[tornadolax11]

So I finally decided on a name for the FJ that I truly like. While Barney will always be one of it's nicknames, I've decided Donatello is the official title. I've had this build thread for a while, and my FJ is finally getting to where I had planned. Here are some recent photos.





And now from the rear:

And now to where it all started:

I inherited the FJ from my father, who originally bought and drove it. He had put on an aries grille guard with 2 6" KC's, nerf bars, and tailight guards. I started taking her out for some fun...too much fun. Ended up getting stuck in a lake bed with water just under the door seam. No pics of the event, just the aftermath.

Finally, in October of 2009, I got my 3" Rough Country lift, 285/70/17 KM2's, and 17x8 Granite Ga9's installed. All put on just in time for our huge highschool rivalry football game, which as you can see, involved flying king sized bedsheet flags on 10ft PVC poles attached to our trailer hitches.

Next, after a little fender bender, I decided to throw a blackout party while I was at the task of replacing the cheap plastic front bumper cover that had been somewhat damaged (grille guard actually stood up to the impact)

 

[tornadolax11]

Soon after the blackout, I began wheeling much more heavily, and realized how much the grille guard was hindering me offroad, so I took it off, and also added the black hood vinyl, in anticipation for a light cage, which actually came from the xterra in the picture when my buddy sold it.

Along the way, the Volant Intake and Flowmaster Super 44 muffler were added for some nice sound. Both turned out well, although sometimes I wouldn't mind a louder exhaust. Then came the light faze when everyone was getting HID's, then I got HID's, then realized how blinding they were without projectors, so I got the halo projectors. They turned out real well actually, I get a good amount of light output that is well controlled. I also began fabrication on my own set of rock sliders, which turned out decent, but not good enough for my likings, as well as some limb risers and mounts, which were also removed. In addition, I decided to black out the rock ring on my Ga9's (which is a pain in the ass to touchup and keep clean), blacked out the "TOYOTA" on the grille, and smoked the turn signals. Oh yea, and I also added the Kenwood DNX 9980HD head unit, which is awesome, especially for being in a new city.

Here's a picture of the light cage when I first got it on (in action at coal creek), which I still need to chop and cap...

Now comes the fun stuff. Over the past year, the FJ has really undergone a transformation. First was the addition of the Demello single hoop bumper, and more recently, the All-Pro sliders, rear bumper, and the new trail grapplers. I freaking love the front bumper and sliders. The All-Pro rear design is decent, but mostly chose it because of price. $900+ for a rear bumper didn't make much sense to me.

Front Bumper:

Sliders/Rear Bumper:

And now with the Trail Grapplers:

 

[Bostonian1976]

Reserved

nah it's not too reserved - the big tires help.

just kidding, just kidding. nice truck

 

[tornadolax11]

 

[tornadolax11]

UPDATE: PAGE 5

 

[28124]

Looking Good! :bigthumb:

 

[tornadolax11]

Looking Good! :bigthumb:

Thanks! I have some big plans for the future, of course all depending on money, but rock rails, a bumper and a winch are the next steps!:bigthumb:

 

[bama cruiser]

which rough country 3" lift did you use?

1) Toyota FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

2)Toyota FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

Do you like your super 44 muffler? How loud is it?

 

[tomwill55]

Nice job, continue with both the good work and pride.

 

[tornadolax11]

which rough country 3" lift did you use?

1) Toyota FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

2)Toyota FJ Cruiser Suspension Lift

Do you like your super 44 muffler? How loud is it?

I have the 3" Rough Country with the rear coils and shocks and the front spacer. I love the super 44! At cruising speeds, you don't really notice it too much. I make a lot of road noise anyways with the KM2's, but even that isn't too loud. But when you hit it, this thing is loud!!! I have gotten many compliments from people. At lower RPM's, like between 1-2,500, it has a low V-8 almost sounding tone, and then once you get above 2,500 it gets loud, you definitely hear it, and i like it that way! hahaha It has a deep "screaming" growl to it when it gets up there

 

[tornadolax11]

Nice job, continue with both the good work and pride.

Thanks! I need to post some pictures up of my window tint that i got on about 2 weeks ago, but the weather has been rainy and cold, so I have had little desire to do so...but i think that is just called laziness?

 

[Hagan]

nice !

 

[fjrohrs]

Nice buildup, what kind of mileage are you getting with the KM2's?

 

[Engine Jen]

Nice build!

 

[tornadolax11]

Nice buildup, what kind of mileage are you getting with the KM2's?

not completely sure, i have only calculated it a few times, but i think im getting somewhere between 14-17 on local roads and some highway(usually for no more than 10-15 miles a trip). And that includes both conservative and uh...not so conservative driving. I only have about 7,000 miles on them right now, and I am only seeing a little wear. I expect to get about 35,0000 miles out of them, possible 40,000.

 

[Sean Bell]

I smashed my same bumper about a year ago but that one was my fault :mecry:

 

[frdh]

not completely sure, i have only calculated it a few times, but i think im getting somewhere between 14-17 on local roads and some highway(usually for no more than 10-15 miles a trip). And that includes both conservative and uh...not so conservative driving. I only have about 7,000 miles on them right now, and I am only seeing a little wear. I expect to get about 35,0000 miles out of them, possible 40,000.

damn..... I wish I could get 350,000 miles out of my tires. :boohoo:

Oh and I'm in the same club as you. Got my TRD Fj two years ago and I'm 17 now.

 

[tornadolax11]

Updated pics!:bigthumb:

 

[fj6high]

Looking good so far! I love them KM2's...makes your truck look wicked :rocker:

 

[tornadolax11]

Looking good so far! I love them KM2's...makes your truck look wicked :rocker:

Thanks! I definitely feel like they added a lot to the rig, both visually and practically. They have done me great offroad and onroad. There's a lot that I have planned for it, however, being in highschool and not making much money at all really puts a damper in those plans, but someday...someday haha