FJ Cruisers of Northern California
Opinions on my "Jumping the gun" mod list
So my '13 FJ is still about 3-4 weeks out but i already have a mod list i will be doing pretty much right off the bat and i am seeking opinions and advice. I am getting the offroad and convenience package.
Usage plans include general trails,some desert, ohv parks and occasional snow and sand no serious rock crawling yet though.
I am pretty much a newb to offroading with the exception of some stock fun at hollister,tahoe and panoche hills area in my 2000 tacoma and 2001 xterra over a decade ago.
i will have approx $6g to play with.So here's my current list
Suspension:
Metaltech/icon long travel kit with
- 58645/58647 - Icon 2.5 Extended Travel Coilovers
- MT-GSJ-4175 - Metal Tech Long Travel Rear Suspension Kit
- MT-GSJ-4025 - Metal Tech 4x4 Offset Lower Links
And front UCA's (undecided on weather to go with TC or Icon on these)
Skids and sliders:
Budbuilt 4 piece skids with rear diff skid
Budbuilt sliders (undecided between HREW standard or throw in the extra $150 for the DOM HD sliders)
Wheels and tires:
I plan on going 16in have not decided weather to go steel or alloy (looking at black rock yumas)
Tires 285/75r16 either Goodyear duratrac's or MT/R K's (not sure if i really need the MT on an allrounder but the sure look the part!)
Misc items:
Hilift 48in,liftemate & jack mate (Plan on interior mounting of tools using qucik fists etc. no plans for roof rack at this time)
ARB snatch,extension,snatch block (for planned winch) ,tree saver and 4 D shackles
Tow hitch d ring adapter block
Some 3/8in chain
Shovel,axe,bow saw(All probably fiskars)
TRD air filter
Fire extinguisher
I Already have a tool kit and basic first aid kit that ride with me.
Radio gear:
Kenwood D710a 2m/440 and a Uniden 680 or 980SSB CB
Larsen 2m/440 antenna NMO roof mount and Firestick on Boztec mount.
And that pretty much wipes out $6,000 + radios
A few months down the road once i can save up another 2-$2500 i plan on an expo one front bumper,warn M8000 and 2 KC slim lights.
Any input would be appreciated! Thanks
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Slow on
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I do plan on rock gardens and the such just no crazy boulders but i never know when the fancy will strike and i would feel safer not risking any fluid loss or major damage that could be avoided with skids.
The icon and TC UCA's appear to have zerks so minor servicing at the same time i do my oil etc is no problem for me.
The larsen is a great antenna. I am looking for best performance from it so roof mount is paramount and i have no problem removing it and capping the NMO for trails with low trees that i will encounter. I have already thought that one over. The diamond lip mount is a nice option though. I like doing QRP HF and satellite work in remote areas so the FJ will serve as my get there rig.
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Permalink Reply by DWH on
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My antenna is mounted on my roof rack. It is similar to this:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/2568.html
It can fold over when you want it to so it does not get tangled in trees, drive-thrus or what ever. Gets out pretty well too.
ICON UCAs do not have zerks and are not grease-able. They have a teflon lining instead. In fact the instruction specifically state "do not lubricate". About every 20K to 25K miles the uniballs need replacing. I just did mine and it was about $200. If I were to do it again, I would not get the ICON UCAs. I would get Total Chaos or another brand. Much cheaper and they do the same thing.
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Thank you for the informative post. I thought i saw zerks on the icons but i was wrong. TC's for sure then!
Diamond makes some good antennas but i have grown fond of larsen's performance cannot recommend them enough.
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Permalink Reply by Dominator! on
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If you want to get a cool looking "mall crawler" then go for it.
Personally I wouldn't spend $6,000 to look cool. Your only planning to do some "general trails,some desert, ohv parks and occasional snow and sand no serious rock" so pretty much stock would do it. Get a radio though. It's good to have.
And whatever you do...Do everyone a favor and get some recovery gear with part of the $6,000. That way when you do go off road, you don't look like the newb with a sick rig who spent all of his money without buying the basic essentials.
And get some Staun Valve deflators too.
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So everyone who gets a modest functional lift does it to look cool? If i wanted a mall crawler i would get a 6in lift with 37in swampers and go show off.
Seems like most of the people who have 2 to 3in lifts do exactly what i have planned and that makes it a mall crawler am i missing something?
Anyhow if you had read my list it includes essential recovery Gear. Everybody is a newb at some point and i am not seeking approval.
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I was mall creeping not crawling.
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Dominator I just browsed your photo album seems like the trails you run are exactly the type of trails i am looking to run yet you have a lift and chrome wheels and it is not stock Does that make you a mall crawler? I would not think so (although i am not a fan of chrome wheels)
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Calm down son.
I swapped out my wheels from the black chrome to black steel. The chromes where what came on the thing when I got it (and as cool as they look for my mall creeping/crawling days, they oxidize and would just get messed up anyways).
Your going to do what a lot of people do. Drive it around for a year as you said, and then one day you'll get a few pinstripes and it's off to the trails you go! Good for you on your plans. I would still get the Staun's though. You can slip them on and auto deflate at the beach, trail, etc...
As for seeking approval, I don't give a shit what you do. Get that in your head. You asked for opinions, and opinions are like assholes (everybody has one). So get off the trip. Again, if it were I, I'd take the advice and enjoy your car stock for a year. Then decide what you want to do (you'll probably save money in the process by realizing what you want, want you don't, what works better for you, and other preferences.) Good luck to you.
p.s. I mall crawled it for a year... to each his own.
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LOL i am calm have been all along...You? You fist post just came off a little abrasive But hey no harm no foul sounds like your a good guy with good advice.
I will probably have pinstripes the first weekend i have it and will not be driving it around for a year waiting to go offroad. It will not be a daily driver but a weekend/vacation offroad get me up that hill thats eyeing me ride.
FYI i asked for opinions on the part selection i guess i should have made that clear. I did the stock wheeling thing for a couple of years about a decade ago with my tacoma and xterra and did it the stupid way without other experienced offroaders almost tipped my tacoma multiple times,dented the shit out of my xterras oil pan and took bad lines with no spotter but learned not to wheel alone lol. And i am still a newb
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I like you! You seem pretty good in my book!
In the end, make sure your happy... everybody here has an opinion. Some sound advice tried and true as well. Keep you eye out here and the blue page for deals too!
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