The blind spot

***Corey*** · 04-22-2006, 06:08 PM

I have read many complaints on other forums about the FJ Cruiser having a terrible blind spot due to the huge c pillars.
While others say it is not bad at all.

I am use to in the past driving Toyota trucks with canopies on them, so it would not bother me at all.
Plus the FJ has huge side mirrors.

I saw on FJ Cruisers forum a new type of spot mirror to mount that is suppose to be better than the regular round ones.
They are called Maxi View.
Anyone ever heard of them before?
Might be worth checking out.

http://www.maxiviewmirrors.com/

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Paul H. · 04-23-2006, 10:09 AM

Looks like a good mirror. Finally got to look at an FJ today at the dealership. They look very nice. Price $35,999. There was no breakdown of the price on the vehicle but it did seem loaded. Think they put a markup on it?

k_os · 04-23-2006, 10:11 AM

if you angle the mirrors correctly there is no blind spot literally. there's just stupid people that like to see half the car through the side view mirrors.

***Corey*** · 04-23-2006, 11:27 AM

Paul, sounds like they added around $5K over MSRP.
Rip off!

Paul H. · 04-23-2006, 05:16 PM

Thats what I figured.

Flygtenstein · 04-23-2006, 07:15 PM

The blind spot in them is TERRIBLE!!! It will likely lead to the senseless deaths of thousands of innocent children.

Seriously, I know it is a stereotype but I wouldn't let my wife/girlfriend/Mom drive one because I am confident they would crash into something backing up or changing lanes.

I am used to driving big rock trucks, one tons, straight trucks and biggish dumps. The complete lack of visibility to the rear in the FJ doesn't even compare.

The official party line is that you need a spotter to drive it off road. You will likely need a spotter on road too.

fireteacher · 04-23-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_os

if you angle the mirrors correctly there is no blind spot literally. there's just stupid people that like to see half the car through the side view mirrors.

Flygtenstein · 04-24-2006, 06:39 AM

Must be a great new selling point, magic mirrors.

Care to explain how the mirrors allow you to see through solid plastic/steel?

X-AWDriver · 04-24-2006, 06:44 AM

It does have a major blind spot but once you get used to it the blind spot will seem smaller as with any vehicle just like mentioned with using your mirrors.

k_os · 04-24-2006, 07:14 AM

If you are the ones like to do the little shoulder overcheck.. then your screwed because you can't see anything.

If you angle the sideview mirrors just right.. When the car disappears from the rearview, you can see it dead on the sideview then when it dissappears from the sideview you can see it out the front window. I do own one and It doesn't have a blindpost just take some classes on how to angle your sideview mirrors.

The only thinI have trouble with is seeing the cars coming down the road when I am backing out of my driveway. I have a huge stone wall covering my passesnger window so I'd have to look out of the back window wich is 1'x1' so that'd be the only time when it does suck to have a huge c-pillar

4x4Lamm · 04-24-2006, 07:57 AM

I drive ambulances that have NO side windows and even less rear window visibility than the FJ. Having the big convex mirrors helps, but I still use my blinker for like 10 seconds before I change lanes and if I can I have my partner give a quick check.

Its possible to drive th FJ like that safely, but I doubt the average person can do it.

Also, no matter what you do with your mirrors, you will have blindspots. Even if you have good visibility with them, what about motorcycles? They certainly would be harder to track in your mirrors.

Toyota goofed on the FJ.

Lamm

BT17R · 04-24-2006, 08:12 AM

I still wonder why we don't see dozens of crashed UPS trucks on the roadside every day except Sunday.

The mythical "dangerous blind spot" complaint, echoed exclusively by non-owners it seems, is hereby elevated to the "your SUV will roll over if you sneeze while driving" status.

ksurfer · 04-24-2006, 11:35 AM

So maybe I'm an opinionated a$$hole but I like the "blind spot" hopefully it'll discourage those who want to buy the FJ for solely driving it around town. Seriously though, are you people driving the thing backwards all the time?!?

Scottiac · 04-24-2006, 12:29 PM

Just to give a little support to the "I want my visibility faction", I DO like the unrestricted visibility of my 3rd gen, and the rearward-visibility of the FJ (yes, I checked one out) was a deal-killer for me. I liked everything else about it, but not that.

So I guess that makes me stupid...

Quote:

there's just stupid people that like to see half the car through the side view mirrors.

and a mall-crawling web-wheeler.

Quote:

those who want to buy the FJ for solely driving it around town

Quote:

The mythical "dangerous blind spot" complaint, echoed exclusively by non-owners it seems...

and could it be that the reason that it's echoed exclusively by non-owners be that they chose not to buy one for that reason? Geee.... No wait, it must be those other two reasons.

Yes, I could, like y'all are saying "learn to deal with it", but I could learn to deal with lots of things that I'd prefer to avoid. Would the vehicle be better/safer/easier to drive without a 22" wide c-pillar? Um, yeah.

Crux · 04-24-2006, 12:58 PM

I wonder why Toyota didn't just make the side windows wrap around a little further so the pillar wasn't so big.

Seems like Toyota sacrificed safety to make a fashion statement.

BT17R · 04-24-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottiac

...and could it be that the reason that it's echoed exclusively by non-owners be that they chose not to buy one for that reason? Geee.... No wait, it must be those other two reasons.

Yes, I could, like y'all are saying "learn to deal with it", but I could learn to deal with lots of things that I'd prefer to avoid. Would the vehicle be better/safer/easier to drive without a 22" wide c-pillar? Um, yeah.

Or could it be that you missed my earlier posts objecting to the C-pillar until I applied convex mirrors making it a non-issue?

Would you prefer to avoid these? Think you could adjust? Know anyone who would refuse one because of "poor visibility"?

Scottiac · 04-24-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT17R

Or could it be that you missed my earlier posts objecting to the C-pillar until I applied convex mirrors making it a non-issue?

Would you prefer to avoid these? Think you could adjust? Know anyone who would refuse one because of "poor visibility"?

Yeah, but the FJ I could dream of affording in my lifetime!

Seriously, if I had the money to buy one of that lovely collection, I probably *still* wouldn't for that reason, but if you dropped one off in my driveway...er... yeah, I think I'd suck it up and learn to live with it.

I'm not tweaked about it; as you say, we all make our decisions on what makes us happy/comfortable. Don't really appreciate the comments saying that anyone who thinks the C-pillar couldn't be better designed are incompetent/stoopeed, so thought I'd throw in on the topic.

4x4Lamm · 04-24-2006, 10:29 PM

None of those cars would be a problem because the first 2 have decent "over the shoulder" rear visibility and the last one has appropriate mirrors matched with a narrow body. The low ride hight also increser rear visibility.

The reasen you don't see UPS trucks crashed all week is because the drivers are paid to drive, they do a lot of it so they are good at it and have good driving records and like most comercial trucks, have huge mirrors that stick out from the body a foot or more. Thats how I can back an ambulance with a 5' wide cab and a 6' wide box into an alley, because the mirrors are 7' wide.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think you are going to die on the testdrive, but seeing as how the average smuck cannot drive an Envoy with huge side windows down the freeway, I cannot fathom how they could mannage thr FJ doing the same.

Convex mirrors will help a lot, but they still can't change the laws of trig.

I forsee FJ vs. motorcycle and FJ vs. low car MVAs a lot. I cant see some cars out my back window, there is no way in hell you will see them through the skinny tire covred FJ rear glass.

Lamm

04-23-2006, 11:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,007	Paul, sounds like they added around $5K over MSRP. Rip off! __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-23-2006, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,246	The blind spot in them is TERRIBLE!!! It will likely lead to the senseless deaths of thousands of innocent children. Seriously, I know it is a stereotype but I wouldn't let my wife/girlfriend/Mom drive one because I am confident they would crash into something backing up or changing lanes. I am used to driving big rock trucks, one tons, straight trucks and biggish dumps. The complete lack of visibility to the rear in the FJ doesn't even compare. The official party line is that you need a spotter to drive it off road. You will likely need a spotter on road too. __________________ Ease on down the road.

04-24-2006, 06:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,246	Must be a great new selling point, magic mirrors. Care to explain how the mirrors allow you to see through solid plastic/steel? __________________ Ease on down the road.

04-24-2006, 06:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,139	It does have a major blind spot but once you get used to it the blind spot will seem smaller as with any vehicle just like mentioned with using your mirrors. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

04-24-2006, 07:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,572	I drive ambulances that have NO side windows and even less rear window visibility than the FJ. Having the big convex mirrors helps, but I still use my blinker for like 10 seconds before I change lanes and if I can I have my partner give a quick check. Its possible to drive th FJ like that safely, but I doubt the average person can do it. Also, no matter what you do with your mirrors, you will have blindspots. Even if you have good visibility with them, what about motorcycles? They certainly would be harder to track in your mirrors. Toyota goofed on the FJ. Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck! Last edited by 4x4Lamm; 04-24-2006 at 08:35 AM.

04-23-2006, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
k_os Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 20	if you angle the mirrors correctly there is no blind spot literally. there's just stupid people that like to see half the car through the side view mirrors.

04-24-2006, 07:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
k_os Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 20	If you are the ones like to do the little shoulder overcheck.. then your screwed because you can't see anything. If you angle the sideview mirrors just right.. When the car disappears from the rearview, you can see it dead on the sideview then when it dissappears from the sideview you can see it out the front window. I do own one and It doesn't have a blindpost just take some classes on how to angle your sideview mirrors. The only thinI have trouble with is seeing the cars coming down the road when I am backing out of my driveway. I have a huge stone wall covering my passesnger window so I'd have to look out of the back window wich is 1'x1' so that'd be the only time when it does suck to have a huge c-pillar

04-24-2006, 08:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	I still wonder why we don't see dozens of crashed UPS trucks on the roadside every day except Sunday. The mythical "dangerous blind spot" complaint, echoed exclusively by non-owners it seems, is hereby elevated to the "your SUV will roll over if you sneeze while driving" status. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

04-24-2006, 11:35 AM	#13 (permalink)
ksurfer Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 54	So maybe I'm an opinionated a$$hole but I like the "blind spot" hopefully it'll discourage those who want to buy the FJ for solely driving it around town. Seriously though, are you people driving the thing backwards all the time?!? __________________ '96 4Runner 4x4 Manual Lifted, Deckplate, Seafoam, 33's Mud-terrain '07 MANUAL 4X4 V6 4.0 FJ CRUISER Voodoo Blue Totaled in Baja '91 MANUAL 4x4 V6 3.0 EXT Cab Pickup Black [sold to my buddy]

04-24-2006, 12:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
Crux Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 849	I wonder why Toyota didn't just make the side windows wrap around a little further so the pillar wasn't so big. Seems like Toyota sacrificed safety to make a fashion statement. __________________ 97 4Runner SR5 Blue - 135k miles, E-Locker, Armorology front/rear bumpers & sliders, BudBuilt skidplate+belly, MTR 285/75/16s, 2" Tundra/OME Lift, 1" 4Crawler Bodylift, 1" diff drop, Black Aluminum Wheels, Cobra CB 04 Land Cruiser Grey - 90k miles, OME Lift, Slee Sliders, 35" Toyo Muds

04-24-2006, 10:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,572	None of those cars would be a problem because the first 2 have decent "over the shoulder" rear visibility and the last one has appropriate mirrors matched with a narrow body. The low ride hight also increser rear visibility. The reasen you don't see UPS trucks crashed all week is because the drivers are paid to drive, they do a lot of it so they are good at it and have good driving records and like most comercial trucks, have huge mirrors that stick out from the body a foot or more. Thats how I can back an ambulance with a 5' wide cab and a 6' wide box into an alley, because the mirrors are 7' wide. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you are going to die on the testdrive, but seeing as how the average smuck cannot drive an Envoy with huge side windows down the freeway, I cannot fathom how they could mannage thr FJ doing the same. Convex mirrors will help a lot, but they still can't change the laws of trig. I forsee FJ vs. motorcycle and FJ vs. low car MVAs a lot. I cant see some cars out my back window, there is no way in hell you will see them through the skinny tire covred FJ rear glass. Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

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