FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Newbie from Modesto

I just realized I never posted in here. I got my first FJ at the end of July...2007 Voodoo Blue. I used to have a Mitsubishi Montero and ended up getting rid of it and getting a Cadi CTS-V. It was nice but just didn't have the room I was use to, plus it was a ticket waiting to happen. So I started looking around trying to figure out what kind of SUV I wanted to get to replace it. I was at a store in Ceres and noticed a Black Cherry FJ in the parking lot and thought that was a cool rig, so I took a pic of it with my cell phone. Went back home and started reading up on the FJ and knew that was what I wanted. I believe it was ColinFJ13's rig that I saw that day.

Now I need to find some "beginner" trails around here to cut my teeth with :) We took it up to one I knew behind Bear Ski off Hwy 4 the other week to try it out but I need to find some others. Haven't done any mods to it yet, I was told to wait awhile and think about what you want so you don't end up having to do them over again. I know I want to get some Budbuilt skids and Boztec rear diff skid.

Here's a pic of her at the top of the trail...

Here's the pic I took that stated it all... Thanks ColinFJ13

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Meestar Jim on September 5, 2012 at 8:37am

Welcome to the site! There are supposed to be some fairly easy trails up near Pinecrest I believe, but I've never checked it out...

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Permalink Reply by Yose FJ (David) on September 5, 2012 at 12:22pm

Howdy!

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Permalink Reply by Maximus (Max) on September 5, 2012 at 3:39pm

welcome to the site! the fj is very capable stock and even better with a lift and the right tires, have fun with your build!

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Permalink Reply by MoreFJland on September 5, 2012 at 5:53pm

Welcome. I’d suggest sliders for your fist mod & Boztec diff skid. I went about a year before going too crazy, and was more than able to handle some tough trails. The FJ is pretty amazing stock. Beware, once you catch the mod bug, you’ll never stop. Check what others have done on this site & the Blue Room, and head to some of our events & ask questions. What trail were you on off Hw4m was it Corral Hollow? If not, that’s a pretty easy one. There is one around Pinecrest off 108, and another just past Strawberry on Herring Creek. Both very easy.

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Permalink Reply by Blowtorch Betty on September 5, 2012 at 6:35pm

I second that - make rock sliders your first mod. Your running boards ("pontoons") will likely get messed up pretty quickly (I bent and scraped mine my first day out at Hollister Hills). Other than that, it really depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do. A 3" lift, 33" tires (MTs or good ATs) and skid plates will probably come in handy soon after that. A CB radio is incredibly useful on the trail and relatively inexpensive. But ask around, come out on a run, and do some research first. Take your time :)