Gonna make a few parts for these....

[Gravel Maker]

Some of the items are in obvious need of an upgrade (link mounts)and others might be hiding. Give me some input on what you want made. Link mount brackets with a ramp in 2 weeks.....

[rfjtoy]

Want some ARMOR 1/8 plate for the bottom, with appropriate hole for service access. any plans? prices?
TLC in Van Nuys, CA has some nice stuff coming, say one-off samples last week.

[gearguywb]

hi lift mounts for roof rack.

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by rfjtoy

Want some ARMOR 1/8 plate for the bottom, with appropriate hole for service access. any plans? prices?
TLC in Van Nuys, CA has some nice stuff coming, say one-off samples last week.

Ditto, but just to clarify... I'm after full length underbody armor.

Also, a light bar that is similar to the following one that was made for the H1.




Thanks,
Shawn

[tnegiet]

Ditto on all three

[sbechtold]

After going out wheeling a few times now, I can tell you that I am concerned about the following areas:

- Gas tank skid plate is plastic. We need a better skid plate for the gas tank.
- The stock front skid plates are worthless, especially with an aftermarket bumper installed. We need something that it thicker and covers more area. Ideally from the bottom of the bumper back to where the stock plate ends.
- Exhaust cross-over pipe protection. If you haven't seen the cross-over pipe, then I suggest you crawl under an FJ and take a look. It is the lowest point in the vehicle and just waiting to be smashed on a rock. Not sure what the best solution is for this one (skid plate, re-routing, I dunno).
- Rear suspention arm slider/protection. The rear suspension arms that mount to the forward side of the frame are very suseptible to catching things on the trail. A small skid plate would be ideal.

Anyway, those are the things that I have noticed with my FJ.

Happy building!

[Gravel Maker]

Gas Tank skid - I have been looking at that problem and it is tied to the crossover pipe problem. I really think the only feasable way to correct the exaust pipe is to re-route it to the rear of the transfer. However, that puts it too close to the inherently weak plastic Gas Tank that rides too low to begin with. The obvious answer is to build a better gas tank that is both higher and farther back so as to give a margin of safety when you run the crossover tube in front of it. We are looking into it.

The front skids - I have already seen these torn off from the first slight impact, truly junk! ~1 milimeter thick. Check with AJ @ www.bentup.com he is working on a nice one at least 3/16" thick and more likely 1/4".

Rear arm protection - we are making a new mounting bracket for them with a ramp built in. ~ 2 weeks.

Anything else?

Originally Posted by sbechtold

After going out wheeling a few times now, I can tell you that I am concerned about the following areas:

- Gas tank skid plate is plastic. We need a better skid plate for the gas tank.
- The stock front skid plates are worthless, especially with an aftermarket bumper installed. We need something that it thicker and covers more area. Ideally from the bottom of the bumper back to where the stock plate ends.
- Exhaust cross-over pipe protection. If you haven't seen the cross-over pipe, then I suggest you crawl under an FJ and take a look. It is the lowest point in the vehicle and just waiting to be smashed on a rock. Not sure what the best solution is for this one (skid plate, re-routing, I dunno).
- Rear suspention arm slider/protection. The rear suspension arms that mount to the forward side of the frame are very suseptible to catching things on the trail. A small skid plate would be ideal.

Anyway, those are the things that I have noticed with my FJ.

Happy building!

[beaufort-fj60]

Originally Posted by Gravel Maker

Some of the items are in obvious need of an upgrade (link mounts)and others might be hiding. Give me some input on what you want made. Link mount brackets with a ramp in 2 weeks.....

cup holder

[BigBlue]

I agree, the front skid plate is junk. I set mine down on a rock this weekend and it is completely trashed. I think I'm just going to throw it away and build something new.

[sibanez]

Great to hear some folks are working on protection for the rear links . .these should fit on all 03+ 4Runners too and it is a weak point. My link points have been pounded out, sanded and painted one too many times.

Has anyone tried working on a rear and front sway disconnect? All previous efforts have failed for the 03+ Runner and it uses the same suspension.

[freewheeling frank]

disconnects!

[Gravel Maker]

I believe some others may aready produce them....

[FirstToy]

Originally Posted by sbechtold

After going out wheeling a few times now, I can tell you that I am concerned about the following areas:

- Gas tank skid plate is plastic. We need a better skid plate for the gas tank.
- The stock front skid plates are worthless, especially with an aftermarket bumper installed. We need something that it thicker and covers more area. Ideally from the bottom of the bumper back to where the stock plate ends.
- Exhaust cross-over pipe protection. If you haven't seen the cross-over pipe, then I suggest you crawl under an FJ and take a look. It is the lowest point in the vehicle and just waiting to be smashed on a rock. Not sure what the best solution is for this one (skid plate, re-routing, I dunno).
- Rear suspention arm slider/protection. The rear suspension arms that mount to the forward side of the frame are very suseptible to catching things on the trail. A small skid plate would be ideal.

Anyway, those are the things that I have noticed with my FJ.

Happy building!

These are very insightful comments.

Gas tank- is it not a plastic tank w/ metal skid? I notice the FJC tank is ramped at the front third-level w/ the frame rails (where most of the damage occurs) and drops down closer to the rear axle (where the tire will 'ramp' up to clear obstacles).
Improved over the 4Runner, It is a weak spot though.

Exhaust crossover pipe- this has been a concern with the 4Runner and Tacoma for some time now. I think scanning those owners for possible solutions might be helpful.

Rear control arms & mounts - this is characteristic of Toyota coilsprung SUV's. There is alot of information in 80's tech that is directly applicable to the FJC.

Front skid plates - Ideally something to go back to the T-case as well. There is a 4Runner owner using HDPE (same idea as the Trail LEX). It would be nice to see other ideas develop here.

[wardfoto]

might want to figure out some way to replace the rear taillight covers. these things are begging to be destroyed. now, i realize we are talking more substantial protection here, but man, those things are my number one gripe with the fj.
and ugly, too.
-justin

[sbechtold]

Originally Posted by FirstToy

Gas tank- is it not a plastic tank w/ metal skid?

The stock skid plate is plastic.

[dwight]

Gravel Maker - If you're going to look into the fuel tank and skid plate, please try to increase the fuel capacity, if possible. I would personally like to see about 32 Gal, but that is probably very unlikely.

Thanks!

[Gravel Maker]

I hate to say it but if we make room for the crossover pipe we will be hard pressed to retain the present fuel tank size. I just don't feel safe putting something that hot so close to something so flamable.

[sbechtold]

Originally Posted by Gravel Maker

I hate to say it but if we make room for the crossover pipe we will be hard pressed to retain the present fuel tank size. I just don't feel safe putting something that hot so close to something so flamable.

There is a lot of room behind the rear axle. Any thought given to an auxiliary gas tank stuffed under the rear of the FJ? This might allow those who want additional capacity to have it.

[FirstToy]

a seperate aux fuel tank thread to go into specifics w/o stunting Gravel Maker's thread on fabrication ideas.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/94699-gonna-make-few-parts-these.html#post1172715

[sibanez]

Originally Posted by Gravel Maker

I believe some others may aready produce them....

Any idea who? I know you can adapt disconnects for 3rd gens rears, but I haven't seen a good front disconnet yet.

[Gravel Maker]

I don't think my insurance is going to allow me to make gas tanks, they really jumped out of their shorts when they found out they had written a policy on a company that makes brake parts, so I don't think I will push it. However I think a company like Jazz that already makes gas tanks might like to, I am thinking a smaller front and a larger rear aux tank.

I don't have to sell the tanks, but if they see the interest they may decide to. And their tanks aren't very expensive. Anyone have any experience with their tanks?

[sikocycles]

Any pix yet

[Gravel Maker]

And I can't sell them til they are right.....did add the slider mounting plates to the website today, pics tommorrow.....

[Gravel Maker]

Originally Posted by sibanez

Any idea who? I know you can adapt disconnects for 3rd gens rears, but I haven't seen a good front disconnet yet.

I am not the best with independent front suspension, but these are making me go to school! Give me a few weeks to learn before we try and make the dissconnects.....

[Mustard Dog]

How about a cool center consol?

[k_os]

I'm down for a heavy duty alternator.. actually not waterproof but some kinda breathing armor.. or better alternator "sealed" bearings. This is a major weaklink on the FJ. I'm pretty sure I wont be the only one with screwed up bearing because of mild off roading.