OVER 300 TOYOTA enthusiasts found their way into the Las Vegas Convention Center on the Saturday following the November 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The center of attraction wasToyota's new FJ. If you had not encountered one of the FJ Trail Teams at a local off-roading event, this was your chance to get up close and personal.
The festivities began with a chance to get behind the wheel of an FJ on a man-made obstacle course. The obstacles included a sidehill to demonstrate vehicle stability. The higher the driver drove on the sidehill obstacle; the more tilt the vehicle was thrust into. An off-camber tilt is uncomfortable for most drivers, so as expected only a few drivers maneuvered the FJ to the maximum sidehill angle. Those who did were impressed with its stability.
Another was the infamous "hill climb" that points the nose of the FJ skyward as the tires find good traction on the hardened surface to pull the vehicle to the top. The FJ's approach, breakover and departure angles were well demonstrated here. Bumps, some of them alternating side to side, demonstrated the FJ's traction control system, when tires were lifted off the surface. At some points one front tire and the rear opposite tire were off the ground, providing the driver and his handler a teeter-totter effect and demonstrated a difficult traction condition. Other than a few drivers who veered off course and high-centered the vehicle on the bump, the demonstration of the FJ's traction system was impressive.
Later, the guests gathered in a ballroom at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel for a presentation by Bill Burke, of Camel Trophy fame. Bill has a unique perspective as he has an extensive background in offroad training and has more stick time in the FJ than most. Another ballroom displayed the FJ's gains into the off-road aftermarket. FJs were outfitted as race trucks and chase trucks but most of the FJs were set up for trail riding. "Partners Alley" provided aftermarket companies a chance to display their FJ products and talk with Toyota enthusiasts. Pro Comp showed off their new 4" lift kit on a custom painted FJ, ARB their smooth integrated bumpers, Revtek Suspension and All Pro displayed their suspension, bumpers and skid plates. There was even a FJ with a straight axle conversion using Dynatrac differentials on display. Guests talked shop with aftermarket company representatives and Toyota personnel for about an hour before the party started!
The larger ballroom was set up for a party with a number of activities - including a radio controlled dirt course testing one's driving skills. Off to one side was a motorcycle suspended in front of a green screen. Guests could grip the handlebars; a camera would take a picture, send it to a computer and through a computer-imaging program, suspend both the motorcycle and rider in mid-air. Of course, it instantly became a magazine cover shot. The grand finale was a performance by the Fabulous Thunderbirds band.
