Brian (McCammish, not Gallus) you crack me up. The new "FJ Cruiser" (which is what they are calling it) is nothing but hype. Spin it any way you want, it is not an off road machine. Rack and pinion steering, IFS (with no lockers or gears available), and poor visibility are not the hot set up. Can it be made to work? Sure, there are some good components. I don't see this going anywhere that Monteros and Grand Cherokees cannot tread though.
Remember when the Supra was a fun, affordable sports car before it got bloated, heavy, gadget laden, and expensive? The same thing is happening now with Toyotas trucks and SUVs...
Harry,
Did you miss the part about how it comes with a rear locker, 6 speed manual, and 32" tires? The redesigned 8" front 4Runner diff and relocated rack and pinion that is superior to the older Tacoma/4runner design? (Believe me, I'm no rack and pinion fan either)
I don't think you realize that you and I completely agree in a lot of ways. I am dissapointed in the FJ in a lot of ways. Not the least of which is the styling, the interior and the name, but it's a start in the right direction. Especially after we were just sacked with a C-channel framed oversized Tacoma, that we're going to have to live with for another 10 years.
When I compare the LC100 or the 4Runner, I'm comparing it to current models in it's "class" offered here in this country. I'm also taking into consideration modifications that would need to be done. For example, a bit of a lift, taller tires, and lockers.
I'm not praising the set ups as a factory off road package, like the Rubicon and the Powerwagon obviously are. I'm praising them as a very beefy base, with strong frames and suspensions, that could be built up into a very capable dual purpose rig. A long distance trip rig / and a decent off roader.
If you think that I think a factory LC100 or 4Runner can outdo the likes of the Rubicon off road, that's not what I'm say. Even a factory LC80 had major short comings. The running boards need to come off, they need a lift and they need taller tires, before they are really capable.
I like the FJ in that it appears it might be a good base rig to build on. But I completely agree, it's not Rubicon killer. It's not a rock crawler. On the flip side, no one is going to use the Rubicon as an long distance expedition
rig. It lacks any real load capacity for starters. Ultra low T-cases don't work well in the desert, etc.
I think the problem here is that we are comparing rigs that are in totally different classes and used for different types of off roading.
