FJ Cruiser - 4WDOFTY - but is it any good off road?

[outdoorgaz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close outdoorgaz]

Have a look

http://youtu.be/rN4fpcTollc

[michaelweare Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close michaelweare]

Hey Gaz, it's amazing what a Prado engine and transmission can do hey?

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Funny how the yellow stock one went everywhere the others went. The black one with the huge tyres seemed to be over tyred and lacking grip.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Funny how the yellow stock one went everywhere the others went. The black one with the huge tyres seemed to be over tyred and lacking grip.

Would the larger tyres reduce the amount of pressure on the track surface so it lacks grip?

[outdoorgaz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close outdoorgaz]

The driver in the black one was deliberately trying all the harder lines, but it was still pretty amazing to see the stock suspension and tyres get up everything as well with good line selection and throttle control.

... and yes Michael, the Prado running gear in an FJ body goes very well

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

I think the FJ Cruiser is more off road capable in stock form than any Prado ever produced and has more potential for hard core mods too. The only stock Prado that might give it a run for its money would be one of the Euro spec 90/95 series Prados with a factory rear locker. Later Prados (120's especially) lack clearance.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

this makes for a good read.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25784E0004DD4B

basically its all about clearance and overhangs on old Prado running gear... But give me a new Prado with a 40 mm lift kit and some thought to front and rear overhang any day. You need to be able to live with it on a daily basis, not sure I could.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I think the FJ Cruiser is more off road capable in stock form than any Prado ever produced and has more potential for hard core mods too. The only stock Prado that might give it a run for its money would be one of the Euro spec 90/95 series Prados with a factory rear locker. Later Prados (120's especially) lack clearance.

Do stock FJ's have more clearance ?...

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

problem is with such a small stock tank you better hope that there is a servo near by when you go off road

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Do stock FJ's have more clearance ?...

Yes. On paper, it has slightly less than the 90 series but I recon that is made up for by having fewer low hanging sprung items (Aux and main tanks for example).

They also have 32" (265/70/R17) tyres standard and the wheel arches are much bigger so will more easily accommodate larger tyres.

[Guest Close Guest]

problem is with such a small stock tank you better hope that there is a servo near by when you go off road

You can replace the main tank with 95L long Ranger tanks and then add another one where the rear tank is on the Prados.

They also have 32" (265/70/R17) tyres standard and the wheel arches are much bigger so will more easily accommodate larger tyres.

Yes, another thing to like on the FJs. You can stay legal will all the offroad tyres in that size. Oh and the bigger approach, departure and ramp over angles - the latter due to the shorter wheelbase.

And the hinges on the rear door is very strong but it opens the wrong way.

[outdoorgaz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close outdoorgaz]

this makes for a good read.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25784E0004DD4B

basically its all about clearance and overhangs on old Prado running gear... But give me a new Prado with a 40 mm lift kit and some thought to front and rear overhang any day. You need to be able to live with it on a daily basis, not sure I could.

The writer has a few things wrong ... its 2wd around town then engage 4wd when needed off road. The fuel economy is much better than he says - for me about 12.5 around town. The only downside I find, is the suicide doors in car parks, but when camping they are great. I had a 90 series Prado for 11 years prior to getting the FJ.

With regard to small fuel tank of 72lts, easy to add an extra 120lts and you still have $13k to spend on mods before you get to the price of the cheapest Prado.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

The writer has a few things wrong ... its 2wd around town then engage 4wd when needed off road. The fuel economy is much better than he says - for me about 12.5 around town. The only downside I find, is the suicide doors in car parks, but when camping they are great. I had a 90 series Prado for 11 years prior to getting the FJ.

With regard to small fuel tank of 72lts, easy to add an extra 120lts and you still have $13k to spend on mods before you get to the price of the cheapest Prado.

I'd say you miss out on more than $13k of equipment though...

Horses for courses really: if you can deal without a diesel and rear seats etc I'm sure it's great.

[outdoorgaz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close outdoorgaz]

I'd say you miss out on more than $13k of equipment though...

Horses for courses really: if you can deal without a diesel and rear seats etc I'm sure it's great.

Who needs carpet?
They are both great vehicles .... glad to see you are enjoying yours woolly.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Who needs carpet?
They are both great vehicles .... glad to see you are enjoying yours woolly.

I'd kill for carpet in my ute. It makes everything so much more civilized haha.

If I could afford to have my ute (or the new ttdv8), the prado, and an fjc. I'd definitely have all three maybe one day...