Rubble On the Double: 08 Toyota FJ build

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

I always build trucks from a useful perspective. I need trucks to perform and not give me trouble on the trail. More Effort is placed on reliability and protection that performance, unless extra funds pop up. This will be my 5th Personal FJ Cruiser Build, and probably my 200th Fj Cruiser I have worked on. I own a Shop in Chicago, and all we do is outfit Toyota trucks. So this is not new for me. But when it comes time to build my own truck, I reach a little further.

I knew I would be pulling a trailer, and because of that, I chose an older model FJ with a manual trans that could be supercharged to help pull the anchor up the mt passes and handle the highway side of travel a bit better. I searched for 8 months, kept my eye out for an 07-09 Manual Trans in either Black or White. Then one day, this popped up in Texas, a 2008 trail team, White, Manual Trans with 27k Miles on her. Sounded perfect! So I jumped on it! Here he is!

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

As the mods start to flow, I choose a new path for wheels and tires. Dustin over at FN wheels due to my persistence created a new version of the Six Shooter Wheels. 17x9 with a -12 off set. This is perfect aggressive Toyota fitment for any tire larger than 285. I also coupled this with some Cooper St Pro Mt Tires in 315-70-17 with the white letters out!

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

Having had Icon suspension in the past, and loving the way it takes the edge off the trail, especially with the CDC valves adjusted to full soft, then the ability to stiffen them back up on the hightway. I also opted for the Total Chaos Upper Control Arms over the Icon becasue they use a Stainless Uniball and Icon Does not. They also use Poly bushings and Icon does not. The rear springs are the OME mediums, no reason to have heavy on here, as most of my weight is bearing on the trailer.



Here you can see the difference between Stock Travel and Extended Travel! It does make a difference for sure!

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Very cool! Keep up the mods and keep us informed, we love pics!

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

Bumpers, bumpers are the base for so many thing. They protect your truck, offer a winch mounting solution, give locations for auxiliary lighting and enhance the look of the truck! I chose shrock works bumpers out of Texas. I will tell you that I ordered this bumper before I even found my FJ! call me nuts, but I knew I was getting another one, just a matter of time. Having installed, Demell, Metaltech, ARB, All Pro, Warrior, and several others. This bumper just fits the bill. This bumper sits nice and tight against the front of the truck. It also sits high and affords an awesome approach angle. The fit and finish is excellent and second to none. Its also no very heavy around 85 lbs. The top bars protect the head lights and grill and don't protrude any further than they need to for their job. I rounded this install off with a warn M8000 winch. I had previously had a warn winch that I had purchased in 2008 and kept it on several trucks through 2013 and never had a problem with it. So I got another one. Synthetic line for weight and safety. I also added a remote control unit so I did not have to futz with plugging anything in during a recovery. I also have a hard wire line run to the cab to operate the winch from the dash.

 

[scubasteve2002]

Absolutely love those wheels! Look very similar to the Volk TE-37s that are on the Nismo R34.

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

I'm playing around with some rear suspension components. Since I'm lifted 2" I got some extended rear sway bar mounts for the rear from super lift. They are also quite a bit stronger, not that I have ever had a set fail. The extra length allows the fj full use of its articulation with sway bars attached.

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

Also, decided to swap out rear springs and loose some of the rear height. Went with the ome "e" mediums. These springs are identical in stiffness, but one gives 2.25" of lift, the other 1.5". Now I can lower my front a hair and have a more controlled down stroke and retain a closer to stock geometry. No reason for this rig to sit higher than it needs to.

 

[GREATLAKESEXPO]

During the rear bumper install, I went with expedition one. I liked that it followed the stock lines, offered great protection, extraction points that are easy to get to and a great step platform on the corners of the truck. There is a natural hole in the oem rear bumper that allowed mounting of a 7 pin harness in the bumper instead of letting it hang down unprotected. I still need to wire up the rear back up lights and the trailer brake set up. The back up lights are a perfect fit from baja designs squadron round.