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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 34 of 55

#330 of 541 Re: Tellico - Cruisers Rule the day [dae] by fourx4ever

Oct 23, 2006 (10:37 am)

Replying to: dae (Oct 21, 2006 7:04 pm)
On the weekend I was reading an article on the all new 2007 Jeep Wrangler. With the exception of the V-6 engine and the crappy plastic bumpers its a pretty impressive machine – especially with that electric sway bar disconnect.
 
I did a little checking on Ramp Travel Indexes tests for various stock vehicles, here are just a few RTI numbers I found:
 
1991 Honda civic hatch back (factory stock): 319 - (I put this one in just for a refference point)
 
1997 Jeep Wrangler (factory stock): 607
 
2002 Jeep Cherokee (factory stock): 575 (approximate)
 
2007 Toyota FJ cruiser (factory stock): 491
 
Although the FJC’s RTI numbers put it in second last place out of the four listed, we have to remember that it has IFS and the two Jeeps were designed with stock axles. That’ being said, 491 is pretty respectable for a vehicle with IFS. You probably wont see too many stock IFS SUVs that will score higher than this.
 
However the really depressing thing for the diehard FJ cruiser fans is when you compare it to the 2007 Wrangler’s RTI figures:
 
Driving right off the dealer’s lot the new wrangler will give an RTI of 652 (with the sway bar). If you hit the sway bar disconnect button on the dash, it will pull a whopping 832 RTI! This is on a completely stock Jeep!
 
Now if they can only get their heads on straight and put a diesel in that little machine for North America!

#331 of 541 A-track by fourx4ever

Oct 23, 2006 (11:07 am)

The other thing I found in that SAE article was the that new Jeep Wrangler has electronic traction control in the same way the FJ Cruiser’s A-track works. Through activating any given brake caliper, once wheel spin is detected, at least 50% of the engine's tourque is delivered to the wheel(s) that can use it best. Apparently, the Rubicon model ALSO still comes with the solid lockers. So if you buy the new Wrangler Rubicon you get the best of both worlds.

#332 of 541 Re: FJ [keats] by artemis

Oct 23, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: keats (Jan 20, 2006 12:03 pm)
I'm currious, I sell Toyotas and would love to know what the problem was with the transmission on your avalon. It had to have been a fluke. (even the best tree can have a few bad apples)
 
As far as the Rubicon vs FJ debate....
In the trail trials the FJ produced some impressive results for any vehicle in its class. That is not to say that it is the absolute best at it but when you couple it with the rest of the package (smooth on road opperation, mileage, toyota reliability(your avalon being the exception) and the roominess, coupled with the retro style(call me barbie but I like it)) makes the FJ an excellent choice for people who want the capability but would like a bit more refinement when not powering over rocks and through mud etc.

#333 of 541 Re: FJ [artemis] by fourx4ever

Oct 23, 2006 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: artemis (Oct 23, 2006 1:13 pm)
artemis,
 
Few people here would dispute Toyota's quality of construction. However I guess many of the people on this forum are disappointed that the FJC didn't follow closer to the off-road heritage of the original FJ-40.
 
Back in the 70's the FJ-40 and the Jeep CJ (wrangler) were very close counterparts. They were both extremely capable for the day. In the past 30 years, Jeep has continued to refine and hone the Wrangler's off-road ability while at the same time making incremental creature comfort improvements. In that time span Toyota killed the FJ and now brings it back. However, in real off-road ability it doesn't seem to have progressed that much beyond the original FJ, and some things like the visibility, plastic bumpers, no soft top, lack of under carriage protection are actually much worse than the original.
 
If I was faced the desire to buy a new hard core off-road machine today, it would be one of three choices:
 
1. Buy the new Wrangler Rubicon
 
2. Buy an old Jeep CJ and put the extra money into mods to make it as good or better than the Rubicon.
 
3. Buy an old FJ-40 like Steenh did, and put the extra cash into mods to make a killer machine.
 
The FJC wouldn't even get a second look.

#334 of 541 Expect more from Toyota by fourx4ever

Oct 23, 2006 (1:58 pm)

Based on Toyota's reputation and success, I honestly expected much more in the FJC's off-road ability than what they delivered. I expected a Toyota 'Rubicon' or maybe something even more capable, but instead they spit out this thing that couldn't out 'wheel' the previous generation of Jeep Cherokee.
 
If I was in the market for a Toyota, wanted creature comforts and some reasonable off-road ability, I would just buy a 4Runner and forget the FJC.

#335 of 541 Re: Solid swap-ins [dae] by steenh

Oct 23, 2006 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: dae (Oct 21, 2006 7:09 pm)
They could have "slapped" the FJ body on the LC 70 Series that's sold overseas in higher volumes than the FJC will here in the US? I don't think that cost was the reason. They "chose" the IFS... So, granted that the rock-crawling ability is limited by IFS, there had to be a reason. I'm betting insurance and wanting to increase the on-road drivability were the driving factors. Very respectable performance for IFS though.
 
I personally hope they go solid in the future. Might trade in the 100 for it someday. 40 stays forever though.
 
4x4... good to see you back in action!
 
Trip this weekend was perfect... got to camp at 5500 ft, no rain while we were awake, enough at night to make for some great mud for the day rides, great trails, minor breakage. 17 LC's in all. 40 yrs between oldest and newest. My '67 and a couple of '07 FJC's with pretty much everything inbetween including a 60, and a few 80's.
 
Covered about 35 miles over three days. A fantastic trip.
 
My favorite pic...
 

#336 of 541 Your trip by fourx4ever

Oct 24, 2006 (9:32 am)

Replying to: steenh (Oct 23, 2006 7:06 pm)
Steenh,
 
Sounds (and looks like) it was a great trip! I must say though as much as love to hit the swamps and mud holes, I'm not really fond of the clean up when I get home. I mean the last time I went on a really muddy trail with my CJ I had lots of mud inside, on the back seats, the floor, even the dash somehow got mud on it. When I got back it took about $20.00 at the car wash to make it look half respectable. However, as I'm sure it is with you, the memories are all good.
 
Chears bud!

#337 of 541 Re: FJ [artemis] by keats

Oct 24, 2006 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: artemis (Oct 23, 2006 1:13 pm)
artemis,
 
I didn't mean to imply that the Avalon was a piece. It was a very, very nice car. I was just highlighting that any vehicle can have issues. I'm not sure what was up with the tranny since it was fixed under warranty I didn't pry. The only other problem we had was the alignment. It never did track straight. All Toyota would say was that it was within specs.

#338 of 541 Re: Solid swap-ins [steenh] by keats

Oct 24, 2006 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: steenh (Oct 23, 2006 7:06 pm)
Sounds like you had a blast. That is great looking FJ.

#339 of 541 Re: Expect more from Toyota [fourx4ever] by keats

Oct 24, 2006 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: fourx4ever (Oct 23, 2006 1:58 pm)
"If I was in the market for a Toyota, wanted creature comforts and some reasonable off-road ability, I would just buy a 4Runner and forget the FJC. "
 
Or even better, the 4-door Tacoma and have some pick-up utility to go with it.

Messages Page 34 of 55

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