This is currently how Mean Green sits.
These were taken at one of our favorite camping spots.
This is the build of my 2010 Army Green FJ. I had wanted an FJ for a little while. My dad bought a 2008 Sandstorm and I feel in love with it and loved the look of a lifted FJ. I then found this forum and the love and desire grew too much to contain. When I saw they were coming out with the Army green color that sealed the deal and I started shopping for a 2010 AG 6MT. I went to the local dealer and started shopping for one. Long story short I ended up calling all over God’s green earth and finally found just what I wanted, or closed enough to what I wanted. A 2010 Army Green 6MT with convenience package 2.
Where it all began, here are a few pics of it on the showroom floor.
I wanted to build my FJ in a way that would be expedition worthy, but would still have road manners to be able to drive it to work a couple days a week. I wanted a vehicle that would be able to take me deep in the mountains for camping and exploring and be able to get me home safely.
Coming from a Yukon the first thing I did was put a Baja Rack and ladder on it. The FJ is much smaller than the Yukon it replaced and I wanted to make sure we had enough room for gear and three doggies (doggies do not go on the rack). I had the rack shipped directly to Utah so I could put it on when I picked it up. I also thought my girlfriend would think that it came with that rack from the dealer. I could have saved some money in gas not putting it on until I got the FJ home, but oh well.
Second thing I added was a TRD short shift kit. Very easy to install and what a difference over the stock throw. I would say this is a must have for any 6MT owner.
Third thing I got was the Toytec Ultimate 3inch lift. Since they changed the front suspension a little from the previous models no one was really sure what if anything would fit. Luckily for me Toytec was about a hour and a half from me and arranged thought Shane 4x4 of FJC-Mag.com they had me up to test out their kit and to confirm what changed had been made. They typically don’t do installations but they wanted to make sure firsthand the kit they sold was going to fit the 2010. The guys at Toytec are great. Supper nice and I am glad to have gotten to opportunity to go up there and meet all of them.
Here are pics for before and after the Toytec
Stock driver side front
Toytec Ultimate Driver Front
Rear Stock Set Up
Rear after Toytec Ultimate
Turned out the only major change was the size of the bushing around the sway bar and having to drop the sway bar a bit so it won’t rub.
On the Ground
Stock tires look funny, not to mention suck so, on go a set of 285/70/17 BFG AT KO’s. I bought them from Discount tire and they matched a ridiculous low price I saw online. I got excited that they had them in stock I forgot to ask what the load rating was and I ended up getting an E load rating. They have a supper think sidewall good for not puncturing it but at the sacrifice of some ride comfort. I would suggest a lower load rating from some more comfort.
Next to get some Skids. I decided to go with the tried and true Budbuilt. So I called up Bud and about a half an hour of talking to him I ended up buying everything that he offered for the FJ, all skids and his kick out sliders. My girlfriend was not impressed after I got home late one night (actually up at Toytec) and there were I think nine boxes on the front step (high-lift and something else showed up from Amazon). Also since Bud’s plates are not exactly light she could not move them and had to get in the house from the garage. Needless to say dinner was not waiting for me.
All skids worked fine except the front skid as they had changed the mounting positioning. Bud was great, worked with me and kept me updated on his progress. In no time I was fitting Bud’s first 2010 skid plate on my FJ. Bud’s plated have really saved my butt a few times. This has to be one of the best investments I have made. Also they fit so well. The rear diff cover is so tight and flush it is amazing.
In Action
Rear Diff
Next the Black Out. I also had the windows tinted but after these pics were taken.
Oops forgot to take off some tape.
I ordered hi-lift mounts for the Baja Rack and mounted the Hi Lift
We all know how important it is to have your recovery gear. Which gets me thinking I may need to replace my tow strap it’s not looking so great.
These were taken at one of our favorite camping spots.
This is the build of my 2010 Army Green FJ. I had wanted an FJ for a little while. My dad bought a 2008 Sandstorm and I feel in love with it and loved the look of a lifted FJ. I then found this forum and the love and desire grew too much to contain. When I saw they were coming out with the Army green color that sealed the deal and I started shopping for a 2010 AG 6MT. I went to the local dealer and started shopping for one. Long story short I ended up calling all over God’s green earth and finally found just what I wanted, or closed enough to what I wanted. A 2010 Army Green 6MT with convenience package 2.
Where it all began, here are a few pics of it on the showroom floor.
I wanted to build my FJ in a way that would be expedition worthy, but would still have road manners to be able to drive it to work a couple days a week. I wanted a vehicle that would be able to take me deep in the mountains for camping and exploring and be able to get me home safely.
Coming from a Yukon the first thing I did was put a Baja Rack and ladder on it. The FJ is much smaller than the Yukon it replaced and I wanted to make sure we had enough room for gear and three doggies (doggies do not go on the rack). I had the rack shipped directly to Utah so I could put it on when I picked it up. I also thought my girlfriend would think that it came with that rack from the dealer. I could have saved some money in gas not putting it on until I got the FJ home, but oh well.
Second thing I added was a TRD short shift kit. Very easy to install and what a difference over the stock throw. I would say this is a must have for any 6MT owner.
Third thing I got was the Toytec Ultimate 3inch lift. Since they changed the front suspension a little from the previous models no one was really sure what if anything would fit. Luckily for me Toytec was about a hour and a half from me and arranged thought Shane 4x4 of FJC-Mag.com they had me up to test out their kit and to confirm what changed had been made. They typically don’t do installations but they wanted to make sure firsthand the kit they sold was going to fit the 2010. The guys at Toytec are great. Supper nice and I am glad to have gotten to opportunity to go up there and meet all of them.
Here are pics for before and after the Toytec
Stock driver side front
Toytec Ultimate Driver Front
Rear Stock Set Up
Rear after Toytec Ultimate
Turned out the only major change was the size of the bushing around the sway bar and having to drop the sway bar a bit so it won’t rub.
On the Ground
Stock tires look funny, not to mention suck so, on go a set of 285/70/17 BFG AT KO’s. I bought them from Discount tire and they matched a ridiculous low price I saw online. I got excited that they had them in stock I forgot to ask what the load rating was and I ended up getting an E load rating. They have a supper think sidewall good for not puncturing it but at the sacrifice of some ride comfort. I would suggest a lower load rating from some more comfort.
Next to get some Skids. I decided to go with the tried and true Budbuilt. So I called up Bud and about a half an hour of talking to him I ended up buying everything that he offered for the FJ, all skids and his kick out sliders. My girlfriend was not impressed after I got home late one night (actually up at Toytec) and there were I think nine boxes on the front step (high-lift and something else showed up from Amazon). Also since Bud’s plates are not exactly light she could not move them and had to get in the house from the garage. Needless to say dinner was not waiting for me.
All skids worked fine except the front skid as they had changed the mounting positioning. Bud was great, worked with me and kept me updated on his progress. In no time I was fitting Bud’s first 2010 skid plate on my FJ. Bud’s plated have really saved my butt a few times. This has to be one of the best investments I have made. Also they fit so well. The rear diff cover is so tight and flush it is amazing.
In Action
Rear Diff
Next the Black Out. I also had the windows tinted but after these pics were taken.
Oops forgot to take off some tape.
I ordered hi-lift mounts for the Baja Rack and mounted the Hi Lift
We all know how important it is to have your recovery gear. Which gets me thinking I may need to replace my tow strap it’s not looking so great.