2014 FJ Cruiser Build

[DzrtShamrock]

Ok so I got a chance to play around with the auto mod list app that BillB created. Pretty fun.

Admittedly many of my mods aren’t specifically related to Over landing, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Auto ModList Vehicle Build Page

My vehicle custom mod build thread

automodlist.com

projects in the works:
Demello aluminum 3-hoop bumper on order

Shrockworks 2010-2014 FJ was her fluid reservoir will go in with the bumper

Bilstein 36-281817 rear springs with OME 10mm trim packer

planned projects:
9500lbs winch
Dual battery
Upgrade alternator
Rear bumper upgrade
Auxiliary fuel tank
Transmission oil cooler w/thermal bypass

 

[DzrtShamrock]

I was in a hurry to finish the post above, but it's time for an update.

Discussing my FJ build really ought to start by identifying the intent and goals for it. At the time I bought the FJ I didn’t know anything about overlanding, but what I wanted to accomplish is essentially the same. That is, I wanted the ability to enjoy the outdoors without being tied to mainstream campgrounds, parks, or routes. The ability to go where I want via my own routes makes the entire journey the focus vs just the destination.

One of the first articles I read about modifications provided some recommendations on how to spend the first $2k in mods. The real value of that threat to me was the idea of prioritization of mods by what one will need out of the vehicle. This challenged me to seriously consider what I wanted (and didn’t want) out of the vehicle, and the following three ideas emerged.

• Relevant capabilities. I wanted this to be a deliberate process and wanted to avoid the tendency to do something simply because it was possible or popular. At this point you might suspect that I’ve fallen in to that trap in the past…and you’d be correct. So I started by listing out what I wanted to be able to do, identified what capability I needed to accomplish that, and then what mods I wanted to look into.
• Efficient and convenient. Early on in my career I was introduced to the “law of tactical convenience” – meaning that one should arrange their kit such that items can be accessed quickly and easily on demand. For example, the placement of first aid kits w/tourniquets in door storage pockets. Consequently, a critical factor for me has been avoiding issues that would inhibit that.
• Reliability. This is a topic that’s become a bit of a platitude, but when I think reliability I think the reasonable assurance that something isn’t going to break on me in an inopportune circumstance/time. As I see it, there’s two parts to building a reliable rig: quality components and taking care of them. In addition to the quality of the components used for the build, the ability to inspect and maintain them are of particular concern for me.

Specifically, I wanted something that could tow an overland trailer for longer trips but could also be used for shorter weekend trips and not be cramped or disorganized.

While I don’t have a trailer yet, I will say that the roof rack was the most important/used mod for shorter trips. While it can take a while to load things, securing everything was made significantly easier with a HMMWV trailer cargo net. Heavier items (like coolers, water jugs, and the chuck box) get stored in the vehicle. But the tent, shelter, bedding, chairs, recovery boards, etc are great up top.

 

[Tinsel]

Looking forward to see what you do and how you go about it.

 

[DzrtShamrock]

Wow it's been a while since I've updated this.
So since the last post, there have been about a dozen projects I've finished on the rig.

Things I had planned this time last year:
- Demello aluminum 3-hoop bumper installed with a Smittybuilt 10k X20 winch (synthetic line), Factor55 Prolink and fairlead. Also installed 3.5" round Auxbeam LED lights in the bumper, wired to the factory fog light circuit.
- Shrockworks 2010-2014 FJ washer fluid reservoir installed with a red Pro-werks cap
- Bilstein 36-281817 rear springs with OME 10mm trim packer
- Shrockworks dual battery tray with Odyssey Xtreme group 34 AGM battery; Blue Sea systems ML-ACR relay wired with 0AWG wiring and 200amp fuses; HKB Electronics alternator voltage booster (HKB Electronics
- upgraded the big 3 wires with 0AWG wiring
- installed 4Runner 130amp alternator and 140amp fusible link
- Hayden transmission cooler with Derale thermostat installed downstream from the factory AT cooler; thermostat opens at approximately 160degrees to direct fluid to the aux cooler.
- Rear door MOLLE storage panel from OrangeBoxx fab; has four pouches from Step22 with all my recovery gear (winch controls, hard and soft shackles, snatch strap, weight blanket, gloves, road triangle, tree saver strap, etc) in one, easily accessible location. This way I don't have to worry about leaving anything behind as it's always in the vehicle.
- Passenger dash MOLLE panel from OrangeBoxx. This one has two phone holders and the HAM radio control screen RAM mount on it with extra space for whatever else.
- Yaesu FTM-400XDR main radio installed in the trunk, antenna mounted to the rear door hinge via GZila Designs aluminum mount; cables for control screen and mic routed to the passenger-side dash; bulkhead RJ connector mounted in dash to the left of the glove box.
- Swapped out the Shrockworks RTMR tray with an Off-Grid Engineering aluminum tray to mount both the RTMR as well as an ARB single compressor. Made a 4-tire inflation system to match with the compressor, which is able to take the tires from 20psi back up to 35 in about six minutes or so.

Projects in the works:
- FJ Freedom Windows hybrid; had a bracket made by Kotto Auto Glass in Orange County, CA to make the factory Toyota glass work with the Freedom Windows hardware. Freedom Windows has a reputation for leaking as the replacement windows that come with the kit are plexiglass. Apparently they also scratch easily. The bracket from Kotto is glued onto the factory glass with the same kind of adhesive so that from the outside it shouldn't look any different. Have yet to install these.
- Freedom Retrofits LED headlights; have the lights on hand, just haven't had time to install.
- Uniden CB radio installed behind the dash/passenger kick plate, wiring routed to the rear door, Firestik NGP antenna mount installed on the spare tire carrier; need to get an extension for the feed line and run power to the radio. Panel mount RJ45 jack routed under the dash for remote connection.
- Midland GMRS mounted behind the passenger dash using the same hardware that secures the MOLLE panel (literally just on the under side of the panel). Plan to install mini-midland antenna above the driver side cowl panel using a ditch light bracket. Used the same type of panel mount RJ-45 jack used for the CB, mounted next to it. Need to run power, feed line, and have the ditch light bracket modified for the antenna.

Future projects:
- Rear bumper upgrade: looking at an Expedition One rear swing out bumper; this will take some of the weight off the rear door and also give me extra space for a larger tire; it WILL require me to upgrade to a stiffer spring though.
- 30 GAL fuel tank: considering an LRA 30gal fuel tank; they make an auxiliary tank as well as a replacement main tank. I'm looking at the main tank replacement as it means I don't have to mess with the feed tube or install a pump. It also doesn't take up much clearance as it still sits higher than the rear diff.
- body mount chop - don't need it for tire fitment now, but want to do it for future flexibility
- bumper mount hitch receiver bracket: want to have a brace fabricated/welded to the rear of the hitch receiver that bolts to the frame, effectively transferring some of the weight/force from the rear bumper to the frame. This is the inspiration for it: Ultimate bumper hitch

 

[DzrtShamrock]

So I got the Freedom windows back. The shop basically made brackets to attach the window hardware to and then glued the brackets to the replacement glass. He suggested getting some larger weather seal to put around the edges. Now I need to find the time to actually change them out - one at a time of course.
I was able to make a bracket for the Uniden CB and installed it behind the glove box, against the body above the passenger side kick plate. I also put the GMRS back in (used to have it in the trunk). I used the nuts holding the OrangeBoxx dash molle panel on to secure the GMRS bracket inside the dash. This unintentionally provides a bit of counter balance for the stuff attached to the panel (Yaesu control screen and 2x cell phone RAM mounts). I ran power lines to both of them. I still need to have an antenna bracket fab'd for the GMRS and then install and run the feed line. I tried to run the feed line (Firestik NGP wire & antenna) for the CB but I'm about four feet too short. The instructions for the CB state to put extensions between the radio and the NGP feed line, so I have a 5ft cable on order (hopefully getting here Saturday). After that I will finish running that line through the rear door to the antenna mount on the spare tire carrier. I'll try to remember to snap some photos while I'm at it.
While I was messing with the feed line last weekend I took the rear door panel off. Since I installed the rear door MOLLE panel I've had what sounds like styrofoam vibrating. While I had the panel off I took the time to trim some of said styrofoam bracing that was up against one of the mounting bolts. As they say, silence is golden.