Total Newbie

[jeremiahak]

Hello all.

I guess I'm the new guy. I have a 2008 FJ Cruiser that I've put a little bit of work into. I plan on turning it into a quasi-expedition rig to have fun with my wife and children in. I also just purchased a 1993 Toyota standard cab that I'm planning on building.

I've lived here my whole life, but I don't have a lot of off-road experience at all. Just here to learn from all of the more experienced people around.

I'd be happy to let you guys know a bit more about me, or my truck plans (either rig) so just ask.



JP


Heres a pic of my truck, the FJ, and my friends new (to him) 4runner

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e275/wrxak/DSC00389-1.jpg

Heres the FJ alone

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e275/wrxak/DSC00359.jpg

[Dr Brian]

Welcome.
Someone has a partly built cruiser in town...yellow...that looks cool. I'm sure we can help you mold some scratches and dents into the shiny pain.

You have a factory locker?

[jeremiahak]

I've talked to the guy with the yellow FJ before. Does he wheel with you guys at all? I'd be happy to go and scratch this thing up a bit. I messed around at 9 mile yesterday, but I didn't have another rig there so I had to be pretty careful.

I do have a factory locker, and A-trac. It came with the "off-road" package. That means nothing, but it did include a little nicer tires.



JP

[The_Ronster]

Welcome to the forum! My wife has an 07 FJ and we have it lifted 2 inches and sitting on 33's, those are nice vehicles :2 thumbs: Look forward to seeing you on the trails!

[jeremiahak]

Thanks for the welcome. What color is your wifes lifted FJ? What tires did you guys go with?

I saw a silver one yesterday with an ARB bumper that I hadn't seen in town before.

My lift will be going on as soon as the rest of it gets here in the mail.

My wife and I are having our third child tomorrow, but after we get through that and stuff calms down I'll be out on the trails with you guys. :D



JP

[rpiereck]

Congrats on the child! The FJ is a neat vehicle, they should make a soft top available... Looking forward to seeing you around.

[boostlesstj]

welcome and congrats

[The_Ronster]

I saw a silver one yesterday with an ARB bumper that I hadn't seen in town before.
JP

Yep, thats my wifes rig.
http://www.frozenaxles.com/picture.php?albumid=4&pictureid=130

Old Man Emu lift, Cooper ST tires, and ARB bumper with IPF super rally lights.

[jeremiahak]

Thats hilarious that I saw it yesterday, and ended up on here last night.

I have the old man emu lift sitting in my bedroom right now. I went with the mediums. I'm just waiting for a diff drop kit, and sway bar relocation to show up then I'll slap it all in. I've been thinking about the Coopers too. They seem to be the easiest (read least expensive) available tires in town. Where did you get your bumper from? I'm thinking about ordering the ARB roof rack, but still trying to find the best place to go through.

The FJ is my family rig so it gets driven mostly by my wife as well. I have the 93 yota to play with, but I'm not going to do anything fun to it for awhile. It needs some motor work first, and then I'll do axle swap and suspension. From there I might go full retard on it, but I don't know yet.


JP

[The_Ronster]

You should have let me know that you were looking at the OME lift, I could have saved you a ton (thats my side business). You dont need the rest of that stuff though, with only three inches of lift the only things you need are shocks/struts and springs. With 33's you might get some tire rub in the front fender wells that result in a need for some minor body mount chops. Mine still needs me to do this but I just havent taken the time.

If you want ARB parts let me know, thats all part of my side business.

[jeremiahak]

Maybe I should PM you this. I'm not sure whats kosher on this forum yet, but will you quote me a price for the ARB roof rack shipped? I've got a couple of firearms that I'm selling to fund the rack.

I've already ordered the other parts, and I pretty much assumed I'd have to do the body mount chop thing. I've got access to welders at work so I think I'll be able to make that happen.

I'll have to check out ARB to see what else they sell for the FJ, or my little truck.



JP

[jeremiahak]

Thanks again for all of the welcomes. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you guys and learning my way around the trails.


JP

[jeremiahak]

Just a quick update for you guys:

The baby thing went well for us, and life has started to calm down a bit. I think after the holidays I'd like to try and hook up with you guys for a trail ride. I spent a lot of time this fall in the woods on four-wheeler trails with my FJ scratching the editediteditedit out of it, and collapsed the hood braces in a deep water hole. I was mostly out in the woods chasing animals with it. I haven't installed the lift yet because I can't afford tires, and I don't see the point in doing it until I can do it all at once. The '93 truck is still running, and I got a solid axle for it. If I can afford to I'm going to do the swap, suspension, and high steer on it next spring/summer. It still could use a little motor work, but its hanging on for now. I love the winter trail ride pictures you guys have been putting up on here. It has really inspired me to try and get out in mine in the snow some time.



JP

[The_Ronster]

I would go ahead with the lift, if gets your underbody a couple more inches off the ground, and on the FJ the gas tank sits pretty low.