Coming from an FJ

Hi all I'm in the market for my first Tacoma. May buy used maybe new depending on deals/incentives, excited to see what Toyota changes about incentives on April 1.

What I'm curious about is, I did a bunch of work on my FJ and most, if not all stock stuff was pre wired, some options only needed the button installed where there was a spacer. Is the Tacoma the same way? If I get package A over B can I self add some of the options back pretty easily? Trying to figure out what options I want if i decide to buy new, and what is easy to add later.

In terms of exterior options, that stuff is a no brainier, easy to upgrade/replace. I'm more curious technology, A-trac, rear diff, fog lights, stereo, climate control...

As an aside anyone know if my rock rails will fit?

 

I have no clue regarding answers to your questions. But I seriously miss my FJ. Really like my Taco, but seriously seriously miss the FJ. Two totally different vehicles. Driving experience is different, visibility is different, interior is different, luxury is different. The whole mindset is different. If I could have justified 4 vehicles, I might have kept the FJ.

 

Former FJ owner here, '08 6MT. To answer your question, no. If you buy a model without the rear locker, there is no way to wire into a non existent thing. I have a base OR and the wiring for say heated seats can be easily added, but since some tacos have auto climate control, the climate controls and wiring is different. I know on my FJ, it lacked the incline gauge on the dash, but the wiring was in the dash for one. Not much like that on the taco unfortunately.

No clue on the rock rails, but I doubt they will fit. The rails on a taco differ from long bed to short bed, and access cab to double cab.

 

Miss my FJ too. Was an extra vehicle and just couldn't justify having it take up space in the garage. My wife quickly filled that space with a convertible camaro she's put 15K miles on in 3 years. Oh well.

 

Thanks for the info, I appreciate the insights!

 

ATRAC is a different brake booster and computer. You can’t really add it. Rear diff is mechanical, you would have to replace the diff and add the wiring as well. Climate control uses a different computer, actuators, etc.

 

A-TRAC only comes on Manual Transmission Off Road and Pro.

 

I’ve found the traction control even without atrac can be pretty darn smart. It’s kicked in and in some instances have not had to use the locker on my auto 4x4 OR.

 

Sorry I can't help with your questions either but I also miss my FJ sometimes. They are pretty unique vehicles.
But, I still love my Taco and I am driving it a lot more!
My old FJ, right before a camping trip a few years ago...

 

atrac is the foundation of the crawl control and MTS systems on the automatics. They use software to manipulate the atrac system

 

Correct, almost like some sort of an Automatic version of A-TRAC

 

Good Looking FJ Here is mine sitting in the garage and no place to go camping.

 

X2

 

I have nothing constructive to add to this thread however.........


A lady at work has an FJ. She has abused that poor vehicle far more than I've ever personally witnessed before and likely never will in the future. It refuses to die. She drove around for 2 weeks with no oil showing on the dip stick. Refused, yes REFUSED, to add oil and/or get the oil changed. Only failure was the rear main seal let go. The mechanic she took it to supposedly cleaned a bunch of sludge and crud out of the oil pan. The damn thing still runs fine 3 years later. Yes you read that right. She does virtually no maintenance to the poor FJ. Tires are perpetually flat, going flat or are bald. Has never to the best of my knowledge flushed the coolant system as another example. She does literally nothing to it but put gas in it. Yet the thing still starts up and takes her where she needs to go everyday. That FJ sold me on the dependability and reliability of Toyotas. And it's not a money issue for maintenance either. She makes $50k and her husband makes $100k. In my locale $50k is a very good wage. She simply does not care.

 

How sad

 

The cool thing is, they offered FJ with a MT. I dont understand why they couldnt offer MT on a 4R, it is the same drivetrain. They only offered MT with older 4Runners.

 

Yeah i think the last 4R Manual was around 2000 or 2001.

 

Keep your FJ if you can. I took my first born home in it from the hospital and hope to pass it on to him when he's ready to drive in 5 years. There's just something about it. Something I can't explain. With it being a 13 year old vehicle, I'm still getting compliments.

 

The MT in my FJ is what lead me to completely ignore the option when getting my Taco. I loved my FJ, but 90% of the problems I had with that truck revolved around the tranny. I would have probably kept the thing if it had the 5 speed.

 

I would have seriously considered a new 4R with MT, when i was shopping for my taco. My dad has 2 and he loves them. I do use my bed quite a bit though. Sometimes i think i need a trailer, i beat up my box pretty good already. Too many dump runs , haha!