I own a full 4x4 2008 Manual FJ. It's sturdy, versatile and fun. Go camp anywhere in summer and put on snow tires and plow through snow in winter. I plan to keep it and I'll only replace it with Tesla Cybertruck when it comes out.
Same thing happened to my radiator, I would highly recommend getting a CSF performance radiator. It's way sturdier and fits right in the factory setup.
This thing is an absolute beast. Toyota doesn’t really have a short wheel base body on frame suv anymore. Toyota needs to bring back a modernized updated fj and make a trd Pro style to it for the off roaders even tho it already is focused towards off road. I mean it was popular back in the day but the economy and fuel prices were when the whole Prius style hybrid gas savers were popular and trucks and suvs were out of style. Now off road edition trucks and suvs sell very well that’s why basically every company has off road editions and features for their trucks like the raptor, zr2, trd off road and trd Pro 4runners Tacoma’s and tundras. The fj is very sought after now and the prices are very high resale. If they did it right and brought it back that would be sick. But I know the 4Runner is getting a redesign 2022 I heard along with the tundra so not sure if they will bring it back anytime soon but I hope they do.
For those who want to know, the trail he's on is a Black Diamond difficulty trail in Big Bear. Forget the name though. I think its Gold Mountain or Heart Break, can't remember. Any way, awesome build dude. Btw, I think I've seen you on the road on the 10.
Absolutely a chance that you have seen it on the 10, I used to live in SoCal and have drive to AZ a few times. Black Diamond was fun, have run all those that you have mentioned. Thank you again!
Never seen your channel before, good stuff. Realized my Fj has quite a few mods just like yours. However it would have really nice to see more of the rear end components. I too have the metal tech LT springs but with Icon RR 2.5 and Currie rear sway bar. I too am trying to figure out the front sway bar and think another anti rock sway bar might be the way to go. Nice truck and mods.happy trails
Very nice FJ, thank you for sharing! Have a couple of questions. The manual transmission FJ already has lower gearing. Did you find the gearing was not adequate for on road, of road, or both and that's why you regeared? Also, you mentioned you are not concerned about running wheel spacers with the stock wheels. Any problems running 35" tires with the the narrower width stock wheels? I think stock wheels have 7.5" width and most aftermarket wheels have 8 or 8.5" width. Please, keep letting us know about the updates on your FJ!
Thanks for watching. This is from the owner: Initially I re-geared to get some MPGs back. This shouldn’t be your motivation. But I was also towing a Class 10 off-road car and I wanted lower to help combat the tires. Had I known I was going 35’s I might have gone lower but overall happy with the choice. Still no concern about running wheel spacers after 140k miles. I have done one set of wheel bearings as a preventative measure. But the wheel bearings I took off are on a different truck and still trouble free. The only issue I ran into running 35’s on a narrow rim like that was commercial chain tire stores not wanting to install them. The narrow rim helps with holding the tire on at low pressures. If really liked the stock wheels and wanted to keep the look over going aftermarket to a wheel that I thought was a compromise. But other than the hassle of getting them mounted I have no regrets.
Late to the party, great build and thanks for sharing. One suggestion though, it would be nice to walk around and have the driver explain his mods in more detail by directly showing us or pointing at it. Good content nonetheless
I'm thinking about picking up a 2012. Should I look for one with packages, or would I be okay/is it still as capable as the fjs without packages? I'm definitely get an all wheel drive. I just don't want to get the wrong one, if one is more capable. I suppose I could also upgrade things: shocks, wheels, etc, etc. Anyone, any thought? Thanks! ❤
Make sure 4WD and electric locker. ATRAC is nice but We rarely used it. 2010+ with a locker is pretty money. They had a lot of options and packages in the start. But after 2010 it became less important as are cosmetics.
Really like the set up.I have a couple of questions what wheel spacers are you running (brand & size) what rear springs do you have. Was there a reason you went fox coilovers in front and not in the rear.Is the lift i see on the video is that 3" i like the stance.FYI I've been searching the internet to get ideas for tires and wheels it seems like i've seen over a thousand pictures but it wasn't til i saw your video with the toyota factory rims and those tires that i knew that was the set up for me.Your video really helped me and save me $$$$$$ I have those same wheels on my FJ now Thanks again
Hey there, sorry to delay getting back to you, I initially missed the comment. Thank you for watching, I'll do my best to answer you. At the time there was really only a few fronts available, I have been a big fan of FOX and their digressive valving which boils down to they are firm till the valves open up then they soften up. Versus progressive where it just rides like caddy all the time and you never really feel the bottom out, which give a marshmallow feeling. in the end she is very top heavy and the firm then stable ride paid off. Initially the rear was running a custom shock length in order to account for the extended travel that Metal Tech had developed. I was using the Radflow and then damaged a shock due to how I installed it (top nut got tightened down too much and with all the flex fatigued the stem), replacing it with Icon since they had a similar available shock. None of the valving is anywhere near stock, but its been fun to fine tune them and relatively easy and cheap in comparison for the DIY. Wheel spacers are blue anodized spidertrax 1.25" wide, 6 on 5.5", color doesn't matter but they were the only ones at the time. I like factory rims and as an engineer am perfectly fine with spacers, the math works out such that they are no different on modern vehicles than a different offset wheel, which has it disadvantages as well. In the end it has more advantages then downfalls and there are other great places to discuss it for those that disagree. As far as tires goes, I have been extremely happy with my switch to muds and the Dyna Pro MTs. I was skeptical at first but after getting them on I will stay with muds and like these for the foreseeable future. in the end if FOX had an easy part number for the stem top mount for the shock at the time, that is where I would of at the time end up going and maybe in the future will. I have been looking at ADS since they (locally to NV) make a bypass shock that might just fit in there, but for now that combination has worked really well for me.
@@shaunbeardo3027 Love your loadout. I searched the website and blog and didn't see a breakdown. Do you have a list of specifics of what you are running? Specifically looking at your front and rear shock. You just mention they are fox coil overs. I just got an FJ as a hunting/play truck and am pricing improvements .
Ive got an aus delivered 2012 and one of the last ones 2017 Its great to see the subtle diferences. i cant understand why toyota didnt put the touchscreen gps unit in your us models. i really wish they offered the supercharged version here in Australia. we also only got the 5 speed auto but im super happy with it. Did you guys get the dual vvti 4.0l v6 1grfe? 200kw? i got factory heated seats in our 2017 but i had to option full leather seats, which was a stupid choice as im always worried about ripping them compared to the fabric in the older model.
We don’t have experience with the diesel but the FJ and 3rd gen 4runner are both great options. Have you watched our 3rd gen 4runner walk around video?
@@Kana0211 It was doing well for the longest time, since its full custom it took a lot of work and I think they have since taken the option off the page. I swapped to the Clutch Masters hydro setup. I have been very happy. There have been some bad reviews but I think that's due to setup as well. These are not as plug and play as you would hope. if I did it over again I would suggest the sleeve and factory style TOB before full hydraulic.
Great video guys!! Definitely in love with my 6spd. I recently regeared, and that teamed up with my supercharger has been phenomenal! How do i find this guys FJ on YT or insta?
Glad you enjoyed it! He is one of the owners of Rogue Overland, so all his stuff is found on the Rogue Overland Social media. YT/IG/FB is all @RogueOverland. The website is www.RogueOverland.com
Fell in love back when they came out with them. Grew up a little, finished college and got a bog boy job and went to test drive them finally and fell in love. I was pretty obsessed with the 4Runner, but unfortunately the 4th and beyond Runners were not available in manual.
Shaun Beardo thank you !! I love the motor and tranny but when I first looked at them a few years back the blind spots weren’t my favorite. You have a great rig! Looking forward to catching up with the group in a few Months as I am finally getting around to giving my Henderson jl the works.
@@dpmmount Appreciate the support here! Honestly the blind spots suck, and its like driving a tank with little periscopes but it hasn't really ever been that big of a hinderance. sure I would like to see everything around me, who wouldn't, but I feel like I have gotten better at the feedback the car is giving rather then seeing it. weird I know but wouldn't change it, unless more options of manual transmission.
Awesome FJ, awesome video. I just recently ordered a Demello Aluminum bumper for my 2011 Tacoma, can’t wait to get that installed. How is your aluminum bumper holding since you had it installed on your FJ? Looks like you put that bumper through the ringer.
David Legaspi when I hit the bumper at the waterfall climb it scraped it cold but those integral main mounts are beefy. The one I got was his most recent design and it was worth waiting for. Not sure if he made any more changes. I purchased back in 2015 timeframe and it’s held up great.
Shaun Beardo that’s great to hear. I recently spoke with Jason Demello about the integrity and strength of the aluminum bumper, and he assured me that it will be more then capable for my style of off roading. I ended up getting the Demello Baja Tacoma aluminum bumper. Jason did explain to me the construction design of there bumpers that makes them unique from the the other competitors. Let’s face it, Demello Bumpers are awesome looking I’m not going to lie...haha. Unfortunately I probably won’t have the bumper ready and installed by late October, I have a Mojave Desert trip October 19th-21st which I would have loved to showcase.
Mario Speer it’s made by DFG Off-road and it works great. They made them custom fit to the Indel B TB51 that is in there. No room to spare in the rear and it fits.
It’s a universal RAM mount that’s through bolted to the dash and then a iPhone specific clamp on it. Love the stuff they make just have to get creative. It’s been rock solid since day one.
It doesn’t but this thing can overland if he wants to. He just goes over his rig with a few clips of him hitting some nice trails. This thing is a beast but I agree I think an fj is perfect for climbing and just hitting trails in general because of the short wheel base but I think the ultimate overlanding vehicle is a 4runner or landcruiser. Got plenty of room and cargo space and can take you anywhere you need to go.
Great looking FJ. I would add the spindle gussets there are a few options out there. I was on a recent trailride with a few fj Cruisers on a friend hit a tree root with his tire and bent a spindle. very affordable peice of mind. www.chaosfab.com/accessories/2010-2017-FJ-Cruiser-Weld-on-Spindle-Gussets-59698-SB
Thank you! that is the eventual plan, I would like to eventually do a follow up video as some stuff gets changed up, gussets are on the list, better yet boxed spindles!
Little bit of update, I have finally gone long travel and in fact have added gussets! Thank you for the recommendation, they already have proved their worth.
In regard to being one with your rig. We were wheeling a few vary hard trails that day and he took his experience/skill to the next level.......became more in tune with his FJ and it's limits. Thank you for watching and commenting!