>>Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser
Manufacturer	Hino Motors
Production	2007–present
Assembly	Hamura, Japan
Class	Compact SUV
Body style(s)	2-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Toyota Hi-Lux platform
Engine(s)	4.0 L 1GR-FE V6
Transmission(s)	6-speed manual (4WD only) 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.9 in / 2690 mm
Length	183.9 in / 4671 mm
Width	74.6 in / 1895 mm
Height	71.3 in / 1800 mm (2WD) 72.0 in / 1819 mm (4WD)
Curb weight	4050 lb / 1837 kg (2WD) 4290 lb / 1946 kg (4WD manual) 4295 lb / 1948 kg (4WD automatic)
Fuel capacity	19.0 US gal / 72 L
Related	Toyota Hi-Lux Toyota 4Runner Toyota Land Cruiser Toyota Mega Cruiser Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota FJ Cruiser (FJC) is a retro-style compact SUV produced by Toyota introduced as a concept at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show and in production form at the following North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in early 2006 as a 2007 model and features styling reminiscent of the original Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers from the 1960s (particularly the front fascia and wrap around rear windows), and is based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, which is also used by the 4Runner. The FJ cruiser was not originally intended for production but due to enormous consumer response about the car following the North American International Auto Show, production eventually began in early 2006. All FJ Cruisers are built by Hino Motors in Hamura, Japan.

Market placement

The FJ Cruiser competes with the Nissan Xterra, Hummer H3, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Dodge Nitro. Base pricing is between US$ 22,110 and US $24,145 ([2]). At 183.9 inches in length, the FJ Cruiser is the longest compact SUV offered in North America, slotting between the smaller RAV4 (181.1 in. overall length; originally rumored to be replaced by the FJ Cruiser) and the mid-size Highlander (184.6 in. overall length).

The addition of the FJ Cruiser adds a sixth SUV in Toyota's American lineup, meaning Toyota will have two compact SUVs (the RAV4 and FJ Cruiser), two mid-size SUVs (Highlander and 4Runner), and two full-size SUVs (Sequoia and Land Cruiser). One in each category is biased for on-road use, while the other caters to more off-road enthusiasts (though the Sequoia and Land Cruiser are body-on-frame SUVs, the Sequoia is generally more car-like). It is also Toyota's only current vehicle to use the name Toyota spelled out across the grille instead of the corporate emblem, a nod to the classic FJ40 and Land Cruiser family and to older Toyotas before the introduction of the Toyota emblem in the early 1990s. This off-road vehicle usually attracts young buyers that want a sporty vehicle that is built for the off-road terrain.

Specifications

Engine

The FJ Cruiser uses the 4.0L 1GR-FE DOHC V6 with VVT-i, rated at 239 hp (178 kW) at 5200 rpm, and 278 lb-ft (377 N·m of torque at 2700 rpm. It is the same engine that is used in the Tacoma and 4Runner. Premium fuel is recommended to produce the fuel efficiency that is officially reported by Toyota, though actual efficiency varies based on a variety of conditions.

Drivetrains

• 5-speed A750E automatic transmission (on rear-wheel drive models)
• 5-speed A750F automatic transmission with VF2A transfer case (on Part-time 4x4 models)
• 6-speed RA61F manual transmission with VF4B transfer case and limited slip differential (on Full-time 4x4 models)

Suspension

The FJ Cruiser uses a high-mounted, double-wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar, and a 4-link rear suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The 120-series Land Cruiser Prado shares the same suspension parts.

Brakes

The FJ Cruiser uses power-assisted 4-piston front/2-piston rear ventilated disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. also equipped with vsc (vehicle stability control).

Features

The 2007 FJ Cruiser was available in 5 colors - "Sun Fusion" (yellow), "Black Cherry" (dark magenta), "Titanium Metallic" (silver), "Black Diamond" (black), and "Voodoo Blue" (blue). Available options and packages include:

• Convenience Package - a remote keyless entry system; cruise control; power outside mirrors with illuminated markers; rear privacy glass; rear wiper; rear intuitive parking assist; and daytime running lights.

• Upgrade Package 1 - 17-in., 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70R17 tires with exterior rear-door mounted full-size spare; Active Traction Control (4WD only); electronically locking rear differential; 115V, 400w power outlet; AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA playback capability, and 8 speakers; exterior color-keyed door trim inserts; multi-information display floating ball type (with inclinometer, compass, and temperature); leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls; and aluminum brush transmission lever and transfer lever (on 4WD models).

• Upgrade Package 2 - similar to Upgrade Package 1, except the stereo includes a subwoofer with off switch.

• Other options include driver and front passenger front-seat mounted side airbags and front- and second-row side curtain airbags.

There are a number of accessories available to the FJ Cruiser, including such things as running boards, rock rails, roof rack, front skid plate, brush guard, Garmin portable navigation device, spare tire cover, passenger-side armrest, dash applique, tow hitch, cargo mats, and cargo net.

TRD Special Edition

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is also producing a limited-production "TRD Special Edition" FJ Cruiser, which includes such things as a TRD performance exhaust, TRD air filter, upgraded suspension components (TRD/Bilstein off-road tuned shocks, painted red), rock rails, and TRD badges. The TRD Special Edition is available only in an all-black paint scheme, and includes a black roof (instead of the traditional white), as well as 16-inch gun-metal gray finish wheels (instead of the traditional 17-inch bright aluminum), including the spare.

The TRD Special Edition includes mechanical changes to synchronize the locking differential with the active traction control (resulting in the rear differential no longer overriding the active traction), which enables the FJ Cruiser to navigate through difficult off-road terrain.

Production numbers for the TRD Special Edition are limited to 3,200 units for the 2007 model year. Base price for the TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser is approximately US $23,735 (manual transmission) and US $24,145 (automatic transmission), with the TRD Special Edition package carrying a US $7,265 premium on manual transmission models, and US $7,250 for automatic models, for a total MSRP of approximately US $31,000 for manual transmission models and US $31,395 for automatic transmission models.

2008 Model Year Changes

The 2008 model received only minor changes. 3 new colours were added: BRICK [02JX,03R8](Red), SANDSTORM [02JY,04U0](Beige) and ICEBERG [00580(White). The Iceberg (like all models), still has a white roof. The color Black Cherry Pearl (03P0) is discontinued. Added for 2008 to all models: Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags and Roll-Sensing Front and Rear Head / Side curtain airbags. Engine Immobilizer, Rear Window Wiper/Washer, Front Seat Side Sun Visors, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Integrated Remote in Key.

The "B" package has been renamed "Off-Road package", and now includes P265/75R16 BFG Rugged Trail tires on alloy rims as well as Bilstein shock absorbers. The temperature/compass/inclinometer cluster that was previously on available in the "C" package also included. On US models, the roof rack is no longer included, but is available as a dealer add-on. Canadian models retain the roof rack. Other features from the 2007 "B" package are unchanged.

Canadian "C" package now receives SubWoofer to the FJammer Audio system, which was unavailable in Canada previously.

Potential Problems

A small handful of FJ's have shown little bulges that may turn into stress cracks on the inner-finder in the engine bay, with no cause being readily apparent. At least 180 FJ Cruisers are known to have this problem (with more likely to be unidentified due to the location of the affected area), out of the production run of over 60,000 FJ Cruisers. Some Toyota dealerships have been fixing this issue by replacing the affected panels, while others have denied customers' warranty claims, attributing the problem to inappropriate off-road use. Some dealers have recently informed customers that Toyota itself is aware of the problem and is working on a permanent solution, but that since replaced panels have shown repeated tearing, no definitive solution exists.

Sales

Monthly U.S. sales

Jun 2008	May 2008	Apr 2008	Mar 2008	Feb 2008	Jan 2008	Dec 2007	Nov 2007	Oct 2007	Sep 2007	Aug 2007	Jul 2007
								4,164	4,544	4,802	4,128
Jun 2007	May 2007	Apr 2007	Mar 2007	Feb 2007	Jan 2007	Dec 2006	Nov 2006	Oct 2006	Sep 2006	Aug 2006	Jul 2006
4,483	4,639	4,587	6,057	5,040	4,948	5,849	5,459	5,334	5,546	6,259	6,309
Jun 2006	May 2006	Apr 2006	Mar 2006	Feb 2006	Jan 2006	Dec 2005	Nov 2005	Oct 2005	Sep 2005	Aug 2005	Jul 2005
6,366	6,670	5,649	2,784	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Monthly Canada sales

Jun 2007	May 2007	Apr 2007	Mar 2007	Feb 2007	Jan 2007	Dec 2006	Nov 2006	Oct 2006	Sep 2006	Aug 2006	Jul 2006
	492		515				528
Jun 2006	May 2006	Apr 2006	Mar 2006	Feb 2006	Jan 2006	Dec 2005	Nov 2005	Oct 2005	Sep 2005	Aug 2005	Jul 2005
388				N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Image gallery

A Voodoo Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser with optional roof rack	A Sun Fusion Yellow Toyota FJ Cruiser with optional equipment negotiating some snowy terrain.	A Voodoo Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser at the Blue Diamond Dam in Las Vegas, Nevada.	A Titanium Metallic FJ Cruiser negotiating an offroad trail at Uwharrie National Forest, NC (a couple of aftermarket parts are shown).
1GR-FE 4.0L V6 which produces 236 hp	A Sun Fusion Toyota FJ Cruiser with optional running boards	A Voodoo Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser with aftermarket nerf bars	A modified Toyota FJ Cruiser with suspension lift, roof rack, steel bumpers, and mud terrain tires
2006 MillenWorks vehicle used in the Baja 1000 off-road race