Home Technical Links IH8MUD Forum Photo Gallery Product Reviews Tech Trivia IH8MUD Store CruiserFAQ.com

IH8MUD™ Forums
Support our Advertising Vendors!
Go Back   IH8MUD™ Forums > Toyota Tech Forums > FJ Cruiser
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-10-06, 06:36 AM   #1
IH8MUD Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder Foothills, CO
TLCA# 8901
Posts: 699
powderpig is on a distinguished road
Techie ideas for FJ

Ok I started this thread for ideas on the Techie side of the FJ. Stuff we can pass on(as to Toyota's guys ) that would be cool to have in the FJ. One thought I had is to have a electronic adjustable idle for use when runnning the winch or other accessories. Since no throttle cable, something bundled with the computer would be great.
So in that spirit, what other thoughts would be cool?
later robbie


__________________
93 FZJ 80, 4.6 l, 6 slee suspenion, Front and rear and side aromor, 44 gal aux tank, 4.88, 35 MTR, daily driver, 36 TSL fun tire, drawer system, dual batteries. Can't wait for a trip.
Senior Driver FJCTT
powderpig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 08:13 AM   #2
IH8MUD Regular
 
TexasBadlands's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 256
TexasBadlands is on a distinguished road
Front and Rear ARB air lockers from the factory.


__________________
2007 6-Speed Toyota FJ Cruiser
2002 Land Rover Discovery II
1978 Toyota FJ-40 Cruiser

I UNDERSTAND THE JEEP THING, THAT'S WHY I DON'T OWN ONE.

TexasBadlands is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 09:28 AM   #3
IH8MUD Lifer
 
nickw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Cranbrook BC
Posts: 1,369
nickw is on a distinguished road
Grab handles!!!!!
Need handles for people.
How can you have an offroad vehicles without handles?

If Toyota left them off becayse they don't fit, they NEED to make them fit.
This is a major oversight IMHO.

Cheers,
Nick


__________________
1988 BJ74 / Lots of goodies - Sold
1990 HDJ81 / Fully outfitted loaded beautiful truck - Rolled
1985 BJ60 / Beautiful Stock truck - Stolen

Last edited by nickw; 08-11-06 at 09:05 AM.
nickw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 10:01 AM   #4
Shaken - not stirred
 
Blues Dawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Phoenix
TLCA# 16271
Posts: 878
Blues Dawg is on a distinguished road
Low tech but nice to have would be for the rear windows to vent open and the front seats to fold forward for easier rear access, both similar to the xtra cab pu's.

Also, the skid plate design leaves much to be desired, needs support out to the ends and could be tucked tighter. Mine folded on a rock and I've seen another thread where it acted as a mud scoop.


__________________
Yellow FJ Cruiser - a work in progress -
Copper State Cruisers #68
IBL8 & Procrastin8
Blues Dawg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 11:04 AM   #5
Avocado Powa!
 
DanKunz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Woodstock, GA
TLCA# 10893
Posts: 5,329
DanKunz
4 doors...you can make that suicide door a bit larger and over the wheel well and you would have a customer in me


__________________
Dan Kunz
1996 FZJ-80 "AV0CAD0"
2000 UZJ-100 "T0WCAD0"
Member: TLCA, GA Cruisers, Upstate Cruisers
Donate to SAVE TELLICO!
_____________________________
Originally Posted by eventhough:
"apparently I just need to play with it until it feels right... "
DanKunz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 12:24 PM   #6
tlcwagons.org
 
FirstToy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,289
FirstToy is an unknown quantity at this point
Robbie,
this is nice if it's going to toyota!
I made it a sticky so it's easy to keep it going


__________________
TLCA#14645
BRC#41798
I love cachapas!
my wip

I drink your milkshake!
FirstToy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 07:44 PM   #7
IH8MUD Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder Foothills, CO
TLCA# 8901
Posts: 699
powderpig is on a distinguished road
I will send the link to a guy I know at Toyota after a bit. But be assured that some one reads all the forums that have some listing on the FJC. Toyota watches with great interest, even though they do not comment much. later robbie


__________________
93 FZJ 80, 4.6 l, 6 slee suspenion, Front and rear and side aromor, 44 gal aux tank, 4.88, 35 MTR, daily driver, 36 TSL fun tire, drawer system, dual batteries. Can't wait for a trip.
Senior Driver FJCTT
powderpig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-06, 08:40 PM   #8
tlcwagons.org
 
FirstToy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,289
FirstToy is an unknown quantity at this point
I'll add my wishlist - improvements to the current platform

1. stronger control arms

2. relocate the rr lower control arm mount higher up or french it into the frame rail.

4. make the rr quarter windows longer (make the c-pillar smaller)

5. side routed exhaust pipe

6. redesign the puffy taillights- take out about 30 psi and it will look good

7. ARB lockers option from the factory

8. More attention to functional features inside- grabhandles were mentioned earlier, various pockets and tie-downs (like a good backpack w/ a place for everything). Do something with the huge blank spot at the passenger side.

9. Relocate the front bodymounts. This is a hinderance to upsizing tires and 1" back would make life alot easier for people.


__________________
TLCA#14645
BRC#41798
I love cachapas!
my wip

I drink your milkshake!
FirstToy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-06, 09:56 AM   #9
Shaken - not stirred
 
Blues Dawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Phoenix
TLCA# 16271
Posts: 878
Blues Dawg is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by FirstToy
I'll add my wishlist - improvements to the current platform

1. stronger control arms

2. relocate the rr lower control arm mount higher up or french it into the frame rail.

4. make the rr quarter windows longer (make the c-pillar smaller)

5. side routed exhaust pipe

6. redesign the puffy taillights- take out about 30 psi and it will look good

7. ARB lockers option from the factory

8. More attention to functional features inside- grabhandles were mentioned earlier, various pockets and tie-downs (like a good backpack w/ a place for everything). Do something with the huge blank spot at the passenger side.

9. Relocate the front bodymounts. This is a hinderance to upsizing tires and 1" back would make life alot easier for people.
Oops! I forgot to mention the suspension issues earlier. Stronger control arms would have saved me $$$ as I have already bent one climbing a rock.

Also rear lower links are a common point of failure. We saw this with the Toyota Trail team run, when several FJC's bent theirs on rocks. The heavier replacements are easy to manufacture and support the weight of the truck if dragged over an obstacle (proven), and that forward bracket is kinda in the way...


__________________
Yellow FJ Cruiser - a work in progress -
Copper State Cruisers #68
IBL8 & Procrastin8
Blues Dawg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-06, 04:40 PM   #10
Avocado Powa!
 
DanKunz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Woodstock, GA
TLCA# 10893
Posts: 5,329
DanKunz
The body mount comment I can give a x2 on, need to support the addition of a larger tire (up to 35") without cutting and reboxing frame components .

I would also add that the rear pillar is "okay" but i would rather see a bit more window with a lil vent in it...just nicer when you are offroad.

Would an option for kid tethers be too much? (inside joke for the folks with us yesterday).


__________________
Dan Kunz
1996 FZJ-80 "AV0CAD0"
2000 UZJ-100 "T0WCAD0"
Member: TLCA, GA Cruisers, Upstate Cruisers
Donate to SAVE TELLICO!
_____________________________
Originally Posted by eventhough:
"apparently I just need to play with it until it feels right... "
DanKunz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-06, 09:26 PM   #11
IH8MUD Addict
 
BC_FJC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
TLCA# 16085
Posts: 632
BC_FJC is on a distinguished road
Real Skid plates that protect the transmission as well...
Stocks ones are a little thin and don't extend back far enough.

Pop out windows on the rear doors... how hard could that be?

Redesigned rear door, the back of the truck is a dust magnet. You can't get anything in or out with out getting dirty, the back bumper collects the dirt.



__________________
Drew
'07 Voodoo Blue FJ Crusier with a few upgrades
Photos
BC_FJC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-06, 09:52 PM   #12
IH8MUD Regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 390
k_os is on a distinguished road
A skidplate that'd cover the whole between the center diff and the gastank for us MT6.

I don't think anyone has had my problem but better placed/hidden alternators when it's time to get dirty in the mud is a must. I had to take mine apart.

I second the ability to put on 35"s without lift/choping body mounts would be nice. I mean 1 1/2 inches per side is not that much.


__________________
07 FJC 33" STTs, OME lift
k_os is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-06, 09:25 AM   #13
IH8MUD Regular
 
fullnelson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Western Colorado
TLCA# 2664
Posts: 115
fullnelson is on a distinguished road
Not so techy, but I'd like more power outlets, one being a hot wired power point. Also, I would like Toyota to offer them with some of the original FJ40 colors, particularly mustard and dark green. Keep the white roof though, I love that!


__________________
Dirty Toy School
TTT Backup Driver/ Trainer
FJCTT Central Lead Driver
1972 FJ40 3B conversion, AXT Turbo, AA rock box, 116:1 crawl, Longfields, 4x4 Labs high steer
1993 FZJ80, Superwinch Husky 10, OME 851/863, ARB fridge, 285/75/R16 BFG Mud Terrains, Metal Tech sliders
fullnelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-06, 10:14 AM   #14
IH8MUD Regular
 
SurfPonto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Leucadia (San Diego)
Posts: 225
SurfPonto is on a distinguished road
not to re-hash but a Turbo-Diesel
SurfPonto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-06, 12:08 PM   #15
IH8MUD Lifer
 
k9crazy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
TLCA# 16079
Posts: 1,482
k9crazy is on a distinguished road
On the factory sliders...they protect the rocker panels fine, but don't do much for the body if you catch a tall rock or happen to slide into a tree or wall or something. Adding one more tube out to the limit of the door would be helpful.


__________________
Heather
'07 FJ Cruiser and 1973 FJ55
Upstate Cruisers - Land Use Officer
SFWDA - Director of Land Management
Georgia Cruisers
TreadLightly! Master Tread Trainer
DONATE TO SAVE TELLICO
k9crazy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-06, 06:06 PM   #16
Avocado Powa!
 
DanKunz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Woodstock, GA
TLCA# 10893
Posts: 5,329
DanKunz
and don't forget the spacer in the middle of that slider extension


__________________
Dan Kunz
1996 FZJ-80 "AV0CAD0"
2000 UZJ-100 "T0WCAD0"
Member: TLCA, GA Cruisers, Upstate Cruisers
Donate to SAVE TELLICO!
_____________________________
Originally Posted by eventhough:
"apparently I just need to play with it until it feels right... "
DanKunz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-06, 07:32 PM   #17
IH8MUD Regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 390
k_os is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanKunz
and don't forget the spacer in the middle of that slider extension

ha ha.. funny. Another idea I just had, while not very techy. Very important in daily driving. This FJ is just like my girlfriend b itches about pretty much everything. Put it in reverse beeep, no seatbelt beeep, leave door open beeep, it's seriously extremely annoying. But like my g/f I still love her/it .


__________________
07 FJC 33" STTs, OME lift
k_os is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 12:40 AM   #18
tlcwagons.org
 
FirstToy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,289
FirstToy is an unknown quantity at this point
Some good suggestions about possible improvements in this thread
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=1346979


__________________
TLCA#14645
BRC#41798
I love cachapas!
my wip

I drink your milkshake!
FirstToy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 09:16 AM   #19
IH8MUD Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder Foothills, CO
TLCA# 8901
Posts: 699
powderpig is on a distinguished road
Keep the ideas coming.
In reading some of these ideas, you have to remember that safty has been regulated by DOT and some other regulatory agencies, and insurance compainies as well. Like the Beeps(that are not my favorite things as well). May have to move to a different country to get rid of these beeps.
Solid Axle stuff has been hashed to death in other threads, is not going to happen from the factory(as far as I know, some day may have to eat my words).
Stronger Rear control arms would be great. But if we look at history, the rear control arms of both the 80 series and the 100 series needed replacing as well if you 'wheel hard.
My real intent is to get the other ideas that may be floating around like the adjustable idle for running the engine faster while using electrical devices, wider sliders, more power outlets, bigger invertor, non key switched 12 power outlet etc... Remember that some one is reading all the threads here on Mud as well as other forums to see how this is all going. I pass on stuff I read to the person I know if I think he needs to see it. He then passes stuff on to different departments.
I would also like a switch that allows you to lock the torque convertor to allow you to use the TC and compression braking more.
I too have already suggested bigger wheel wells, windows in the rear that open. I have not thought about the dust on the back (good thought).
Any how thanks for taking the time for doing this. We all may see the ideas coming in future trucks.
later robbie


__________________
93 FZJ 80, 4.6 l, 6 slee suspenion, Front and rear and side aromor, 44 gal aux tank, 4.88, 35 MTR, daily driver, 36 TSL fun tire, drawer system, dual batteries. Can't wait for a trip.
Senior Driver FJCTT
powderpig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 11:16 AM   #20
IH8MUD Addict
 
Corey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Auburn, WA.
Posts: 600
Corey is on a distinguished road
I have not seen this yet, a front dome light.
All the other suggestions are great.

But often in the morning (3:30 am for me) when I leave for work I wish I had a front dome light instead of reaching way back to flip the other one on.

It would be good for looking at a map too, or if you needed to get to your CDs or bring up a playlist on the iPod.

There also is plenty of room on the headliner up front to have some sort of a mount to attach a CB radio to.
Maybe even have it plumbed for 12v.

I was seriously thinking of paying Cartoys to mount my huge CB up there, but opted for the glovebox instead like I did on the 4Runner.
http://www.pnw4runners.com/fj/cb/DSC00023.JPG

But there is plenty of room on top of the headliner, even for a huge Cobra 29.


__________________
Corey
'07 FJ Cruiser, '91 4Runner is gone
ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, custom rack goodies, so much more, see my website

My Forum - My Website - My Rigs Build-up - Roof Top Tent
Corey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 11:17 AM   #21
IH8MUD Rookie
 
VoodooBlue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 47
VoodooBlue is on a distinguished road
for those that camp - how about being able to turn the lights off? I think I read a thread about turning the key 4 times this way, once that way, holding the odo reset while dividing whole numbers by their cube root (or something like that...) to bypass the circuit. And I don't want to pull fuses either. Maybe there could be a switch that is tied to the A-TRAK or the locker that senses dirt trails and relatively fresh air and would then allow the lights to be doused.


__________________
waiting for my GSJ15L-GKFSKA
T-6 years and holding.......
VoodooBlue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 05:11 PM   #22
IH8MUD Regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 390
k_os is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by VoodooBlue
for those that camp - how about being able to turn the lights off? I think I read a thread about turning the key 4 times this way, once that way, holding the odo reset while dividing whole numbers by their cube root (or something like that...) to bypass the circuit. And I don't want to pull fuses either. Maybe there could be a switch that is tied to the A-TRAK or the locker that senses dirt trails and relatively fresh air and would then allow the lights to be doused.

if you pull your parking break 1 click and turn on the car your DRLs would be disabled, you have to pull it before you turn on the engine.

Another Idead I thought about was to modify the exaust pipe so when you ride with the rear latch open exaust gases don't get in the cabin and sofocate you . Also a rear latch that'd roll down like in the Tundra/4runner and every other Toyota SUV would be great.


__________________
07 FJC 33" STTs, OME lift
k_os is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-06, 09:47 PM   #23
IH8MUD Regular
 
Runner Ryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Victoria BC
Posts: 283
Runner Ryan is on a distinguished road
I think a door handle on the inside of the rear door would be handy. Also, a little more room next to the clutch pedal (dead pedal area) would be nice. The armrest on the door could be a little higher, and padded. Also, the rear door could have pockets moulded into the plastic. And lastly...the rear seats should fold flat. All the way...even with the cargo area...flat...as in level...I hope you understand.


__________________
07 FJ Cruiser 3" OME lift, 37" BFG Krawlers, E-Locker, Free A-Trac. Allpro winch bumper, sliders, and CB Bandi mount.
89 4Runner 38.5" Swampers, SAS, Injected 5L V-8. SOON TO HAVE DANA 60/14 BOLT WITH 42" IROKS.
Runner Ryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-06, 06:41 PM   #24
IH8MUD Rookie
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
rolo9683 is on a distinguished road
Cool

Hi from Puerto Rico I am a new member so I want to kow from de FJ how is.
rolo9683 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-06, 06:30 AM   #25
IH8MUD Addict
 
hammer1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: morristown nj
Posts: 744
hammer1 is on a distinguished road
a small light, mounted under the instrament panel would be nice. Cant see anything on the console at night.
also..i second the idea to have the rear windows vent, like the old 40's.


__________________
its not rust, its rust colored paint!
84 FJ60, faded red "Pumpkin"
tradesman rack..iron pig rear bumper
07 FJC "Voodoo" Blackout roof rack, Bentup front bumper
"tell me, is something eluding you, Sunshine?
Is this not what you expected to see?"

Last edited by hammer1; 09-04-06 at 06:56 PM.
hammer1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-06, 04:38 PM