Being new to the FJ and 4x4 world, I would like some opinions on what mods most people would do first. Please keep in mind that this is my daily driver and sometimes I go 120 miles in a day. Don't want to trash my mpg too badly. My first thought is new tires as the ones from the dealership are about as aggressive as my wifes shih tzu.
What mods first?
- Thread starter rocket308
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never mind a lift if you travel alot, get the a-trac switch and a skidplate
oh yeah,
oh yeah,
If you really going to off road it, go for skid plates and bumpers, First time out, we trashed the factory skid plate in 30 minutes and rear bumper in 2 hours.
If your not going off road much, get a cold air intake and good stereo. We got a Pioneer with GPS, backup camera. Oh, also get a pair of $5 fisheye mirrors for your side views.
If your not going off road much, get a cold air intake and good stereo. We got a Pioneer with GPS, backup camera. Oh, also get a pair of $5 fisheye mirrors for your side views.
it really depends on what type of wheeling you want to do.
If you like forest roads, desert tracks, sand or dunes the stock rig with a little more aggressive tire can get you to where you want to go.
if you are going to run 4x4 trails and are careful, your stock rig with good AT tires will take you over most easy trail. A lift and bigger (33") tires will carry you over most moderate trails. If you like the more challenging stuff... go crazy with the mods, lift, tires, skids, bumpers, winch, dual transfer case...
it's all good... but lifts, bigger tires, the weight of skids, bumpers, winches all suck mpg.
Good luck deciding what is right for you.
If you like forest roads, desert tracks, sand or dunes the stock rig with a little more aggressive tire can get you to where you want to go.
if you are going to run 4x4 trails and are careful, your stock rig with good AT tires will take you over most easy trail. A lift and bigger (33") tires will carry you over most moderate trails. If you like the more challenging stuff... go crazy with the mods, lift, tires, skids, bumpers, winch, dual transfer case...
it's all good... but lifts, bigger tires, the weight of skids, bumpers, winches all suck mpg.
Good luck deciding what is right for you.
The best mod you can spend your money on if you have to commute is, buy a beater and drive to work and mod out the FJ !!
If I was doing my rig again I'd get Tires first; with a real skid plate as soon after as affordable; then a better set of sliders (that stick out enough to make slider turns less hairy); 3" lift; front bumper with winch; rear bumper.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
285 tires will fit the stock stance of the FJ, id go for some more aggressive tires, then skids, then bumpers...good idea on a cheap beater car too since the FJ isnt know for its amazing mileage
Research all the mods you want to do and you will do ok. Oh yeah fish eye mirrors are a must in traffic 
In this order:
#1 fish eye mirrors
#2 tires
#3 3" lift
#4 front skids/sliders
#5 front bumper and winch
That'll get you through the first month. Then I'd start with the cool stuff (CO2/on board air, skids for the rest of the under carriage, new rack, real rear bumper... you'll be doing this for a while)
#1 fish eye mirrors
#2 tires
#3 3" lift
#4 front skids/sliders
#5 front bumper and winch
That'll get you through the first month. Then I'd start with the cool stuff (CO2/on board air, skids for the rest of the under carriage, new rack, real rear bumper... you'll be doing this for a while)
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the suggestions. I already have ATRAC so check that off. I also have my mirrors adjusted out very wide so I have to lean to either side to see the side of the rig and really haven't had any issues with blind spots in traffic at all. Backing up can be a bit more of a challenge but not too bad.
I just traded in my beater for a little bit off the FJ. Probably not gonna get anything else in the near future. Maybe a motorcycle though. Daily commute is 22 miles each way unless I have something come up with one of two side jobs and then it can go to 120 miles round trip in a day. Maybe not the best purchase for my situation but I got a really good deal on an 08 and there are always rumors of no more FJ's coming in to the states. Seemed like the right time to take on a car note again (it has been about 12 years w/o a car note).
I am thinking
1. tires
2. skids
Beyond that, I guess I will have to see how the wheeling goes and see what is dictated by that usage.
I really like the look of the ARB bumpers and roof rack but I am not sure I want to cut into my mpg that much.
Any more opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I just traded in my beater for a little bit off the FJ. Probably not gonna get anything else in the near future. Maybe a motorcycle though. Daily commute is 22 miles each way unless I have something come up with one of two side jobs and then it can go to 120 miles round trip in a day. Maybe not the best purchase for my situation but I got a really good deal on an 08 and there are always rumors of no more FJ's coming in to the states. Seemed like the right time to take on a car note again (it has been about 12 years w/o a car note).
I am thinking
1. tires
2. skids
Beyond that, I guess I will have to see how the wheeling goes and see what is dictated by that usage.
I really like the look of the ARB bumpers and roof rack but I am not sure I want to cut into my mpg that much.
Any more opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
#1 SLIDERS... I did a lot of fun runs with the stock tires, the SLIDERS saved me long before I needed to upgrade the tires.
#2 3" Lift
#3 tires
#4 Front bumper
#5 Skids
#6 Rear bumper
#7 Winch
We bought on a 'as need' basis, as the trails got harder we needed those mods in exactly that order. It's worked out really well.
Enjoy!
#2 3" Lift
#3 tires
#4 Front bumper
#5 Skids
#6 Rear bumper
#7 Winch
We bought on a 'as need' basis, as the trails got harder we needed those mods in exactly that order. It's worked out really well.
Enjoy!
It may be personal opinion but check out all the front bumpers. The ARB is a battleship bumper and will kill your mileage. I have Expedition One and there are other like Demello, All Pro etc. Look at weights and aero dynamic. Remember that your starting with a heavy brick. Don't make it worse. You can end up needing shock upgrades and springs. 
Some examples in this thread on ours:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/221309-expedition-one-rear-bumper.html
Some examples in this thread on ours:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/221309-expedition-one-rear-bumper.html
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- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks CA Annie. Makes sense.
Thanks Bigyellow. That was going to be my next question with bumpers and then having to upgrade shocks. I have seen the expedition one and like them as well. I will check out your other suggestions as well.
Thanks Bigyellow. That was going to be my next question with bumpers and then having to upgrade shocks. I have seen the expedition one and like them as well. I will check out your other suggestions as well.
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Definitely upgrade suspension BEFORE bumper, if you get the ARB. You'll look like a dragster if you don't.
Also good if you go out in the roaks is the All Pro trailing are caps that armour the leading trailing arm bolts. We wacked our in an early run and when you look at them, they really stick out there and can get damaged easy. This is a low cost upgrade too ! We also opted for the differential cover armour too. Its weld on but the other is bolt on.
CA Annie has it just about right. It really depends on what you want to do though.
1) Get armor. Sliders, skids, anything you can afford. Better to put them on your rig when it is still in good or new condition than having to put them on later when you already have things like shock and rear control arm mounts beat up. I HIGHLY suggest getting the All-Pro shock, rear link and diff guards if you intend to wheel anything other than moderate fire roads.
2) Get your suspension lift. Do this before you run anything other than mild/moderate trails. You will be thankful for the extra clearance. I suggest getting coil overs that are adjustable to compensate for settling and so you can adjust them up later when you finally get bumpers. I also suggest getting your front UCA's at the same time so that you can keep correct caster.
3) Get tires. I would recommend doing this after the lift or you will be wasting money on tires having to buy them before the lift and again after the lift. Going from a 265 to a 285 will give you 2" of clearance for trails.
4) Get bumpers when you need them. Personally, I waited until mine got holes ripped in them from the trail and I couldn't stand looking at them any longer. Bumpers will add HUGE amounts of weight, so you will need to adjust your suspension afterwards.
5) Winch, lights, anything else as you need them.
That is basically the order that I did my rig.
1) Get armor. Sliders, skids, anything you can afford. Better to put them on your rig when it is still in good or new condition than having to put them on later when you already have things like shock and rear control arm mounts beat up. I HIGHLY suggest getting the All-Pro shock, rear link and diff guards if you intend to wheel anything other than moderate fire roads.
2) Get your suspension lift. Do this before you run anything other than mild/moderate trails. You will be thankful for the extra clearance. I suggest getting coil overs that are adjustable to compensate for settling and so you can adjust them up later when you finally get bumpers. I also suggest getting your front UCA's at the same time so that you can keep correct caster.
3) Get tires. I would recommend doing this after the lift or you will be wasting money on tires having to buy them before the lift and again after the lift. Going from a 265 to a 285 will give you 2" of clearance for trails.
4) Get bumpers when you need them. Personally, I waited until mine got holes ripped in them from the trail and I couldn't stand looking at them any longer. Bumpers will add HUGE amounts of weight, so you will need to adjust your suspension afterwards.
5) Winch, lights, anything else as you need them.
That is basically the order that I did my rig.
- Thread starter
- #18
Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. I have a much clearer picture now. I appreciate all of the advice.
Everything we bought was based on $ and weight. The ARB is crazy heavy, I went with the Expedition One, too. Manafre skids were lightest, Metal-tech rear bumper is the lightest. Back to the aluminium wheels for daily driving, save the beefy steelies and mudders for wheeling trips. The gas mileage can drop like a rock if you're not paying attention to each mod. It really adds up.
Have fun!
Have fun!
- Thread starter
- #20
Very good info Ca Annie. You just answered a couple more questions in one shot. Thanks!
