[Junk]

Ok folks. Wanted to create a faq, but this is the easy way.

Here's what I want you to post, first your model and year truck (if intl spec, then please let us know).

Then in order of your preference, what your top 5 or 10 mods were. This is bang for the buck. So something like expensive gears may be lower than LED's or a Tcase saver plate etc.

The idea here is to get a thread going where someone with a new rig, that wants to make some relatively cheap mods to the truck can start off knowing these are good suggestions.

Then your worst 3.

Here's mine. 1997 80 series, 40th anniv, US Spec, beater edition

Best
1. Georges LED's - inexpensive and do it yourself
2. Slee's Tcase skid plate - inexpensive, do it yourself
3. accessory plugs, both DC and AC - inexpensive and gets frequent use
4. GPS - somewhat expensive, but frequently used
5. ARB fridge - expensive, but gets a lot of important use
6. Second battery - expensive and may need someone to do it for you, but for accessories, well worth it
7. Onboard CO2 - it gets expensive, but used frequently and has saved bacon in an emergency
8. Better jack (cheap bottle jack and an air powered one - does not count the highlift which only see action when I'm going wheeling) - very cheap and should be done
9. electric brake controller (for trailer, would be higher, but haven't been using heavy loads lately) - had someone else do mine and I haul a trailer frequently - if you tow, do this
10. sliders, but would prefer some changes made to the ones I have - mandatory protection for wheeling, will save you big money, but make sure you get good ones. good ones are not cheap, but is anything good cheap?

Worst
1. Supercharger - expensive, had to have someone do it for me, complicates other repairs - I SO REGRET this
2. Snorkel - cheap do it yourself, but gets tiring answering questions every few hours
3. Sheepskin seat covers - these just plain suck

[Sammy Jenkins]

Here I go:

FZJ80 '97 40th Anniversary

Best:
1. 285/75/R16 Tires (BFG AT), want to go to 315's
2. OME Lift (3 inch)
3. CB Radio
3. Sirius Satelite Radio
4. Exhaust

Worst:
1. Temperature Gauge (Never Works, POS, Ripped it out after a week)
2. That's IT!

[Riley]

This is fun

FZJ80, 1995

Best:

1. Increased the height of the spare tire carrier (stock location). Cost was like $2
2. George's LEDs
3. diff breather hose extension
4. Slee skid plate
5. OME suspension (this is my favorite but most $$).

Worst:

Can't think of any. This site has been preventing me from making any mods.

Riley

[cruiserdan]

Best
1 blower
2 lift
3 305/70 tires on stock steel wheels
4 water injection
5 sliders
6 front bumper/winch
7 Slee rear bumper
8 snorkel
9 adjustable rear panhard rod
10 Slee headlamp harness

Worst
1 push bar for stock ft bumper
2 Bosch driving lights
3 sunroof deflector

[Rogue]

Best
- OME 850J/863
- HannaQuality Sliders
- ARB Front Bar
- WARN M12k
- Goodyear MT/Rs 285/75/16
- Center Diff Lock Switch
- Pin 7 Mod
- 1.5" Spare Tire Lift
- Scratchproof Flares
- No Mo' Chrome
- Spare Tire Lift

Worst
- New Knuckle
- New Lug Studs

[uzj100]

What is the spare tire mod and does it work on the 100 series?

Thanks,

uzj100

[turbocruiser]

Best:
1. Safari Turbo System
2. OME 2.5" HD Lift
3. ARB Front Bumper
4. Slee Step Sliders
5. Slee Transfer Case Skid Plate
6. Center Diff Lock Switch
7. 33" AT's
8. All OEM Replacement Parts - Super Important
9. Mobil 1 0w40 Synthetic Oil - Also Super Important
10. All the advice I get from the forum!!!

Worst:
1. Cheap license plate cover from mcparts
2. Cheap tow strap from mcparts
3. Nothing else...with the advice I get from the forum!!!

Future Mods:
1. MAF Cat-Back Hi-Performance Exhaust
2. Slee headlight wiring harness
3. Slee hi-lift roof rack adaptor

[bjowett]

I know this is not what you asked for....

The best bang for the buck will always be friends.... the real ones!

The next best performance gain/$ will always be tires.

Third is a winch. Ideally, one would never be in a lone vehicle offroad, this does not happen. New Superwinch EP9.0 is selling for $549 at Quadratech - by far the best bang for the buck winch on the market.

More advice, do it once, do it right with a qaulity product. Quality products only cost more intially.

[Landpimp]

you move up the brace above the spare tire(now the spare can get cranked up higher), just get some longer bolts and spacers(I used nuts that were bigger then the bolt), I did this 4+ years ago on my 80, not sure if it works on a 100......but i'll take a look sometime.

[quote author=uzj100 link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg114882#msg114 882 date=1078407402]
What is the spare tire mod and does it work on the 100 series?

Thanks,

uzj100


[/quote]

[Hltoppr]

1992 FJ80 "Champagne"

Best:

BFG Mud Terrains (31x10.5)
OME 850/863
ARB Bullbar
Ramsey 8K winch
Snorkle
Side Marker lights
Rooftop tent (Thanks to our fine, upstanding Moderator!)
Using all OEM parts! (Thanks Dan!)

Worst:
Cheap a$$ CB....should of gone with a UHF...

Future:
Rear ARB locker
Swapping Yakima Rack for Tradesman
Rear Tire Carrier (Anyone got a used Kamar/Slee sitting around?)

-H-

[ginericLC]

Best:
1. OME J springs (and coming from a former leaf sprung Cruiser owner they are cheap ~$700 with shocks,caster,shipping)
2. Infinity 6.5" Reference speakers in doors ($79/pr)
3. Sony headunit with MP3 changer ($295 total)
4. Cheap Costco wet suit seat covers ($18/pair)
5. 15x8 Eagle 589s with 3 3/8" backspacing (free on tire deal, WIDER is better!)
6. Low profile custom tube front bumper (free until it gets done, which is probably never as the fabricator moved)
7. Sliders from friend for Scout (basically free,traded labor on his Scout which I would have done anyway)
8. License Plate Frame: Of course I'm happy I drive a Land Cruiser ($16)
9. Breather relocation to engine bay ($15 1/4" GAS line)
10. New light bulbs, Hella 4000s ($40, gift from friend)
11. AIR horns (gift from friend)

Worst:
1. BFG 35x12.50 MTs (highway and snow sucks $625)
2. Sliders from Scout. Should have been a little longer.
3. Dent (but then again it gives a good story to tell)
4. License Plate Frame: I am the Big Dog (too many people think I'm arrogant and don't understand the humor outside of NW Cruisers of Idaho $gift)

[Garth]

[quote author=Hltoppr link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg114927#msg114 927 date=1078416377]

Rear Tire Carrier (Anyone got a used Kamar/Slee sitting around?)

-H-




[/quote]

cruiserparts.net has a used Kaymar(bumper and tire carrier)...$540 to your door.

[Hltoppr]

I was afraid someone would know where one was....gotta check it out!

Gracias!

-H-

[CDN_Cruiser]

Hmmmmm

The Good (not really in order):
1) Synthetic fluids and OEM parts
2)Milford Cargo Barrier to protect my (and kid's) noggen
3) The 'CDN-Cruiser Custom 1/2 width City Drawer System and Dog Cage Platform
4) The 'CDN-Cruiser Custom 2 Coffee Drink Holder That is Within Arms Reach on The Center Console While You Drive' drink holders
5) Slee harness and upgraded lights, rear fog and side market lights (I think - just getting warm enough to install :-[)
6) 2nd Row Husky Liner and Tuff Duck seat covers - the kids can spill anything without a problem
7) Driver side seat mounted Mag light holder
8) Hella map light
9) Diff and T-case breathers
10) Waterproof, quick disconnect work light
12) Thule racks and box


The Worst:
1) Cobra CB - gets the job done, but should have gone with a dash mount

The Ideal Plan:
1) Slee Sliders
2) 2.5" OME lift
4) ARB Bumper
5) Winch with synthetic rope
6) Upgraded speakers
7) Wiring dash speakers to CB and Ham radios
8) LED lights
9) Blower
10) Hella 4000s
11) Laptop-based GPS or maybe use my IPAQ
12) Pintle mounted ball hitch
13) Strobes in addition to 4 way flashers
14) Snorkle
15) Center diff lock switch
16) CO2 or OBA system of some sort
17) T-case and dryer skid plates
18) 2nd Battery
19) Tracking alarm system - ideally a 'free' one using amateur radio..still planning this

...man, I gotta get back to work to save for all of this!

Cheers, Hugh

[Landpimp]

doesn't look like a Kaymar to me or at least the kind I have seen.



[quote author=Garth1 link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg114950#msg114 950 date=1078418337]
cruiserparts.net has a used Kaymar(bumper and tire carrier)...$540 to your door.
[/quote]

[bkgiii]

Here's mine:
96, LX450
The best:
1. Georges Domes / Map
2. Georges Door modules
3. Slee Harness upgrade
3.5 Slee CDL
3.75 Slee cupholder
4. DC Outlets - 2 front (Ashtray mod) , 1 rear
5. Aux Fuse Block (Painless, 7-circuit)
5.5 WeatherTech visors (side) (best I've found, if you are so inclined
6. K&N
7. Synthetics (Amsoil)
8. 100 Series Pads
9. GPS (Garmin)
10. Auxiliary lighting (PIAA / CIBIE, F&R)
11. Dueler AT Revos 285/75-16 on stock wheels
12. Eclipse replacement speakers - all

Worst
1. DBA Slotted/ drilled rotors
2. OEM Toyota shocks
3. Surnoof wind deflector (yeah, yeah..y'all told me so..maybe the OEM one will be better.)
4. Ionic Breeze 12v ionizer
5. Bosch Plugs - Platinum +4

In the works, since I'm 80% road, 20% swamp:
1. Debate on OME..
2. Heavier debate on ARB

[cruiserman]

Good: Center diff lock switch & OME lift. Adding the Lockright worked out well. Removing the fender flares. Weathertech cargo mat.

Bad: Liftgate and rocker panel mods. Advancing the timing too far.

[Garth]

[quote author=Landpimp link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg114976#msg114 976 date=1078420218]
doesn't look like a Kaymar to me or at least the kind I have seen.

[/quote]

He advertises it as Kaymar, so I figured it was some old-school Kaymar. ??? Might be worth an inquisitive email for anyone interested.

[sjcruiser]

'97 LX450

Best:
===
1. OME 861/862
2. Great cover seat covers
3. Dash cup holder
4. Center console rear foldup cup holder
5. George's LEDs
6. Slee's headlight wiring harness
7. Center diff lock switch + Pin7 mode(TBD)
8. Rear constant power outlet
9. Diff. breather extension
10. Second row reclining hinges
11. Front 100 series brake pads

Worst:
====
1. WAAG guards :'(
2. Costco's Ionizers

Mixed:
====
1. TRD air filter
2. Frozen (cryogenized) rotors (front)

Frank.

[Garth]

1997 40th Anniv, US Spec.

1) Bought one with factory lockers!
2) Set of 40th Anniv OEM floor mats from sor. (Yeah, they aint for everyone,but I like 'em!)
3) Georges LED lights. I won 'em on IH8MUD!!
4) BFG 285/75R16. Factory tires left me stranded in a blizzard.
5) ARB roof rack. Family of 5, lots of crap to haul!

Future:
6) Old Man Emu. Heavy/Heavy 2.5" for me. Choose your lift amount, but no 80 should be without OME.
7) Slee sliders.
8) Old -style Cruiser wheels/hubcaps sized to 16x8. (Hey, I'm old school.)

Never:
8) Supercharger/Turbocharger (Blower). Cool, yeah, but ONLY after a complete engine rebuild for me.
9) Snorkel: No deep water for me. No supercharger. I'm 50/50 on the looks.

[landtoy80]

94 fzj80 that green/blue paint with purle flakes in it that looks black at night.

Best;
geting the 80
cutting up the Trud

worst;
giving the wife the 80
rust

[BMT]

94 Green One

Best

BFG MUD's (good bang for the buck)
Removing Running Boards (free)
Removing Center Caps (free)
CDL Switch (fairly cheap)
Cobra CB w/ Weather Band
Pintle Hook (good pull point)
OME Lift (again, good bang for the buck)

Worst

Used ARB (no offense, buyer beware)
Hand Throttle (really don't use it but it's cool)

Need

Lockers (will be calling Cruiserparts...James, right?)
Warn 8274
Rear Kaymar with dual tire carriers

[clownmidget]

Best bang per buck:
1) diffs, tranny, xfer case breathers - $20 in hose saving $$$
2) CDL switch & pin-7 mod - $50, why didn’t it come this way??
3) George’s xfer skid plate (or Slee’s) – cheap protection
4) Aux fuel tank – again, why didn’t it come this way??
5) Fuel injectors rebuilt & balanced - $150, big difference after 100K miles
6) OME springs & shocks
7) Sliders
8) Tires
9) George’s LEDs
10) &nbspual battery setup
11) Supercharger

Lamest:
1) cupholder - $50, that’s just stupid. Of course I couldn’t help myself
2) K&N air filter – refer to #1
3) Replacing fuel filter – this takes way too long, the one you take out looks pristine, and there’s absolutely no change in anything after the new one is in???
4) Cleaning the truck in any way shape or form, in or out – it just gets dirty again!!!!

[Gumby]

Not in any real order
1. OME and 305/70s not too much $$ compared to other lifts
2. center console - cheap, makes driving way better
3. sliders - don't know how much you need 'em till you need 'em
4. ashtray CB
5. timing advance
6. 6 CD in dash
7. Aux fuse box next to
8. Optima
9. Inverter - TV and playstation in the back make for nice road trips
10. painted flares


Worst
1. swing away rear tire carrier - looked cool, PIA to use
2. manik side steps - damn near fawked up my rockers when they bent

Jury's out - snorkel - I like it I probably saved my engine at least once, although i wouldn't have gone in there without it. Damn, I'm sick of the questions, though. I'm just gonna post a giant sign on it. IT'S A FAWKIN SNORKEL, YOU DUMB ASS.
3.
3.

[Trunk Monkey]

1997

Best cheap:
1. George's LEDs
2. CDL switch
3. Hella horns
4. Upgraded headlights

Best not-cheap
1. Lift
2. Intercooler for the supercharger
3. ARB front bar

Worst
1. 4x4 Connection rock sliders (good quality, more like rock-grabbers)
2. Superwinch (crummy design)
3. TJM rear bumper (durability not equal to price)

[scottm]

If I had any other truck, I'd have a long list. I bought this truck because it has all the stuff most people need to add. Of course I'm still adding stuff. For lots of towing highway & off-road in deer country:

ARB bar
brake controller
100 series pads
rear air bags
aggressive, load rated 265 tires
CDL switch
50 amp power feed to the rear

[Junk]

[quote author=Gumby link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg115348#msg115 348 date=1078455264]
IT'S A FAWKIN SNORKEL, YOU DUMB ASS.[/quote]

Make one for me, with the real word vs the fawkin and it will be my number one mod

[ginericLC]

[quote author=Junk link=board=2;threadid=12515;start=msg115413#msg115 413 date=1078458517]
Make one for me, with the real word vs the fawkin and it will be my number one mod
[/quote]

Use your imagination. One of my friend's wife told folks at the supermarket that it was a rocket launcher. She said my husband is in the Air Force and he has a special permit for it. These people believed it. A few weeks later somebody came up to me and asked me how long I had been in the Air Force. I told them I wasn't. They asked how I got a rocket launcher. I put a sticker of little cartoon with a snorkeler on it. Folks still didn't get it. One time after explaining what it was the person asked me where my periscope was. She couldn't figure out how I would be able to see if I was driving underwater.

[cruiserdan]

I, for one, quite enjoy the "gawk factor" associated with a snorkel.
It is an eye catcher to say the least. Not a day passes where folks don't point at it and hands flash Animated discussions often follow.
In this age where automobiles are considered appliances, it is fun to have something "special". My snorkel was less than 1/10th the cost of my blower. Guess what gets noticed.


D-

[Cruiserdrew]

Ranked in cost effective order:

Diff Breather extensions
Door LEDs from superbrightleds.com($2.50!)
George's Dome LEDs
Synthetic fluids/grease
Slee transfer skid
Sliders, also Slee
Center Diff lock switch
OME J Lift
A/C dryer protection for ARB
Slee Rear Bumper/tire carrier
Aggressive tires
Black steel wheels
C/V driveshaft (no more bad vibes)
Slotted(not drilled) DBA rotors
Heavy duty rear control arms
ARB Front Bar
Winch (used only 1 time to pull out 2 trucks)

Things I would like, and consider to be cost effective, though my wife does not agree:

4.88 gears
More lift
35/37 inch MTRs
Slee leading arms
Heavy duty tie rod/drag link
Aluminum Roof Rack
More $$$ to finish building truck and start on my 60