First time overland build

[ksuferrara]

Hi all! I recently traded in my 2010 2door Wrangler for a 2007 FJ. Planning to make this into an overland rig for weekend trips. Here's the tentative plan and the order I plan to go in. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (particularly brands, where to buy, and the order I'm going in).

Already have Falken Wild Peak tire on it (transferred them over from the Jeep), AFE Air Filter, Shorty Antenna, LED interior lights.

Maintenance first (has 109,000 miles on it)
-Spark plugs
-Brake Pads/Rotors
-Oil with Lucas treatment added in and install Fumoto Valve
-Front Diff oil is good, dealership had to replace the 4wd actuator, but I need to change the rear diff.
Anything else I should do?

The build up
-Skid Plates (RCI Aluminum)
-Rock Sliders
-On-Board Air
-Front bumper with winch (thinking Demello Evil Eye)
-OME 3inch lift (fairly basic lift, don't know much about IFS so not sure what all I would need, but I don't plan to rock crawl)
-Rear Bumper
-Snorkel
-Roof Rack

Things to add in no particular order:
-Tuffy Security Drawer
-Maxtrax
-CB

It seems like a good start, but any suggestions from ya'll would be greatly appreciated! I know I'm forgetting some details somewhere in there.

Thanks!

 

[tarditi]

What are you trying to do? Go 4-wheeling or overlanding?
From your list it looks like a 4-wheeling build, but nothing about overlanding per se.

How many passengers?

What plans do you have for navigation, shelter, sleeping, cooking, relaxing, etc.?
Do you need spare parts?
First aid kit?
Fire extinguisher?
Recovery gear?

 

[Vegas_Nick]

You pretty much covered maintenance except for cabin air filter and the serpentine belt (at least inspect it). I pretty much did the same thing with my 201. It started out stock and everything that has been added or modified was a response to some need found in a particular driving environment.

You might also consider a 2M or other amateur band radio at some point.

Recovery gear and a solid tool kit are a must as well.

My truck morphed into this over three years:

I might can saveyou some $$ on the TRED as opposed to MaxTrax and can certainly help you with your radio needs if you want.

Welcome to the FJ world!
Nick

 

[ksuferrara]

It's only me in the FJ and possibly a dog. The wife wants no part in it.

I have a 30k lb tow strap and a basic first aid kit along with a craftsman tool set.

I would have never thought of a fire extinguisher.

Spare parts, well, I honestly don't know what is prone to breaking on the FJ.

As for navigation, shelter, sleeping, this is where I need help because I don't know what would be needed in what order or what products are even out there. Right now I'm only looking to do weekend trips with a one night stay so I will be good with a tent, cooler and sleeping bag for now. But a buddy of mine with a 4Runner wants to do a 2week trip to Alaska in a few years. So I would like to build up to and prepare for that.

What are you trying to do? Go 4-wheeling or overlanding?
From your list it looks like a 4-wheeling build, but nothing about overlanding per se.

How many passengers?

What plans do you have for navigation, shelter, sleeping, cooking, relaxing, etc.?
Do you need spare parts?
First aid kit?
Fire extinguisher?
Recovery gear?

 

[Willman]

Nice!

I would do rock sliders first. Then the ARB fridge!

 

[RememberTheFallen]

It's only me in the FJ and possibly a dog. The wife wants no part in it.

I have a 30k lb tow strap and a basic first aid kit along with a craftsman tool set.

I would have never thought of a fire extinguisher.

Spare parts, well, I honestly don't know what is prone to breaking on the FJ.

As for navigation, shelter, sleeping, this is where I need help because I don't know what would be needed in what order or what products are even out there. Right now I'm only looking to do weekend trips with a one night stay so I will be good with a tent, cooler and sleeping bag for now. But a buddy of mine with a 4Runner wants to do a 2week trip to Alaska in a few years. So I would like to build up to and prepare for that.

If I could go back and do mine all over again I would focus more on the camping and comfort stuff over the truck parts. Hardly ever use my truck anywhere close to its potential. Use the Zodi shower, stove, tent, and other camping stuff on ever trip from the beach, to campgrounds, to east bumble ****.

I had a blast in a completely stock tacoma when I was stationed out in Cali. Used issue gear for camping and my big metal whip antenna as spit to cook my gas station hot dogs.

I have a nicely built up truck now and all kinds of gear but still remember those trips out there the most.

 

[Vegas_Nick]

Navigation, I use an iPad with Gaia Pro. Mostly Topo maps. I tent camp but am starting to look at an offroad teardrop. There isn't much that breaks on the FJ, but a spare steering rod and spare axle would be recommended "if" you are planning some long trips across rough terrain. Extra fluids like a qt of oil and gallon of coolant as well. I know it all adds up, but if you are talking two weeks across Alaska, then it sure does add peace of mind. We do a 1,000+ mile ghost towning trip every year and have the truck loaded down with gear when we go.

 

[Patrollife]

I'd plan for the future. You might think weekend trips now, but once you start camping with the FJ and begin noticing where the gaps are, what you like and don't like, what works and doesn't work for you, and where you can improve, your weekend satisfaction will turn into week-long desires, with farther distances, and a motivation to seek better views. At least that's what happened to me.

That said, I'm with tarditi on this one. The build sounds more of an off-road vs. overlanding build.

My recommendation: keep it simple and smart.