Lessons from a guy who couldn't wait...

[theBROFESSOR]

So I bought my 2007 FJ Cruiser a few weeks ago. Once I did I googled about different things you could accessorize it with...little did I know I would find a whole community out there who loves and lives for what I was about to get into...I didn't even know it had a name. lol. I feel neck deep into this and did not want to wait for all the goodies and gadgets that everyone talks about...didn't want to wait for my "build" post before I got out into the wild blue yander...I wanted to do it. NOW.

I had a day off on Friday so I decided to check out the local National Forest OHV trail and see what my FJ with worn out street tires could do for me in this exploration.

So...a short 70 mile drive took me north into the Ozark National Forest in AR up to Hector, AR. I visited the local National Forest Center there to pick up some maps and I was off to find the Zing Trailhead.
After taking a "shortcut" I had no cell coverage and for about 18 miles of dirt roads I had no idea where I was since I forgot to bring my reader glass to read the map. Finally found my sign and took off through the woods. Now my daddy didn't raise no fool so I proceeded with caution for the first 100 yards and then decided to try out the 4 wheel drive. I must say with bald street tires it was actually impressive. But then I came to a hole filled with water that I dared not drive off into since I was by myself with no cell coverage.

I turned around and went back to the main road. Found a beautiful hidden lake/pond and explored there for a little while.


After driving around a few more places, I decided to venture back home and discuss my amazing findings with my wife and tell her about how many of our future weekends are going to be up in the Ozark National Forest so close to home. I spotted many outstanding camp sites and with the trail having over 40 miles of OHV trails it would be an amazing time to be had!

On the 80 mile trip home I was thinking of all the future fun I would be having. Last turn before home. My FJ is pulling pretty bad to the left. This is weird. Pulled into the driveway. Front left tire is flat. a 1/2" stick is shoved into the sidewall.


So, on a poor man's budget (and having researched, dreamed and picked out my new amazing tires I would be saving for) I went to the local used tire man who happened to have a set of Yokahama's that would fit...threw it an extra one for the spare because he felt sorry for me and was impressed that I drove 80 miles home with a stick that size sticking out of my tire and I came home. Pretty good deal I thought. Not great but will get me through the winter.

So I went back home with my new (to me) tires and thinking of the $240 (for 5 not bad with good tread) I had put back already for my new winch and bumper...thinking of the amazing first day I had and realized just how expensive it is going to be to have this much fun. This was just one day! Think about the damage I can do if I had the whole weekend!


Ride safe. Take care of our planet. There's only one.

 

[Joey83]

The FJ is a pretty cool rig, not what I would go for, but still pretty cool.

 

[VCeXpedition]

Good report.... bro!

Good for you for getting out, and also good for you for engaging common sense and knowing when you were at your limit!

Stick around, it gets better! And the more you find out how you want to use your rig, the wiser you will be able to spend your well-earned budget.


Dan.

 

[TerryD]

AWESOME stuff man! Buy the goodies as you find you need them, get armor first!!! Sounds like you had a great time out there, hope you get to do it much more often!

 

[Longshot270]

You'll probably want to find a tire plug kit before your next outing. I've used multiple plugs on the same hole when a good sized stick punched into a tractor tire. It actually held for a good while and would probably hold in a truck tire long enough to get to a tire shop.

 

[MOAK]

Nice rig & welcome to this outstanding hobby of ours. I really like your signature. Undercarriage Armor is OK but not the best place to start. My rig, with over 280,000 miles has been all over the country on all kinds of trails, black, blue, green, etc etc and the only underbody protection I have is the tiny ome skid plate on the transfer case. A great place to start though is getting a set of rocker panel sliders. Then a very mild suspension lift, then when those tires wear out upgrade to something better and a little bigger. A winch is pretty low on the priority list. We overlanded for years before getting one. Over the last 15 years I've used it twice for self extraction and multiple times to extract someone else. Just my humble opinion but once again, in order, sliders / suspension upgrade / tires when needed. Good luck and have fun.
Oh, and one question for you, what is that region like in December? We are planning a trip to Big Bend for December of '18 and would love to explore the Ozarks on the way home.

 

[TerryD]

Nice rig & welcome to this outstanding hobby of ours. I really like your signature. Undercarriage Armor is OK but not the best place to start. My rig, with over 280,000 miles has been all over the country on all kinds of trails, black, blue, green, etc etc and the only underbody protection I have is the tiny ome skid plate on the transfer case. A great place to start though is getting a set of rocker panel sliders. Then a very mild suspension lift, then when those tires wear out upgrade to something better and a little bigger. A winch is pretty low on the priority list. We overlanded for years before getting one. Over the last 15 years I've used it twice for self extraction and multiple times to extract someone else. Just my humble opinion but once again, in order, sliders / suspension upgrade / tires when needed. Good luck and have fun.
Oh, and one question for you, what is that region like in December? We are planning a trip to Big Bend for December of '18 and would love to explore the Ozarks on the way home.

I should have clarified. When I said armor I was talking about skids AND sliders. My sliders are ordered as we speak. I started smashing my step tubes and don't want a repeat of my Cherokee with a flattened rocker panel.

 

[theBROFESSOR]

Nice rig & welcome to this outstanding hobby of ours. I really like your signature. Undercarriage Armor is OK but not the best place to start. My rig, with over 280,000 miles has been all over the country on all kinds of trails, black, blue, green, etc etc and the only underbody protection I have is the tiny ome skid plate on the transfer case. A great place to start though is getting a set of rocker panel sliders. Then a very mild suspension lift, then when those tires wear out upgrade to something better and a little bigger. A winch is pretty low on the priority list. We overlanded for years before getting one. Over the last 15 years I've used it twice for self extraction and multiple times to extract someone else. Just my humble opinion but once again, in order, sliders / suspension upgrade / tires when needed. Good luck and have fun.
Oh, and one question for you, what is that region like in December? We are planning a trip to Big Bend for December of '18 and would love to explore the Ozarks on the way home.

Thank you for your input as all is well received. December is usually pretty nice here. The worst weather for us believe it or not is february. Most Christmas' I'm usually in short sleeves. But it varies and can change in a heartbeat. But for the most part December in the Ozarks is pretty enjoyable. Give me a shout when you come through. Im finding there is not much activity on here in Arkansas and am looking to meet and greet others. Ride safe.

 

[theBROFESSOR]

Nice rig & welcome to this outstanding hobby of ours. I really like your signature. Undercarriage Armor is OK but not the best place to start. My rig, with over 280,000 miles has been all over the country on all kinds of trails, black, blue, green, etc etc and the only underbody protection I have is the tiny ome skid plate on the transfer case. A great place to start though is getting a set of rocker panel sliders. Then a very mild suspension lift, then when those tires wear out upgrade to something better and a little bigger. A winch is pretty low on the priority list. We overlanded for years before getting one. Over the last 15 years I've used it twice for self extraction and multiple times to extract someone else. Just my humble opinion but once again, in order, sliders / suspension upgrade / tires when needed. Good luck and have fun.
Oh, and one question for you, what is that region like in December? We are planning a trip to Big Bend for December of '18 and would love to explore the Ozarks on the way home.

Good report.... bro!

Good for you for getting out, and also good for you for engaging common sense and knowing when you were at your limit!

Stick around, it gets better! And the more you find out how you want to use your rig, the wiser you will be able to spend your well-earned budget.


Dan.

Thanks Dan. I don't plan on going anywhere. I am hooked! Now just looking for some overtime at work to put money back for accessories. haha.

 

[Corrie]

I loved reading this! It is *so* easy to get caught up in the gear game. We hear from people all the time who create self-imposed limits on what they think they can do and can't do, and it distracts from the main point... Get. Outside. :)

Thank you for sharing your process. Looking forward to following the evolution of your ride.

 

[theBROFESSOR]

I loved reading this! It is *so* easy to get caught up in the gear game. We hear from people all the time who create self-imposed limits on what they think they can do and can't do, and it distracts from the main point... Get. Outside. :)

Thank you for sharing your process. Looking forward to following the evolution of your ride.

Thanks Corrie. I have always been a jump first...think later kind of guy. I couldn't wait. I never have been able to wait. Christmas, Birthdays I always had to know what I was getting before I got it. I am a recovering mountain biker and hiker but haven't been in the outdoors in a while, so I couldn't wait. It didn't to me what I was facing or with what. But I am also one that my parents taught well. 20 miles from nowhere. No cell phone service. The possibility of hours with no help. I'm pretty sure that I received the stick in the tire when I attempted to turn around, but getting home on a flat tire beats stuck in the mud for an undetermined amount of time in my book. lol.

 

[theBROFESSOR]

You'll probably want to find a tire plug kit before your next outing. I've used multiple plugs on the same hole when a good sized stick punched into a tractor tire. It actually held for a good while and would probably hold in a truck tire long enough to get to a tire shop.

Will do. Problem with this one was I didn't discover it til I got home. If it had been an overnight trip I would have been screwed for sure. That will go down on a must have's for the prep list for next trip. Thank you for adding your experience to this and giving me a heads up!

 

[TerryD]

Will do. Problem with this one was I didn't discover it til I got home. If it had been an overnight trip I would have been screwed for sure. That will go down on a must have's for the prep list for next trip. Thank you for adding your experience to this and giving me a heads up!

Always double check your spare, jack and lug wrench as part of your pretrip. You never know when you'll have need of them and so many folks are without them and not aware of it! I try to keep my spare in rotation on my Xterra and the jack handle is required to lower the spare from under the rear of the body. It'd be sad times if I was out and a piece of my factory jack kit was gone.

 

[theBROFESSOR]

Always double check your spare, jack and lug wrench as part of your pretrip. You never know when you'll have need of them and so many folks are without them and not aware of it! I try to keep my spare in rotation on my Xterra and the jack handle is required to lower the spare from under the rear of the body. It'd be sad times if I was out and a piece of my factory jack kit was gone.

Very true. That was the first thing I checked when I purchased this used FJ. Not that I like the stock jack's that cars come with, but they are usually the main thing that is missing on a used vehicle. Sure thing. No jack. But I do have one that I carry instead. Hard to change a flat with it sitting on the ground.

 

[Steve]

You will see a lot of very nice fully "built" vehicles here, on other forums, and on the trails. Don't get pulled into that trap. The FJ is extremely capable right off of the factory floor. All you need is some all-terrain tires.

Drive it for a while as is. See what drags, what wears, and what breaks. Then replace that with something better.

Welcome aboard,
Steve

 

[theBROFESSOR]

You will see a lot of very nice fully "built" vehicles here, on other forums, and on the trails. Don't get pulled into that trap. The FJ is extremely capable right off of the factory floor. All you need is some all-terrain tires.

Drive it for a while as is. See what drags, what wears, and what breaks. Then replace that with something better.

Welcome aboard,
Steve

Thanks Steve. I noticed that seemed to be exactly what it was built for. I do like mods, but my budget won't allow me to get pulled into that trap as you say. Only the necessities for me. I've always been much of a minimalist anyway. But there is some really cool stuff out there I've been discovering. I never knew most of this even existed. Pretty exciting time for me. But mods or not, I'm getting out there. Ready to meet others and do life outside the city limits.

 

[MTNGOATFJ7986]

I also have an 07 FJ, and I have to say I love it to death. Yea, it's the funky purple color, but with no other modifications other than a mild lift and some 33's, I've gone anywhere and everywhere I have wanted to go. It's a fantastic rig right out of the box and I'm glad to see somebody else enjoying theirs as much as I do!

The only downside I've found to the FJ, is the market for armor and gear (its crazy expensive). My mom picked up a really nice rear bumper for her 2017 Rubicon for about 400 bucks brand new,and yet I cant find one for under 700 for my FJ. But I've found I didn't need anything of the sort if I drove smart and slow, and got a spotter when I needed one. Check your local craigslist if you really get the itch, lots of local wreckers have FJ's that people have put armor on etc and wrecked, and if its not on the portion that got wrecked, you can find all kinds of good stuff. I missed out on a rear end wrecked FJ that had an ARB front bumper on it, guy was asking 300 bucks for it. Just remember most modifications usually come with other neccesary parts to complete!

Awesome seeing another person getting of the pavement and seeing what their ride can do and how much you enjoy it, especially when you love the rig your in!

 

[theBROFESSOR]

I also have an 07 FJ, and I have to say I love it to death. Yea, it's the funky purple color, but with no other modifications other than a mild lift and some 33's, I've gone anywhere and everywhere I have wanted to go. It's a fantastic rig right out of the box and I'm glad to see somebody else enjoying theirs as much as I do!

The only downside I've found to the FJ, is the market for armor and gear (its crazy expensive). My mom picked up a really nice rear bumper for her 2017 Rubicon for about 400 bucks brand new,and yet I cant find one for under 700 for my FJ. But I've found I didn't need anything of the sort if I drove smart and slow, and got a spotter when I needed one. Check your local craigslist if you really get the itch, lots of local wreckers have FJ's that people have put armor on etc and wrecked, and if its not on the portion that got wrecked, you can find all kinds of good stuff. I missed out on a rear end wrecked FJ that had an ARB front bumper on it, guy was asking 300 bucks for it. Just remember most modifications usually come with other neccesary parts to complete!

Awesome seeing another person getting of the pavement and seeing what their ride can do and how much you enjoy it, especially when you love the rig your in!

Thanks for your reply! I absolutely love my FJ. And yeah I texted my wife last night and told her that I am going to have to try and win the lottery in order to get all the stuff on my list now. lol Crazy expensive. And there's so much of it. The FJ may be worn out when I get it the way I want. lol

 

[MTNGOATFJ7986]

Thanks for your reply! I absolutely love my FJ. And yeah I texted my wife last night and told her that I am going to have to try and win the lottery in order to get all the stuff on my list now. lol Crazy expensive. And there's so much of it. The FJ may be worn out when I get it the way I want. lol

No such thing as worn out! Just well loved! Keep us posted on your trips!

 

[craigR]

The thing about "waiting" is, you may never actually take the first step. It's easy to fall into "I just need this, or I just need that... before I can do this or that". I've done it SO many times. In the end, it cost you nothing more than the money you were already set to spend replacing bald tires. In return, you got a great experience, some confidence, and an awesome taste of what's to come. Better yet, now you've wet your whistle for it, and are much more likely to go out exploring again sooner, rather than later.

Kudos for jumping in, just doing it, and nice looking FJ!! Enjoy it in good health.