Toyota Element H3, FTW?

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PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
You did notice the date right. Old News...and I agree ugly. I'd love them to come out with a quality "jeep" like SUV for quality offroading.
 
Z

zoiks

Lifer
Jan 13, 2000
11,787
3
81
I kind of like it. Toyota has made good jeeps and SUV's for a long time.
 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
It will be a damn shame if they build it and cripple it with independent front suspension. For you non car guys, that's like selling a $2000 gaming rig with a Radeon x300. Of course it will sell to people who don't know better, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the machine?
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
It will be a damn shame if they build it and cripple it with independent front suspension. For you non car guys, that's like selling a $2000 gaming rig with a Radeon x300. Of course it will sell to people who don't know better, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the machine?
Click to expand...

It's built on the 4-Runner chassis, so it will have an IFS. Even Jeeps are going to IFS. Face it, having an IFS is more feasible and profitable to Toyota.
 
JImmyK

JImmyK

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,145
36
91
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
It will be a damn shame if they build it and cripple it with independent front suspension. For you non car guys, that's like selling a $2000 gaming rig with a Radeon x300. Of course it will sell to people who don't know better, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the machine?
Click to expand...

It's built on the 4-Runner chassis, so it will have an IFS. Even Jeeps are going to IFS. Face it, having an IFS is more feasible and profitable to Toyota.
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I just picked up a 97 LX450 front and rear SA and rear/front lockers. True wheelers are a dieing breed.
 
JImmyK

JImmyK

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,145
36
91
plus I hope those wheel wells are deep otherwise Im not seeing a lot of room for articulation/flexing.
 
T

Tea Bag

Golden Member
Sep 11, 2004
1,575
3
0
I was at the Chicago Auto Show that year when Toyota had that concept on display.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Originally posted by: NFS4
Great looking and not a copy of the Element or the Hummer. The FJ has been around for ages:

http://www.arches.uga.edu/~redwards/1982-FJ40-a.jpg

If anything, the original was more of a rip of the original Jeep.
Click to expand...

I love the old school FJ land cruisers... I will probably be picking one up in the next few years as a project vehicle. Anyway...still think they could have done a better job of "modernizing" the look without making it look like a Tonka Toy.
 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
It will be a damn shame if they build it and cripple it with independent front suspension. For you non car guys, that's like selling a $2000 gaming rig with a Radeon x300. Of course it will sell to people who don't know better, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the machine?
Click to expand...

It's built on the 4-Runner chassis, so it will have an IFS. Even Jeeps are going to IFS. Face it, having an IFS is more feasible and profitable to Toyota.
Click to expand...

I doubt that. To the average person, who doesn't even know what IFS means, I doubt the difference in on road ride is detectable. To the target market for this car, a solid axle would be a plus, even if it doesn't get used to its full potential. Being on the Tacoma platform doesn't mean it has to be IFS, as enthusiasts have been swapping on solid axles for years.

Yes, Jeeps are going to IFS. Jeep is also making sport trucks. The world is changing, and not for the better!
 
NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
It will be a damn shame if they build it and cripple it with independent front suspension. For you non car guys, that's like selling a $2000 gaming rig with a Radeon x300. Of course it will sell to people who don't know better, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the machine?
Click to expand...

It's built on the 4-Runner chassis, so it will have an IFS. Even Jeeps are going to IFS. Face it, having an IFS is more feasible and profitable to Toyota.
Click to expand...

I doubt that. To the average person, who doesn't even know what IFS means, I doubt the difference in on road ride is detectable. To the target market for this car, a solid axle would be a plus, even if it doesn't get used to its full potential. Being on the Tacoma platform doesn't mean it has to be IFS, as enthusiasts have been swapping on solid axles for years.

Yes, Jeeps are going to IFS. Jeep is also making sport trucks. The world is changing, and not for the better!
Click to expand...

If the difference in on-road ride wasn't detectable, Jeep wouldn't have switched from a solid axle up front to an IFS and big SUV's like the Expedition/Navigator and Armada/QX56 wouldn't have IRSs.

Making the FJ Cruiser with a solid axle up front makes no sense from a financial or practical stance. The few people that would like a solid axle up front are greatly dwarfed by the fact that the majority of people that would be buying it would rather have a smoother on-road ride. That and the fact that economies of scale dictate that the FJ share as much part commonality as possible with the Tacoma/4-Runner/GX.

For the few that want a solid axle up front, fine do a swap. But for the other 95% of the potential buyers, the IFS will be preferrable.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
i wonder how big the blinds spots to the sides are, especially on the right. looks like you could hide an 18 wheeler behind it
 
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