I can't believe the manual 6 speed is only full time 4WD

[5 Speed]

My wife picked up the brochure for the FJ and I was looking at the specs and how can the manual get lower MPG than the auto? In the photos it shows the manual shifter and shows 2H, 4H, N, and 4L. But reading it states that the manual is full time 4WD. WHO NEEDS THIS? More moving parts on the highway and to the store, why? I remember when the Landcruser came out with full time and quite a people waited to install the aftermarket kit that disconnected this. I think with a manual, wouldn't it make since to make 4WD a manual decision? I think this might be the single reason not to get the FJ.

[dfunk]

Originally Posted by 5 Speed

My wife picked up the brochure for the FJ and I was looking at the specs and how can the manual get lower MPG than the auto? In the photos it shows the manual shifter and shows 2H, 4H, N, and 4L. But reading it states that the manual is full time 4WD. WHO NEEDS THIS? More moving parts on the highway and to the store, why? I remember when the Landcruser came out with full time and quite a people waited to install the aftermarket kit that disconnected this. I think with a manual, wouldn't it make since to make 4WD a manual decision? I think this might be the single reason not to get the FJ.

It shares the same platform as the 4runner, so you get what you get. Personally AWD i think is a reason to buy it. Its not like the diff is locked all the time.

[Dcosgrove]

Originally Posted by 5 Speed

My wife picked up the brochure for the FJ and I was looking at the specs and how can the manual get lower MPG than the auto? In the photos it shows the manual shifter and shows 2H, 4H, N, and 4L. But reading it states that the manual is full time 4WD. WHO NEEDS THIS? More moving parts on the highway and to the store, why? I remember when the Landcruser came out with full time and quite a people waited to install the aftermarket kit that disconnected this. I think with a manual, wouldn't it make since to make 4WD a manual decision? I think this might be the single reason not to get the FJ.

Auto trans are so good these days that a manual is no guarantee of better MPG. The Tacoma with the 5 Speed Auto get better MPG then the 6 speed manual and both are part-time 4x4.

[Acadian]

Originally Posted by 5 Speed

I think this might be the single reason not to get the FJ.

Same reason why I decided not to get one. I have no desire to own an automatic car/truck - and for trucks I want the option of running it on either 2 or 4 wheel drive.

[fjcruiser2006]

I liked the Subaru all wheel drive so the 6-speed is a nice compromise for me.

[tbrown78]

I like the idea of fulltime 4wd with a locking center diff. When off-road it prevents binding of the driveline when on rock and hard surfaces which means in those situations there is a lot less strain and wear on the driveline but with the locking center diff you have the option to lock together the the front and rear drive shafts for max traction should you need it.

[5 Speed]

Originally Posted by Dcosgrove

Auto trans are so good these days that a manual is no guarantee of better MPG. The Tacoma with the 5 Speed Auto get better MPG then the 6 speed manual and both are part-time 4x4.

This might be true for the tacoma but with the final drive ratio on the Manual higher I don't believe this would be true if it wasn't full time. I have a 5speed V-6 tundra and do get at least a few more MPG than the v-6 auto because our final drive ratios are different with the manual being higher. I always get over 20mpg with my tundra and have gone over 500 miles on a single tank so with a smaller profile vehicle at least 20mpg with the manual should be no problem.

[Dcosgrove]

Originally Posted by 5 Speed

This might be true for the tacoma but with the final drive ratio on the Manual higher I don't believe this would be true if it wasn't full time. I have a 5speed V-6 tundra and do get at least a few more MPG than the v-6 auto because our final drive ratios are different with the manual being higher. I always get over 20mpg with my tundra and have gone over 500 miles on a single tank so with a smaller profile vehicle at least 20mpg with the manual should be no problem.

The FJ 6 speed has a lower ratio (3.91:1) then the Auto (3.72:1). The higher the number the lower the ratio. FJ with fulltime 4x4 + lower gearing = 2 mpg loss over the Auto FJ. Ever if if the 6Speed FJ had part time 4x4 it would still have lower gearing. The Auto in the Tacoma beats the 6speed by 1mpg with the some diff ratio.

[5 Speed]

I just can't see why anyone needs full time 4WD. What? you are driving along and then out of the blue you are stuck? Wish it was full time 4WD? True on a trail this would be nice but I would bet most rigs are driven 89-95 to 99 percent on pavement! The option of manual hubs would be nice too! I use my 87 Toy in low quite a few times in 2WD, it is nice when you need to crawl up things where traction isn't an issue. It is nice to have the option. I just know with all the additional moving and rotating parts that the repair bills will only be more. I just hate automatics!!!!!!

[rockd]

I own the 6speed FJ- traded in my 5 speed 2wd tundra. Its nice- what a difference crawling in 1st gear or even at highway speeds in 6th gear, it rides much better than the tundra. I have 200 miles so far- still on the 1st tank. Will let you know my milage after I fill it up. It has amazing traction on and off road. The combination of traction and torque makes it fun to drive on and off road. I can accellerate in complete control out of places and around turns, where my tundra would chirp and spin one rear wheel. I didnt think so before- but now I understand why awd is better- even on dry pavement for evrything except economy- which im hoping i can prove myself wrong on too, after the novelty wares off and I start driving more economically. No more tire chains, no more tube sand no more cursing the diff on ice or mud when the easy wheel spins.

[rockd]

I got 17mpg on my first tankfull with awd and was not trying to drive economically at all. Im sure I can squeeze 20 out of her if I really tried, but its just way too fun to drive. The low end from a stop at a stop light has surprised me several times- feels like its going to hop right over the intesection, will have to get used to that. and on the highway cruising in 5th gear I realize - ho crap - I have another gear! Is it just milage you are concerned about- or is it also the reliability and waring out of the moving parts? Granted- 2wd is more reliable- but there are reasons that all time 4 wheel is more reliable than 4wd- mostly having to do with the engagement of the 4wd which is most likely to fail when you need it most, and since awd is engaged all the time- its already there when you need it. Just need to manually lock the diffs when needed (which I have done to try it out- but never needed to). Im telling you- the stick is the only way to go on this vehicle, especially if you like manuals and can appreciate the gear ratios, the short throws and feeling of being engaged and in control of the gear selection.

[vespadaddy]

I wish the Auto was available in full time 4wd. I do grow weary of shifting, but I'll be using this truck (once they are avail at less than MSRP) to drive from Mpls MN to Ely, MN in the winter. This is a 250 mile (one way) trip, over snowy, sometimes icy roads.

The last thing I want to be doing when I hit a slick patch is reaching for the transfer case stick to select 4wd (assuming you can even engage 4wd at 70 mph). Thus, I want the full time 4wd.

Still wish I could get that with the auto though.....

I just test drove an FJ, and I liked it a lot. I hope demand slacks off and supply picks up at the end of the year.

[HJSimpson]

My brother has an '05 V-8 4-runner with the full time 4wd. It is nice for snow, patchy snow (main roads plowed, side streets & parking areas not), pulling out into traffic in the rain or from loose gravel, steep driveways, pulling a boat up a ramp, and not fish-tailing when acclerating around a yield in the rain. I would almost consider it a safety feature. The same reason Subaru promotes it. If you are going off-road, lock the center diff.

I wish my tundra had the same 4x4 system. Pushing a button and hoping it clunks in or out always worries me. Not a good idea to use my 4x4 on wet pavement. I would sacrafice MPG and wear/tear for a full-time + locking option.

[Michael2000]

Originally Posted by vespadaddy

I wish the Auto was available in full time 4wd. I do grow weary of shifting, but I'll be using this truck (once they are avail at less than MSRP) to drive from Mpls MN to Ely, MN in the winter. This is a 250 mile (one way) trip, over snowy, sometimes icy roads.

The last thing I want to be doing when I hit a slick patch is reaching for the transfer case stick to select 4wd (assuming you can even engage 4wd at 70 mph). Thus, I want the full time 4wd.

Still wish I could get that with the auto though.....

I just test drove an FJ, and I liked it a lot. I hope demand slacks off and supply picks up at the end of the year.

How many times are you going to be shifting on the freeway anyway? Automatics are for soccer moms. Get the manual.

[vespadaddy]

Originally Posted by Michael2000

How many times are you going to be shifting on the freeway anyway? Automatics are for soccer moms. Get the manual.

Not true, and a little juvenile, IMHO. Lots of people here say that the auto is fine for offroading. I would like an auto because I'll be driving in the city a lot, using the truck as a daily driver. Also, I35W has some nasty backups on Friday evenings as I'm headed to the cabin. In and out of the clutch will be a PITA.

In the end, I'll take the 6 speed to get the full time 4wd, I just wish I didn't have to.

Also, if my kid wants to play soccer in 5 years, guess what i'll proably be driving to get him to games? Oh, the horror and shame!