FJ Cruiser exhaust

[Romain]

Hi everyone

Maybe somewhere there is such a thread, but I didn't find it.

This WE I did my 5.000 miles inspection and at the same time I looked the first time a bit exactlier under my rig.
I saw:
- A great place for installing a second gastank at the rearside
- A very, hmm, strange exhaust system .

Well I think, if I'm going rockclimbing the exhaust system has a short life under the gearbox . The muddy or sandy grounds that I took till today did not had any impact at the exhaust.
What can I do? Aftermarket exhaust systems do they take the same way to join the Y piece?
Or do I better have to mount a protection plate?

I did install a front skid place after removing the original protections

 

[jblwinter]

i noticed the same thing with the exhaust. unfortunatly aftermarket exhaust kits wont do any good because they all come after the joining point. the best thing is just have a couple new pipes from the back of the cats made so that they hug around the transfercase rather than go under it... would also get rid of that horrid crimping on the pipe from factory. the main thing with the factory design is so that heat from the pipe isn't too close to the fuel tank. i'm sure Toyota saw it was more cost effective to design it the way it is rather than put in extra effert to design a simple heat shield for the area of the pipe that would be near the corner of the fuel tank.

as for the rear cavity area, you're right on the dot. someone already makes a fabed up tank for that region that effectively doubles our fuel capacity: FJ Cruiser Auxiliary Tank

 

[Romain]

Thx jblwinter

Toyota did install a heat protection at the right side so why not for protecting the gas tank Ok ok there are a few lines at the left, maybe they saw too much problems there.

Hmm, I think that the easyest way ist to install also a skid plate at that place.

Nice auxiliary gastank, maybe a little bit to big. It's difficult to judge only by seeing those pictures but I think that:
- the gastank is (perhaps) a little bit to much exposed
- my tow hook (European norm) does not have enough place with this one. But as I said: Difficult to judge only by seeing the pics
When it's time to install a gastank I will see having one between 12 and 15 gallons

 

[Mtbcoach]

Yes, the best solution is a set of Budbuilt skids. Bud designed them to protect the crossover pipe and fit on a stock rig.

Or, you can do what I've done. Its not cheap but surely the best solution in the end...

 

[Romain]

Yes, the best solution is a set of Budbuilt skids. Bud designed them to protect the crossover pipe and fit on a stock rig.

Or, you can do what I've done. Its not cheap but surely the best solution in the end...

Maybe Budbuild skids are the best but often US shops do not ship to Europe. Also over here, the FJ Cruiser is a rareness. It's in any official Toyota programm in Europe and so most oft our FJ C came from California. And in the same way, most of the aftermarked products we have to buy in US, only the skids I've seen produced in Germany.
I think I can have this plate at the same place where I bought my front skid plate.

Do I see the fixations of TRD rockrails at your pics?

 

[Mtbcoach]

Maybe Budbuild skids are the best but often US shops do not ship to Europe. Also over here, the FJ Cruiser is a rareness. It's in any official Toyota programm in Europe and so most oft our FJ C came from California. And in the same way, most of the aftermarked products we have to buy in US, only the skids I've seen produced in Germany.
I think I can have this plate at the same place where I bought my front skid plate.

Do I see the fixations of TRD rockrails at your pics?

I know Bud has shipped to Europe before but it can't be cheap.

No TRD sliders, Demello hybrid sliders...

 

[Romain]

Yep, it isn't cheap, but it always is much more expensive when I ask a local dealer tu buy for me in the states.

If I'm buying any US product in the States for 500 $. I have to pay about 250 $ shipping costs (or more , depends if it's heavy or big) plus import taxes over 75 $. Makes a total of 825 $ or +/- 590 €
I'm going to a local dealer and paying for the same US product about 1000 € (+/- 1300 $).
So I've better looking for a US shop who is shipping to Europe.
Another example
The FJ Cruiser costs without a package +/- 25000 $ .
The import dealer in Germany asks 33.000 Euro, in France 38.000 (I don't know why they are more expensive in France).
Plus different packages (Conveniance, Upgrade and so on) so the car costs here about 58.000 US $. That's pretty the same price as the 3 doors LC 150 or the Hilux with the 3 litres diesel engine and automatic transmission