4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
I have TG and they have with stood many a test with no problems. I do like them for the "step" reason. Now that I have OME's that aspect is great.
Having said that though, I bought TG before I knew they came from China. If I had known, I would NOT have bought them. I don't think that was such a big issue a year ago when I bought them.
BUY AMERICAN
I agree on this too - the part about buying American. I think the quality of the TG is great. But, and it's a big but - when I bought them, I thought they were made in the US. I am a proponent of buying US when it makes sense (Toyota vs GM, Jeep, Ford...) and this was a missed opportunity to buy from someone like Jason... I actually thought TG was a small US shop... like Jason's. Live and learn.
I agree on this too - the part about buying American. I think the quality of the TG is great. But, and it's a big but - when I bought them, I thought they were made in the US. I am a proponent of buying US when it makes sense (Toyota vs GM, Jeep, Ford...) and this was a missed opportunity to buy from someone like Jason... I actually thought TG was a small US shop... like Jason's. Live and learn.
That's exactly what I thought. Would have done it different if I'd had known.
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KF7FHU
'07 Sun Fusion, MAF aux fuel tank & skids, custom laptop mount, OME mediums, Lucrum mount w Warn XD9000i winch, Waeco fridge, custom storage solutions, Cobra 75 CB, Garmin 76csx GPS, custom aux roof rack, TG sliders, Mombasa awning....
The Trail Gear sliders are definitely sufficient armor. You're not going to break them... has anyone ever heard of them breaking?
That said, the Demello's are a superior design... that little bit of an angle makes a big difference in the effective clearance. I went from Trail Gear sliders to the All Pro sliders which are angled up and it was a massive improvement...
Then throw in the fact that Demello is in the US, supports marginalized orphan children, and helps little old ladies to cross the street... and the fact that Trail Gear systematically tortures teddy bears, cuts through gas stations to avoid red lights, and doesn't respect the role of lime in guacamole...
I love how you guys are so fast to bash other stuff - stuff you've not used or tested.
I'm glad to hear the sliders are working out for you and others. Did you ever notice that those sliders look exactly like the BentUp sliders? Hmmm, wonder where trail gear got their design?
I've had my fair share of Trail Gear parts on my FJC and they've all failed very quickly. For example, when I built the front axle I decided to save a few bucks a go with Trailmart bearings, races, seals and a few other parts. Didn't think anything about it, but saved a bunch of money up front only to spend more to replace their failed parts. The seals were leaking after 500 miles and the bearings were shot after 1000 miles. Now my trunnion bearings have about 1500 miles on them and they actually have enough free play in them to allow the knuckle to physically move. I will be rebuilding my axle again and replacing the remaining failed trail gear parts with good quality Timken or NSK bearings and seals at this point. And just so you don't think I'm an isolated case, just go over to Pirate and look at some of the complaints about the TG parts and you'll get a better understanding of the crap they sell.
Then throw in the fact that Demello is in the US, supports marginalized orphan children, and helps little old ladies to cross the street... and the fact that Trail Gear systematically tortures teddy bears, cuts through gas stations to avoid red lights, and doesn't respect the role of lime in guacamole...
Thanks to everyone for the advice, I am not trying to start any bashing of products I just like to have everyone from both company's experience good or bad, I like both the looks and function of both, that is why it is hard to choose, I know I will be going with Demello's front bumper and I like to stay with the same company for as much as I can, can anyone take some pictures of the Demello's at different angle's I would like to see how far they stick out and what kind of angle they are tilting upward at, I go to Demello's website but when I enlarge their picture it is just a close up of the FJ.
I have TG sliders and I use them. They're holding up ok. I didn't know about any of the politics when I chose them. I like the wide step like design (away from rocks!). I do have some rust on the bottom, but nothing that I really worry about. If I get 4 years out of them, I'm happy. I see them as consumables. No amount of powdercoating is going to resist the rocks. It's going to scratch and will rust if you don't touch up quickly. I respect Jason's shop and his skills, but not everything made in China is bad.
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Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans 2.5 dia. front shocks, adj. rear reservoir shocks, Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers, AP 1.25" UCA, Demello skid, TMax 9000 Competition winch. Viking Trail Line. 34X10.5X16 Swamper LTB. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240 HID, All Pro Swing Out, .
I'm glad to hear the sliders are working out for you and others. Did you ever notice that those sliders look exactly like the BentUp sliders? Hmmm, wonder where trail gear got their design?
I've had my fair share of Trail Gear parts on my FJC and they've all failed very quickly. For example, when I built the front axle I decided to save a few bucks a go with Trailmart bearings, races, seals and a few other parts. Didn't think anything about it, but saved a bunch of money up front only to spend more to replace their failed parts. The seals were leaking after 500 miles and the bearings were shot after 1000 miles. Now my trunnion bearings have about 1500 miles on them and they actually have enough free play in them to allow the knuckle to physically move. I will be rebuilding my axle again and replacing the remaining failed trail gear parts with good quality Timken or NSK bearings and seals at this point. And just so you don't think I'm an isolated case, just go over to Pirate and look at some of the complaints about the TG parts and you'll get a better understanding of the crap they sell.
Oh yeah... well what do you know. Kidding. I've read your posts - and respect your opinion on this stuff. This is the first I've read/heard of TG failing... maybe I need to wheel more
Agreed. I hate all the jingoistic nationalism that seems to spew out whenever this comes up - as if somehow Chinese people and companies are being bad guys by competing in the world market (some guy sets up a US company and makes money, he's a real american hero, some chinese guys sets up a company and makes money, he's a crook!) If US companies have to be bailed out by consumer or government protectionism, then the US is doomed and has lost the edge that made it an economic power. I don't believe that's the case for one minute.
Don't worry about rails getting scratched in the mail if you're going to use them on rocks - they'll get scratched worse
) If US companies have to be bailed out by consumer or government protectionism, then the US is doomed and has lost the edge that made it an economic power. I don't believe that's the case for one minute.
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