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

Permalink Reply by Slow on May 2, 2013 at 9:31pm

LOL this again? I was not and i am not planning on a bumper/winch before suspension. Skids yes bumper no.

Chain will not be for primary recovery and would only be used as a backup,winching with the hilift or strangling hookers if need be...Did i cross the line ;)

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Permalink Reply by DWH on May 2, 2013 at 10:23pm

If you do not want opinions, do not ask for them.
I am done here.

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Permalink Reply by Slow on May 3, 2013 at 8:15am

?? Sorry to piss you off your just the second guy to say the same thing and I never said anything about a bumper for my initial mods or before suspension.

I am sorry i am not following your route a driving a completely stock FJ for a year and a 1/2 but i have taken everybody's advice/and opinions to heart and have and forgot about the suspension for the time being and agree diving in that deep is overboard. So yes i welcome and take everybody's opinions into consideration.

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Permalink Reply by charly on April 30, 2013 at 9:21pm

I agree with DWH (for the most part)... smiling now !

I have a 2011 manual. I put an Expedition One Trail Series bumper on, installed their windshield washer reservoir, put a Warn M8000 winch on the front, and Load Series E Bridgestone Dueler A/T.265.70.R17. I also added Radflo coilovers with the heavy springs (RADEXT20650). I did not lift the FJ; a have it set level with the rear.

I cut and haul about 7 cords of firewood a year; getting the winch has been a very good investment.

I was in Death Valley recently. I had a friend with his Jeep (my desert guide) and we did Mengel Pass from west to east and back out the same way. We got in some other less technical driving, but none the less, proved the FJ can do a lot more than you would first expect.

I get up into USFS land near the Yolla Bolly's as often as I can. Last week I spent 3 nights on Red Mountain.

In the winter I go out on the beach and cut shingle bolts (3 cords this past winter).

The FJ is proving to be a great off road vehicle.

In the next year or so I'll add on an Exp. 1 rear bumper. Without steel bumpers or sliders, there isn't any good place to use a high-lift. However, in the 10 years I had my ole 99 4Runner, I never had to use a high-lift. The only other mod I am thinking of is a slight lift in the rear with heavier springs. When I haul my trailer with about a cord of oak or madrone, the FJ really squats in the rear.

That being said, get that rig off the road and enjoy it.

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Permalink Reply by Slow on May 1, 2013 at 7:39am

Wow your really put your FJ to Work!

As for the use of the hilift it would be used on sliders (should pick up an adapter) or as a winch since i will not be adding one right away i figure $75 bucks is cheap insurance even if i never need to use it.

That being said i need to do a recovery skills day for myself. I really don't want to kill myself with that death trap or find myself in need and don't know what the hell i'm doing.

Thanks for the reply

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Permalink Reply by Barricade_FJC on April 30, 2013 at 11:16pm

I have read most of the post and I may have missed this question but if no one else has asked.... "Why did you get a 2013 if you plan on doing so many mods right off the bat?" Just seems like a Jeep owners thought (no offense) My wife and I have purchased our 2007s and love them. I am just thinking of what you could have done to a used FJC with your budget compared to a 2013. Then you could have done the full suspension, body armor, lights, wheels, tires and even turbo charged it!

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Permalink Reply by Slow on May 1, 2013 at 7:29am

Well i am not a big used car guy except for my first car all all others (8) have been new. And with used car prices currently what they are and how well the FJ retains it's value i don't mind and prefer buying new. Anyhow my mod budget would not change on a used FJ.

And i do take offense to the jeep comment LOL I would not be caught dead in a new wrangler or most any american car for that matter(although i do like older Cherokee's and comanche's).

On the thought of turbo charging from my experience with turbo cars it seems like supercharging would be the way to go on a offroad vehicle.