo

Mar 30, 2006 (6:55 pm)

in action, click here! Wrangler wins on the rocks, but FJ is no slouch, and equal or better in all other areas... reliability, cargo room, all wheel drive, traction control, mpg, etc.

#26 of 541 My take by funpilot

Mar 31, 2006 (8:18 pm)

Tonight I drove for the first time a regular Rubicon, the unlimited Rubicon and the FJ Cruiser. Between the Rubicons, the unlimited was much better. But between the Rubicon and the FJ, for street manners, the FJ is far superior. Was going to buy the Rubicon, but no more.

#27 of 541 Noisy roof rack & poor folding config for rear seats. by bctrout

Apr 01, 2006 (2:21 am)

Noisy roof rack & poor folding config for rear seats.
 
Kickin around, I let a few dealers know I was interested in the FJ. All were to be pre ordered but with no hassle to walk away. One dealer called back with a tester – Oh yeah - we went for a ride. Well, not off road, after all I had to bring it back clean.
The bad stuff.
Anyways - in around 80kms/hr the very strong roof rack with multiple cross blades makes a heck of a lot of noise. Makes you think you have real mudders on with only hollow tins between you. Cargo area and back of the rear seats are plastic lined but the seats don’t fold down flat. To bad, if they did you might just have enough room to sleep diagonal. If the weather gets nasty, there is definitely not enough room to sleep in with the highly tilled rear folded seats. I also felt like drop kickin those cheap plastic front corner bumpers. Front wheel wells have floppy inner void cover that may not last. Side and rear door thresholds for stepping on are poorly supported plastic that dip and distort under light foot pressure. It is very wide, oh you’ll have fun finding parking locations you can open the doors in. Off road – lots of other options and what is with the no diesel option in North America.
Good STUFF
This puppy is made for where it will be used most of the time, city. It has great visibility, high as any full size truck. The automatic with slip shift and multi drive modes is actually tempting to those die hard manual lovers. Specially if cruising in the city. Anyways after I lulled my test driving escort to sleep with my cautious driving we pulled a little foot stomping burnout just trying to see if it could go. Pretty good squeal for not really trying.
 
By the way I don’t have a real off-roader but have taken more types of domestics further along blown out discontinued logging roads than most wanna-bees can dream of. I drive a standard 97 RAV and I drive the snot out of it. Protect what I can with real synthetic. Actually go off-road once a month and get reasonable mileage. It works on the job site and gets me out fishing. I was just hoping the FJ might fit the bill.
 
bctrout

#28 of 541 Wranglers are a crappy pair of jeans by dizzle65

Apr 01, 2006 (3:12 pm)

First off. The FJ Cruiser is in fact a solid vehicle. Anyone who knows anything about wheelin' knows about the FJ40. And no one is stupid enough to argue with Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability -- it's second to no one!!! AND ITS NOT A JEEP -- I mean "HEEP"!!!
  
As far as first impressions go, I am still not a huge fan of the large C pillars. That being said, GO SEE ONE IN PERSON!!! I did. It is much better looking than in the pics. Also, I test drove one last week, and then immediately placed a deposit for one. PLENTY OF POWER and decent cargo room. I do plan on doing some upgrades, however, including an ARB bull bar and warn winch; Donahoe coil overs, possibly OME in the rear; and American Racing Mojave teflon rims matted to P285 BFG Mud Terrain tires (maybe beadlocks instead; cannot decide). Anyway, it should be a pretty good rig when I am done with it.
  
Finally, a word regarding off road capability and Jeeps. People seem to defend their CJs Tjs, etc. like one of their own children. A little hint: the Wrangler is not the end all, be all small platform trail and rock rig; that would be the LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90, which I am proud to own. Check the stats on that rig; they're quite nice. I just couldn't wait till the new Defender comes out, which should probably stomp all over the new Heep Rubicon just as my 1994 D90 ST does. Thus the FJ in the interim. (only other vehicle I would consider is a Galaendewagen).
  
So, I plan on keeping my D90 (nothing like going topless in the summer) and adding the FJ Cruiser primarily because of its better amenities and reliability factor. With both of these rigs I will be unstoppable!!!

#29 of 541 Re: FJ [goducks1] by t26redd

Apr 01, 2006 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: goducks1 (Jan 21, 2006 2:34 pm)
Hey I've got a question for you regarding the repairs you got done to your Wrangler. I have to get both front and rear pinion seals replaced on mine. What should I pay to get those replaced? Also, in case you might know I have a 4.0 Auto 97 Wrangler. A second or so after I pull out i get a rattle from under my seats near the transmission. It only happens when i accelerate hard. Any suggestions?

#30 of 541 FJ vs TJ by 96gc1owner

Apr 09, 2006 (3:54 pm)

First, t26redd check the problems forum to find out how to fix your junk, but here you go anyway. The pinion seals are pretty easy to replace, just mark the yoke and nut before you begin so you can get the same pre-load when you put it back together ($50 per end is a good price). The rattle is probably exhaust components coming in contact with the cross member.
 
Now, I drove a FJ yesterday...have owned all types of Jeeps over the past 30 years. While I covet the Toyota's quality and on road ride, it cannot fill my need to take to top down, clearly see all the vehicle's corners and achieve maximum articulation with a mild lift (OME 2.5"). I rate the FJ as poor in line of sight over the hood and out the back corners. Yes, the FJ's insides are cool and out pace the TJ, but the TJ we are comparing it too is nearly 10 a year old design. I look forward to wheeling my TJ beside an FJ on the trail one day to get a better idea of its capabilities. Dizzle65, if you are actually buying one and want to wheel it let me know when and where. If you bring the D90, we can enjoy our tops being down while we fix them on the trail.

#31 of 541 If we are talking off road by boaz47

Apr 09, 2006 (10:48 pm)

It is hard to beat the Rubicon. Even with an older FJ-40 there is a weight penalty. But if we are talking on road then there are a lot of choices better than either one. The Rubicon is like an off road vehicle domesticated for street use and the FJ is like a street vehicle converted to go off road. If you spend a lot of weekends out with the other dirt guys get a Jeep. If you go out once in a while or plan on taking the family the FJ would fit the bill. The New FJ looks more like the Liberty on paper so it is hardly like comparing apples to apples when you toss in the Rubicon. If you are into off roading the Rubicon would seen the better starting point because of the weight and the greater number of aftermarket parts suppliers. But we will have to wait till we see more on the trail to tell. Just how I see it with what experience I have.

#32 of 541 Moab by surfcat2000

Apr 16, 2006 (7:42 am)

Just got back from Moab and there were a few FJ's there. They looked low but then again most Jeeps had modifications to them and some were unreal. There was something that looked like a cross between a FJ and a Hummer. The FJ's looked like toys but neat. I hear you can set the cruise control in low range (just kidding). I'll stick to my 06 wrangler unlimited

#33 of 541 Re: Moab [surfcat2000] by steve_ HOST

Apr 16, 2006 (7:52 am)

Replying to: surfcat2000 (Apr 16, 2006 7:42 am)
How was the weather? Looks like they had record rainfall yesterday just to the northwest of Moab. Was there an event or just the usual slickrock visitors?
 
It's pretty wild just to cruise the grocery store parking lot there; you may see a Unimog next to a Pinzgauer next to a Wrangler that requires a step ladder to get in.
 
Steve, Host

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