Toyota FJ thoughts

I had one for a year while working in the Gulf. It was either that or a Peugot.

Toyota designed it for the Gulf area, so they made it with only petrol because they don't use much diesel in the Gulf, due to the cheapness of petrol.

Mechanically it was the usual Toyota. Nothing exciting but it all worked quite well. The poor part was the body design:-
1. Windscreen very narrow top to bottom
2. Huge wing mirrors obscure a lot of driver's sideways vision.
3. Rear passengers are almost totally unable to see out, due to 1 and 2 and also the huge sheets of metal behind the back door.

Take one out for a drive with somebody in the back. Put you right off.

These cars are stylised body on a Prado chassis, running gear etc.

Similar but not the Prado chassis. They share some running gear but not AWD transfer as they are a part-time 4wd.

As far as reliability and failures go - I never saw queues of these vehicles outside the Toyota service departments. However a real indication rather than speculation or personal experience (where n=1) of any vehicles reliability is the number of service bulletins released for a vehicle.

Some thing went wrong & posted twice SORRY[bighmmm]

Had a FJ40 years ago , couldn't stop the rust :thumbsdown: & never went on the beach, also kept burning out valves :BigCry: , had to adjust tappets every service to prevent it . This was before unleaded petrol [bigsad] Also drank fuel about 8 miles to gal until i put heavy spring on second stage in carby so I could drive it on the 1st stage . That tool it to 16 miles to gal. They also would brake the small studs in rear axle flange which was caused by split tapered collars under the nuts not allowing the flange to tighten against the face properly. Never liked it was glad to see the back of it.[biggrin]

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Originally Posted by AnD3rew

My Brother in law had one, If you are a single or couple with only ocassional need for a second row of seats (and doors for all practical purposes) then it is a good mid sized truck, as others have said excellent clearance and angles, rear locker, lots of aftermarket options and reliable and tough.

If the compromises on space and access aren’t a problem for what you want to do I say go for it. If you have a family and/or want to do extended touring I wouldnt do it and the lack of a diesel option holds it back as well. Also not sure if the wheelbase is actually shorter or it just looks it, but instinctively I feel like I would like a longer base of towing anything heavy.

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No problem there. You can’t tow anything heavy with it.
2,250kg is its limit.

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Originally Posted by hpal

I worked and worked to get my Defender quiet and smooth. In the end I realised it was a sow's ear and I was trying to make a silk purse. I sold it and bought a Disco 3 and love it.

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Hardly a comparison.
A TD5 was a noisey Defender! I know all about them. Mine wasn’t so bad once the flooring was put in but the mechanical noise was there.

The Tdci Defenders are already significantly quieter, remarkably so if you had a TD5 prior!

With a couple of quick additions, the Tdci Defender we own is already quieter again. Very much so, and we haven’t even touched the rear floor area yet! And as an added bonus - the A/C is now more efficient... [emoji41]

My D4 is currently noisier than our 90, with the M/Ts on it..

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Originally Posted by Barraman

I've always thought they looked interesting but without a turbo diesel its just not on! Hard to understand when I assume the diesel engine from the Prado would bolt straight in.

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it's almost a straight bolt it. info from a mate who's done it.

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Originally Posted by Pickles2

G'Day Pete, Sent you a P.M., but you cannot receive it,..CLEAR YOUR IN BOX!!!
Regards, Martin.

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Done mate!! [smilebigeye]

Random Thoughts follow .....

I've read this thread from go to whoa .

I have considered an FJ , at present i am torn - have looked at a Fortuna .

My next step is the new JL Jeep is tempting me , so will wait to see one .

The challenge is my RRS is getting on and the new jellybean shape ones , whilst beautiful and capable vehicles , Don't stir my emotions like the 'older shape ' .
The current RRS is getting on for 8 years old and just over 200k , last year threw some big bills ( gearbox and DSC pipes replaced ) . It currently does like a champ, tows great .
BUT , as evidenced by the burnt electricals and 'fear ' when a new vehicle - ANY Brand starts to get niggles , it cant really be fixed economically .

What next ? I really like my LandRover ,nothing else comes close so far that ive looked at .