undercarriage support, protection ideas please.

[liteandsirens]

I recently purchased an FJ and I love it. I take it wheeling here in FL. and mostly in sand and mild offroad condition. But, soon I will be venturing into more rugged terain. Most likely Tellico. I need pics and Ideas of support brackets, skid plates, shock mount protectors, frame reinforcements, etc. I love welding and fabricating my own products. So if anyone has any pics or advice on what I need, please let me know. What are the weak points of the FJ suspension and undercarriage? I could come up with several things on my own, But if you all have proven methods, and knowledge of weakness than it would help me a lot. thanks.

[BMThiker]

First and foremost - sliders. Go to the slider comparison thread (stickied in 4x4/offroad forum).

Protection for the rear control arm brackets (on frame rails) is a key area. See All-Pro's stuff.

Stronger rear control arms, if you do any rock crawling is necessary. See All-Pro again.

Front engine skid and tranny/t-case skids. See Bud Built Skids.

[CaliChaos]

BMThiker previously said:

First and foremost - sliders. Go to the slider comparison thread (stickied in 4x4/offroad forum).

Protection for the rear control arm brackets (on frame rails) is a key area. See All-Pro's stuff.

Stronger rear control arms, if you do any rock crawling is necessary. See All-Pro again.

Front engine skid and tranny/t-case skids. See Bud Built Skids.

I agree. Though I wish I had known.. my rear control arm bracket passenger side has seen better days.

[Manhattan]

I don't what you guys are talking about - my rear control arm brackets are in great shape... neatly folded in and wrapped around the control arm.

Yeah... what BMThiker said

[PaulThePhotographer]

Manhattan previously said:

I don't what you guys are talking about - my rear control arm brackets are in great shape... neatly folded in and wrapped around the control arm.

Yeah... what BMThiker said

Hey wait now!!! Did you steal my Control Arm Brackets? That is what mine looks like.


BTW be sure to check out the Florida Section for upcoming rides!

[DEWFPO]

You can essentially BulletProof the bottom of your FJ with all the following :

- Heavy Duty Sliders
- Full skid plates front-to-rear (including the fuel tank)
- Rear diff skid
- Rear e-locker skid
- Rear Shock Mount skids
- Heavy Duty Rear Control Arms
- Rear Front Control Arm mount skids
- Front Lower Control Arm Skids

That will also add several hundred pounds of metal to the underside of your FJ, lower your center of gravity and take a serious bite out of your fuel economy but it should be able to withstand a hit from a small IED.

DEWFPO

[CaliChaos]

almost on topic

of course I ~should~ have had armor.. but I didn't.

This happened back in January.













Yeah armor could have been my friend.
(IH8mud.com readers will recognize those pictures)