Anybody gone from an FJ to a Tacoma 3rd Gen?

My FJ has 151k miles on it and will need a new clutch, tires, alternator, coolant flush and a new CV soon which will add up to quite a bit of money. I love the truck but just can't decide if to move on our not.

What's your thoughts on comparisons of the two? I keep hearing the auto trans stories and would likely go with the 6 speed manual which I have now in the FJ. Any thoughts on long term durability of the 3rd gen? Did they fix the howling control arms in the 2017's? Any other common issues I should be aware of? Really like the TRD double cab with the premium and tech package. Appreciate any thoughts thanks!

 

I had a pretty much decked out '08 FJ cruiser that I sold to get my '16 TRDOR (Double-cab, automatic). I miss the capability that I gave up from the FJ, both from the extensive modification but also the smaller wheelbase which I'll never be able to match. But I decided that I am more into overlanding/camping than straight rock-crawling so it evens out.

I made the trade in the late summer and I only just finished lifting my Tacoma finally so I'll be able to get on some trails and see how it performs in comparison to the FJ but frankly out here in Vegas you don't need that serious of a rig to get from A-to-B. There isn't any mud, hardly any water to ford. As long as you have tires built for sharp rocks and a lift to keep the belly off of them you're fine.

As far as the common issues go with the Tacoma I suppose I have a couple of them. Howling control arms (haven't fixed), bad vibes at 25mph (haven't fixed). They are frustrating but don't ruin my overall enjoyment of the truck. The 25mph vibe wouldn't even register with me if I didn't work on base where I have to drive exactly 25. That's super annoying but it isn't an issue outside of that.

What have you been doing with the FJ? What are your goals and how would the Tacoma affect them? In my case I bought the FJ so I could sleep inside of it without pitching a tent. Kinda worked but it was pretty cramped. Now with the Tacoma I cannot camp at all but I hope to get an RTT in the spring. Just an example.

 

Thanks my FJ has a 2.5" lift with 285's and that's about it...still very capable! I do some off roading but not a ton since it's my daily driver. I drive about 60 miles a day for work and the gas mileage is pretty piss poor going 80 MPH on the toll there and back. It's also become pretty loud with my TRD air intake and exhaust. What's the 25 mph vibration related to? The driveline I assume?

What's your thoughts in regards to power between the FJ 4.0 and the Tacoma 3.5? I also like having the ability to be able to put a few things in the back of the bed but I can fit quite a bit in the FJ surprisingly. Also been looking at 4Runners but might want to wait until the 2018 redesign. I live in CO so we get quite a bit of snow any ideas on handling there (obviously mostly tire related)...

 

I went from FJ to Tacoma to Tacoma to FJ to (soon another) Tacoma, but not directly in that order.

 

Keep the FJ
It's a classic

Has amazing capability

Plus 3 wiper = sexual gratification

 

I had two FJ's and a 4 Runner and aJeep Wrangler last. Im glad the Jeep Wrangler was my last vehicle because otherwise I would be more pissed. I really like my Tacoma but the transmission is annoying. Hunting for gears and feels sloppy. I have had the latest software update. Other than the trans, I love the truck.

 

How did the FJ compare to the Wrangler (reliability wise)?

 

I would take an FJ all day and twice on sunday. I didn't trust the Jeep long term, which is why I sold it. It was fun for a while but its a rough ride, noisy, and the engine starves for oil when you first start it. Bad design. But, unlike the Tacoma, I could check the trans fluid.

 

Makes sense

Its just that after the 4 door Wrangler came out, now EVERYONE has it. They are the new Toyota Corolla it seems like. Just didn't know if they are reliable, or t typical FCA product. One thing that I never understood, the Jeep is SUCH a simple vehicle. Wouldn't it essentially then be the MOST reliable car on the planet?

 

While I love my [second]Tacoma, I miss my FJ.
Tacoma is much more practical, and a bit quicker on the open road. Lower torque sometimes bothers me, but not a deal breaker.

Tacoma cant get the easy diff lock in 2/4Hi, but that's minor.
A 6MT truck will be RWD instead of full time 4wd like the FJ.
You'll get a better MPG's on highway for sure in the truck.
It just wins over for all the practical reasons.
I do miss the FJ though. So different.

If I got to do it all over again, I'd still pick the Tacoma.

 

I bought my TRD SE FJ new back in January of 07. It currently has 75,000 miles on it and is heavily modded. I ordered a 17 Tacoma TRD Off Road which the dealer told me today would be in in about a week. I am keeping the FJ. Both my neighbors have 2016 TRD Tacoma's and love them. They also both had FJ's and loved them. One kept his and the other traded it in on the 16 Tacoma. Personally I would keep it. Love my FJ and its my camping and off roading rig.

 

For the FJ owners, does the rear seat have enough legroom for adults?

Do you have to open the front door to open the rear suicide door?

 

There is plenty of leg room in the back and you do have to open the front door to open the suicide rear door on the FJ.

 

Thank you kindly Steve

 

still waiting on a new tacoma, but had an FJ for a while and miss it. 6MT, easily upgrade able, and the permanent 4WD was a cool touch. One thing I didnt like was the plastic that was softer than single ply tissue paper and looked like a battlefield after putting some gear in the back-- tacoma from what Ive seen in the showrooms is much better at this. Also didnt miss the low capacity fuel tank. Other than that, it was a top notch vehicle that went everywhere and did everything. Fun too-- so so fun trekking the mountains during ski season.

 

If you need a clutch I have a full kit with the throw out bearing SS output shaft upgrade kit, oversize throwout bearing, and rear main seal. Traded my FJ in before I installed it, it's all brand new in the box. PM me, it's been sitting in my garage for 6 months, I'll make you a good deal on it.

 

Thanks I will let you know what I end up doing what brand is the clutch?

 

I had my FJ for 4 years and loads of trips all over the U.S. and into the mountains out here. Hit serious trails and it never once left me stranded.

That being said it was in and out of the shop with as much frequency as any other vehicle I've had. Steering rack TSB, tons of wheel balances, cat replaced, engine pulled to replace timing chain tensioner pulley that failed, etc. I got a LOT of use out of my warranty.

The FJ was unique, the short wheel base was fantastic, and the build quality just left it feeling really solid. The automatic transmission is the smoothest I've ever had and the 1GRFE was a strong motor. The blind spots were frustrating even after years of thinking I was used to them, and while rear leg room was ok for passengers, anyone in the back seat hates it (they have to look out of little port hole windows). Suicide door wasn't a big problem for me, but now having a true 4 doors is really great when I'm parked in between other vehicles. The rear storage area is missed though when I want to haul gear but don't want it to get freezing cold.

The new Tacoma is just a more gratifying vehicle to own and drive for me. The 6MT is frustrating a little bit due to the shift points, but I drive slow anyways so its fine. The 3.5 is a strong motor, you just have to wind it up more than the 4.0. Suspension is great on my Off-Road, my music sounds better, and the display has a lot of nice features. Qi charging is a novelty that works "ok" but I imagine will get better as tech improves.

The FJ's 4x4 felt better in the snow, but thats a balance of better weight distribution and aftermarket tires. The Tacoma with some weight in the back is plenty capable. Tacoma is way quieter on road and I am getting very similar gas mileage (20-23MPG on stock sized tires).

I think its great that you came here looking for feedback, and not advice. Lots of guys who switch back and forth between these two vehicles - the truth is I wish I could have kept the FJ and gotten the Tacoma too. It all ends up just being about what you prefer, they are both fantastic.

 

Wow your FJ sounds like a lemon!!!!

 

I like to call it "Frustratingly reliable", in that it never failed to get where I was going, but usually had something frustrating going on.

People that get lemons usually want to get rid of their vehicle after it has trouble, but that FJ took on crazy challenges off road, towed trailers cross country, got me through some crazy weather, and left me with a lot of great memories. I'd have taken a trouble free one from the get-go, but thats not what I got. Stuck with it anyways and am happy I did. I got almost 85% of what I paid for it new when I sold it, too.

It was a good lesson in sticking with something if its getting the job done, even if it makes it hard to love a lot of the time.