10 Things Every Enthusiast Should Know About the Toyota FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser Was Based on the Land Cruiser Prado

The Land Cruiser Prado is a smaller version of the full-sized Land Cruiser that is sold in most countries, but not in the U.S.A. In America, it is rebadged as the Lexus GX and has different bumpers and a more luxurious interior. It is a capable off-roader; therefore, there is no wonder why Toyota chose it as a base for the FJ.

In the FJ, the wheelbase was shortened to provide a better breakover angle. The 4.0-liter engine and five-speed transmission was also found in the 4Runner. When it was sold new, Toyota claimed it was the most capable 4×4 in its lineup which is a big statement when you consider the number of 4×4 Toyotas that are available.

It Was Available as a Six-Speed Manual

New vehicles, and especially ones sold in the U.S. market, very rarely offer the option of a manual transmission. However, the FJ being the unique vehicle that it was, could also be purchased in such a configuration.

There is something cool about an old-school-looking Toyota 4×4 that is offered in a manual and since not many of them were sold, such FJ Cruisers can now sell for a high price tag.

The FJ Cruiser Had Clamshell Rear Doors

The clamshell rear doors of the FJ Cruiser were both a blessing and a curse. They made the vehicle extremely unique but were a pain to operate. If you approach the car with shopping bags or when dropping off the kids at school, you first need to open the front door before opening the rear one. This may be one of the main reasons the FJ Cruiser didn’t sell all that well.

Old-School Body-Colored Dashboard and Door Panels

Just like the old FJ40, the FJ Cruiser has a body-colored dashboard and door panels. In the FJ40, the doors and dashboard were color-matched due to the lack of door cards and a proper dashboard. However, in the FJ Cruiser, the color match comes in the form of plastic trim which is to be expected.

It Featured a Compass Inclinometer and Pitch and Roll Indicator

If you are a fan of old Japanese 4x4s you will recall that many of them had a unit that displayed a compass, inclinometer, and pitch and roll indicator sitting on top of the dashboard. This is a cool feature that has died over the years, but Toyota brought it back in the FJ which further increased the uniqueness of the interior.

Three Windshield Wipers and a Near Vertical Windshield

In an era obsessed with aerodynamics, the FJ is an outlaw. It had three exposed wipers to help clean the short and near vertical windshield giving the sense that you are driving a military vehicle.

It Looks Unlike Anything Else on the Road

If you have a close look, the design team from Toyota had done a great job of incorporating the styling of the FJ40 in a modern way. The front end has the distinct round headlights, the big Toyota logo on the grill, and the side markers which sit right next to the fenders. Of course, the new vehicle is more rounded; however, the FJ40 design hints are obvious.

The FJ Cruiser Was Immensely Capable Off-Road

The FJ Cruiser featured Toyota’s A-TRAC traction control system and a rear diff lock which meant that finding traction off-road was no issue. In addition to that, it had the best approach, departure, and breakover angles of any vehicle in Toyota’s lineup. It really was a model that had very similar intentions to the ones Ford had a few months ago when developing the new Bronco.

It Had Rubberized Floors

When was the last time you saw an SUV with rubberized floors? We bet it’s been a few years. It may sound cheap and unappealing; however, anyone who loves off-roading will know that a rubberized floor is a blessing. You can get inside the car with muddy shoes, and it’s no issue as the floor is easy to clean. Also, if you happen to get a bit too excited and fill the interior with water while you are stuck in a mud puddle there is no need to worry. You just give the floor a good clean and you are good to go – no soggy carpets to deal with here.

The FJ Cruiser was Never Meant to be Produced

Toyota showcased the FJ Cruiser at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show as a concept that was never really meant to make it to production. However, the reaction of people all around the world was positive; therefore, the company decided to go ahead with the project. The FJ was turned from a concept to a production model in just three years, which is a great achievement.

Final Thoughts

The FJ Cruiser was a vehicle no one expected Toyota to produce. It was unique, quirky, and exciting – unlike all other models in the lineup. Sadly, it was released during the economic crisis of 2007; however, it managed to hang in the market until 2014. Some of its quirks like the clamshell doors reduced sales but there is no denying that it was one of the coolest vehicles of that time. If it went back on the market right now due to the increase in popularity of off-roading and camping we suspect it would sell great. What do you think?