NorCal FJs

FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Howdy FJers

Just bought a 2012 with under 13K miles at an auction. It was rolled, perhaps off road from the nature of the damage, so I won't be afraid to scratch/dent it. I had a Jeep Wrangler with winch I took to the mountains of Colorado a few times when I lived there.

I haven't had it checked out yet. Put a new windshield in it so I could drive it home to South SanFrancisco. Just noticed the sway bar tie is missing and it tore the CV boot in the process. Not sure who to take it to for repair. Open to suggestions please and am hoping to get this suspension issue repaired ASAP so I can enjoy it soon. Unlike my Jeep, I went for AT on this as that is mostly what is available used, but hope it is still OK for off road.

I showed it to Melody Toyota service. They were not willing to give written estimate and were pushy (parts department was nicer). They said stabilizer bar tie could be covered under warranty but they may just be baiting me. They want $150 to tell me what's wrong for sure.

I need quite a few body parts so am considering buying an older FJ wrecked and with high mileage for parts and hopefully one that might have a few extra offload upgrades on it I can transfer to my FJ like perhaps this blue one that was hit real hard in the side... Click link for pic. Anyone know anything about the bumper on it and if it looks like the winch is still complete? Also does it look like it is a Trail Teams or other special edition or package?

http://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-finder/lot-19200783/2007-toyota-fj...

Also wondering if I have to make mods before my first off rod trip? Advice welcome.

Thx

Mark

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first off welcome to the forum! 

to answer your questions the picture of the blue on shows the Warn box but i do not see the winch. the bumper is an ARB which is a decent bumper but a pig of a bumper with some clearance issues (at least for me) the FJ is not a trails team. if that snorkel is not completely trashed snag that. what parts do you need? 

also, 

in the mod question, you dont have to the FJ is rather offroad worhty out of the box, but depending on how hard you wheel lift is a good place as welll as under body protection, and tires 

again welcome! 

RJ 

ps post a pic of your fj! 

Thanks. What bumper that will take a winch do you prefer? I'll try to take and post some pics of my FJ as it is tomorrow.
Oh, and parts wise, I need the rear passenger door, both front fenders, driver side quarter panel if not a complete rear clip, both power side view mirrors, wipers, 3 piece cowl, at least the side airbags and maybe seat belts as they are stuck at retractable end, and of course the sway bar tie.

sounds like you got a handful.... but you will learn the FJ inside and out! as far as bumpers go its up to what kind of look you want functionality wise you want one with decent approach angle.

Talk to BZ - I think he's just finished a similar mod package. :-) 

bumper is an ARB, I have no approach angle problems nor clearance issues, this bumper is really a battering ram as ARB claim. Holds any winch. That's not been hit, and salvageable. Snorkel too.

Steve.

Sounds like one hell of a project!  Looks like the one in the photo got T-boned.  I wouldn't trust much on it to be straight.  Bumper looks like an ARB.  Good luck and welcome!

Welcome to the group. Best of luck. Much more of a project than I could ever think of doing. Sounds fun tho!
I think some people thought the T boned blue FJ was the one I bought. It's one I am considering buying for parts to fix mine. I uploaded pics of my black 2012 FJ. It was rolled by the first owner who bought it new at One Toyota of Oakland. I am interested in hearing how it it rolled. The frame was deemed not bent when I had the front end aligned. I am not sure what options it came with but it does have Bilstein shocks. I hear they are good for offroad but not so good for highway. I find the handling a little scary (sways at top and makes me feel like it is easy to roll. Maybe it is just me.

Any suggestions on which of the two club's mid September trips would be best for my first FJ offroad experience witha mostly unmodified FJ?
Ha! So much for poor quality reading while home sick......

///// does have Bilstein shocks. I hear they are good for offroad but not so good for highway./////

I like them on both , been an offroader for years with different vehicles and I would stack my (and your) Bilsteins up against most any factory oem shocks for decent quality off road and on highway manners.

Really  pretty good "Out the box": or "Off the ship" shocks imho.

Steve.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that the motor mount(s) broke in the roll over. I will have it checked. Don't know if that could be what makes the vehicle sway in certain pavement conditions. The traction control light won't go off too. Not sure what that is about or if it has anything to do with roll over or the handling on dry pavement.

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