2008 FJ Cruiser

[FJ Montana]

While bored last night I meandered onto Craigslist and was searching through vehicles to pass the time. I came across a post for a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser with 179500 miles on it. I have always enjoyed the aesthetics of them and have mainly heard only things so I figured what the hell May as take a look. Long story short I was offered a deal that I couldn’t walk away from. So now in addition to my Silverado I own an FJ.

She’s a bit beat up and could use some TLC but she doesn’t leak and has no rust. The person I bought it from was the original owner. They had slid into a gate and dented the driver side a bit and knocked the fog lights off but she runs well and is already a ton of fun to drive.

My mechanic friend and I brought her back to the garage and worked our way through her. Will need to work on the suspension a bit and replace some minor parts but over all shes a beaut.

Came with an arb bumper, smittybilt winch, arb driving lights (4 great big bastards which 2 still need to be installed), an installed arb air compressor, Arb roof rack and arb rooftop tent.

Once I work on the suspension this winter I’m installing a HAM radio, another battery for a fridge and perhaps a pull out kitchen.

Any suggestions or tips for working with FJs would be sure appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[TrailsAz]

Nice rig! It sounds like you got a great set up. I purchased my fj used as well with arb bumper etc.
I do like having small square rear spot lights to have surround lighting for camp set up.
i just completed the suspension upgrades on my Fj Cruiser. It’s a icon stage 8 with secondary s2 shocks and hydro bump stops. I am waiting on my bumpers to be line x coated right now. Here is a pic.

 

[FJ Montana]

Nice rig! It sounds like you got a great set up. I purchased my fj used as well with arb bumper etc.View attachment 181339
I do like having small square rear spot lights to have surround lighting for camp set up.
i just completed the suspension upgrades on my Fj Cruiser. It’s a icon stage 8 with secondary s2 shocks and hydro bump stops. I am waiting on my bumpers to be line x coated right now. Here is a pic.

Did you install that snorkel? Did you do the suspension work yourself?

 

[GLOCKer]

Wow! Both of you have nice rigs!

 

[FJ Montana]

Wow! Both of you have nice rigs!

Thank you Glocker! She’s a diamond in the rough at the moment but she will be ready by spring!

 

[FJ Montana]

Oil change, new coolant and windshield wipers have been installed. However just after breaking the 180,000 mile mark it dropped a check engine light. Plugged it in and the error P0420 which was "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold". Major bummer but what can you do. That is my next goal to address, that and replacing the hood. Called all over montana and no junk yard has any FJ's in their lots. So i am headed to Washington this week to pick up a used hood. Luckily it is in maroon however.

 

[Tinsel]

All I can suggest is make sure previous wiring is checked and seals checked in case you get stuck in some water/mud holes. My wiring is a mess (lights and winch) and needs to be redone and had a hole in the firewall that flooded my cab. And get a second fuel tank if it’s not already installed! Mines on my wish list.

 

[FJ Montana]

All I can suggest is make sure previous wiring is checked and seals checked in case you get stuck in some water/mud holes. My wiring is a mess (lights and winch) and needs to be redone and had a hole in the firewall that flooded my cab. And get a second fuel tank if it’s not already installed! Mines on my wish list.

That is definitely on the list. I hve OCD when it comes to clean wiring and switches so that will be done at some point soon. It looks like someone had a seizure while installing the lights on my FJ. Great idea about a second fuel tank. These FJs aren’t great on petrol consumption, that’s for sure!

 

[Tinsel]

That is definitely on the list. I hve OCD when it comes to clean wiring and switches so that will be done at some point soon. It looks like someone had a seizure while installing the lights on my FJ. Great idea about a second fuel tank. These FJs aren’t great on petrol consumption, that’s for sure!

My main and secondary batteries both went dead so I have a nasty current draw somewhere that needs investigation. Plus I killed my starter motor so that’s first on the list.Yes it’s a thirsty truck, I get 400km out of a tank so this: 120L Auxiliary Hi Capacity Fuel Tank | The Long Ranger is what I’ll be getting.
Cool colour, I have only seen 1 here in that colour and since buying an FJ I seem to have spotted all of them in the state in the first month of ownership!

I look forward to seeing your wiring setup. Will you be using a sPod style setup? I’m looking at running a single 60amp wire into the cab and then have all connections run from a junction box. Should simplify and keep the engine bay tidy.

 

[FJ Montana]

That is definitely on the list. I hve OCD when it comes to clean wiring and switches so that will be done at some point soon. It looks like someone had a seizure while installing the lights on my FJ. Great idea about a second fuel tank. These FJs aren’t great on petrol consumption, that’s for sure!

My main and secondary batteries both went dead so I have a nasty current draw somewhere that needs investigation. Plus I killed my starter motor so that’s first on the list.Yes it’s a thirsty truck, I get 400km out of a tank so this: 120L Auxiliary Hi Capacity Fuel Tank | The Long Ranger is what I’ll be getting.
Cool colour, I have only seen 1 here in that colour and since buying an FJ I seem to have spotted all of them in the state in the first month of ownership!

I look forward to seeing your wiring setup. Will you be using a sPod style setup? I’m looking at running a single 60amp wire into the cab and then have all connections run from a junction box. Should simplify and keep the engine bay tidy.

I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing for the wiring set up yet. I’ve considered doing a two battery system while I’m at it. Did yours come that way or did you install it? I have a fridge that was given to me that I have considered using in the back but it’ll need it’s own battery I’ve read.

As for the color, I enjoy it. I got lucky with the replacement hood I ordered. Finding like colored parts seems to be really hit or miss

 

[Tinsel]

I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing for the wiring set up yet. I’ve considered doing a two battery system while I’m at it. Did yours come that way or did you install it? I have a fridge that was given to me that I have considered using in the back but it’ll need it’s own battery I’ve read.

As for the color, I enjoy it. I got lucky with the replacement hood I ordered. Finding like colored parts seems to be really hit or miss

I bought mine with everything already on it. Everything was pre-wired with scotch locks and very messy overall. But had 55,000km (34000miles) on it so I think the previous owner had plans but something must’ve happened and couldn’t use it.

I have an Engel Md40f that needed the handles removed so it would fit in the back on the slider, as I need my rear seats.

 

[TrailsAz]

No

Did you install that snorkel? Did you do the suspension work yourself?

no the snorkel was already installed when I purchased the vehicle.
I had SDHQ in Gilbert, az do the work. They are a certified icon specialist in Arizona.

 

[TrailsAz]

I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing for the wiring set up yet. I’ve considered doing a two battery system while I’m at it. Did yours come that way or did you install it? I have a fridge that was given to me that I have considered using in the back but it’ll need it’s own battery I’ve read.

As for the color, I enjoy it. I got lucky with the replacement hood I ordered. Finding like colored parts seems to be really hit or miss

They make a really nice one for the Tacoma. look at SDHQ website. They told me it can be adapted to fj easily.
I want to upgrade my set up to that one. It’s really nice and isn’t electronic it’s magnetic.

 

[FJ Montana]

Been a busy week. Finally got around to doing some work. Installed some side runners by Tyger. Had ARB rock sliders on back order for a few months and my friend surprised me with these as a Christmas gift. Took no time at all to install. Word to the wise be careful with how much torque you use when screwing in the bolts. Managed to shear one completely off.

 

[FJ Montana]

The replacement hood came in from Spalding today. The box was beat to shit but the hood looks okay. Will be installing it tonight. These pics are what the current hood looks like.

 

[CopperBrownJK]

Great starting point !!

 

[FJ Montana]

Having a hell of a time trying to center the hood without it pinching. Found some structural tears from the crash

 

[FJ Montana]

Looks like it sat for a while. Owner had said they replaced the air filter but obviously that was a lie. Remind me to never trust the seller again.

 

[FJ Montana]

Finally got the hood on straight. Took a couple washers to get it right but she closes completely and will stay on.

 

[FJ Montana]

She is holding up well besides the CAT error. I need to do something about it.