4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
Installed my ARB bumper this past weekend. Thanks for the post sbechtold, the pictures helped me out a few times.
One suggestion for those yet to install. Instead of cutting the inner fender liners and trying to tuck them up like ARB suggests, here's an alternative that I did.
Pickup Quantity 4 Metric 12mm-1.25 hex nuts, preferable self lockers at a local auto parts or hardware store. Put one hex nut onto the threads of the body mount stud. Enlarge the hole in the fender liner nearest the body mount stud, and pull the fender liner over/onto the stud. Add the additional hex nut to the stud and tighten. See attached photos. Hope those instructions make sense. Use at own risk.
Another suggestion. In the ARB instructions it says to drill or chisel out the threaded nut in the frame rail (forget the exact wording). If you have a driver, punch or bolt that fits in the hole but not through the threading you can use it and a hammer to break the weld. It's much easier than drilling or using a chisel on that step.
Last modification I did. The AC conditioner line bracket on the lower front of the truck really should be modified for the ARB bumper. The ARB bumper install says to bend the line clear, that will work but I went one step further and removed about 1" of the bracket length to make it fit perfectly without actually bending the line. See attached pictures.
Hope these help some people with their installs. I really like the ARB bumper and it is no comparison at all to the factory sheet metal bumper. It's a true bumper and will actually protect the FJC.
I went with the OME Medium springs front/rear. Had the heavy front/rear springs at first but they we're too much lift and too firm for me.
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Voodo, 6M, 4x4, Conv. Package, Opt#2, VIP, Roof Rack, 2" Hitch, TRD Wheels and 33" Hankook Dynapro MT, Tinted Front Windows, ARB Front Bumper & Driving Lights, Tabor 9k Winch, Expo1 Sliders, OME Suspension (Medium), Bandi Mount, White Bezel, No DRL's, ScanGuageII, Moonroof; Looking for rear bumper, exhaust, and extra fuel capacity.
1. I don't plan on installing a winch. is there a plate available to cover the holes?
Nope. They do recommend in their instructions you can cover the hole with your license plate. Mount points for a license plate are provided directly above the RFL cutout.
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Paul K previously said:
2. As I'm not going to mount a winch, will my front end still sag?
Probably. The stock Toyota bumper is a joke. The metal cross member weights no more than 25 pounds (not including the plastic skin). The ARB bumper w/o winch is still around 150lbs. I have the OME medium springs front/rear. With my bumper and winch on my front is sagging a bit but I'm not done with the rear (new bumper sometime and storage box and boat from time to time) so I'm hoping it will level out eventually.
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Paul K previously said:
3. Are the fog lights part of the kit?
Nope. They are a extra and not very cheap. I don't have mine wired yet so I can't tell you if they are worth the money or not but I like lights so I bought them.
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Paul K previously said:
4. How easy is it to wire in the turn signals/fog lights?
They provide looms for everything. The turn lights splice into the existing turn signal wires with crimp on connectors. (Again, I don't have all my wiring done yet but have studied the setup quite a bit.)
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Paul K previously said:
5. Where is the fog light switch located?
The fog light loom has plenty of length to run the switch inside the cab. The switch that comes with the kit is a large rectangular rocker with red light when on. It looks like it may fit into a blank switch slot below the stereo or to the left of the steering wheel as is or with a little shaving. I'm planning to mount mine to the left of the steering wheel and if you do a search, some have located what they are pretty certain to be a factory provided loom for future aux lights. The connector is A26. Search for it on here and you'll find it.
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Paul K previously said:
6. Can somebody post a picture of the 'gap' I've heard mentioned?
I don't have a picture of this yet but can probably get you one in the next few days. The gap is where the top of the bumper backs up to the grill. It's only visible when looking down at the top side of the bumper. Mine is about 3/4" wide. I agree it doesn't look really nice and ARB should provide something to cover it up but I'm sure it's intentional as to provide the bumper with some room to move without crushing the front of the FJC. In the meantime, I'm going to swing by a hardware store and see if I can find some 1" black rubber strapping I can put over the gap to clean it up.
Overall I really like the ARB bumper so far. It's built well and I would put some pretty good money on it winning in a fight with a dear. In the Midwest that's always a concern though I hope I never find out the answer. It is heavy and you will feel it up there. With the hoops on the bumper visible just over the hood line from the cab you'll see how much your FJC frame flexes and moves just under normal driving conditions (more on this forum about that also). It takes a little getting used to but to me isn't a big deal and is a reminder how well attached the bumper is to the frame.
Hope this helps you out.
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Voodo, 6M, 4x4, Conv. Package, Opt#2, VIP, Roof Rack, 2" Hitch, TRD Wheels and 33" Hankook Dynapro MT, Tinted Front Windows, ARB Front Bumper & Driving Lights, Tabor 9k Winch, Expo1 Sliders, OME Suspension (Medium), Bandi Mount, White Bezel, No DRL's, ScanGuageII, Moonroof; Looking for rear bumper, exhaust, and extra fuel capacity.
Anyone have the torque specs for the following nuts/bolts?
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2001 Audi TT
2003 Audi allroad
2007 FJ Cruiser
Sold but not forgotten:
1991 Nissan Pathfinder "Babe the Blue Ox" (the tank)
Some mods on the FJ:
AFE CAI, ProClipUsa iPod and GPS mounts, TRD wheels, Hankook 285 75 16 MT RT03 tires, Expedition One sliders, Expedition One bumper, T-Max 9000 Winch, OME 885 springs in the front, ToyTec springs in the rear, OME shocks all around.
Ok, found #5 in the picture. 48 ft lbs. Damn! Would have thought they were a bit more considering how hard they were to get off!
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2001 Audi TT
2003 Audi allroad
2007 FJ Cruiser
Sold but not forgotten:
1991 Nissan Pathfinder "Babe the Blue Ox" (the tank)
Some mods on the FJ:
AFE CAI, ProClipUsa iPod and GPS mounts, TRD wheels, Hankook 285 75 16 MT RT03 tires, Expedition One sliders, Expedition One bumper, T-Max 9000 Winch, OME 885 springs in the front, ToyTec springs in the rear, OME shocks all around.
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