FJ's with manuel transmission and full time 4X4

[lucic]

What's the verdict on these. I am looking at getting a FJ and really don't want another automatic anything, but having a manuel transmission isn't worth it if i have to have a sorry 4X4 system.

[Blaise]

I have one. Its fun offroad but it does kill the gas mileage and IMO it feels bogged down (compared to my Tacoma) because of the drag of the AWD. That being said, get the manual and get a 4.7 lefty. Best of both worlds. Manual tranny, low gears to crawl, and a little better mileage. One day I will get around to doing just that.

The manuals come with 3.9 gears vs 3.73 so they are a great match for 33s.

[alabamatacomaguy]

i was pissed about the full time 4wd on man trans when i started looking into fjs, its not to bad i havent noticed any side effects of it bing full time except for poor fuel millage but the FJ is also a heavy ass truck

in the distant future i plan on swapping for the lefty like the above poster mentioned

[motorcitymadman]

Story: Had a 2wd '07 FJ that got totaled (thanks 6" lift, big ass surbuban w/ front ranch hand that dont know how to drive), and moved into an '08 FJ 4wd, automatic with A-trac and Rear diff lock - I'm lost. At what times / sequences would you use all of this? There's 4H, 4L, A-trac, and Rear Lock. If some one could explain the sequence from being stuck in a mud rut or anticipating a soupy / gumbo trail ahead of you, I sure would appreciate it. Other terms I've heard: "seperate 4wd", "full-time 4wd". The dealer told me to call him if I ever stick this thing cause he would like to witness it (guess he was implying it's got a pretty mean 4wd), but it's not worth a crap if you don't know how/when to use it! Thanks, sorry for being so green on this subject!

[devinsixtyseven]

Ok, you're at the trail head, and you've aired down your tires.

Sandy wash at the first part of the trail, no bumps to speak of: 2HI or 4HI if you want.

Moderate climb over rocks in the middle of the wash, both axles on rock, small ledges: AWD in low range, 2LO with locker engaged, or 4LO w/o locker if you don't have a 2LO option. You might be amazed at how much you can do with 2LO and the rear axle spooled.

Big climb out of the wash, rear axle on sand, front axle pushing against a ledge larger than half the tire height: 4LO (or AWD in low range with center differential locked), maybe need the rear locker depending on the grade of the hill and how soft the sand is.

Big climb up sand-covered ledges that will twist up the suspension, from mixed sand/rock, to mixed sand/rock...shift to low range, lock the center differential if you have full-time 4WD, and lock the rear differential.

If you have full-time 4WD (like a HMMWV) or AWD (like a Subaru) then you have a center differential rather than a transfer case...the former is a designation more commonly applied to vehicles with a low-range gear in the transfer case, the latter is more commonly applied to vehicles without the additional gear reduction, but on the street they are the same thing, and full-time 4WD with a locking center differential is preferable to a part-time 4WD system with a transfer case, since the former can make a tighter turn offroad on bare rock with power to all four tires, whereas the latter will be difficult to turn on bare rock in 4WD, if not damn near impossible with the stock hydro assist and the rear locker engaged, never mind a front locker.

Hey Detroit--Come out here for a road trip, and we'll get that little pig so thoroughly stuck, your dealer will think you were driving a rebadged Honda Element .

ATRAC: You got me with that one.

-Sean

[Breathegood]

I'd like to know what extra stuff people have on their rigs that they say the manual FJC gets such crappy MPGs. My wife has an '07 FJC manual, purchased new, with roughly 40k on the odo. It has a TRD drop in air filter and runs Mobil1 full syn oil. Otherwise it's all stock. The worst tank she's seen was just under 18mpg, and that was with a canoe strapped to the top fighting a serious headwind. On average she will get 19.5-21mpg. How good does it need to be to be considered good? The '06 double cab she traded in for the FJC didn't do that much better.

The thing is, the FJC gets ~20mpg whether we're wheeling, mall crawling, grociery shopping, sunday driving, outrunning the popo, or highway road tripping. My v8 Mustang will get better than 30mpg on the highway, but around town, it gets about 8mpg, so I'd say 20mpg is pretty darn good considering the weight and design of the FJC.

[eli1]

Hmm, well I'll chime in . . . I have a 6-speed 07 Fj with the Torsen locking center diff. It has stock gears in the diffs and Im running 307-70-17's (approx. 33.8" diam.) tires on factory steel wheels with a 2" lift. I drive in the city as well as hi-way and mountains, on and off road. My milage is 15 - 16 mpg. avg. I suspect your Mrs. is more reserved with her use of the throttle. I Love this thing! Hate the gas milage and fuel range though.

I'm jones-ing for a crawler box somethin huge in order to control my desent on steep down hills etc. . . An additional fuel tank or refuling station would help immensly I'm afraid. . ;(

Ps. I was reading your equip list for your rig and that sounds very cool.

[spaldam]

I had a 6-speed '07 TRD edition, and loved it. I got rid of it become it wasn't working well for my left leg (joint problems) and my young kids. I'd seriously consider getting another one if I could get the Full-time 4WD with an Auto. Anyone know if that is going to happen, or has happened?

[SKUNZ4RNR]

I have an 08 FJ 6spd also. I really didn't want the all time 4x4, but didn't want an auto either. Gas mileage isn't the best, but it's a heavy vehicle that isnt great on fuel economy anyway. I think the transfer case that allows part-time is the best. Someday I would like to make the switch. I would like to know someone that has done it.

[alabamatacomaguy]

i have been happy with the 6 speed, i still wish it had an option to go in 2 wheel drive to save gas and wear/tear on parts

i wish the gear ratios were better, i feel the 6th gear could be alot better for interstates, i not a speed demon either just better for 70 mph driving


i wish the gas tank was bigger, i get around 250 miles between file-ups/gas lights

also i notice a engine knock if i dont use premium but my cousins tacoma with the same engine/same year runs fine on regular so im confused on that

[jeep guy]

Originally Posted by Blaise

I have one. Its fun offroad but it does kill the gas mileage and IMO it feels bogged down (compared to my Tacoma) because of the drag of the AWD. That being said, get the manual and get a 4.7 lefty. Best of both worlds. Manual tranny, low gears to crawl, and a little better mileage. One day I will get around to doing just that.

The manuals come with 3.9 gears vs 3.73 so they are a great match for 33s.

I wonder if you could retro fit tacoma or earlier tayota manual front hub componets say from the spindle out? I still don't knoe if an fj case is chain or gear driven?

[Delancy]

Originally Posted by jeep guy

I wonder if you could retro fit tacoma or earlier tayota manual front hub componets say from the spindle out? I still don't knoe if an fj case is chain or gear driven?

TC is chain driven.

[jflan]

TSB exists for throw out bearing with the 6 speed FJ's and Taco's.
Listen for weird noises associated with clutch action.

[montypower]

My understanding is the 4wd vs full time awd systems still spin all the front end components all the time. They do that so you can shift-on-the-fly to 4wd. You might just look under the rig when it's in 2wd. You'll likely see the front drive-shaft spinning. There is still less power loss with the 4wd due to it only transferring power one direction in 2wd.

The only way to eliminite that is manual hubs and selectable tcase.

[Greg_Canada]

Originally Posted by montypower

My understanding is the 4wd vs full time awd systems still spin all the front end components all the time. They do that so you can shift-on-the-fly to 4wd. You might just look under the rig when it's in 2wd. You'll likely see the front drive-shaft spinning. There is still less power loss with the 4wd due to it only transferring power one direction in 2wd.

The only way to eliminite that is manual hubs and selectable tcase.

The only difference between 4wd and AWD is there is a limited slip differential in the t-case when in AWD, and when you shit to 4wd, it locks the front and rear outputs together. (like an e-locker).

[TNRunner]

Originally Posted by Greg_Canada

The only difference between 4wd and AWD is there is a limited slip differential in the t-case when in AWD, and when you shit to 4wd, it locks the front and rear outputs together. (like an e-locker).

^^^this^^^

[Greg_Canada]

Originally Posted by TNRunner

^^^this^^^

Lol thanks, guess there is no censor on these forums...

[Rapier46]

toyota makes a 2wd fj? what is the world coming to...

[donsiye]

I averaged 17mpg and I can get 20mpg, only if drive like a 85 year old man and keep the tach under 2k(5spd auto).
But, But I just leveled the front 2" & did bmc to put on Duratrac 305/70/16 (33") tires, so between the extra weight and increase in height I'm guessing I can kiss my 17mpg good bye.
Sammy Hagar said it best "I can't drive 55".