Dragon's FJ Cruiser Build

[Dragon]

.​

"We are not at our best perched at the summit. We are climbers, at our best when the way is steep"
-John W. Gardner

The Top of the World. Moab, Utah​

What's in a name?

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches"
-Proverbs 22:1

For my rig, I went retro and named it after the man who put the Landcruisers on the map, literally.

"In July of 1951, Toyota Test driver Ichiro Taira drove a BJ prototype to the sixth of the 10 hikers checkpoints on Japan's 12,388 foot Mount Fuji. That was higher than anyone thought likely-or even possible -in a four wheel motor vehicle. Then inspired by a historic horseback riding feat accomplished centuries earlier, Taira drove to Okazaki City and up steep temple stairs. Taira's drive drew attention to the FJ*"
-Larry Edsall

Here is my rig:

Mincy Wildlife Refuge. Branson, MO​

The Top of the World. Moab, Utah​

Illinois Prairies​

^^^^^^^
Photo by Rig-57
McCaslin Mountain. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI​

Modifications


The rock rails are made by Trail Gear.

The Cliffs Insane Terrain. Marseilles, IL​

The suspension system is OME885 Springs in front with N140S Struts, and OME895 Springs in back with N141 Shocks

The wheels are ProComp Xtreme 7089 alloys and the tires are Firestone Destination 285/70/17 MT's

The Cliffs Insane Terrain. Marseilles, IL​

I chopped the body mounts for the tires to be able to turn fully.

The original Light Bar WAS the Dakar Bar (tweaked a bit) until it rusted through. After that happened, I designed and built my own version

Lindenhurst, IL​

...and the Lights are PIAA 580 fogs and 580 Driving lights

^^^^^Photo by FJSoHot ^^^^^
Mincy Wildlife Refuge. Branson, MO​

But then NCFJ provided me with a custom bumper to fit my desired "style" and I did away with the light bars in order to don a new tube framed bumper

 

[Dragon]

I extended the differential and electronic locker breathers as well as the transfer case and automatic transmission breathers to the front engine bay

Sept 07
I won the Bud Built front skid plate at Coon Creek Crawl.

The Badlands. Attica, IN​

12/1/07
Tacozilla is an overall good guy and works for a company who provides Toyota parts. I called him and while ordering a Safari Snorkel I got impulsive and bougt a TRD Cold Air Intake and a TRD Exhaust

^^^^^photo by L8Apex ^^^^^
Willowbrook, IL​

Illinois Swamps​

3/1/08
I added Digger Links in the rear; upper and lower control arms.

Illinois Backroads.​

Gear


I picked up a HiLift Extreme jack

The mount for the HiLift is made by FourTreks (It's incredibly made)




I purchased some Scepter fuel and water cans (Top quality!!! )

^^^^^^
Photo by Jeshua
Kokopelli Trail. Utah

Coon Creek. Dyersburg, TN​

Exterior Appearance

I swapped the mirror light bulbs and the headlights with PIAA Super White bulbs

I blacked out everything silver

^^^^^^
Photo by Jeshua
Kokopelli Trail. Utah​

Including the front bezel

San Juan Mountains. Ouray, CO​

.

 

[Dragon]

I debadged it, except for the Front "Toyota" and the back logo, which I moved south

I added black Billet aluminum mirror light louvers

Illinois Prairies​

Interior

Added Black Billet aluminum shift knobs

June 08 added
Sirius Satellite radio and a
Cobra CB

Kokopelli Trail. Utah

Lake County Forest Preserve, IL​

Summary
2007 Sun Fusion Toyota FJ Cruiser
Tires ......Firestone Destination 285/70/17 MTs
Suspension ..... Old Man Emu OME885 Springs in front with N140S Struts, and OME895 Springs in back with N141 Shocks
Light Bar was ...... Home Made K.I.S.S
Front Tube Bumper ...... Toy Outfitters
Lights ...... PIAA 580 Fogs and PIAA 580 Driving Lights
Rock Rails ...... Trail Gear
Air Intake ...... TRD Cold Air Intake
Exhaust ...... TRD Catback Exhaust
Snorkel ...... Safari
IFS Skid plate ......BudBuilt
Rear UCAs and LCAs ......Digger Links
Black Out ...... by Rustoleum
Hi Lift Jack ......Hi Lift Extreme
Hi Lift Mount ...... FourTreks
Fuel and Water cans ......Scepter
Satellite Radio ..... Sirius Sportster 5
Billit Aluminum Shift Knobs ...... Real Wheels
Billit Aluminum Mirror Light Louvers ......Real Wheels
AT, E-Locker, Differential, Transfer Case Breathers run to engine bay.
Front Body Mounts Trimmed
Headlights ......PIAA Super White H4
Mirror Lights ...... PIAA Super White LEDs
Decals ......Immortal Graphix
CB Radio ......Cobra

Fluids being used.
Motor oil ......Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40
U-joints (Spider).....Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease
Slip Yokes ......Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease
Front Differential ......Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90
Transfer Case ......Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90
Rear Differential ......Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90
Fuel ......Premium Unleaded.

Damaged by offroading:
-Passenger side mirror wiggle from bouncing off of too many trees.
-Passenger side dents in door from bouncing off of too many trees.
-Passenger side wheel bearing replaced from either silt or sand penetrating the alleged sealed bearing.
(Maybe I should get rid of the passenger side)
-3 idler pullies replaced 1x from running through too many deep mud holes.
-ABS speed sensor replaced; torn up while driving in 'dry' and deep ruts (mud would have been preferred here).
-Alternator pulled, disassembled and cleaned by myself, due to sticking the whole front end of my FJ into a bottomless mud pit. The alternator was so full of mud it would no longer charge the battery.
-Gouges in my aluminum wheels from running in too many rock gardens.
Feb 2009 Replaced inner tie rod and driver's side front wheel bearing.

Other Repairs Needed
-Torque Converter replaced under warranty. Everything else is the price that I pay to play.

 

[Tanto]

Looks sharp, very tastefully done.

 

[Dragon]

Looks sharp, very tastefully done.

Thanks Tanto. It's still a work in progress.

 

[Tanto]

Thanks Tanto. It's still a work in progress.

Aren't they all?

 

[LRNAD90]

I've got to say its one of the best looking FJ's I've seen to date, nicely done. Glad to see it is being put to good use as well! I gotta ask though, a Snorkel and a cold air intake seem contridictory (if not the same), how do the two work in unison?

 

[Dragon]

I've got to say its one of the best looking FJ's I've seen to date, nicely done. Glad to see it is being put to good use as well! I gotta ask though, a Snorkel and a cold air intake seem contridictory (if not the same), how do the two work in unison?

Thanks for the comment.

I'm a huge fan of good air flow, so I added an aftermarket exhaust as well as a CAI. The larger filter in the CAI and the direct pipe to the engine intake (as opposed to the snake hose) is what I was after. HP claims are controversial at best. I still wanted an external intake that is higher off the ground than the wheel well location on the FJC for peace of mind during water crossings. Now the snorkel leads directly into the CAI box and is sealed against any water invasion. I have ram air from the snorkel and a larger air filter with a more direct line due to the CAI and the external intake is windshield high. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Gurkha]

Fantastic mods on your vehicle, all the mods are relevant and not for show. The use of Mobil-I for engine as well as diff and tranny is an excellent idea, one that will go a long way with your vehicle.

Good job, my compliments to your FJ.

 

[SinCityFJC]

Nice buildup & great pics

 

[Dragon]

Thanks Gurkha.
There is, of course, some stuff for show, but at least I get it dirty from time to time.

Thanks SinCityFJC

 

[p1michaud]

Cool FJ Cruiser

Well put together vehicle and fantastic photos!
Cheers,
P

 

[Dragon]

Well put together vehicle and fantastic photos!
Cheers,
P

Thanks!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Looking good Bill!

Any future plans?

 

[bmh]

Everything about your rig makes me drool...