Expedition Vehicle Must-haves?

[BMAN]

Wow, I've done the math and my personal opinion is that you're way off base in thinking that a new unmodded FJC is the best buy. I think your crazy for selling the 60 and building an FJC. Take 1/2 of the money you have slated for the new rig and build the piss outa your 60. Your 60 looks clean enough to do a super nice build that'll take you anywhere you want to go. Now I may be a little biased here but... just build the 60.


Or hell... buy this one...

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/desmo/fj804sale/

 

[HMR]

buy this one...

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/desmo/fj804sale/

I WANT THAT!!! :drool:

 

[adventureduo]

umm that's a FZJ80 not a FJ80

 

[MaddBaggins]

But... if your heart is really set on it, where are you located and how much are you going to sell the 60 for?

Thats what I'm saying! I would build the 60. Classic look, ultra reliable and easy to work on (unless you do some crazy engine swap). Keep it simple.

 

[umingmaq]

JEEEEEZ, I think this should be called the why I need to keep my 60 or buy an 80. Just Kidding. I understand everything you guys are saying, BUT my 60 has seen too many winters here in wisconsin to "pimp it out". The body is really rough. Mechanically, I trust it, but it's just not what I'm looking for in a long term vehicle, PLUS...I just got a new job, my first REAL job ever in my life, I was a professional kayaker and guide for 10 years, now I've grown up and I deserve a shiny NEW car for the first time in my life.
As for an 80, one of you guys hit it right on the head, this has to be a combination vehicle. Stock enough for not-quite daily driving, since I commute to work by bike, but a weekend driver. I like the fuel economy of the FJ, everything I know of the 80's is that they are getting like 10-12MPG, please correct me if I'm wrong, but that seemed to be the consensus here on EP and at ih8mud.
I did double check the prices for 80's at www.oodle.com (a fantastic classifieds metacrawler that will find you a for sale ad from po-dunk newspapers as well as all the major search engines) and you're right, I was a little high on my price estimates, but, again 10-12mpg versus 16-22mpg is a big difference.
Last, not to mispost in the wrong place, but if anyone is interested in my 60 for sale, it's rusty, but trusty at:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=2557803#post2557803

Keep the advice coming, I like to hear from guys with alot of experience.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[muchosdiaz]

I will throw in a few thoughts. Most modern vehicles like the FJC are very capable vehicles in stock form. Put on some good tires, carry a good spare and keep it as stock as you can and hit the road. there are lots of neat things to buy out there, but most really won't increase your ability to go reasonable places. If you are a rockcrawler buy a beat up truck to trash, but if you are going to get out and see the country and maybe some other countries don't worry about a bunch of mods, just go.!!

I would say there are a couple neat things to have. A fridge would be really nice because always buying ice is a pain in the butt, but then again if you are going to run a fridge make sure you have battery capacity or get good at push starting!

GPS is a really fun thing to have, but TOPO maps have there place and it is a good break to get out, spread the map out on the hood, grab a cold water and enjoy the scenery.

I have been fortunate to travel alot of the west via backroads and have always gotten away with a good stock vehicle that is well maintained. I have owned an FJ40 that was a lot of fun in the hills, but any long distance drive was a pain after 3-4 hours. I recently sold an FJ60 that was a lot of fun but it too got a little rough on long trips. I had an FZJ80 that I drove across the country pulling a small trailer and hauling family with 2 kids, but the gas milage was terrible-12 downhill with a tailwind and nothing on the roof. My best vehicle was a second generation trooper with BFG all terrains on it that we explored all over NM and Colorado and got decent MPG-up to 22 at times!
All these vehicles have been stock except aftermarket shocks after the originals puked and BFG all terrains on all of them.

Don't get too concerned about doodads. save your money and use it to pay for the road trips!!!!

 

[Brian894x4]

Regarding 80 fuel economy:

For some reason, I've been able to pull off about 15 mpg on some recent exclusively freeway driving...about 70 mph, lift, 33s and loaded. I don't think that's the norm. So, I figure 15 is about best I will ever see.

When she was stock I think I was able tick off about 16 one time on some exclusively highway driving.

On the other end, I've actually seen about 9 mpg with a lot of city driving.

Average combination mileage is in the 11-12 range.

So, no, it's no Prius. The purpose of the 80 is for extreme reliability, capacity and off road durability with a little more power and comfort than the 60.

If I had to commute to work everyday in this rig, long distances, it would definately suck...

....gas that is.

 

[mk4]

I was curious so I checked the prices of FJcruisers on Autotrader. For about $22K you can find a used one. You can find a locked 80 for $10k and have $12k to play with and you won't have car payments. Regardless of which one you buy, your modifications will all be relatively equal. The only extra would be maintenance on the 80.

Pros of 80's:
-Durable, reliable, capable
-Room for a small family (2 adults and a kid) and their gear for a trip
-you can use it as a fairly capable off road rig down the road and beat it up

Cons of 80's:
-heavy
-thirsty (12-17 MPG, varies with your load and modifications)
-older will need some maintenance

Pros of FJC:
-newer, reliable
-less maintenance
-better MPG (only slightly, maybe 2-3 MPG)

Cons of FJC:
-ugly
-small
-it's new so you won't want to scratch it

 

[umingmaq]

All good words everyone, it's cool to see the pros and cons each of us is coming up with for the two vehicles. Some people find the pros of one person the cons of another. I will be keeping the FJ Cruiser pretty darn close to stock. Here is what I have in mind:

FJ Cruiser
Automatic
Rear Diff lock
A-trac hack ($65 switch)
roof rack
hitch

Got a quote of $23,500 to order a brand new 08 exactly how I want it.

OME 883 heavy duty front leveling springs $175
Bent-up or Demello or ARB front bumper $800 - $1000
Paint the bezel white (old school 40 style) $8

Maybe Man-a-fre 20 gallon Auxilliary fuel tank ($1000) OR just 4-5 Wedco Jerry cans. $140

Tires:
Hankook Dynapro MT
BFG AT
BFG MT
Cooper STT
Dunlop Rover MT
Yokohama Geo MT
Firestone Destination MT
Goodyear wrangler MT
Kumho MT

So, basically a stock truck with a few minor mods. I think I'd go up one tire size to like a 275/70R17 or a 235/85R16 so like 32.5" - 33" tall, but narrow.

ARB Magnum hand winch and gear
hi-lift jack
sand ladders
etc.

Matt

 

[NvCruiser]

All good words everyone, it's cool to see the pros and cons each of us is coming up with for the two vehicles. Some people find the pros of one person the cons of another. I will be keeping the FJ Cruiser pretty darn close to stock. Here is what I have in mind:

FJ Cruiser
Automatic
Rear Diff lock
A-trac hack ($65 switch)
roof rack
hitch

Got a quote of $23,500 to order a brand new 08 exactly how I want it.

OME 883 heavy duty front leveling springs $175
Bent-up or Demello or ARB front bumper $800 - $1000
Paint the bezel white (old school 40 style) $8

Maybe Man-a-fre 20 gallon Auxilliary fuel tank ($1000) OR just 4-5 Wedco Jerry cans. $140

Tires:
Hankook Dynapro MT
BFG AT
BFG MT
Cooper STT
Dunlop Rover MT
Yokohama Geo MT
Firestone Destination MT
Goodyear wrangler MT
Kumho MT

So, basically a stock truck with a few minor mods. I think I'd go up one tire size to like a 275/70R17 or a 235/85R16 so like 32.5" - 33" tall, but narrow.

ARB Magnum hand winch and gear
hi-lift jack
sand ladders
etc.

Matt

Matt, that is a pretty good list to start. I bought my FJ a little over a year ago and now have about 33k on her. I love this rig. It is so fun to drive. I would try to get the FJ as stock as possible, that way you have more money for aftermarket stuff. I totally understand the rational for rewarding yourself. Thats what I did too. You will not be disappointed with the FJ. Its crazy how much aftermarket stuff there is for the FJ. Go over to fjcruiserforums.com and check out what people are doing with their FJ's. One thing I did that is really nice is lift it. I have the donahoe racing coilovers on the front of my FJ. They are variable in lift from 0-3.5" of lift. You use a spanner to increase the lift. I also have 15% stiffer rear springs and upgraded to bilsteins in the rear. This has been a huge improvement for daily driving over stock. You can get the complete kit from toytec.com for about $1300 or so. I run 285x75x16 on my FJ. Right now I have procomp all terrains, but am changing to ******** cepek mountaincats soon (avail at les schwab). I have atrac and the rear locker too. I also put in two 12v plugs in the rear, one to run the ARB fridge. And a few other goodies. I have demello sliders and they are a life saver. I did part of the rubicon two weeks ago, down to rubi springs from tahoe and they took a beating for me. Worthwhile investment for sure. Don't get the stock roof rack, its not worth the $650. I sold mine and got an ARB and love it. While I was waiting for the rack to arrive I was getting 19 mpg with no rack, thats normal driving in the city. I average 17 now, thats with 33" tires and the ARB roof rack.
Also, the 08's have the tpms tire pressure monitoring system on them, I don't know if you want that or not? Some do, some don't.
Good luck, you will love the FJ if you get one.

Cheers,

Shawn

 

[Pokey]

The fjc with all those mods-roof rack etc. will drop the mpgs down to 17.....1 or 2mpg over what a stock 80 will get you.

The stock 80 will hold alot more stuff than an fjc with a roof rack.

Theres low mileage (sub 90k) floating around for sub 16k (half of what your FJC with mods is going to cost. Having an extra 12k to throw at gas/ any and all upcoming repairs/pre maint is alot of difference.

In the end it probably depends if you think the FJC will suit your capacity. For me one look at the interior space/ visibility of the FJC had me asking the dealer if he ever sees any 80series coming in on trades.

 

[Scott Brady]

I would highly recommend keeping the FJ60. Spend a few thousand doing a complete PM service and then buy a suspension appropriate to your expected load. Install some high-quality LT tires (I would recommend the 33x10.5 MT or AT) and then address loading and lashing of equipment, followed by camping comfort (usually a roof tent).

Then use all the money you saved for a few years of killer vacations

 

[Schattenjager]

:iagree:
Scott hit it on the money. :REOutArchery02:

You can make your rig into exactly what you want for far less $ than your other option of a new rig and moding it. Ask me how I know If you are just tired of your FJ, then that is one thing, but you can make it like new with a steering wheel, seats, mats etc. It can take on a whole new life. And you will have a classic!

 

[BigAl]

Hey .
I'm thinking of adding an aftermarket front bumper, but for reliabilty and simplicity I only carry an ARB Magnum hand winch. Do you guys think you really NEED an aftermarket bumper or do they just look cool and expeditiony. t

A usual benefit of a aftermarket bumper is tow points. If you alreadys have good tow points and aren't running a winch you could skip the bumper, but you must have front tow points.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

I have a new FJ and am going to process it into an Expeditionary rig. Bumpers to me are important - the front bumper protects you from whatever you encounter, and the rear bumper protects the rear end from whatever you drag the back end of the truck off of in your travels. As well a strong bumper front an rear supports such necessities as winch, larger spare tire and jerry can. Don't get an FJ with the stock roof rack. I did because I wanted something provisional (ARB didn't have one out yet), but they're not that good. However I would go with the ARB roof rack. My choice of bumpers is the ARB for the front, and the new Kaymar bumper for the FJC that is coming out for the rear. After that I'd look into undercarriage protection - skid plates.

Sometime today I think I will write up my list of mods I plan to make over time to my new FJ so you can get some ideas. Having fun is the ultimate objective however

:archaeolo