When all the XJ's run out.. with you buy an FJ Cruiser?

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stephenspann27

NAXJA Forum User
Location
College Station, Tx
I've been thinking about what i"ll buy when I finally get sick of patching my XJ ( if that day ever comes).

Some pros:The FJ Cruiser gets similar MPG.. electronic locking rear diff. Toyota resale value.. rubber floor/rugged interior, can fit large tires stock.. or with mild lift, spare tire mounted outside of vehicle, I like the blue color.. healthy motor.

Some cons are: IFS.. poor visibility (blind spots) Toyota resale value (they are freaking expensive even used) Girls drive them. Trendy interior that will eventually go "out of style." Timeless exterior design? Or is it another retro throw back vehicle that will look very silly one day. Heavy.
 
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Maybe... maybe. But I'll be putting a straight front axle in it.

I've been toying with a few ideas, my next vehicle is likely to be an MJ, an M715, an M35, or I might just build one from scratch if I suddenly find myself with a lot of time. I likely will buy one of the above before I retire the XJ (if I ever do that for some reason.)
 
stephenspann27 said:
will look very silly one day.
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I think you answered your own question. I went on Rubithon this past summer in a four runner and followed one of these up Cadillac Hill. I was less than impressed.

If and when the XJ supply runs out (my guess is our club will also) look at the TJ. There are plenty of those in the used car market that have not even had the TC shifted.
 
Pbbbbbftt If I get rid of my XJ it'd be for a 1st gen Tracker, 4Runner, 90's Land Cruiser, or something else that I have forgotten about. The FJ is ugly, expensive, and ugly. I don't care if it's IFS, I wheeled two IFS vehicles before the XJ and both went where I wanted them to, a locker would've been helpful though.
EDIT: Boatwrench reminded me of the TJ Unlimited. I'd do that. Or a TJ and do the AEV Brute conversion...
 
No. I hate IFS as well.

I hear good things about the motor, but its big and its heavy. One thing I like the most about the XJ is that it is very light compared other vehicles its size.

Also, how many more years do you think your XJ has? People still wheel CJs from the mid 80s, so thats 25+ years. I have an 00 XJ, so maybe I can wheel it till 2025?

Perhaps some other vehicle will come across that I will like better before then. Right now the best replacement is looking like a JK.
 
The CJ had a frame and now has aluminum or fiberglass replacement tubs to fix all the rusty ones. The XJ tends to start cracking and falling apart after too many yrs of hard wheeling, and when the body goes bad, you're screwed.
 
My next wheeler will be a JK and drop a Hemi in it (or a diesel). There are plenty of aftermarket goodies for the JK, the unlimited has plenty of interior room, and a swap to a heavier front axle will be as easy as it is in a XJ. In fact, many of the same swaps will work.

I have my next rig sitting in my driveway if the day comes I can't keep my Heep running. Its a 08 JK Sahara.
 
CherBear said:
No. I hate IFS as well.

I hear good things about the motor, but its big and its heavy. One thing I like the most about the XJ is that it is very light compared other vehicles its size.

Also, how many more years do you think your XJ has? People still wheel CJs from the mid 80s, so thats 25+ years. I have an 00 XJ, so maybe I can wheel it till 2025?

Perhaps some other vehicle will come across that I will like better before then. Right now the best replacement is looking like a JK.
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Mine is an '87.. Living in Texas I don't have to worry about rust.. just worry about uni body fatigue and wiring crapping out. I'm also at 265k miles.. Every component has its limit on how long it will last and I will be reaching that limit on more and more parts as times goes on.
 
Not a fan of the FJ Cruiser. My first choice would be '94-'97 Toyota FZJ Land Cruiser. Solid axles front and rear, coil springs all around, factory lockers, torquey I-6 like our XJs... very capable and comfortable right out of the box.

Second choice would be a 4 door JK with a Hemi. :D
 
LJ would be my XJs replacement. Or a 4door JK.
 
Brad M. said:
Not a fan of the FJ Cruiser. My first choice would be '94-'97 Toyota FZJ Land Cruiser. Solid axles front and rear, coil springs all around, factory lockers, torquey I-6 like our XJs... very capable and comfortable right out of the box.

Second choice would be a 4 door JK with a Hemi. :D
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Not a bad idea on the Land Cruiser.. they are kinda long though..

Shorter than the JK unlimited though..
 
My dad's got an FJ, it's nice but I still prefer my XJ to it. The seats sit low, dash is to high and the A-pillar is HUGE, almost as big as the new WKs.

I think I'll try and find M998.
 
I'll never buy another vehicle that I need to pass emissions. If that means I need to drive old (pre-OBD2) diesels and have a green-stickered buggy, then that's what I'll do. I won't give the state one more dime of my money than they deserve.
 
The fj is the most god awful vehicle... it is ifs, plastic, ugly, and toyota. Enough said.


I'd only rock a wj, (I love my dad's) Lj, or 2 door jk.
 
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