Author Topic: Meet the new Toyota FJ (Read 1224 times)

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:47:15 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
I own a 2000 Xterra. Like you say, offroad it does okay. A few things would make it more capable. Locking diffs, solid axle, better armor, etc... That said, I'd stack a stock Xterra or Pathy against any H2 or H3. There are advantages to being a lighter and narrower vehicle.

As for the solid axle swap... if they come up with one I bet it's going to be expensive. Calmini currently has an SAS kit for the Xterra. IIRC, it's roughly $2500 or so. Still have to find an axle and that's going to cost $1000 or more. One of the guys on the XterraOwnersClub BBS did the swap. He was up to over $6000 on just parts. For that kind of money and hassle, I think I'd rather buy a vehicle that already has solid axles and locking diffs. [
/QUOTE]

Yeah the brother in law decided agaist the SAS, he is going to sell the X and buy a 96 to 99 Grand Cherokee. Solid axles, good suspension off road and V8s!

ASTAC · « **Reply #31 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:47:22 PM »

YUCK!! and whats with that huge panel on the side towards the back with no window in it?

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:48:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Vulcan
Toyota and Nissan dominance is in the real UTILITY vehical market, ie not "sports". The likes of the Landcruiser and Patrol are awesome vehicles and jeep has nothing in that range.

In the SUV range the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder dominate here, they are more reliable, but they are also commonly found in diesel, which is prefered by offroaders here for its survivability in wet conditions (big difference you notice with a lot of american 4wd piccies is the lack of breather or snorkle kits (note the mod on this piccie). Dunno if Jeep even offer diesel (certainly never seen it here):

Your right there, the wragler does not have much utility. You can not take 4 people and any cargo at all.

I have not see many pathfinders on the trails here, lots of older toyotas though. Even a few new ones with SAS swaps.

Sandman · « **Reply #33 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:57:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GtoRA2
I have not see many pathfinders on the trails here, lots of older toyotas though. Even a few new ones with SAS swaps.

I've seen a couple of Pathfinders on some Xterra club runs I've made. As near as I can tell, there's little difference between the X and the Pathy other than cosmetics.

Gunthr · « **Reply #34 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:10:12 PM »

I just bought a used 2002 Pathy 4wd, I love it. I bought it for boat towing, (rated for 5000 lbs) and to keep from getting stuck in sugar sand when I visit my brother who lives in the middle of a huge orange grove. It is really good in sand... like the Xterra.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:11:36 PM »

Does your X have the alternator mounted at the bottom of the engine like the 03?

I know there is one guy who ran a Pathfinder on the rubicon trail. He has the story posted on his site. Pretty cool, they said it was harder then hell!

Ripsnort · « **Reply #36 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:46:00 PM »

Sandman · « **Reply #37 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:59:20 PM »

Your point?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #38 on:** January 12, 2006, 02:09:10 PM »

Looks like rice on steroids. Visual appeal is a personal taste.

Sandman · « **Reply #39 on:** January 12, 2006, 03:04:08 PM »

I like the look of it... I'm dissapointed by the way it's equipped.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 15, 2006, 08:17:24 PM »

Sandy
If your alternator is on the bottom like the 03 model Xterra, if it ever goes out have it done by a shop.

My god what a pain in the ass.

The whole setup is a boondoggle.

The Alternator is right next to the steering box, we had to take off the front skid, the tire and the rubber wheel well liner.

Getting the wonky electrical connecter off was a royal *****. (needle nose vice grips and a long flat head screw driver and lots of cussing)

The bolts are a ***** to get to even with all that removed. If you are right handed it sucks even worse. If you have big hands good luck!

Me jeep took 10 minutes. It took two days and about 8 hours to do this.

It has its own belt. The belt tensioning system is really cheesy.

I do not think the Nissan enginers thought about the engine compartment layout to make it a better offroad vehicle.... Since even a shallow body of water will drown the alternator.

I wish I had some pics lol.

It was so frustrating I was about to sugest we tow it to a field and light it on fire and claim it was stolen!

Tarmac · « **Reply #41 on:** January 15, 2006, 08:57:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Staga
They are selling Jeep Cherokee CRD in here with a 2,8liter 163hp/400Nm diesel engine. IIRC those are manufactured in Graz in Austria and only for european markets.

The 2.8 4 cyl diesel Jeep Liberty is available here and gets very good reviews. I've never noticed one on the road (of course the only external difference would be a name badge).

That toyota looks like crap.

Heretik · « **Reply #42 on:** January 15, 2006, 10:23:14 PM »

Looks like the product of an incestuous encounter between a land cruiser and a rav-4.

Furball · « **Reply #43 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:21:50 PM »

Looks like a Hummer.

Sandman · « **Reply #44 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:27:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GtoRA2
Sandy
If your alternator is on the bottom like the 03 model Xterra, if it ever goes out have it done by a shop.

My god what a pain in the ass.

The whole setup is a boondoggle.

The Alternator is right next to the steering box, we had to take off the front skid, the tire and the rubber wheel well liner.

Getting the wonky electrical connecter off was a royal *****. (needle nose vice grips and a long flat head screw driver and lots of cussing)

The bolts are a ***** to get to even with all that removed. If you are right handed it sucks even worse. If you have big hands good luck!

Me jeep took 10 minutes. It took two days and about 8 hours to do this.

It has its own belt. The belt tensioning system is really cheesy.

I do not think the Nissan enginers thought about the engine compartment layout to make it a better offroad vehicle.... Since even a shallow body of water will drown the alternator.

I wish I had some pics lol.

It was so frustrating I was about to sugest we tow it to a field and light it on fire and claim it was stolen!

THanks for the tip.

From what I've read at the xterraownersclub, the biggest issue with the alternator isn't water. It's debris in the water that mucks it all up. Not much water around here for me to worry about in any case.