Looking for advice

[tudge0817]

Hey there I am relatively new to this forum. I have a 07 stock FJC. Took it out wheeling a couple of times and it ended up rescuing a jeep or two during the day. .

I am looking at building it into a expedition 4wheeler and need some advice on brands and what to sink my money into first. First I was looking at installing metaltech 2 stage rock sliders. Then an OME medium duty suspention kit with some 33" AT. After that ill move onto getting a new bumper and winch mount. Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

Thanks

 

[serenity]

I know suspension choice is largely a subjective not objective decision but I do find OME to be rough, especially on dirt tracks with small stones and tree roots.

After trekking around even short distances I'm finding an aftermarket sub tank would be handy depending on where you plan on going. Not sure what options you have in your area for tanks.

 

[tudge0817]

Sad too say i don't know what a sub tank is. Could you explain.

 

[serenity]

Sub tank = secondary fuel tank located under the body behind the rear axle, with an electric transfer pump that transfers fuel to the main tank. One company over here makes an 84L and 120L model. Means you can go further before relying on jerry cans.

 

[Delancy]

Take for what it's worth.

1. Sliders: Metal Techs are a good choice

2. Suspension: Skip OME. Pick a quality coil over ( King, Radflo, SAW, Icon) with corresponding rear coil, sway bar relocates up front and drops in the rear.

3. Bumpers: Pick a flavor and run it. Lighter is better and rear swing out a must have.

4. Armor: Budbuilt is the heaviest/strongest. Ricochet is lightweight, and will suffice. Either are necessary in the rocks.

After that and all other PM, if you still need more capable, get a lefty.

 

[tudge0817]

i thought that was what you were talking about but wasn't sure. long range fuel tank isn't high on my priortys as of yet. but it is a good idea for the future.

 

[tudge0817]

i am not sure about the rear swing out. what is the benifit of the rear swing out vs the stock mount on the rear door. after doing more reasearch i will probably go with the ICON suspension. with regards to that i am looking at doing the work myself but i only have basic knowledge as to whats involved. is there a thread where someone has gone over a swap like this step by step. if not any help in what i should expect would be great

thanks

 

[Old Cruiser]

Swing outs take the extra weigh associated with aftermarket wheels and tires, fuel cans, Hi-Lifts and other stuff and place the weight onto the bumper via a hinge. Yes you can strap a 33" tire to the back and many have done this but before long, the rear door will begin to sag as Toyota designed it with the stock weight of 39 lbs for the tire and 26 lbs for the wheel. Most aftermarket wheels exceed the stock weight and the average 33" tire is closer to 50-60 lbs each. Once you realize the benifits youll see why its helpful.

A couple of things- Overlanding means weight savings so my thoughts are these.

Get BFG KM2's in 255/80R17 (pizza cutters)- 48 lbs and allow 33.3" of height and less rolling resistance than a 285/70. Plus they work well in lots of terrain, wear like iron on the road and usually dont require a BMC. Not a huge fan even though I owned

Skids- Stick to Aluminum for weight savings- they wont take rocks as long as steel, but over landing wont be rock crawling

Bumpers- same stick to aluminum

Winch- get one that works when you need it. Warns, Titans etc. Cheaper ones work but may fail when you need it most.

Do your homework and research others successes to find what worked for them otherwise you'll get a million different answers

-OC

 

[tudge0817]

thanks for the info. can anyone recommend any particular brand/manufactuar for the swing out

 

[Jimmiee]

Take for what it's worth.

1. Sliders: Metal Techs are a good choice

2. Suspension: Skip OME. Pick a quality coil over ( King, Radflo, SAW, Icon) with corresponding rear coil, sway bar relocates up front and drops in the rear.

3. Bumpers: Pick a flavor and run it. Lighter is better and rear swing out a must have.

4. Armor: Budbuilt is the heaviest/strongest. Ricochet is lightweight, and will suffice. Either are necessary in the rocks.

After that and all other PM, if you still need more capable, get a lefty.

X2, this is a good start here

 

[BMThiker]

I think we are all assuming the OP's FJC has the factory rear locker and the Atrac button. If no Atrac button, but you do have the factory e-locker, then you need to start here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/85568-add-trac-your-fj.html

 

[tudge0817]

yes it does have the factory rear locker which works really well as well as the atrac.

so ive decided on the metaltech 2 stage rock rail and the icon stage 1 suspension kit both witch i can order from metaltech as soon as i come up with the money and time to do the suspension swap

 

[FJX2000]

yes it does have the factory rear locker which works really well as well as the atrac.

so ive decided on the metaltech 2 stage rock rail and the icon stage 1 suspension kit both witch i can order from metaltech as soon as i come up with the money and time to do the suspension swap

The Metal Tech sliders are a good choice for sure! And you can't go wrong with Icon, it's amazing!

But as far as Icon goes, if you wanted to take your lift kit to the next level, look at what Metal Tech has to offer as far as extended travel coilovers and long travel rear suspension.

Here is a link to the kit I have in mind. http://www.metaltech4x4.com/p-608-fj-cruiser4runner-rear-long-travel-kiticon-coilovers.aspx

You'll know when you get out on the trail how important wheel travel is and having good flex especially with the kind of stuff that I like to do

 

[tudge0817]

thanks for the link. i am definetly considering that option now. its not much more expencive then the stage one kit. my next question is how difucult is it to remove the front bumper when i replace it with a new one

thanks

 

[Delancy]

thanks for the link. i am definetly considering that option now. its not much more expencive then the stage one kit. my next question is how difucult is it to remove the front bumper when i replace it with a new one

thanks

Five minute job.