Just bought a new FJ, I have some Mod questions

[joes978]

I just bought a new 08 FJ with the offroad and convenience package as well as a roof rack. I have a few questions about some mods. I will not be doing serious offroading, mostly driving on beaches/sand. I will be using it as a daily driver and pulling motorcycles and putting surfboards on the roof (not at the same time) My questions are:

1. Is the cyclonic pre-aircleaner going to benefit me at all? Should I replace it with a cold-air intake? Will increased cold air really give me better mileage? From my experience, more air means more gas and more power, but not better gas mileage.

2. I'm looking for a better roof rack that will facilitate my trips to the beach (surfboards, coolers, fishing gear, camping gear, etc..) So I need something that will hold decent weight but not extreme. My concernes are mileage decrease, roof leaks, and roof racks that may rust easily (alot of trips to the beach), and extensive noise. I have been looking at the ARB and Africa Outback, Gobi is too expensive and the curved back won't be good to secure a board to. What roof rack would be best?

3. I like the idea of an ARB bumper with a winch, but I will probably only use it 3-4 times a year, and not for self recovery so much. This bumper weighs about 200lbs, so how bad would it hurt my mileage? Also, is it going to be prone to rust easy because of all the trips to the beach?

4. Finally, if I don't get an ARB bumper, do you think the Toyota brush guard is a waste of money and just an esthetic brush guard? Is it going to make too much noise/reduce gas mileage?

Thanks, in advance. I'm trying to budget my mods to this and if I can get advice as to what would work better for me I can spend more on things that I need more.

 

[Stumpalama]

Welcome to 'Mud
You're worried about gas mileage, or should I say spending money on gas but you'll spend that money on Mods? hmmmm.... I have to say if you bought the FJ for fuel efficiency then you bought the wrong vehicle.
I'll bite: I believe the calculation is you lose approx 1mpg for every 100lbs added.
Yes the Toyota brush guard is a waste of money. So is an ARB Bull bar if you're concerned about MPG and don't plan on needing it to protect the front end from trees (and more rarely actual animals). Any "brush guard" is for asthetics and is more commonly referred to as "damage multiplier" for a reason.
Cold air is more dense than warm air so the idea is to get more complete burning of the fuel air mixture in the cylinder. That being said, I don't know if there would be any improvement in fuel mileage by changing this out and more likely, any fuel savings you might realize is overcome by the cost of the product.

 

[joes978]

Thanks, not too concerned about mileage, but I hate too waste what mileage I do get. This replaced a 1971 Volkswagen bus, so I already get better than what I got before. I am just at that good idea phase and I'm trying to weed out what is a good idea, and what is something that will improve the FJ. Heard the cold air was a good mod, and I definitely need a better roof rack. Looks like the ARB bumper is shaping up to be a "good idea" not a real improvement.

 

[BigyellowFJ]

First, read a few key post that are in this forum a few topics down below. "What mods first" and "Tell me, do you really like your FJ Cruiser". They will tell you allot on the question you asked and more. There is also one on driving in the sand.

On a topic I see more and more of these days on this forum, no you are not going to get great gas mileage on an FJ and for that matter any true off road vehicle. It kind of surprizes me that people think they should. First look at the design, next, look at the gross weight, next , look at the use we plan to use our FJ's in. Last, the more mods you install, 99% chance that they will have a negative effect on your overall mileage. Take example on the two mods you ask about, ARB bumper and winch, ARB bumper is like a fire truck bumper and add winch, you just put 275 pounds on the end of a diving board. Now you really have to beef up shocks and springs so now you are at 300 pounds . Next the roof rack, the more you put up there, the more drag in the airstream and thats a MPG negative.

Ok, I'll stick to the questions:

Intakes, mainly torque and HP increases with little MPG. Take that asside, your talking of going in sand allot and I think the upgraded intake like TRD CAI would help in the sand enviroment and help protect your engine better. Thats a plus.

Bumpers and winches. For sand you need to be light so I am not sure a bumper is what you need but there are many light units out there like tube design and Demello / Expedition One. Winches are good being in the sand. You could consider a hitch mounted winch and save the bumpers for another day. They work great and you can install a hitch receiver on both ends to use where needed.

Roof racks and gas mileage, dielema. You could remove the roof rack and see your best improvement on MPG and noise. Put a temp board rack on when you go to the beach and have a small trailer for your stuff when you need it. Any roof rack will effect MPG and noise to some level. There are lots a great ones out there. I would live with the factory rack for awhile and go to some FJ gatherings and vendor shows and see first hand what is out there before you make that chnage.

We still use the stock roof rack and find it fine. First we blew away the notion of good MPGs long ago. We carry 2 person kayak (sometimes), Tuffy storage box, hy Lift Jack, shovel and ax, 12 gallon boat gas tank (for FJ) and other stuff as needed. That said, we get 15mpg and weigh 5200 lbs going out on the trail.

Sand is hard on a vehicle so keep it light. Get an on board CO2 tank like Ultimate Air so you can air down and up easy. That may be the best mod for the money you can do. Then go have fun !

 

[joes978]

Anybody heard anything good about the Baja rack? They seem to cheap to be true? Is it comparable to the African or the ARB?

 

[BigyellowFJ]

Joe, I don't have personal info on Baja racks but use the search tab on the top of the forum page and do a search or advanced search and I think you will find lots of feedback on Baja Racks.

 

[lgrt]

I use my rig for overland expedition and 4x4 trails so that is the perspective I'm bringing. You will definetly want to take into account your wheeling preferences.

1. Is the cyclonic pre-aircleaner going to benefit me at all? Should I replace it with a cold-air intake? Will increased cold air really give me better mileage? From my experience, more air means more gas and more power, but not better gas mileage.

The stock cyclone does a pretty good job... just squeeze out the dirt in the rubber cup after a run and you'll see. As for CAI I ran the K&N and it provided some noise and little more power in the mid-range. But after a year or so I pulled it (read - Long-term Report - K&N Cold Air Intake | Adventure Road Trip for the reasons)

2. I'm looking for a better roof rack that will facilitate my trips to the beach (surfboards, coolers, fishing gear, camping gear, etc..) So I need something that will hold decent weight but not extreme. My concernes are mileage decrease, roof leaks, and roof racks that may rust easily (alot of trips to the beach), and extensive noise. I have been looking at the ARB and Africa Outback, Gobi is too expensive and the curved back won't be good to secure a board to. What roof rack would be best?

(They were all stock once: 2007 Toyot FJ Cruiser | Adventure Road Trip shows the adventure rack i use that sits in the open front of the stock rack... (follow the link on the page to the Adventure Rack guys... Some of the pictures have gotten screwed up with upgrades but the link should take you there) can easily be removed when not needed for expeditions. If you're thinking about the baja rack do a search and read about their products)

3. I like the idea of an ARB bumper with a winch, but I will probably only use it 3-4 times a year, and not for self recovery so much. This bumper weighs about 200lbs, so how bad would it hurt my mileage? Also, is it going to be prone to rust easy because of all the trips to the beach?

I've been running an ARB bull bar for 2+ years with a winch. It is heavey. The approach angle is pretty good. It is a good bumper if you like the shell style. I'm probably going to switch it out for a liter tube style from Metal Tech in order to save on weight and improve the approach angle a little. Here is a comparison - Bumper Talk | Adventure Road Trip

4. Finally, if I don't get an ARB bumper, do you think the Toyota brush guard is a waste of money and just an esthetic brush guard? Is it going to make too much noise/reduce gas mileage?

If you like the esthetics and want a place to mount lights... but I believe there is better value for the money that can actually provide protection.

But no matter how you go... have fun.

 

[suecyde]

1. Get the TRD Cold Air Intake. It will not really affect your gas Neg or Pos. It will though give you a little more umph.. You will like what you get.

2. Baja Rack is a prob the lowest priced rack. I do not have one but plan on getting one soon.. I have heard nothing but great stuff about it. Check them out here: BAJA RACK

3. For the adventures you have described...I would not get the ARB. It is a great bumper but its like putting 40" tires on a WRX. The tires are a great product just not on the right vehicle. Check out Intense Fab. They make a Pre-Runner Style bumper that is real sturdy and gives the FJ that great look. Plus it does not weigh 200 lbs.oh and the design would not cause too much drag on your vehicle.

4.Dont waste your money on any brushGuard. Its like ppl that buy Bug Deflectors on the front of their hoods....I love to see that...cuz i always see bugs SPLAT on their windows...lol

hope you enjoy it as much as I am...be sure to check out this Video..its what makes FJs soo fun!

 

[joes978]

OK, so I I convinced myself that I don't need a different bumper, a grill guard, or a cold air intake. This leaves me with more to spend on a roof rack and now I am considering the Gobi since it is the same weight as the Baja and 1 piece construction. Only question now is to get the Stealth or the Ranger?

 

[BMThiker]

OK, so I I convinced myself that I don't need a different bumper, a grill guard, or a cold air intake. This leaves me with more to spend on a roof rack and now I am considering the Gobi since it is the same weight as the Baja and 1 piece construction. Only question now is to get the Stealth or the Ranger?

Three piece design makes shipping charges less on the Baja. The other considerable difference is the Baja has a flat surface front to back where the Gobi has a bend at about 1/3 from the back end. Not sure if either of those are major factors for you.

 

[joes978]

I can buy the Gobi local, so that means no shipping charge. The flat surface is a plus, but I'm told the stealth has almost no wind noise. Is that true?