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 DWH on April 28, 2013 at 2:38pm

I would skip the mods, except the radio, for a year. Just drive it stock for a while. You will be surprised how far you can get and you will learn to drive better offroad.
I drove mine for about 1 1/2 years stock. Just had to go a bit more slowly and carefully than others. But that is where the learning takes place.

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Permalink Reply by Dominator! on April 28, 2013 at 8:25pm

Great advice!

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 2:54pm

LOL i know that's the logical way to go and that the stock FJ is more capable than the run of the mill SUV but if i keep it "stock" i would still do skids,sliders & tires and wheels so i am half way there so why not go all the way?

I admit I have a problem with modding my toys right off the bat both my subie WRX's were modded within a day of purchase a month later i was in deep. But that's ok my wife begrudgingly accepts it when i can afford it.

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Permalink Reply by Cowboy on April 28, 2013 at 3:46pm

Look's like a sound plan! I would go with the Total Chaos UCA's over the Icons and put the price difference toward a couple fog lights to mount on the top of the stock bumper.

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 3:58pm

Cool thanks for the advice on the UCA's. I was going to wait on lights for a few months until i get an expo one front bumper but i suppose i could get some KC slimlights and oem mounting brackets in the meantime.

I will have to take into careful consideration the placement of my NMO ham antenna on the roof just in case i decide to get a rack down the road. Also want to work out back flood light mounting without a roof rack.

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Permalink Reply by Maximus (Max) on April 28, 2013 at 5:51pm

Thats a lot of mods right off the bat! all good choices, i would recommend going slowly with the mods and learn that way to see what you really want as DWH said. Maybe just start with sliders and skids and go from there! Then again, your rig your money your mods go at it as you will and i'm sure it will be bad ass no matter what! See you on a trail sometime, cant wait to see what you end up doing

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 6:09pm

Thanks for the input. I have been reading allot on mods maybe a little overboard lol.

Seems that most of the items on my list are base/standard trail reliability mods like Skids,sliders and recovery gear and also upgraded rubber. You are right though slow and steady.... I guess the suspension is the luxury item here then again if i did everything i actually want to do now it would be another 6 grand which i could not do without plastic lol so it may not look like it but i do have some restraint.

Plus i will save on labor since i can do most of it myself save an alignment and tire mounting

We will see i still have several weeks to go until delivery!

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Permalink Reply by Revoked on April 28, 2013 at 5:53pm

Sliders and tires then wheel it.

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 6:20pm

Damn you voice of logic and reason! You guys can either ridicule me for jumping the gun or pat me on the back for listening to reason at the first meet and greet/outing i make it to :)

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 6:22pm

I never thought i would say this but you gent's are tougher than my wife on this! Usually she's my voice of reason

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Permalink Reply by Slow on April 28, 2013 at 6:26pm

Any opinions on the HREW vs DOM budbuilt sliders?

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Permalink Reply by Scott Serl on April 28, 2013 at 7:33pm

If you aren't going to be in the rocks, I would skip the skids for awhile and put it toward something else (air compressor). Sliders, lift, and tires, then get lot's of practice (I still have the stock tires after 8mo, and they are fine for everything but mud). I would also skip the rims, unless you are into cosmetics of your truck as the stock rims are fine, especially if you are getting a size that is common for 17s. Also, keep in mind that the uniball ucas will require more frequent maintenance to keep them from squeaking vs. the ball joint ones (but you need the uniball to get any benefit from the extended travel shocks).

The Larsen dual band antenna is great, and if you stick to the desert, it will be fine mounted on the roof, but it sticks up high and will cause problems in the forest; I am still researching a solution for my antennae. I currently have a magnet mount to easily take it off when needed. I am thinking lip mounts on the back door for 2 dual band antennae for my voice and APRS systems as the lip mounts have a swivel which can lower the antenna while going through low hanging tree branches, then put back upright.

Keep an eye open for club mod days where we get together and help each other mod our trucks; there was one fairly recently, but with summer coming, I suspect another may form soon.

Good luck with your mods, and see you on the trails.