What is your best Tip or Trick for an FJ?

9575 Views 63 Replies 21 Participants Last post by REEL-M-N, 4 mo ago

REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2021

I wanted a locking gas cap but wanted a way that I would not lose it at the gas station. The tether strap would not work. This was my solution...

I glued a neodymium magnet to the back of a locking gas cap. This type of magnet is super strong. Buy one about the size of a nickel, it should be plenty strong. You can get them at HD or Lowes / online. When I take the gas cap off I attach it to the inside of the open gas cap door cover when pumping gas.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #41 · Dec 29, 2021

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Grille Motor vehicle Automotive design Vehicle Automotive exterior

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FJ Cruiser Decals

I have a 2013 Trail Team cement grey with red accents. I wanted an additional pop on the front of my vehicle to go along with the red TRD lettering on my lower skid plate. I decided to change the silver Toyota lettering to red in the front grill of my FJ. I searched and found a company who does custom vinyl decals for the FJ and other vehicles. The company is tvdvinyldecals.com. The cost was about $15.00 and there are about 36 colors to choose from. The company provides instructions but I took a few additional steps, one was after I cleaned the letters at the start I wiped them down with rubbing alcohol. When I used the painters tape to first pull off the letters I attached the tape at the top and left tape on either side to make it easier to get off. I also use Q-tips to wipe and push down. The company seems reputable and they even send you an extra letter to practice with in the event you make a mistake. My thought was even if I put it on and do not like it I should be able to take it off without causing any damage and only spend $15.00
You can also add the decals in other areas of your FJ. I was very happy and it only took me about 20 minutes. Here are my before during and after pictures.

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Kaiju

· #42 · Dec 30, 2021

Kaiju likie. I also have the TRD plate with the red lettering. It's looks like some nice added bling.

fireball

· #43 · Dec 30, 2021

REEL-M-N said:
In an emergency you may need to break out one of your windows (Where is a dump truck full of gravel when you need one?) from inside or outside of another vehicle. Remove your headrest and use the metal posts to break the window.

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resqme, The Original Emergency Keychain Car Escape Tool

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Put one of these on your ignition key ring. Has a seat belt cutter and 'spring-loaded automatic center punch' -style glass breaker built in. In the event it is needed in a rollover or emergency, just grab it while still attached to the ignition key ring and it will come free in your hand.

I have them on all my car keyrings. They make great stocking stuffers too.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #44 · Dec 31, 2021

Kaiju said:
Kaiju likie. I also have the TRD plate with the red lettering. It's looks like some nice added bling.

The kit for the back lettering is also about

Kaiju said:
Kaiju likie. I also have the TRD plate with the red lettering. It's looks like some nice added bling.

I am very happy with the ease of installation and look. The kit for the back lettering is less than $15.00 I just ordered it. I will post before and after pics. The color I used / ordered is Dark Red Metallic but some of the other colors look interesting.

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Kaiju

· #45 · Dec 31, 2021

Oh, I like the red. Nice. The Dark Red Metallic looks very close to the TRD red lettering on the skidplate. What are you getting the black ones for?

REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #46 · Dec 31, 2021

Kaiju said:
Oh, I like the red. Nice. The Dark Red Metallic looks very close to the TRD red lettering on the skidplate. What are you getting the black ones for?

The color match is very close, they have 36 colors to choose from. The fit /color and finish is so good it looks factory. It will be interesting to see how it holds up. If I had aftermarket bumpers I would customize them with lettering. The back kit contains (Dark Red Metallic ) overlay letters for the FJ / Cruiser and Toyota it does not include the Toyota logo and that is fine with me. I hope to have an update with pic's in the next week or two.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #47 · Jan 1, 2022

Have you ever been working on a vehicle with a socket wrench and as you get the nut loose (like the hidden alternator bolt) and pull the socket back you hear the dreaded clink / clank / clunk as the nut falls into never never land? I have found that if I wedge some paper towel into the socket or use a tiny neodymium magnet it will keep the nut from falling out. I also use the same technique when I am installing nuts.

Another tool that I found to be user-friendly around the home and working on my cars is The Shim Air device. It can lift up to 300 pounds. It works great when trying to get a bolt to line up and you have to lift it up a little to get it into place while you’re trying to put the bolt in. It has a bulb that you squeezed to add air and is very easy to use. It will not work on FJ windows because of the frame but if someone locks their keys in their car, you can slip the device in the window crack and pump the bulb (be careful) creating a gap to use a hanger or device to unlock the door. Many years ago I used an old blood pressure cuff to accomplish the same task. On Amazon / Home Depot they have multiple type devices and sizes offered the one I purchased was about $16.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #48 · Jan 6, 2022

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REEL-M-N said:
I am very happy with the ease of installation and look. The kit for the back lettering is less than $15.00 I just ordered it. I will post before and after pics. The color I used / ordered is Dark Red Metallic but some of the other colors look interesting.

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Pictures of the back before / during and after installation, sorry they are out of order and the F has not been installed yet.
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Reactions: 4

Kaiju

· #49 · Jan 7, 2022

REEL-M-N said:
Have you ever been working on a vehicle with a socket wrench and as you get the nut loose (like the hidden alternator bolt) and pull the socket back you hear the dreaded clink / clank / clunk as the nut falls into never never land? I have found that if I wedge some paper towel into the socket or use a tiny neodymium magnet it will keep the nut from falling out. I also use the same technique when I am installing nuts.

Another tool that I found to be user-friendly around the home and working on my cars is The Shim Air device. It can lift up to 300 pounds. It works great when trying to get a bolt to line up and you have to lift it up a little to get it into place while you’re trying to put the bolt in. It has a bulb that you squeezed to add air and is very easy to use. It will not work on FJ windows because of the frame but if someone locks their keys in their car, you can slip the device in the window crack and pump the bulb (be careful) creating a gap to use a hanger or device to unlock the door. Many years ago I used an old blood pressure cuff to accomplish the same task. On Amazon / Home Depot they have multiple type devices and sizes offered the one I purchased was about $16.

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They sell sockets with internal magnets on eBay I found. Might be a handy tool addition to obtain since I've done that very thing. It's worse when that dropping nut/bolt/clip never hits the floor and you just know it's jammed in some component somewhere it shouldn't be. A actually lost a small end wrench once. It fell in the engine bay of my old truck and I never could find it. I tore my hair out looking for it too. I'm sure it finally dropped while driving down the road at one point and then was long gone to be found by someone walking down the road.

Lettering job looks nice. Love it.

REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #50 · Jan 7, 2022

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At the back bumper I replaced the bolts / screws on the inside and outside flooring/bumper with stainless steel screws / bolts / washers, a much better look and lower profile in my opinion. The bolts / screws / washers I replaced are allen wrench style and phillips style. You can purchase them in traditional silver or black stainless steel to match the bumper. I would remove a bolt / screw and take to Home Depot / Lowes or a hardware store, they typically have a specialty section of bolts / screws and washers. Mounted on the wall will be a guide to insert your bolt / screw to check for size. Once you find the size / length, look and see if they have stainless steel bolts / screws and washers typically in the pull out drawers.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #51 · Jan 9, 2022

For the folks that shop Amazon …. Not sure if you are aware of this site...
The site (Amazon Warehouse) has everything and not just automotive. Amazon Warehouse site is where items that are purchased and returned end up at deep discounts. I've purchased some items and had very good luck, typically the boxes are just opened, not what the customer expected and returned. If you have Amazon Prime the shipping and any returns should be free.
Amazon Warehouse | Great deals on quality used products

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #52 · Feb 4, 2022

Floor Mats

I have a Weather Tech back trunk area mat that is O.K. and I have Husky first and second row mats that I love. Other folks have their favorites. The connectors that hold the mats in place are very important as it should be very easy to remove and replace the mats after cleaning. Check what options / brands are available for your year FJ. Whatever you choose, read the customer reviews for the mat that you are selecting. A mat someone recommends on the forum that they purchased 3 years ago may not be the same thickness and quality as the one you order today. Depending on what you use to clean the mats can make them slippery. I use car a wash product where my feet are and other products (Mothers Back To Black or 303 Protectant) to make the other areas slippery, this seems to work best for me when I pull and spray them off with a hose.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #53 · Mar 2, 2022

Lots of great picks of FJ's to get ideas.

pinterest toyota fj cruiser pictures - Yahoo Image Search Results

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #54 · Mar 6, 2022

For those of you who stay in your FJ (stationary) and keep your engine running for heat / cold / other, exhaust leaks / carbon monoxide fumes entering the vehicle are a big concern. I noticed Josh Lipton had a carbon monoxide detector in his FJ, I thought it was a good idea.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #55 · 11 mo ago

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I have a 2013 Trail Teams FJ. I have struggled trying to clean the black frame areas around the door windows, mirrors and door handles. I’ve tried a number of products. I’ve tried Mothers Back to Black, 303 Protectant and the number of waxes with minimal results. Today I tried Maguires PlastX, I’ve used it before to clean headlight lenses and get light scratches out of plastic objects. I was shocked at how well it worked. I used a small amount and applied it like a wax. I hand buffed it out after a few minutes, then applied a wax type product (RejeX) around the windows. I am not going to wax the door handles or mirrors and see what happens. It appears to take off any old residue and make it look like new. Some folks have silver painted items so it may not work for you. Take caution and use at your own risk.

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Winterpeg

· #56 · 11 mo ago

REEL-M-N said:
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I have a 2013 Trail Teams FJ. I have struggled trying to clean the black frame areas around the door windows, mirrors and door handles. I’ve tried a number of products. I’ve tried Mothers Back to Black, 303 Protectant and the number of waxes with minimal results. Today I tried Maguires PlastX, I’ve used it before to clean headlight lenses and get light scratches out of plastic objects. I was shocked at how well it worked. I used a small amount and applied it like a wax. I hand buffed it out after a few minutes, then applied a wax type product (RejeX) around the windows. I am not going to wax the door handles or mirrors and see what happens. It appears to take off any old residue and make it look like new. Some folks have silver painted items so it may not work for you. Take caution and use at your own risk.

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I've used "cerakote" wipe products with similar good results.

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REEL-M-N

Discussion Starter · #57 · 11 mo ago

I am not sure many folks utilize this (Audio stock radio) feature but I find it very useful. In front of the shifter is a USB charging port and a place to insert an audio cable. I am not sure if all the FJ years have this feature, maybe someone that knows can chime in? I use a cable (comes in black or white) that has both connections and plugs into my Iphone. The cable allows me to charge my Iphone and listen to music at the same time. The cable costs about $10.00 on Amazon. You can download songs / podcasts to your phone (so you do not use up your data) or if you have unlimited data you can stream music / live content etc. It may also come in handy (downloaded music / content) on those back roads when you cannot get a radio signal. I imagine you could use bluetooth (depends on your year model?) but if you're already charging your phone, why not plug in your music? The sound is very good using the cable method, in my opinion. To listen, plug in the cables and then to the right of the CD / Radio button is an AUX button. Hit the button until it shows AUX INPUT. It may take a moment to connect. You can adjust the volume on your phone or radio. I turn my volume up about half way on my phone and then use the radio volume. Old school / simple but I like the results.

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Winterpeg

· #58 · 11 mo ago

I removed the charcoal filter (for emissions) that sits by the air filter to increase air flow into the engine.... 12 yrs ago.

FJ-6MT

· #59 · 11 mo ago

Here is my tip for using an FJ feature. Did you ever wonder about the practical application of the neutral position on the transfer case?

When it is dark outside and you send your wife out to close a gate behind the FJ and you would like to provide more light for her, you might want to shift into reverse to put on the back-up lights, but with a manual transmission this means leaving the clutch depressed, eating up the life of the throw-out bearing. With either a manual or auto FJ, having the transmission in reverse increases the danger since the vehicle is in gear and if something goes wrong and the brakes or clutch get released, you could accidentally back up.

Putting the transfer case in neutral, you can leave the transmission in reverse with the clutch out, have your foot on the brake pedal, set the parking brake, have the back-up lights and brake lights on for plently of light, and watch that she is OK in the backup-camera. Safety, convenience, and reduced wear.

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norm356

· #60 · 11 mo ago

What is your best Tip or Trick for an FJ?
I am going to have to go with adding a mist wipe to mine. Every time I drive in that really light mist, which is too small to use the delay wipe, but is enough that you'd have to keep turning the wipers on/off, again. Being able to just pull back on the stalk for a single wipe (no washer fluid spray) is such a good feeling (OK, I'm overreacting, but it took a LONG time to figure it out, and once figured out it was cheap and easy to do):

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Windshield Wiper Hack

Hey, Hack-Meisters out there!! Has anyone attempted to (or care to) hack the wiper circuit. My wife's RAV4 has a momentary wipe on it, you know, hit it up and it just takes one swipe across your windshield instead of having to turn the wipers on, then off again. (yes, I know that there is a...

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