The Toyota FJ Cruiser: A Vehicle of Unparalleled Off-Road Capability and Unique Design Elements

Toyota's FJ Cruiser was a vehicle that stood out from its peers, boasting tremendous off-road capability and unusual exterior and interior design elements. The 4x4 version of the FJ, which was the most popular among buyers, was claimed by Toyota to be the most capable off-road vehicle in their lineup.

Achieving this level of off-road capability required a combination of innovative suspension designs and clever engineering. The FJ's front suspension featured a high-mounted, double wishbone design, while the rear suspension employed a 4-link setup with lateral rods, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar that provided over 9 inches of travel. This impressive suspension allowed the FJ to tackle even the most challenging off-road terrain.

One of the key features that contributed to the FJ's off-road prowess was its Toyota's A-Track system, which applied braking to wheels that had lost traction, mimicking the performance of a locking diff without the binding that can make steering difficult in normal locking diff setups. This innovative technology allowed drivers to maintain control on even the most treacherous terrain.

In addition to its impressive off-road capability, the FJ Cruiser also boasted some unique exterior design elements. One of the most distinctive features was its flat, squat windshield, which was similar in shape to its namesake, the FJ-40. This unusual design meant that the FJ had to accommodate three front windshield wipers, as the traditional windshield deflection was compromised by the flat shape.

Another notable feature of the FJ's exterior design was the use of a Toyota emblem on the grille, which spelled out "T-O-I-Y-A-T-D-A" in bold letters. This unusual approach to branding added to the FJ's distinctive appearance and set it apart from other vehicles on the market.

The interior of the FJ Cruiser also featured some unique design elements, including hidden doors that opened 90 degrees to facilitate easy loading and unloading of the quick-release seats. While this innovative design provided a convenient feature for drivers, it also meant that passengers in the front seat would be trapped against the parked car if they exited at the same time as those in the back seat.

In addition to its off-road capability and unique design elements, the FJ Cruiser also offered customers an opportunity to customize their vehicle with aftermarket parts. Toyota provided early access to the FJ's parts catalog, allowing enthusiasts to purchase items such as winches, light bars, and brush guards that would turn their vehicle into a fully-fledged off-roader.

The company also released several special edition models, including the TRD version, which featured a catback exhaust, Bilstein shocks, rock rails, and cooler wheels and tires. In some cases, customers could opt for a more extreme setup, with brush guards, skidplates, lift kits, and other upgrades from the renowned Australian off-roading company, ARB.

Interestingly, despite its impressive capabilities and unique design elements, the FJ Cruiser failed to gain widespread popularity among consumers. Toyota sold fewer than 100,000 units in the first two years of production, and eventually decided not to continue producing the vehicle. However, the FJ Cruiser has maintained an impressive resale value, making it a shrewd investment for those who acquired one during its production run.

In conclusion, the Toyota FJ Cruiser was a vehicle that embodied the perfect blend of off-road capability and unique design elements. Its innovative suspension systems, clever engineering, and distinctive exterior features made it a standout on the market, even if it didn't achieve widespread popularity among consumers.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- You want a super capabledead nuts, reliable froaderbut Jeeps just ain't your thing,and Land Rovers break down tomuch gosh darn dangin much?From mid-century military outposts,to modern suburban driveways,this rough and tumble froaderfrom the land of the rising sunfits in just about err'where.Few competitors can match itsgo anywhere, do anything attitude.This is everything you need to knowto get up to speed onthe Toyota FJ Cruiser.Before we get into the show,I just wanna give a big oldshout out to our partnersover at Nos Energy Drink.Our editors thank you.This puppy, he thanks you.Ahh, yeah.Nos Energy Drink gives me that .Other energy drinks are like,oh, well, is that it,where'd all my energy go?But Nos Energy Drink is likeI can do that!You wanna rebuild your engine?No problem!You wanna get back togetherwith the ex-girlfriend?Sorry but, that'sprobably not gonna happen.You can still enjoy an icecold Nos Energy Drink though.Ahh.Now back to the story.The FJ helped propel- fitness water-Toyota to the top andmade them a household namearound the world.- FJ, FJ,FJ, FJ.- Nowadays you see FJ's cranking tunesand blasting dunes.But originally, they were made for war.And it all started with a Willy and a BJ.During World War II the Japanese militarygot their hands on theWillys Jeep and tasked Toyotawith making a betterversion of the lightweight,go anywhere vehicle of the U.S. Military.Toyota created the AK Seriesand they were impressive little froaders.But they didn't turn the tides of battleso Japan ultimately lost the war.This is why they lost thewar, and the only reasonthat they lost the war, Donut Fact.Toyota got another chance to update the AKa few years later in the Korean War.This time, it was the U.S. Militarywho ordered the companyto build them some Jeeps.So, they took what theylearned from the Willysand the AK and gave the U.S.a BJ.They created a vehicleknown as the Toyota Jeep BJ,which technical director,Hanji Umehara, later namedthe Land Cruiser.The BJ was bigger than the Willysand faster thanks to a 3.4liter inline 6 power plant.While Toyota was 0 for 2in the military campaigns,they learned a crap-ton aboutbuilding all-terrain vehicles.In 1955, Toyota releasedthe second-gen Land Cruiserwhich featured a fully redesigned3.9 liter, inline 6,F-series engine.These were known for theirhigh amount of torqueand low RPM, massive castiron blocks and headsand crazy good reliability.And in 1960 it was thisengine that gave birthto one of the most iconicToyotas of all time,the FJ-40.Now the FJ-40 not only conqueredthe jungles, mountains,and deserts of the world,it literally made Toyotaa global brand.Sorry excuse me guys.What's up?Are you bored?Yeah, you wanna go home?Okay.This is our editor Colby'sdog and he's done.This is an easy time to remind you guysto hit that like button andhit that subscribe button.It's the only way that we can tellif we're doing a good job.Uh also if you don't, I'll eat this dog.Back to the story.In fact, the FJ-40 was so popularthat they sold them for 40 years.And Toyota, till this day, still makesnew replacement parts for the FJ-40.The FJ-40 has a really, really cool story.We actually made another video about it.It's the Land Cruiser.So, if the FJ eventuallyturned into the Land Cruiser,we know today, where did thenew FJ Cruiser come from?Well friends, it started out as a conceptthat was never meant to be built.The new FJ Cruiser AK XJ-10made its de-but as a concept only vehicleduring the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.And the voodoo blue retrooff-roader quickly cast a spellon those longing for the good ol' days.While modern Land Cruisers werestill super badass off-road,they'd become 3-row behemothmade for transporting druglords through South America,war lords through Africa,and soccer moms to H&M at the mall.The old school Land Cruiserslike the iconic FJ-40were way more utilitarian.The torque-y, lightweightvehicles could go almost anywhereand really gave Jeep,their main competitor,a run for their money.Plus, they look freaking coolwhich young people loved back then.I might be 34 but I'm just like you kids.The FJ concept was born outof the internally labeledRYU, or rugged youth utility, design team.Because nothing gets the kids goinglike an internal design code.- What do they want, what do they want?- I don't know.Let's make a big old team ofold guys to figure it out.- Oh yeah, that sounds good.Let's get a big old team of old guys,they can figure out what the kids want.- The mid-2000s were a bingo haul beigegroup of years for Toyota.Their business model had gonetotally conservative and boring.They got rid of all thesmall, fun enthusiast carslike the Supra and the Celica.And Toyota had no plans toactually produce the FJ concept,they just wanted people tothink that they were trying.To their surprise, the reception for boththe media and the general publicwas so overwhelmingly positive,that they had to go full Oprah on it-- You get a car, you get a car,you get a car, you get a car.- and fast track the FJ into production.So with no production plan in place,chief engineer, Akio Nishimura,was given the almostimpossible task of developingan FJ that could roll intoshow rooms in just 3 years.Normally, car development takes anywherefrom like 7 to 11 years.And even though he waslike, this is crazy,this is crazy, this is crazy,the dude made it happen,so props for that.The 2007 model year FJ was based ona stretched Land Cruiser Prado box frame.It was powered by thebulletproof 1 GR-FE engine,which was an aluminum 4-literV6, good for 239 horsepowers.The engine was later upgraded with VVT-Iwhich gave it an additional,respectable, 20 horsepowers.This was paired with your choice ofa 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.It was offered in either2 or 4-wheel drive option.But it wasn't until you got pastthe drivetrain and underpinningsthat the real beauty of the FJ came out.First and foremost, it was designed to beutilitarian like the FJ-40Land Cruisers of the '60s.This was achieved in 2 ways:The first being, tremendousoff-road capability.And the second being,unusual exterior andinterior design elements.Toyota claimed that the 4x4 version,which was the one that everybody bought,was the most capable off-roadvehicle in their lineup.And they have a prettydec' off-road lineup.It can drive throughwater up to 27.5 inches.It had an approach angle of 34 degrees,departure angle of 30 degrees,and boy band angle of 98 degrees.FJ achieved its off-roadcapability by using a high mounted,double wishbone, front suspension,a 4-link rear suspension,with a lateral rod, coilsprings, and a stabilizer barthat provided over 9 inches of travel.They also mounted the air intake boxon top of the engine forextra breathing room,and gave the front and rear bumpersthe high-water pants look to minimizethe bumper being ripped off.The FJ also came withToyota's A-Track system,rest in peace, thatapplied braking to wheelsthat have lost traction,mimicking the performanceof a locking diff without the bindingthat can make steering difficultin normal locking diff setups.Genius, I love Toyota for stuff like this.One of the unusualexterior design elementsis the windshield.It's flat, squat, likeReggie, that you met before.You wouldn't want me toeat this dog would you?You're not sick, are you?And it's at an angle similarto its namesake FJ-40.Because of this, it had tohave 3 front windshield wipers.The downside to the coollooking windshield, however,is that it's loud and it breaksbecause it doesn't deflectwind or road debris,which is like, in my understanding,the main 2 jobs of a windshield.Also like the FJ-40 insteadof having the Toyota emblemon the grill, they actuallyspelled out Toyota.T-O-I-Y-A-T-D-A,Toyota.Another exterior designelement is the hidden doors,which open 90 degrees to make it easierto load and remove thequick-release seats.Though this suicide door design also meantthat if the person inthe front seat got outat the same time as theperson in the back seat,they would be trapped againstthe parked car next to them.The doors also make it easierto hose down the interiorand I mean that quite literally.The inside of the car wasmade of waterproof plasticso it could be easily cleanedand also easily be manufactured.Another unusual interiordesign element would beall the dummy switches.Normally blank switches are badbut in the case of theFJ, they're pretty cool.In a rare move, Toyota gavethe off-road aftermarketearly access to the FJso that when it launched,customers could immediatelyfind aftermarket partslike winches, light bars, and brush guardsto turn their Bruce Banner Toyotasinto Incredible Hulk off-roaders.Which brings me to our next subject,customization.The company offered a TRD version,which included a catbackexhaust, Bilstein shocks,rock rails, and cooler wheels and tires.And in some cases, a differentmechanical locking diffor you can have your localdealer turn your cruiserinto an FJ Crawlerwith brush guards, skidplates, lift kits, and morefrom the legendary Australianoff-roading company, ARB.The Toyota-issued trailteam special edition modelsfeatured unique colors for each year.And personally I am quitepartial to 2012's radiant red.Radiant red.The FJ Cruiser is a great truckand Toyota sold over 100,000of them in the first 2 yearsbut as sales tapered off dramatically,Toyota decided theydidn't want to carry a carin their lineup that onlyaveraged 14,000 sales a year.So in 2014, they quit selling it.And the irony is, that the FJ Cruisermaintains its resale valuebetter than almost anyother vehicle in America.So if you learn anything from this video,I hope that it's you shouldtake all of your money,drop out of college, andbuy a ton of FJ Cruisers.Cause there's gold in the mountains.We all gon get rich, we all gon get rich.Ooh, that ones fancy.This guy, is this guy's brother.This guy could be their brotherbut he's not their brother,but he's just as a handsome,if not more handsome than the brothers.That guy's not that attractive,well he's definitely handsomethan the littler brother,but equally, if not morehandsome than the bigger,more handsome brother.I love you.