warning: some gripes listed below. i'm not looking for flames, but i do think this forum can handle some negative critisisms to balance some of the hype.

i just test drove a silver decked out fjc at lunchtime. there was a line of two more test drivers when i got back into the lot, and the salesperson said its been like that all day. i thought of the log jammer at the amusement park. "next!" i liked that there is plenty of enthusiasm for this truck.

gripe 1: the cool looking hood scoop, which you would think actually directs fresh cool air into the intake, does not. in fact, there is no holes whatsoever behind the faux grill piece that sits in the "hood scoop" (none that i could see). i was tempted to rip out the faux grill just to see if i could use the indentation as a pencil holder, or *something* useful. i am a little disappointed in this tactic, especially when i consider that all of the six toyota pickups that i've owned were designed *completely* functional.

gripe 2: while i was under the hood, i also noticed that the hood does not use a post to hold it up, but rather uses shocks like the ones that hold my truck shell hatch open. they worked OK, but after a year or two, they will drop the hood on your head in a wind just like my camper hatch does. there isnt a day that goes by in nevada without gusts from the range fronts. i would immediately be working on a clamp or lock of some sort, so that those shocks dont get used to dropping on their own like a guillotine.

gripe 3: sliding into the rear seat wasnt too hard at all, but i immediately noticed that there was no "oh ˟˟˟˟˟" handle for me to grab whilst i entered the backseat area. what are the bro's gonna grab onto when you are helling out in the desert? do these handles cost the manufacturer a fortune? my tacoma (2000) has three of them, and my cousins tacoma (2001) has only one. they appear to be disappearing.

other miscellaneous gripes that i've listed in other threads include the lack of removable top (check the 07 wrangler, toyota), and the airliner impression from the back row (no opening windows). i love that toyota has finally addressed my desire for an affordable and capable cruiser. i'm looking forward to them addressing some (minor?) design issues in the coming years, because i could tell that this truck would definately fill a place in my lineup.

btw, the truck drove really well, and all the controls felt like they were well placed. i compared the apparently limitted visibility against my tacoma (when i got back into my truck), and its not greatly diminished in the side-view mirrors, just moreso in the rear view mirror.

let the flaming begin! (jk)

 

Flame on

1. Functional or not, the scoop looks rad
I am glad it does not work, it could let water in that washes over your hood while out wheeling.

2. There was not even a rod to help hold it?
I can see lawsuit lawyers lining up if a hood comes down and chops off someone's hands.
Toyota should address this for sure.

3. Rear seat for me means storage.
I will never haul anyone back there.

Convertible top, I have no desire for a soft top.
I live at an apt. complex, and stuff would get ripped off.
I see where others might like it, but its not for me.
Rumor has it that they may offer one later.

I also surf two other FJ sections on other forums, and many say the visibility issue is not bad after you get use to it.
I drove for 12 years with a truck canopy on two different Toyotas, so I should get use to it very fast.

Good points you bring up though.
The good outweighs the negative in this though.

Locker
A Trac
tall stance
factory available rock sliderz
and...
very capable out of the dealers lot to head to the hills and do some serous rock crawling.

 

True nuff. I doubt I will see anything but smiles on new owners' faces. If someone knows about a hood rod in that engine bay, please say so. If there really isnt one, then I imagine a small vise grip would do the job cheap and easy.

btw, the oil filter tray is the Sheeee!te - right on top of the engine almost.

 

Our 03 runner doesnt have a rod either, I LOVE IT...nothing to get in the way while working. its going on 3 years old and hasn't faded a bit, in fact it takes a bit of pressure to pull it shut, even in winter when cold air would weaken its ability... I plan on modding my 92 to have on, i hate the stinkin rod... I usually just pull the hood off, its easier

 

I think I also heard the opening for the filter is at the top too?
Maybe not, but if so, that would mean no more messy spills.

 

i sometimes wish my hood had shocks, but thats just my laziness shining through. i can see how they would wear out over the years (just like my rear hatch shocks).

the scoop looks cool, and like all other toyota truck/suv scoops, is non functional. they've been doing it since '99, so it doesnt surprise me the least bit.

o yeah, and my 98 4Runner has 6 'oh ˟˟˟˟˟' handles....

 

Healthy debate is good, ignoramus. J/K

A few thoughts from a three week owner. I can't stop driving the FJ, it's that much fun. I've put about as many miles on since 3/31 as I have on my '06 Prius delivered 1/11. Even with gas approaching $3, I've retired the Prius for the foreseeable future. Onward:

Gripe 1: Almost the entire leading edge of the hood, including the faux scoop, is color impregnated Super Olefin resin, a high temp, flexible and durable plastic. When the time comes from rock chips or trail rash, it'll be easily replaceable by removing the eight nuts you'll see on the hood underside. Of course that also means the aftermarket will have a functional scoop, or a smooth surface before too long, maybe someone from here?

Gripe 2: I hate prop rods. My IS300 had one and it always got in the way and was an embarrassment on a near-luxury car. If you're that concerned about one or both struts failing, keep a wooden dowel handy. BTW, Toyota didn't make your camper hatch and has a strong warranty in case they weaken. I'll try removing one strut to see if the other is capable of opening and supporting the hood. They look that beefy to me.

Gripe 3: I don't know if the back seat belts do it, but the fronts have a tightening feature if they sense unusual accel/decel. I noticed it when a guest worker pulled out in front of me in his clapped out Chevy work truck loaded with lawnmowers worth twice the pickup. I engaged ABS and the belts tightened pulling my upper body back slightly, and then locked for a few moments. Maybe the rears do that to help keep people in position. You make a good point, though. I don't carry anyone but The Dog back there so it doesn't apply to my needs.

Gripe 4: My gripe is no locking glove box.

I'm good with the fixed roof mainly because of body integrity and the standard FJammer sound system with the active headliner speakers. I solved the visibility issue with stick on 3" adjustable convex mirrors. I know people express concern about it until they've lived with one for a few days and adjust. Like I've written, I drove MR2 Spyders all year in rain spray where all I could see was straight ahead toward SUV bumpers, so anything else is a breeze. After all, the convex mirrors work well enough for all the windowless delivery truck drivers (UPS, FedX, etc.).

 

I don't care for prop rods, the hydraulic shocks are nice. The hydraulic shocks on my 96 80 series hold the hood up all the way, and have shown no sign of weakening. And it gets windy around here in the Columbia Gorge too

 

Found some close-ups of the oil filter setup.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=90102

 

thats just not fair. looks like a breeze to change the filter. i want one!

 

its seems that it would have been almost as easy to leave the filler neck off and add oil from the filter location

 

Edit.

 

The front does come with the grab handles, and from what I have heard, the hood shocks are heavy duty.

Many will not like this vehicle, and I am glad.
This is an off road type of vehicle.
Those looking for a leather cushy type of vehicle to take out on the town and haul the kids to soccer practice need to look at Toyotas other SUVs in their lineup.

 

Edit.

 

Anyone have the wiring colors for the rear hatch glass pop wire? I can't understand why Toyota wouldn't put:
A- A remote hatch release for the rear door.
B- A button to pop the hatch window.

 

There are a few over on fjcruiserforums.com who have wired up a switch to release the rear glass.

 

holy 2yr old thread bat man

 

I go back and forth with the FJ Cruiser.

On one hand, Toyota has built one of the most
factory-capable rigs in its history. I love the interior setup
with the rubber floors and bomb-proof unholstery. The fold-flat
rear seats give the FJ acres of cargo space. I also like all the little
pop-out auxillary panels to mount switches on right under the radio.
Not to mention the manual transfer case and optional six-speed
manual tranny behind the 4.0, my personal favorite (besides the 2UZ-FE)
of the current Toyota powerplants. The three windshield wipers
are neat little touch, as well.

On the other hand, you've got the downsides, first and
foremost that I think they're rather ugly. Keep in mind
I have never driven these vehicles off road, so my opinions may
be a little unfounded. They seem like extremely top-heavy rigs,
especially if a lift and bigger tires are added to the mix.
The wheel wells seem like they would really limit articulation.
I have already seen three 2007 models in our shop with
cracked windshields. But, as far as the limited rear visibility
is concerned, it bugs me only because I am not used to driving
one every day. I have no doubt that I would get used to it
if I owned on, though.

All in all, the FJ makes a great trail rig from the factory
and will only get better as it is modified to better suit the needs
of the driver and the demands of the terrain it be expected
to conquer.

However, if you think you want one, don't wait around too long.
Taking the current FJ sales into account, I don't see it being a wise
choice from Toyots'a financial standpoint to keep producing them
for much too much longer. By far the lowest selling vehicle in
Toyota's current roster.

For the potential buyer even more off road minded, we just got
our first 2008 "Trail Teams Special Edition" FJ Cruiser,
complete with blacked out wheels wrapped in BFG A/T's,
along with a slew of off road lights on the hood and front bumper.

 

I DID dig up an old one didn't I ?! LOL

 

Thanks Corey!