Any pointer for a newbie?

[i2oadi2unnei2]

Seriously, I am looking to upgrade 3 things for my FJC and I don't mean to hijack this thread, but wondered if anyone would care to either give me your input as to what make/model you would get if you had $5k to spend on:

1. Rims
2. Tires
3. Lift Kit (suspension)

I was thinking of getting a winch and bumper set, but since I'm such a noob, I wanted to go on several trial runs and see if 4x4 is really a thing I want to do as a new hobbie. If not, the 3 items above will suffice and no more buying expensive accessories. And if I really love the hobby, I'll buy the winch, bumper and everything under the sun LOL.

Or, if you think the three items above is something you wouldn't get, I'd like to know what you'd get! Of course I understand its always about "personal preference!"

[gnwhite]

Run it stock first. I am still running totally stock after a year and have gone most anywhere i have tried. Do that before putting money into a rig that you are not sure about, I also recommend you post up and hook up with some folks in your area and do some wheeling with them. After the first couple runs you will have a better idea if this is something you want to do or not. Alot of folks have the fj and dont wheel at all. No shame in that. Just try to be certain about what you want and after that, everything will fall in place.

[i2oadi2unnei2]

Thanks for the feedback gnwhite. I've yet to go on my first run and I know I should go to a few first before investing more on my rig. But when you got the $, you know how one's impulse is like!

The very reason I bought my FJC is because I wanted to do more outdoor fun stuff like this wheeling thing and not necessarily just camping, biking, etc. :grin:

The reason for the 3 items is that IF don't really want to wheel, I know I can still haul roughly 5 bodies, my dog, and all the gear on my rig (I'm planning to get one of those rack thingy 'thule/yakima) and with all that weight, I know the lift, tires and rim can take the beating :grin:

[OlyWaFJ]

Where are you located?

If you are going to wheel it, armor it.

I went with Stubbs sliders (rock rail protection), and Bud Built skid plates which has already saved my front suspension from what would have been some serious damage.

There are about 15x FJC's heading out to Tahuya this Sunday morning there will be a bunch of folks running stock too.

Check out this thread - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...n-06-17-a.html

Come check out South Sound Cruisers a Toyota Land Cruiser Association chapter located in Olympia/Tacoma, WA. Here is our forum - WA- South Sound Cruisers - IH8MUD.com Forum

[Terahex]

I agree with OlyWaFJ. Sliders and Skids can save you $$, then Lift and wheels. If you are in the NW the Tahuya NWFJCC Run would be a good chance to see what others have done. I wish I could make the run, but too many things to do before the FJ Summit

[VP23271]

You can do a lot with 5k

1) Either Bud Built or Man A Free full set of skids $700 approx
2) Expedition One Rock Sliders $550 approx
3) Old Man Emu Suspension Kit $700
4) 5 ProComp MT 33x12.5x17 $1100
5) 5 ProComp 7089 Rims 17x9 $650

So far you are at $3700 before tax, shipping and install

[GW193]

VP23271 previously said:

You can do a lot with 5k

1) Either Bud Built or Man A Free full set of skids $700 approx
2) Expedition One Rock Sliders $550 approx
3) Old Man Emu Suspension Kit $700
4) 5 ProComp MT 33x12.5x17 $1100
5) 5 ProComp 7089 Rims 17x9 $650

So far you are at $3700 before tax, shipping and install

Plus $200-$300 for a body mount chop! - Nice list VP, looks just like what I want for mine! ...and you've still got $1300 left for more mods!!!

[i2oadi2unnei2]

VP23271 previously said:

You can do a lot with 5k

1) Either Bud Built or Man A Free full set of skids $700 approx
2) Expedition One Rock Sliders $550 approx
3) Old Man Emu Suspension Kit $700
4) 5 ProComp MT 33x12.5x17 $1100
5) 5 ProComp 7089 Rims 17x9 $650

So far you are at $3700 before tax, shipping and install

Thanks for the reply all. I'm pretty sure I will go with OME suspension but not sure which model to go for since there are so many to pick from...grrrrr....but I do know for a fact that a 3" lift is all I need/want...

As for the ProComp rim and tires, I will consider it, but would like a few more options...

I will p/u the skids at a later date and I think my stock skid will do for now...

I will also skip the sliders for now since I got the stocks one (I forgot to mention I got the FJC w/ package #2) <grin>...

Ohh so much options, so much to choose from it's making my head spin! I haven't even gotten to the winch and bumper yet!

[billybongo63]

Welcome to the addiction!
I spend the day dreaming of what mod I want next.
One thing I learned, (almost) is to do your research and think out the whole build concept before dropping $$$.
There are so many different ways to go, spend some time checking out other members rigs to see what looks good to you.

Wheels are the biggest challenge as ther are so many and they show the most. IMO stay away from bling and find something that matches your rig. If you wheel hard, they will get scratched/chipped ( so don't cry).

Mud tires look mean and are meant for trails, but you loose streetability.

A good lift shouldn't change handling much, stay away from spacers. I have an Old Man Emu light lift, but am going to switch for the Sway Away set up. (see paragraph 1).

Lastly, your FJC was built to play right out of the box, change what you want, but save enough so when something busts, it becomes un upgrade opportunity, not down time.

Enjoy, -Bill

p.s. Join your local chapter of the TLCA, you'll never meet a better group of people!

[i2oadi2unnei2]

billybongo63 previously said:

Lastly, your FJC was built to play right out of the box, change what you want, but save enough so when something busts, it becomes un upgrade opportunity, not down time.

Okay this is the key sentence I hear every so often and kept overlooking... I will look around at other member rigs and will try to refrain from buying esthetics on impulse!