FJ's and kids

I wanted to get feed back from anyone that has an FJ and children. I am wondering how easy or hard the third door is to deal with while loading and unloading the kids. Ours are 7 and 11, my main concern is them getting in and out in tight parking lots. Also the rear seat location makes it seem claustrophobic back there with the walls and no windows. Has anyone had their kids complain about that?

 

Great question! I have to admit that the tight parking spots are fun with passengers in the back. You can only open them up with the front door open, so you end up with people between the two doors while trying to shut one. It's usually a funny scene. Kids have always enjoyed the back in my truck, but they were always a little older than yours. It was also easy for them to get in and out being on the skinnier side! I can promise you one thing though.....the back has more room than it seems and is actually pretty comfortable unlike my 93 taco extra cab where my knees were in the drivers back and were really uncomfortable.

 

The FJ isn't horrible with kids, but a 4Runner is waaaaaaay better.

 

Thanks. I looked at the specs closer and the FJ has half of the cargo space of the 4runner, plus the 3rd door seems like it's an issue. We looked at an FJ last night and our kids didn't like not having a window. It looks like we are going to sell our 2wd 4runner and buy a 4wd version. I recently parted with my tacoma and we need another 4wd in the stable.

 

All of the above is accurate. You will be fine while they are younger. But if you still have it in 4 or 5 years getting in and out will be a real pain when they are growing teenagers. My 16 year old daughter didn't enjoy getting in and out, my 18 year old 6' 225lbs son was not a fan at all.

 

We have a 5th gen t4r and an FJ. I don't have a problem getting my daughter in/out of the FJ. Imo it's easier as they get older since I can just toss her in from the side the seats instead of climbing in the opposide side and putting her in that way. I'm 5'-6" and 155#, my wifes 5'-5" and skinny do it's not a problem got us to climb back there and maneuver her into the seat. However I can see it being harder for a larger/taller person.

I found when I was getting in the opposite side with her when she could support her head obviously I would plop her on the seat before I climbed in/out. This takes a lot of the akwardness of holding a baby and trying to climb in/out away.

The T4R is super easy for loading/unloading. With the removable car seat I'm sure it could be done in an fj, but you'd probaly have to slide the front seat forward everytime you want to remove/load it. T4R jas a ton of room to remove/load the detachable car seat. I have a fixed base seat in my fj so it was never an issue for me.

T4R has a lot more space which you will need cause kids require a damn supply convoy to take them anywhere. FJ works fine too, just takes some planning when packing.

 

Damn didn't catch your kids were older. They can climb their own asses back there. I think the FJ is the way to go, just cause every soccer mom has a T4R, FJ's are much less common and are cooler imo.

 

I currently have a 3rd Gen Runner and an FJ.....both have their pluses....if you are a one car house get the Runner.....family comes first, it will be easier to get in and out and can carry a lot more. Fold down the rear seats and you have the room of a shortbed. The FJ can be your second car. Then another Taco as a third car. Good luck, ALL Toyota trucks are great and have great resale too.

 

My two younger kids, ages 3 and 6, definitely do not like riding in the back of my FJ. Older kid, 17, doesn't fit back there anyway. I just picked up a very clean 01 DCSB Tacoma and the kids definitely prefer it.

My FJ is for sale ('14 Trail Teams). I can use the cash out of that to finish my 01 Stepside build and start trying to build my DCSB out like Box Rocket's legendary truck. (Mine is gold too.)