Wheel base is pretty close between the FJ and the 3rd gen. Exit/entrance angle is probably better on the FJC but the FJC is also wider. If its a 96 to 99 3rd gen with the rear E-locker I think it would go everywhere the FJC went. (I've never driven a 00+ 3rd gen so I cant comment on them.)

The big advatage to the FJC would be having ATRAC dealing with wheel spin in the front. But IMHO the stock 3rd gen flexes a lot better in the rear.

Disadvantage for the FJC would be the amount of plastic sticking out, rear tail
lights come to mind.

Another offroading advantage of a 3rd gen would be price. I would scream if I rolled my 3rd gen but I would have to commit insurance fraud if I rolled a FJC.

And lastly, the 3rd gen was not available in Simpson yellow which can be a huge hinderance when offroading.

(I'm not bashing the FJC, if my 97 got totalled tomorrow I would get an FJC)

 

Point taken but that thinking will kill the thread since your making the point moot since the 3rds aren't current. They're still more available than an FJ and at a 3rd of the cost. Over a half million were sold so let me know when the FJ hit half that.

I still don't see how current a vehicle is makes it more capable tho'. It's like say somebody getting beat in their ''07 Vette in the 1/4 by a '97 Supra but not acknowledging the Supra due to it not being "current".

Ok,let's compare 3rd gens to FJs please.

 

3rd gens all the way... not as plasticky (new word) and they have a real interior

 

In keeping with the "offroad" comparison.

After having alot of experience with both Im going to have to say the fjcruiser. Better geometry, and that 4wd system they have WORKS. The last few events ive been too the fjc trail team was there, which also attracts alot of newbies with their own fjc's. So I get to watch the newbs and the experts push these things and they are VERY impressive. It may not have a front locker but the 4wd system works so well that the drivers often turn off the rear locker. and I never saw 1 differential open up ever.

Even a friend of mine who has an fzj80 with the lockers and tried the fjc says that the fjc would spank his truck stock to stock.

BUT since I wouldnt be wheeling either Id rather be driving the 4runner. The fjc still looks too much like a gimick.

 

The 3rd gen at the moment has many more choices in mods and cheaper too.

 

If this is 3rd gen vs fjc, 3rd gen takes it IMO, it is not as wide or as heavy, it can still be had with an e-locker, it can be had with lower gearing, and it has better ground clearance. Also, and this is a big one, it won't have the rear axle issues the locked FJC might (based on the tacoma e-locker issues). The Atrac may bring it a bit farther in terms of performance, but that argument about whether you want to control the vehicle or you want the vehicle to drive for you is one for another day.

If it were a 4th gen 4runner vs an FJC the FJ takes it hands down IMO.

 

after wheeling with a few fjc's, i would have to say the 3rd gen. i am sorry, but if i got hung up on my front cross member at EVERY rock, i would get pissed in a hurry.

 

What's the FJs clearance at the rear pumpkin? I do have the slightly bigger tires and mine is at 10.5".

I too also would have bigger problems dealing with scratches on my new FJ if I owned one than I do with my 3rd gen but that has nothing to do with being capable.

 

Surprisingly, the pumpkin is almost not the lowest thing. That weird ass route of the exhaust pipe hangs down rediculously low. It is easy to fix, yes... but it is just begging for a rock to hang up on it.

 

This post is the best one I've read in this thread. Nails the subject down well. Is the new Crusier the best thing built, absolutely not but it's quite a good starting point.

 

x2

That man is a freaking awesome and an invaluable asset to this board

 

Well I guess this topic has been decided!

 

Stock to stock I would say FJ, but the tie rod ends and definitely the rear diffs in those things sure do appear to be really weak when compared to third gen 4Runners.