Interior / Exterior Visual TechThis section contains discussion related to visual modifications of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Some items might include dash kits, roof rack modifications and other visual modifications.
Thule T2. It's a hitch mounted rack that saved my arse literally. I had it on the back of my FJ folded up when i got rear ended. It was a hit and run in a nasty rainstorm. The car got away (after i got his plate number). Only damage to my FJ was a few scratches on the bike rack. Worth every penny.
I have two hitch bike racks that fold down to allow back door to open. For road or mountain bikes with traditional triangulated frames hanging from the top bar is not a problem. For my Electra cruiser frame which is more rounded and longer, I went with a Thule tire supported rack that I got from the scratch and dent sale at REI. It holds the bike upright with a locking front tire supporter and both wheels in strapped down tire troughs. I double wrap my chain Kryptonite lock around the back tire for support and general theft prevention. The larger rack companies have more accessories but not suprisingly those accessories fit private brand racks as well.
__________________ 07' Black Diamond Upgrade Package 2 Mods:20 Tint, K&N Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster 40Series Delta Muffler, ToyTec 3" Lift, Wolo Bad Boy Horn, Scanguage II, PIAA Xtreme White Plus Bulbs, Thule Spareme Bike Rack
I have the Thule Expressway 4 (I think). The idiots at Thule wrote that you cannot use a hitch mounted bike rack with the FJ because of the rear tire in their hitch guide. I found this out after spending the money to get a hitch installed from Toyota because I didn't want to use a roof mounted one because of the pain it would be to get it off and on. I then looked into hitch extenders from U-haul. Since the line at U-haul was so long I went to REI and had the sales guy take the demo out to my rig to check and lo and behold, it fits without any mods!!! I was so pissed at Thule. I can't open the rear door all the way but I can open it enough to get my helmet, gloves, and camelbak out of the back.
Sorry to rant, but I was pissed at Thule. I told the guy at REI and he was excited because he gets other customers with Fjs and wasn't sure it would work.
Jim
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The Black Ant
2008 / 4WD AUTO / Black Diamond / Convenience Package / Upgrade Package #2 / Skid Plate / Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip / Brush Guard / Auxiliary Lights / Rock Sliders / All Weather Floor Mats / All Weather Cargo Mat / Passenger Arm Rest
Location: native California gal, now expat in Germany
Posts: 1,871
Re: bike racks
Quote:
blackant previously said:
I have the Thule Expressway 4 (I think). The idiots at Thule wrote that you cannot use a hitch mounted bike rack with the FJ because of the rear tire in their hitch guide. I found this out after spending the money to get a hitch installed from Toyota because I didn't want to use a roof mounted one because of the pain it would be to get it off and on. I then looked into hitch extenders from U-haul. Since the line at U-haul was so long I went to REI and had the sales guy take the demo out to my rig to check and lo and behold, it fits without any mods!!! I was so pissed at Thule. I can't open the rear door all the way but I can open it enough to get my helmet, gloves, and camelbak out of the back.
Sorry to rant, but I was pissed at Thule. I told the guy at REI and he was excited because he gets other customers with Fjs and wasn't sure it would work.
Jim
That's what so great about this forum... I saw pics of the Thule [hitch] Trailblazer, that it cleared the spare, and swings away so you can get the rear door open. I was sold! It's of course like the most expensive one... but it holds 4 bikes and it's great. I even got an enormous old tandem bike on there!
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