Staged Modifications ?

[greybrimstone]

Greetings again. Does anyone provide staged modifications for the FJ Cruiser? When I was modifying my 3000GT VR4 there were stages that I could follow and packages that I could buy for upgrades.

I'm looking at building my FJ up over time and improving its overall off-road capabilities. I don't off-road all that frequently, but when I do I usually find a way to get stuck. So staged kits anyone?

If not, whats the best way to modify my FJ (best being the most cost effective but also the most functional/protective). Quality is very important to me.

[chichid65]

Hello...I don't know if there are stages for the FJ or not but I would recommend suggesting you form a game plan ie, what will be your purpose for your FJ? Rock crawling? Light off-roading, Full bore street machine with perhaps a TRD supercharger. I think this will help you and perhaps save you alot of $$$ in the long run, just my 2 cents. Hope this helps?

[greybrimstone]

I want to have a truck that can really handle off-road conditions, snow, and water. I want something that will be difficult to get stuck and something that can easily recover its self. I also want something that will not break when the bottom gets ground up against a rock of sorts... thats my general direction... my first mod will be the tires though... hate the stock tires.

[chichid65]

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea what you want to do with your FJ. I should also mention that alot of what your describing is driving experience. in other words mods are great, but good driving exp. which I'm not implying you don't have heck you maybe more proficient than I am, what I'm suggesting is Driving exp. goes along way and then with the right mods it all equals an awsome package!

[Fjamming]

greybrimstone previously said:

be difficult to get stuck and something that can easily recover its self.

That's really all you need to say there...

I don't think you're going to get to that stage in one shot unless you have a pretty nice sized budget. Trail armor (skids, bumpers, and sliders), tires/wheels, winch, recovery equipment, suspension, and lighting. But most importantly, experience.

You're asking a lot in that first paragraph. Without knowing exactly the type of terrain you're venturing into, it's hard to customize a upgrade path for you. Driver experience also plays a large role in which mods are needed or not. Start with some mild trailing and start to build up experience. I wouldn't start modding right away. You can easily start down the wrong path in terms of mods. Suspension upgrades will allow for larger tires to be fitted. If you get tires now and didn't do the suspension mod, you might regret your choice.

Just go have fun on the trails with some experienced folks. Try some stuff that you think you can handle. Slowly build up from that point. The stock FJ is very capable.

[J762]

Suspension Lift, Tires to fit said lift, skid plates. Then you can figure out of you really need a winch for the type of wheeling you do. If you need one, then bumpers and winch.

[fjessence]

I think j762 hit it on the mark, lift, tires, and skid plates can make a world of difference offroad from stock performance and I would also recommend recovery gear. After you get used to the new parts, i say you can invest in other things you might want: winch, lighting, wheels, offroad bumpers, cb, etc. I went with a lift and tires first because I don't have that big of a budget and it made a huge difference offroad.

[homedad]

lift tires skids bumpers winch lights tools powertank ...in that order...
That's what I did and I can't seem to get stuck no matter how hard I try...

[FJoel]

I have to agree about the lift first... if you buy tires first and lift later you will likely "need" new tires!

A little lift will save your skids and gas tank... mine get beat because I am stock height though it got better after putting in 883 coils (OME) in the front.