New to Me FJ Cruiser

[Seahawk]

I have been searching for a DD for awhile now - my Tundra has been racking up serious miles and I need a relief pitcher.

I thought about selling the Mercedes and getting a Jeep. I have come to love convertibles. After test driving a bunch of Jeeps, I decided that the fit factor just isn't there. I am 6'4".

It was warm over Thanksgiving so I got the 560 out a bunch and it became clear to me: Keep it. It is no sports car but it is a lot of fun.

My daughter has had an FJ for eight years and I fit in them well. So I pulled the trigger.

2013 with 32K:



I have been looking at finding the right FJ forum - there seems to be a bunch.

Any recommendations? The only near term mod for me will be seat heat.

[Laneco]

We've got some dear friends who have one of these. They are not on any on-line boards, so no help there.

The FIRST thing they did was put in seat heaters, then a lift, little bigger tires, and auxiliary lights.

By the way, Paul...the tilt gauge is not a personal challenge!

angela

[onewhippedpuppy]

Congrats Paul! Based on what I've seen of FJC values, you'll be able to sell it for the same money in 100k.

If you end up playing with the suspension, Icon, and Old Man Emu make great lift systems. If you just want a better ride, going to Bilstein 5100 shocks will let you level the front and improve the ride and handling exponentially. I put 5100s on all of my trucks and it's night/day difference.

I don't know how good it is for the FJC, but for the Land Cruiser ih8mud is the absolute gospel. It's the only tech forum I've found that is the equal of the 911 forum on Pelican, incredible knowledge base.

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Congrats Paul! Based on what I've seen of FJC values, you'll be able to sell it for the same money in 100k.

If you end up playing with the suspension, Icon, and Old Man Emu make great lift systems. If you just want a better ride, going to Bilstein 5100 shocks will let you level the front and improve the ride and handling exponentially. I put 5100s on all of my trucks and it's night/day difference.

I don't know how good it is for the FJC, but for the Land Cruiser ih8mud is the absolute gospel. It's the only tech forum I've found that is the equal of the 911 forum on Pelican, incredible knowledge base.

Matt - I have a '14 Taco and the ride is pretty choppy here on LA's superslab freeways. Will the 5100s help smooth the ride out?

[Chocaholic]

Congrats Paul...no idea why they stopped making those. Good for resale value though. Glad to read that you're keeping the Benz. She's a looker!

[lsf911]

I bought my 2007 FJ back in 2009 with about the same mileage as yours. Still have it with 144,000 miles and I haven't needed a forum yet to fix anything.

Nice buy!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

Matt - I have a '14 Taco and the ride is pretty choppy here on LA's superslab freeways. Will the 5100s help smooth the ride out?

Absolutely! I've installed them on two F150 4x4s now, huge improvement in ride comfort as well as body control. I've also installed AEV lift kits on three Jeeps that use the 5100 shocks, all of them rode and handled better despite also being lifted by about 3". For about $500 they are an absolute no-brainer in my opinion.

[Yorkie]

Thanks Matt.

[varmint]

The windshields are rock magnets.
There’s not as much cargo space as tou’d Think looking at it from the outside.
Pain in the ass skid plate in the way when doing an oil change.
Poor visibility.


Otherwise, I bought a used 2012 a couple years ago. The wife and I fight over who gets to drive it in winter.




And look at YouTube. There are hundreds of hack your FJ videos.
So far my only mod has to bolt a farm jack in back.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Laneco

By the way, Paul...the tilt gauge is not a personal challenge!

It is now

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Glad to read that you're keeping the Benz. She's a looker!

I really enjoy the 560...this should look familiar

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

Matt - I have a '14 Taco and the ride is pretty choppy here on LA's superslab freeways. Will the 5100s help smooth the ride out?

Toytec has good customer service and kits. This would work on your Tacoma....
05TACBILK - Bilstein Height adjustable 5100 Series Front and Rear Shocks

[craigster59]

Here you go Paul, looks like they get a decent amount of activity...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/fj-cruiser.41/

[quicksix]

Great color, try Yotatech, I haven't gone to the fj forum much, but they have been very helpful on my old truck.

[vash]

those wheels look terrible.

i think you should send them to me, so i may properly dispose of them (under my tacoma)

[enzo1]

+1 on the Bilstein's , I've got them on my truck. Best thing I ever did. Cheapest at the time was on amazon...

[DonDavis]

Noice!! Having my Outback has renewed my interest in offroad. Was thinking about Jeep, but they can command silly money. Also, I might end up with a small-ish camper.
Then I began looking at FJC ads. I like the utility of them and overall looks, plus it's hard to beat a well sorted Toyota.

Is yours manual or auto?

[vash]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Here you go Paul, looks like they get a decent amount of activity...
]

your ride messed with my head. i was 99% sure my next purchase would be another tacoma.then i saw your 4runner. that would fit the bill nicely..i would buy a small utility trailer tho.

[wayner]

Also check out the bilstein 6112 shocks

They are digressive

[Crowbob]

fjcruiserforums.com.

[Crowbob]