OK, I did not drive the rig.
My local Toy shop had a nice rock rails CQ equipped silver 6 sp unit in stock.

I grew up clutches since 1973, but have not driven a stick since late '98 when I got my first auto, the 4Runner.
I did not feel comfortable taking out a brand new rig, and a 6 sp at that in the heavy downtown Auburn traffic.

I will let Jim (mytruck) chime in here later with his driving experience of the rig and impressions of the power and more of the rig.

But from where I sat in the passenger seat I could tell the rig has quite a bit of power from the way it pulled, and Jim did not get the RPMs up past 2K most of the time.

It rode smooth, the stock muffler had a nice low tone, although I would swap it in favor of a 2.5" Magnaflow muffler.

The Toyota rock rails look nice, although they are tucked up under the rig more than aftermarket styles like the ones on my 4Runner that stick out more.
But they are beefy.

The stock tires gotta go.
Low tread, not looking very suitable for off road action.
These would go in favor of the Les Schwab Wild Country TXRs I run now.

The low straight up windshield with 3 wipers (yes, it was raining in Washing state today) look very cool.
I had no problems seeing out of it.
And those who say it is hard to reach for the sun visor?
What are you 3' tall?
Come one now, it was easy to reach

The tail lights do stick out a little, but those who say they will get ripped off on a trail, the sheet metal in front of the lights sticks out just as much, and are you really going to take a brand new $30K rig on such a tight trail that you may rip off the lights?
Not me, this rig will be babied as much as I do my '91.

Typical Toyota craftsmanship.
Doors are nice and heavy, have that good tone when you shut them.

As far as needing a lift?
I think it looks smashing (been watching to much Dr. Who, that English show on Sci Fi ) with the 32" tires and the way it sits now.

The only 2 things I think the rig needs is an ARB bumper up front, and beefier stock size tires.

They are getting in a Voodoo blue automatic next week, and they will be calling me in to test drive it.
I just feel more comfortable with the auto.
I almost had Jim pull over a few blocks before we got back so I could feel how it drove, but he was having way to much fun in it.
We got quite a few lookseedoos from other drivers too rubbernecking us.

This one did not have package #1, so no 3 instrument cluster on top of the dash, or the upgraded stereo, or A Trak.
It did have the rear locker, alloys, rock rails, sonar for backup, rear wiper, tinted windows, and a few other things.

Overall I was very impressed with it.

 

I sat in a sil 6spd thursday morning, wow it was really nice. This is the first time seeing one in person, they look a lot different. This one didn't have the insturments, or the rock rails, just the rrdiff lock. I think sticker was 26k......The wife is gonna have to wait for them to be used lol

 

Corey called me this morning and talked me into meeting him at Doxon Toyota in Auburn for an FJC-test drive. They have a new silver one with a 6-speed.
I drove it through town, and on the freeway. I was impressed with the power, as it seemed to have plenty. Shifted between 2K and 3K, and the motor pulled strong with lots of torque. Sweet transmission, too.
I liked the windshield as it was almost vertical (kinda old-school), 3 wipers, and the rear-view mirror is attached to the roof of the rig (I like that)...instead of glued to the windshield (I hate that!).
Visibility was a little tricky for lane changes, etc, but feel with due care and experience all will be well.
Liked the interior, liked the way it drove, engine sounded good, excellent brakes.
I think Toyota will sell a bunch of 'em.

Jim

 

Nice writeup. Glad you both liked it. I like the gear whine the M/T makes, just like an FJ-40 but much quieter.

Corey, you'll be glad to know that a true AT tire, like my Nitto's, don't degrade ride comfort one bit. Once I got the driver's seat adjusted properly (took a week of fiddling with all of the adjustments), I found it much more comfy than an FJ-80.

My Nitto's, although stock size, actually measure up slightly taller and wider than the OEM tires. I don't recall by how much, but it's enough to make a pleasant visual difference with the deeper, more aggressive tread pattern. You can compare dimensions on tirerack.com for both the Bridgestone H/T's or Dunlop AT's to your Wild Country AT's.

Yeah, that 1GR V-6 shines with VVT-i. Tremendous low-end torque. Really no need to go over 3K rpm on the street, though I've tried a few squirts to 4K and it really starts to bellow. Sounds refined yet aggressive. Fun rig, don't want to stop driving it, you'll soon see.

 

so far only good comments on the FJs so thats another good truck from toyota

 

Kind of kicking myself in the arse Bob for not driving it, but after not using the clutch foot for so many years I wanted to air caution since this was a brand new rig.

I am willing to bet the TXR MTs I want to put on will be slightly bigger than stock too.
But they will whine quite loudly which is perfect, as I like how loud my TXRs are now on the rig.
People can hear you coming to a stop at a light

Auburn Muffler told me to bring it by so they can check out the stock muffler too in case I want to swap over to a 2.5" Magnaflow.