The Toyota FJ Cruiser was ahead of its time. Production of the retro-styled SUV ended just as the overlanding craze took off. Toyota sent it off with a bang by creating a limited run of FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Editions like the one currently for sale on eBay in Troutman, N.C.
Shop now for FJ Cruiser
Iconic Name
The Toyota FJ Cruiser debuted in 2007 as an affordable 4×4 competing with vehicles like the Nissan Xterra and Hummer H3. Its name and design evoked the classic 1960-to-1984 Toyota Land Cruiser, which enthusiasts called the FJ40.
That name came from its engine and chassis codes (“F” for F-series engine, “J” for J-series chassis). The “40” denotes that particular Land Cruiser generation. Toyota used a similar naming tactic for the Toyota 86 sports coupe, recalling the renowned AE86 Corolla.
The FJ Cruiser’s sheet metal was also reminiscent of classic Land Cruisers. The look really came through in the design of the oval grille and round headlights. “Toyota” was spelled out in the center of the grille in place of the company’s standard tri-oval logo. Most FJ Cruiser models came with a white roof, another throwback to vintage Land Cruisers. White paint on the roof reflected more sunlight, a benefit when traversing rough and remote terrain without air conditioning.
Brother 4Runner
The FJ Cruiser shared much of its chassis and suspension engineering with the tried-and-true 4Runner. Both featured body-on-frame construction, a part-time transfer case with low range, and a locking rear differential. The FJ Cruiser was more compact, with suicide rear doors and a shorter overall length. This resulted in better maneuverability but less cabin and cargo volume.
The Trail Teams Ultimate Edition was named after a crew of off-road specialists who traveled the country teaching four-wheeling sessions for Toyota truck enthusiasts. In addition to special badging, it also had a quarter-inch TRD skid plate, blacked-out trim, and remote-reservoir Bilstein shocks.
Starting in 2008, Toyota released a special edition Trail Teams FJ Cruiser every year. Each version had an exclusive paint color and features, the same formula used with great success on the TRD Pro models of the Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner. For its final year, the 2014 Trail Teams Ultimate Edition was painted Heritage Blue, which referenced an original FJ40 paint color. Oddly, Toyota didn’t apply white paint to their roofs.
Shop now for OEM FJ Cruiser partsStrong Value
Toyota built only 2,500 Trail Teams Ultimate Editions. The FJ in the eBay listing is equipped with:
- TRD wheels (including spare)
- BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A tires
- Aftermarket front and rear bumpers
- Crawl Control
- Auxiliary driving lights
It has just under 190,000 miles. Its Buy-It-Now price of $17,900 is a testament to how well Toyota trucks hold their value.
This 4×4 isn’t blemish-free. Tell-tale dust in the engine bay and interior attest to off-road use. There’s a crack in the windshield and a small dent in the front right fender, likely caused by a rock.
While it is tempting to collect a rare capstone model of a beloved SUV and keep it in a garage, the Trail Teams Ultimate Editions were specifically tailored for off-road use. It’s the most capable factory setup for an FJ Cruiser. This one can still be used for its intended purpose.
Shop now for FJ Cruiser
