What's What with FJ's

Some of our Jeep friends are like: why is an 80 made in the 90's and a 60 made in the 80's?

Well, I can't say, but I can shed some light on how we got here. There are some non north American models with different model numbers.

• 40 series were made from 1960 until 1984.  Think 2 door, inward facing rear seats.  

• 50 series made from 1967 to 1980, known as the "iron pig" a different tailgate and wagon style.  I've only seen a handful in person.  Iconic.

• 60 series made from 1980 through 1989.  A sturdy truck which can be found around the country, good for wheeling and cruising.  Could have the 2F engine of the 40 series  (they overlapped 1980-1984) or the turbo-diesel options which emerged later in 1985.

• 70 series were made from 1984 to present. Think 2 door truck (troop carrier, or troopie) or 4 door SUV.  I've seen one troopie and two 4 door 70 series ever in the mid-atlantic US.

• 80 series were made from 1990 to 1997.  The 1990-1992 version had a different rear suspension setup with 1993 getting lockers (K294 option, not in VIN but on vin plate on driver side door) and the 1FZ-FE engine.  The 1997 had the 40th anniversary model available.  In many eyes, 1993-1997 are the years to get with 1997 as the primo one.  the 1993 and on 80 series has solid axles, coil springs, triple locker (front/center/rear) yet power seats/windows with antilock breaks and no airbags so no problems with bull bars and airbag sensors.  Some 80's were made in south america through 2008.  This is comparable to the Lexus LX450

• 100 series were made from 1998 to 2007.  The 1998 year had a factory locker option for the rear diff, after that no. The V8 in this is a desired swap-out for 80 series. This is comparable to the Lexus LX470

• 200 series were made from 2008 to Current.   I've test driven one, very nice.  

So, take the body/look of the 40 series and put it on an 80 frame and suspension (and if budget were to allow) swap out an engine from a 100 and you have the FJ-UTE!

FJ-UTE Bound

So, FJ-wha?

FJ-UTE, in the words of Justin of Redline Cruisers

The FJ-UTE (“UTE” as in Utility or “Ute Pass” in Colorado, is pronounced “yoot”) features an aluminum body modeled precisely after a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser body, which sits on a FJ80 frame. The standard FJ-UTE from Red Line will feature half doors and a full soft top. It utilizes the FJ80 suspension, engine, transfer case and transmission but takes on the look of a vintage LC with plenty of space for passengers in the first, second, and optional third row.

Here is a rendering: 

Per Justin, it exagerates the rear-end overhang some vs. reality, so we look forward to his progress pics.  His first one is due to debut at Sema 2014

We have an FZJ-80 which we love, we got it in 2011 to fit our family of 5 and enjoy the outdoors camping, beach cruising, off-roading (aka; wheeling), but do wish at times it had a removable top.  But the FJ-40 is just too small.  Defender 110's are too expensive and have the Land Rover reputation for maintenance issues.    The Icon FJ44 although attractive and functional:

...costs more than our first house so that's out.

Redline's concept of the FJ-UTE struck a cord with us, keep the best of the 80 (drive line, suspension, triple lockers) and add a utilitarian interior and soft-top (future removable hard top by Q1 2015 supposedly).

So, we put our deposit down on one - to be one of the first 10 chassis taking advantage of the early adopter pricing package, and the honor of having a low production number.  We're excited and look forward to driving on the beaches of OBX in our newly constructed UTE in 2015.