FJ Cruiser Four Year Review
07-31-2010, 07:45 AM
#1
FJ Cruiser Four Year Review
It is that time of year again.
The rig just turned four years old last Saturday the 24th of July.
Also hit 30K on Friday the 23rd.
I have a short commute of around twenty nine miles round trip for work, so the miles do not pile on very fast.
No issues to report with the rig at all.
Took the rig into the dealership Monday after work for a 30K checkup which consisted of:
New filters, air and cabin
Drain and refill front/rear differentials and transfercase
Clean brakes and adjust parking break
Replace PVC valve
Replace spark plugs
All the other usual safety inspection stuff, no worries.
Rig feels slightly stronger going up hills taking less go pedal, so perhaps the sparkplugs helped, although the rig never felt sluggish in anyway to me, and as most how have seen my rig, they know it probably far exceeds its birth weight.
I bet I am pushing right around 5K lbs with all the gear I carry.
Standard everyday gear, not including being packed for a camping trip.
How much do kitchen sinks weigh anyways?
With everything on my rig I manage to pull a consistent 17 MPG using Super Premium.
This is around 60% city/40% freeway driving.
With mudtires and a tent on top 24/7, driving has to be adjusted somewhat compared to a stock rig.
Even the addition of the tires makes for keeping alert more with freeway speed driving.
I may switch to AT tires in the future, but not really thinking about that now.
The current tires have been on the rig since the summer of 2007, and they look almost brand new tread wise.
Only one current picture with the new BajaRack model MG, this is the current look of the rig as it sits today.
Will be getting better pictures later in August when I tame a week off to go camping.
The rig just turned four years old last Saturday the 24th of July.
Also hit 30K on Friday the 23rd.
I have a short commute of around twenty nine miles round trip for work, so the miles do not pile on very fast.
No issues to report with the rig at all.
Took the rig into the dealership Monday after work for a 30K checkup which consisted of:
New filters, air and cabin
Drain and refill front/rear differentials and transfercase
Clean brakes and adjust parking break
Replace PVC valve
Replace spark plugs
All the other usual safety inspection stuff, no worries.
Rig feels slightly stronger going up hills taking less go pedal, so perhaps the sparkplugs helped, although the rig never felt sluggish in anyway to me, and as most how have seen my rig, they know it probably far exceeds its birth weight.
I bet I am pushing right around 5K lbs with all the gear I carry.
Standard everyday gear, not including being packed for a camping trip.
How much do kitchen sinks weigh anyways?
With everything on my rig I manage to pull a consistent 17 MPG using Super Premium.
This is around 60% city/40% freeway driving.
With mudtires and a tent on top 24/7, driving has to be adjusted somewhat compared to a stock rig.
Even the addition of the tires makes for keeping alert more with freeway speed driving.
I may switch to AT tires in the future, but not really thinking about that now.
The current tires have been on the rig since the summer of 2007, and they look almost brand new tread wise.
Only one current picture with the new BajaRack model MG, this is the current look of the rig as it sits today.
Will be getting better pictures later in August when I tame a week off to go camping.
02-07-2011, 09:52 AM
#2
Contributing Member
Nice writeup of one of the nicest FJ Cruisers on the web.
I went over the four year mark with 25K miles. That's three more years than I've ever owned any vehicle. I did the 30K early myself. Everything checked out, the old plugs looked and gapped almost new, so didn't really notice any change. I'm still averaging 15-16 mpg on 92 octane due to shorter M/T gears and mountainous terrain.
I had a noisy clutch replaced once under warranty at the 10K mark, but the noise (throwout bearing) returned. Toyota says a new clutch pack assembly will be released with a TSB this month.
Otherwise it's probably the most versatile, fun SUV I've owned including all the Land Cruisers going back to the '70's, 4Runners, Sequoias and a Highlander Hybrid. It's a keeper.
I went over the four year mark with 25K miles. That's three more years than I've ever owned any vehicle. I did the 30K early myself. Everything checked out, the old plugs looked and gapped almost new, so didn't really notice any change. I'm still averaging 15-16 mpg on 92 octane due to shorter M/T gears and mountainous terrain.
I had a noisy clutch replaced once under warranty at the 10K mark, but the noise (throwout bearing) returned. Toyota says a new clutch pack assembly will be released with a TSB this month.
Otherwise it's probably the most versatile, fun SUV I've owned including all the Land Cruisers going back to the '70's, 4Runners, Sequoias and a Highlander Hybrid. It's a keeper.
02-07-2011, 02:22 PM
#3
Thanks you very much Bob.
I just turned 33,800 on Saturday.
Very low miles for as long as I have had it.
It will be five years come this July.
I am getting 15 to 16 MPG on both regular and super premium.
I get around 17 during the summer.
I have not checked my tire pressure in awhile, so they could be a little low, more would net me better MPG.
The FJ Cruiser still continues to impress me daily, and I can not wait until spring/summer to get out and start camping with it again.
I just turned 33,800 on Saturday.
Very low miles for as long as I have had it.
It will be five years come this July.
I am getting 15 to 16 MPG on both regular and super premium.
I get around 17 during the summer.
I have not checked my tire pressure in awhile, so they could be a little low, more would net me better MPG.
The FJ Cruiser still continues to impress me daily, and I can not wait until spring/summer to get out and start camping with it again.
09-03-2012, 09:37 AM
#7
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Please do Corey. I am interested in hearing if there were any serious maintenance issues.
I test drove a FJ yesterday but was pretty intimidated by the blind spots. I also have to drive down several arteries in my end of town where the lane is narrower than the FJ. I made it through like a champ but I can't see myself doing that on those clearances in the winter.
The feedback on the steering is more dull than I like but the 17s are a tall tire which could explain it. I still like the vehicle but I am not sure it would be the best daily driver. If you still drive your vehicle daily I'd be interested in feedback.
Or maybe I am just getting old and wimpy I can't say...lol
I test drove a FJ yesterday but was pretty intimidated by the blind spots. I also have to drive down several arteries in my end of town where the lane is narrower than the FJ. I made it through like a champ but I can't see myself doing that on those clearances in the winter.
The feedback on the steering is more dull than I like but the 17s are a tall tire which could explain it. I still like the vehicle but I am not sure it would be the best daily driver. If you still drive your vehicle daily I'd be interested in feedback.
Or maybe I am just getting old and wimpy I can't say...lol
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