I own a 08 fj cruiser. I'm interested in Overlanding and had some questions about best lift, roof rack, winch etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Right now I'm running daystar spacers (only temporary) and 33' pro comp extreme mud terrains.
Overlanding noob
- Thread starter usafcruiser
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1911
chupacabra
"Best" lift is pretty subjective, and there are lots available. I have installed more than a dozen lifts on FJC's, and IMO quality coilovers on the front are well worth the extra cost. I have Icon's on mine, but there are several other excellent quality brands also. Lots of good choices for the rear coils and shocks also. Old Man Emu are great value for the money and a definite upgrade from stock, but you can spend a lot more if you want.
Roof racks - you have several choices there too. Baja Rack, ARB, and Gobi are all popular. Anything with a floor in it will hold a lot more than the stock rack. I love my Gobi Ranger rack but it is one of the most expensive.
Which winch depends somewhat on what will fit in your bumper. Most FJC bumpers are built to maximize approach and departure angles, and many don't have room for a big winch, but a modest-sized planetary winch like the Warn M8000 will fit in most of them and is adequate for recovery, especially if you carry a snatch block or two.
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- #3
I've been thinking about the icon stage 2. From what I've read seams great quality but just wondering if it's adequate for trails like rubicon or Moab. Prob gonna get the all pro front and rear bumper. Do u know the best armor for under the FJ?
1911
chupacabra
Moab covers a lot of ground, but I've done a bunch of trails there including some reasonably-difficult ones like Lower Helldorado in my FJC with the basic (stage 1?) Icon coilovers in front and OME medium coils and shocks in the rear. In reality, a stock FJC will do most trails at Moab, though any 3" lift and 33"+ tires will help a lot. Moab is lots of fun, but even more so than most places, driver skill will take you a lot farther there than a heavily-modified truck.
Under-the-truck armor: I only have two pieces; a Demello front skid plate and a homemade skid plate from the Demello to under the transmission. If you choose your lines well, you don't need a ton of skid plates and diff armor, etc. But if you really want the protection and don't mind the weight, then Bud Built is better than most and builds a complete set for the FJC.
usa, I don't get a hint at what you have done in the overlanding experience, have you done some week long trips? What is your definition of overlanding?
Here's my take on your questions above. First, the stock FJC is pretty near perfect for what you want to do. Not knowing too much about tires and spacers, I say get back to the stock configuration. Here's where the noob comes in, to me spacers are used because you have put some wide tires on and you need to clear some stuff on the inside of the tire. If you're serious about overlanding, get rid of the spacers. A wider footprint only means problems on the trail. Remember when you're out in the middle of nowhere and you have a flat or worse when you need to replace a tire in little podunk, a BFG AT came be found most anywhere. Bigger tires also means more weight.
Keep the weight down as much as possible cause you'll want to pack as much camping stuff in as possible. Having said that about all we've been doing is adding weight. We have a Warn XD9000 winch in a Lucum winch mount. Saved weight from putting on a full steel bumper, ARB, etc. BTW, the only time we have used the winch is to move a boulder from the middle of the road.
But then the best MOD by far, well there is a close second, is we added a MAF aux fuel tank. After the initial sticker shock, we couldn't be happier. Going out to the middle of nowhere requires NO fuel cans on the roof or anywhere else.
The close second best MOD is our Waeco fridge. Those two items give you a peace of mind out on the trail that cannot be described.
So with the addition of the aux fuel tank we finally put some armour under with MAF skids all the way back. Now we're getting into some weight.
In addition to that we put on a BajaRack and have a RTT. The RTT has saved so much space INSIDE, due to now sleeping bags, tents, air mattresses, air pumps, etc. that 's it amazing.
To save even more space inside, by not having to pack individual water containers, I now have built a one-off 17 gallon water tank that sits on the floor right behind the driver/passenger seats. Hooked to a 12v pump we have running water at the back door and a shower. For the trail, this will be more than worth it.
We had our FJ for a year, totally stock (not-we put sliders on right a way but that was it). It took us that long to come up with a plan for our rig. The very first things we did were the fuel tank and knowing the added weight, the skids. Had MAF install both at the same time. Then our medium OME lifts. Then....... it hasn't stopped yet.
For us, the more comfortable we are out on the trail, the more enjoyable the trip.
Don't know if this is what you wanted but it's my .02c's.
I built my FJC for expo and have tried to keep to that theme with my mods. This is by no way the only or best expo build but it has taken me from the Arctic Ocean to the bottom of Baja.
IMHO suspension is the place to spend as much of a limited budget as you can. I've tried a couple and for me the Total Chaos 2" long travel is the best front suspension. Gives you about 11" travel and a 4" (2 on each side) wider stance making the rig very stable off setting the 3" lift. In the rear I have Sway-A-Way but will be going to Metal Tech's rear long travel. (I wheeled their rig and the difference is amazing). However you go in the rear get heavy springs (remember you're going to pile a lot of gear over that rear axle).
When it comes to a roof rack I'm torn a little. The FJC is not known for its spacious cargo area... but putting weight on the roof raises the center of gravity. I've seen a number of FJC negotiate an obstacle without harm only to have a FJC with a roof rack full of gear take a ding because it leaned into a rock wall. I use the wilderness basket and do put extra fuel up there and some other stuff but try to keep the heavy stuff in cargo area.
As for recovery gear. when we go on expo we usually go alone so we have a Warn 9.5xp winch, Hi-lift jack and Maxtrax so that we can get ourselves out of whatever we get into. One thing to consider is the bumper you're going to put on to hold your winch. Don't automatically assume beefy is better... you don't want to add unnecessary weight. Some are very very heavy and unless you plan on pushing a house out of the way, you may not need all that steel.
The ultimate Expo build includes an off road trailer... Some day we hope to add a fully equipped expo trailer but they are the cost of a second rig... so for now we just cram it all in the back
Remember everything you add bumpers, sliders, skid plates, roof racks, gear and more gear adds weight. Some weight is a must but always keep it in mind.
Most builds are an evolution so think about where you want to go and start out slow. As your experience increases you'll find your idea of the perfect build will change You can't mod your way past a lack of experience so enjoy working up to crossing the outback. And you can do a lot with the FJC right out of the box.
Good luck to you on your build.
IMHO suspension is the place to spend as much of a limited budget as you can. I've tried a couple and for me the Total Chaos 2" long travel is the best front suspension. Gives you about 11" travel and a 4" (2 on each side) wider stance making the rig very stable off setting the 3" lift. In the rear I have Sway-A-Way but will be going to Metal Tech's rear long travel. (I wheeled their rig and the difference is amazing). However you go in the rear get heavy springs (remember you're going to pile a lot of gear over that rear axle).
When it comes to a roof rack I'm torn a little. The FJC is not known for its spacious cargo area... but putting weight on the roof raises the center of gravity. I've seen a number of FJC negotiate an obstacle without harm only to have a FJC with a roof rack full of gear take a ding because it leaned into a rock wall. I use the wilderness basket and do put extra fuel up there and some other stuff but try to keep the heavy stuff in cargo area.
As for recovery gear. when we go on expo we usually go alone so we have a Warn 9.5xp winch, Hi-lift jack and Maxtrax so that we can get ourselves out of whatever we get into. One thing to consider is the bumper you're going to put on to hold your winch. Don't automatically assume beefy is better... you don't want to add unnecessary weight. Some are very very heavy and unless you plan on pushing a house out of the way, you may not need all that steel.
The ultimate Expo build includes an off road trailer... Some day we hope to add a fully equipped expo trailer but they are the cost of a second rig... so for now we just cram it all in the back
Remember everything you add bumpers, sliders, skid plates, roof racks, gear and more gear adds weight. Some weight is a must but always keep it in mind.
Most builds are an evolution so think about where you want to go and start out slow. As your experience increases you'll find your idea of the perfect build will change You can't mod your way past a lack of experience so enjoy working up to crossing the outback. And you can do a lot with the FJC right out of the box.
Good luck to you on your build.
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I'm in same boat as OP, and have owned my FJC for 2 years with no mods period.
I've planned my build thousands of different ways but honestly that will change again as you setup things better for your personal needs.
The two mains things for me are light as possible and simplest as I can keep it. Its very easy to over think things and get too deep before enjoying it. Go with what works, and you like, as everyone is different.
Outside all the advice here, get out there and enjoy the rig!
I've planned my build thousands of different ways but honestly that will change again as you setup things better for your personal needs.
The two mains things for me are light as possible and simplest as I can keep it. Its very easy to over think things and get too deep before enjoying it. Go with what works, and you like, as everyone is different.
Outside all the advice here, get out there and enjoy the rig!
- Thread starter
- #8
IGRT!! So what bumper do u recommend? Ive been looking at wenches and ill prob go with the same.Chances are I'll be heading out on my own ounce I get my driving skill up to par. Do u have a roof top tent? I live in Hawaii right now at least for the next couple of years I'll be building up my rig and practicing on the trails here. They have som decent ones here but a stock FJ will do just fine here. I'm really building my rig up for rubicon and cross country trips when I get back to the main land. So def being lite is important. Any advice is appreciated. I'll prob be going with the all pro long travel kit on the front end w/ fox racing shocks. And OME heavy on the rear. I've read good things about the all pro kits. Roof rack still not sure about. And not sure on bumper. I want a light weight one but the safety checks are strict here so have to be careful which one I go with. Again any recommendations or advice will be greatly appreciated.
For front bumpers I'm a fan of Demello offroad for plate style and MetalTech for tube.
I'd also go total chaos 2" over all-pro, but that doesn't mean it's best setup for you. Long travel kits aren't cheap at all (roughly 5k for front setup only).
I'd also go total chaos 2" over all-pro, but that doesn't mean it's best setup for you. Long travel kits aren't cheap at all (roughly 5k for front setup only).
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- #10
Is the long travel kit by total chaos or all pro really worth getting? I know it give you alot more wheel travel but is that necessary on the fj cruiser?
1911
chupacabra
For overlanding/expedition use, no.
I agree with 1911..
airlaird
airlaird
usafcruiser said:
Like others said it's not really needed, and not sure cost really benefits the little travel you gain.
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- #14
Is a rooftop tent really worth the money? Ive been looking at multiple roof top tents but was wondering what are the pros and cons of having one.
Yes they are, but look in this section for help on RTTs.
Camping and Outdoor Gear
Lots of posts in there.
Here is my take on the tents too since I own one.
Camping - Back Country - Overlanding Gear Reviews: FAQ On Roof Top Tents
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- #16
I'm looking to put a parts kit together for the trails. Wondering what are some common parts that may need tp be replaced or parts that are always handy to keep extra of.
Depending on how hard you wheel, the parts kit will expand. Also, many things will not be repairable on the trail unless you have the proper tools. But, if you can get off the trail and to a decent garage, having the parts on hand is a real time-saver. I recommend this for a bare minimum:
Stage I (will need basic tools):
Serpentine belt
Lug nuts & extra studs
Shock bolts (front lower, rear lower)
Control Arm bolts (rear lower fore/aft bolts)
U-joints for rear DS
Steering Tie-rods
Sway bar joints
Various pipe clamps (sizes to fit water hoses up to CV boots)
JB Weld
Tire patch kit
Various replacement fuses
If you are going to be wheeling harder and have a more specialized tool kit & carry jackstands, then consider the following:
Stage II kit:
rear lower control arm
CV boot kit (+Hub nut socket in your kit)
General hub grease
Gear Oil
Diff/Axle seals
Stage III kit:
CV axle assembly
Rear axle shaft/assembly
Drive shaft
Wheel Unit bearing assembly
I'm sure I'm missing something... I'll let others add to this or rearrange my prioritization.
Very nice Rick, worthy of being immortalized into the FAQ once I figure out how to do it.
Nicely detailed, very thorough, nothing to add...
Nicely detailed, very thorough, nothing to add...
I think you'll need a LOT of compromise here. For example a Long Travel will not bode well on the Rube.
Best of luck, excellent planning skills.