BREAKDOWN:
I decided to take the above list and just transfer down here and go into more detail along with pictures and the reasons for buying certain items than others with a brief explanation of why.
ARMOR - Details
Road Armor - Titan Front Bumper
I decided to go with the Road Armor Titan front bumper because of the type of terrain that I will most likely encounter when off-roading. Also living in the heart of the Ozark Mountains we tend to have a lot of Deer crossing the highways at night, this will also help to protect the vehicle for any unfortunate wildlife encounters.
All Pro - Rear Bumper W/ Hitch
I went the All Pro’s rear bumper because of their upcoming swing arm for the rear for fuel carriers. I have been looking at all the manufactures designs and feel that the All Pro’s is the best solution for myself. I noticed that it seemed everyone’s strapping fuel to their roof. I don’t like that idea and since no one out there make a fuel rack system, so I decided to design one myself. I had been looking at the Fab Fours with swing arm, but do to it’s high price at $3,000 by the time it gets shipped, is IMHO way to much for a rear bumper.
I liked All Pro’s approach to carrying fuel for keeping the fuel can on both sides of the vehicle. This helps distributing the weight evenly when out on the trail in an off camber situation, along with keeping the COG as low as possible. I am not a fan of having the spare tire on one side and two fuel cans on the other. I am just waiting for All Pro to start selling the swing arm for their rear bumper. I also like the All Pro rear bumper for the departure angles it has.
Bud Built Skids
I decided to go with Bud Built skids for my rig not only for the reputation for having well designed and tough skids, but meeting Bud in person in Ouray, CO at the first FJ Cruiser Summit was also a deciding factor. I like to support venders that take the time out to meet and get to know their customers. Plus the fact Bud is a very nice guy. I enjoyed meeting other venders also, Terry from All Pro, Jason Demello and his family. Jason I have to say is a MASTER when it comes to fabrication skills, along with his low-key personality. Mark from Metal Tech and his dad were great out on the trails. We have some great venders on this forum; it’s good to support them and their efforts.
Inchworm E-Locker Motor Skid Plate
I went with the Inchworm E-Locker because I like the design and again their products. I also got to meet them at the Summit. I felt it as only prudent to protect one of the most sensitive pieces of equipment under the FJ from trail damage. The Electronic Locker now is protected from any thing that the trail throws at it. It’s also backed up by the Bud Built skids.
All Pro Rear Lower Shock Skid Plate
I went with the All Pro Shock Skids for protection of the lower part of my Donahoe Racing rear shocks. The rear shocks on the FJ are susceptible to trail damage along the lower portion of the shock housing. The Shock skids help prevent damage to my rear shocks out on the trail.
All Pro Rear Trailing Link Skid Plate
The All Pro Training Link Skid again helps prevent any type of trail damage to my rear lower links. I am of the mindset that Armor is your last line of defense before damage occurs. I like the feeling knowing that the underside of the vehicle is protected from some nasty things that the trail can throw at it. It could be the difference of coming home safely having wonderful stories to tell, or broken down in the middle of know where trying to find a way to limp off the trail, then finding a part, installing it, etc.
All Phase Rear Differential Skid plate (Ordered)
I also got in on the group buy for the All Phase Differential Skid. This is most definitely one piece of armor that every FJ needs while on the trails. The rear differential is the lowest part under the vehicle and the one that takes the blunt of the punishment. I was leaning towards the All Pro Differential skid that you weld on, but it’s not really a skid in the true sense of the word, it’s more like reinforced armor at the rear of the differential, when backing up or sliding off a very large rock. The all Phase approach is more of a true skid; it covers the front, bottom and rear of the differential. When out on the trail wheeling your going to be in essence plowing into (moving forward) into or on to large rocks when trying to climb or defeat an obstacle. This is where the differential skid comes in to play.
TRD Sliders
I am staying at this time with the TRD Sliders that came with the TRD package. I am normally not a big fan of “OEM” accessories, they are usually are more for aesthetic purposes than function. This is not the case with the TRD Sliders, I am very impressed with not only their fit, but also who well their made. They are VERY heavy, which was a big surprise when removing them for the Body mount chop. I also noticed how well they did on the trail out in Colorado. They took a beating, along with being able to support the FJ’s weight when on a rock ledge. So maybe down the line I’ll switch to an aftermarket slider, more than likely it will be Demello’s. But right now, they are performing just how they were intended.
Pro One Side Mirror Light Guards
First off, I’m not a big fan of the side mirror lights, my wife likes them, and since she is now into off-roading she wanted them back on the truck. I had originally had my dealer order a set of non-lighted mirrors. I found out when installing them that the non-lighted mirrors are also manual, not electric. I have now reinstalled the original mirrors with the lights and decided to make slightly cover them with a CNC black powder coat light guard that Pro One makes and sells for the FJ. I ordered a set and now love my mirror sidelights.
SUSPENSION AND TIRES Details
Mickey Thompson 8x16 Classic Locks w/ Black Faux Bead Lock Ring
Wheels and tires were a very hard decision to make. I have owned many types of custom wheels over the years. I was looking for something a little different than everyone else was running, I first was going to go with a wheel now made by Pacer. I had a set on my 96 Dodge 4x4 Pickup years ago. They’re a good-looking wheel in my opinion. I also wanted the WE Bead Locks, but with so many other items I wanted to have done with the vehicle, I just couldn’t bring myself to spending that much for bead locks right now. I looked at some of the other bead locks out too, like Poison Spider, Champion and Trailready bead locks. I also really liked the Mickey Thompson Classic Locks. I have been reading about other members that have bought the MT’s that some members had rub issues when they got them on their rig’s, others stated they had no problems. In the end I decided to go with the MT Classic Locks. I did experience some rub issues on the passenger front wheel hitting the brake caliper housing slightly, I talked with the head Technician at my Toyota dealership, he said it won’t hurt taking a grinder to knock off a small 1/8” off a corner on the outside of the housing. So that’s what I did. I thought about using wheel spacers like Spider Trax’s, but really didn’t want to go that route. When running spacers you have to be very careful about the spacers coming loose, they have to be checked often. They say, if you plan on wheeling hard, that to stay away from spacers. I am very happy with the Mickey Thompson’s; I think it was a good choice for now. I had the chrome bead lock rings powder coated black to off set the chrome wheels a little. I think it gave it a more aggressive look.
Dick Cepek Mud Country - 305/70R16
Wheels and tires were a very hard decision to make. I have owned many types of custom wheels and tires over the years. I thought I had made my mind up on the tires, I narrowed it down to the MT/ MTZ’s, but I had noticed a lot of members that were running them were having some wear issues. I started to sway away from them and lean over to the Nitto Mud Grapplers. I love how aggressive they are, but did not like that they were not sipped for handling in wet conditions in the rain or snow. While visiting Rough Country in Dyersburg TN, I jokingly asked Ben from Rough Country on what kind of deal he would make me on a set of five tires and wheels. He said he would make me a great deal. I said ok and sat down with him while we talked about what I was looking for. I told him I wanted the MT / MTZ’s, he said he was sorry that they were out of stock at the moment on them. I thought well, I’ll just wait then. He said had I looked at the Dick Cepek’s Mud Country’s, I said no. He said most of the guy’s at Rough Country run them, he said that he had them on his own truck and further stated that they are very quite on the road, they wear better than the MT/MTZ’s and handle better too. He said they are sipped for wet conditions and clean the best in the MUD and Snow. I was sold on them from that point, the RC group have an off-road park with the type of terrain that they have is about the same that I have too. These guy’s are in the MUD all the time, if they use DC Mud Country’s then I figured they have to be a great tire.
Custom Body Mount Chop
I looked around for a competent shop to do my body mount chop. It’s kind of hard living in a rural area in the Ozark Mountains. (my wife Anita like to say we live in Hooter Ville) I tend to agree with her on that sometimes. Anyways, I found a small Custom Hot Rod shop that had opened up close by, and decided to see if they would be able to do the work that I wanted. I found they were from CA and use to build Sand Rails out there. I gave them some pic’s of Tinas (VDM) chop she had done. They said great pic’s, we can do that. I stood around all day while they worked on it watching the very slow progress, but the end result was well worth the wait. It looks like it came from the factory that way.
You use this link to see the tread on the body mount chop.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...op-w-pics.html
”New Version” Donahoe Racing 3.5” Coilovers
I had a hard time deciding which suspension system that I wanted to go with, I read & re-read the suspension threads I can’t count how many times. I narrowed it down to Donahoe Racing, All Pro Off-Road and King. In the end, it kind of chose me. I was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time with some great people. I’m talking about the 2007 FJ Summit in Ouray, CO. The Saturday night at the raffle giveaway I was sitting next to Steve (LandCruiserSteve) & Mongo we all bought a lot of tickets for the big drawing. We kidded each other through the whole thing.
Mongo said he wanted sliders, Steve wanted a rear bumper and I wanted the DR suspension. I kidded to Mongo that If I won a set of sliders I would trade for the DR suspension if he won it. Mongo did win the DR, I won a DR T-Shirt, oh well. Steve won (2) sets of sliders, sold one and traded 1legedlance for a rear bumper that he won. I asked kind of kidding to Mongo what he wanted for the DR setup? He thought about it, then said how about $550, this way I can buy my sliders. I said your kidding right? He said no. I said I’ll be right back to get the money, I came back and gave him $600 for being so nice on giving me such a great deal.
Donahoe Racing Rear Shocks & Springs
We really do have some great people on this forum. I wanted share that little story with you. Later that night I was talking with Mark (Metal Tech) & Jason (Jason Demello) about the raffle. Jason informed me that I got one hell of a deal, that those shocks are Donahoe Racings newest ones with more travel and that they are the first ones! Wow, very cool to get the first new shocks from DR, so you see the suspension kind of found me. Jason told me to call him in a week and he would set me up with the rear. I have to say that Jason, Chris and all the guys over at Demello Offroad are a fantastic group. Thanks again.
Camburg Upper Control Arms
I thought I might be able to get away for a while using the stock UCA’s, but that was not the case with using the “New” DR Coilovers. I called Jason Demello and asked him for some advice on UCA’s. In the end I bought the Camburg UCA’s from Jason Demello.
All Pro - Pro Link Rear Lower Control Arms with Johnny Joints
I decided to beef up the rear lower control arms on the FJ. I had noticed some other forum members had some breakage out on the trail; looking at some of the pic’s I could see why, thin walled tubing is not made for that type of abuse. It’s great as long as not a directional force is applied in just one area; “pushing inward” deforming the spherical wall, when that happens; catastrophic failure is almost certain. I decided to go with All Pro’s Pro Links, they are heavy walled tubing with greaseable Johnny Joints.
All Pro – Rear Upper Links with Johnny Joints
I also went ahead and changed out my rear upper links with the beefier All Pro upper links. I have not heard of anyone breaking an upper link yet, but why take the chance.
All Pro - Ultimate Sway Bar Links (Not Installed yet)
Gorilla Lugs & Locks (Black)
I also went with Gorilla Lug nuts & locks for the wheels. I went with black ones; I thought the color contrast looks better than having chrome ones.
RECOVERY
Warn M8000 Winch
I decided to go with a WARN M8000 winch, they have been around forever in the four wheel drive world and have established an unbeatable reputation for having the most dependable winches on the market. I will change out to Synthetic line for safety reasons down the road, but will use cable until the need arises to change out the cable.
Warn Fairlead Roller
I’m also going to stay with the Roller Fairlead; I will probably change to over to a Hawse Fairlead when I begin running synthetic line.
Warn Receiver Hitch W/ Recovery Shackles
I chose to use a Warn Receiver Hitch with Recovery Shackle because from experience I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to secure the rear of the vehicle to a large tree using a tree protector strap, then hook on to another vehicle for extraction. In muddy situations you can easily be pulled forward while trying to winch someone out of the muck. This helps establish a secure strong connection when pulling in slippery conditions.
4 Ton Come-Along
Working Off-Shore in the Oil Field as a Commercial Deep Sea Diver, we had to improvise when working at extreme depths in the ocean. 95% of our work is done by feel, unless of course we are working on a mid water project. Anyways, using a come-along’s along with a wide assortment of other tools are necessary as a Hard Hat Diver. We are all alone except for the Crane Operator that is moving massive tons of steel over your head at 2:00AM in the middle of the ocean or the Air Tugger Operator helping you cinch up on a cable to help you pull a flange together while you insert a 45lb bolt and 23lb nut. Anyways, come-a-longs are a very helpful tool, it’s like a mini winch in many ways and used properly.
(2) 3.5 Ton Shackles
I bought a couple of 3 ½ ton shackles and attached them to the front bumper for extraction points.
ARB Tree Saver
I was fortunate to Win an ARB Tree Saver Strap at the Coon Creek Crawl from Tora Sport. This is another great vender we have on the forums. Steve and Rose are great people to work with. (This item is being shipped with my Snorkel shipment.)
WARN Snatch Block
I went with the Warn 19,000lb Snatch Block, while buying my Warn Receiver Hitch, PIAA Driving light while checking out a local 4x4 shop in Lafayette, La. The place is called Cajun Off-Road. They do lifts, sell winches, lights, etc.
