2015 Taco VS 2014 FJC

Yes, I know one is a small SUV and one a light pickup truck but since they are from the same company with many of the same or similar parts, I had to do a review on weaknesses and strengths. So, with approximately the same miles, lets review.

Engines, sorry Taco, you lose, what was Toyota doing when they stuck with the older 4.0 when the updated engine was available? Quieter, MUCH more responsive, better pedal feel, the Taco feels like an inch of ''HUH?" before the engine gets it through it's head that the driver wants more go. Big plus goes to the older engine oil filter design and drain though. The FJ 4.0 is the engine the 2016 should have gone to.

Transmission, yes, same transmission but the Taco seems to ease through the gearing a bit ''slushier,'' not bad in city driving, the FJ wins off road for firm shifts. FJ feels far quicker on road though 0-60 times are likely not that far apart.

NVH, FJ=Abrams Tank, Taco=Bradley, seriously, the FJ feels like a vault compared to the Taco, road noise, frame judder and flex, night and day, the Taco feels under shocked for some reason [TRDORDC Taco], I guess I attribute that to coil and link suspension VS leaf sprung. [in rear] I am shocked at how well a short wheelbase SUV that can actually off road can ride on road.

Steering, FJ wins, weighted better for some reason, tilt wheel is Taco, dark ages, FJ, computer age. What was Toyota doing not going to a far superior system when it was in the system?

Towing, Taco, simply due to longer WB, it tracks a bit better.

Brakes, FJ's are a bit grabbier then the Taco, why Toyota didn't use rear discs when the axle was there [just put leaf perches on it], don't know but in overall normal driving, you honestly can't tell, hard repeated braking, I'm sure the lesser heat dissapation of drums would show up.

Radio, Toss up, F Jammer, better sound, larger controls, weaker display, can wash in daylight. Both [mid level systems] barely adequate with pretty much anything on the market today, my 18 year old GMC Sonoma's sound system is better, sad to say.

Interior, one's a pickup, one a small SUV but remove the rear seats and it is cavernous inside the FJ, TONS of front seat room, if you can't fit up front, you should be a center in the NBA. Like the FJ driver front glovebox, like the Taco's armrest storage. Access is Taco win, especially if you have kids. No kids, yank the FJ seats and start packing for a month long trip, you have the room. FJ has choice of vinyl floors and vinyl, on both, the factory floor mats are cheap [not if you buy them] and useless, aftermarket is 100X better, both have Weathertech mats.

Fit and finish, one is made in Japan, one in the US or Mexico. Trust me, it shows and you can feel it right down to how the interior seals when you shut the doors. Toyota overall needs better frame coatings and rust treatments. Cheapass dime store paint applied poorly doesn't cut it, especially when you have come so far with how well the actual body stands up over time.

Economy, within a mile or 2 of each other, most likely a wash.

Fun factor, FJ, it really is a blast to drive, bit harder to see out of but nowhere as bad as people try to claim, Taco is more practical, especially if one carries a lot of stuff or will tow a light trailer. I like transfer case levers VS dials though the FJ still have some electronic crap controlled by the lever.

I like them both but it's amazing how much more refined the FJC is over the Taco drivability wise when they had more time for the 2nd gen Taco, they also updated the FJC far better a few years into production, something I could never understand them not doing with the Taco, especially since they could pretty much sell every one they could make and updating it in spots would have likely meant more demand and a happier customer base.

The crawl works well in the FJ, don't know why they didn't offer it in the TRDOR package Tacos until 2016.

The FJ is so ugly it wins in the looks department.

 

Alright

 

I have a rash on my nuts, I'm pretty sure it's because I was at the beach yesterday and experienced some chaffing. What's your opinion OP?

 

Prepubesent, some day your skin will become tougher and you won't chafe so much, in the meantime, my GF says skin so soft will help.

 

Win.

Nice comparison OP. The biggest difference is that the Taco outsells the FJC 10:1 (maybe more). It's going to sell regardless of how shitty it is because Taco fanboys will buy them. Toyota has nothing to gain buy actually trying.

 

Which Taco? Brakes feel is different between sport and OR.

 

True, the FJC is no more worldwide after this year.

I was just contemplating all the upgrades the older FJC had that, even though Toyota had the parts in the system, they refused to refresh the Taco before 2016. [and on some, even on the 2016 model.]

Some of them really would have been nice, the tilt wheel is one, even in the 1960s, the Taco's would have been antiquated.

 

TRDOR.

 

I've driven my uncle's 2007 FJ a few times and never felt a difference between FJ and Tacoma brakes although there is a noticeable difference between OR and Sport/SR5 brakes. Dual VVTi is a bit peppier in my opinion.

 

The fjc is the fat chick you bang when no one is looking.

 

I'm sure Goggle Earth caught you>>>> just sayin. Not safe anywhere to bang a fat chick dude.

 

Hey, I happen to like fat chicks.

 

There are many shades of fat. "Curvy" "Firm-Fat" and "Pleasantly Plump" are good to go in my books.