Kevin108
Explorer
I've had a 4x4 ever since I first started driving. I've had the wheeling bug ever since I first shifted a transfer case in that 85 S-10 almost 20 years ago. I went from it to an 87 Silverado and a 00 Jeep Cherokee. I've had other cars and trucks for DDs, but I've always had an adventure rig as well.
Last year the Jeep was giving me a fit. I was really about 3 years out from being ready to buy something else, but the time had come. I was having a hard time finding any FJs locally, and told my wife I'd settle for a 4Runner, Taco, or Xterra. She said, "I don't want you to settle. You've wanted an FJ since you first saw one. That's what you need to get."
In May of 2015, I finally found an 07 in great shape with 80,000 miles on it. It had A-TRAC, the rear locker, the dash-top accessories, and a roof rack. Those were all the must-haves on my list. The previous owner had installed rock rails, a rear receiver, a Rough Country lift, and new tires. The only thing I could find wrong with it was that door speakers were blown and the cup holder inserts were missing.
I added a ScanGauge II, snorkel, and trailer wiring within a few days.
After that, I put it on the beach as quickly as possible.
Interior lighting, especially up front, is insufficient, so I converted it to LED. You can see here how much brighter the upgrade is over stock.
The beach driving had caused the trans temps to get higher than I liked, so I added a large transmission cooler.
The next glaring shortcoming was rear visibility at night. I added flush-mount LEDs to the rear bumper wings.
I tested out a homebrew awning before springing for the real thing.
I did a stealth installation of a 32" light bar behind the lower grille. Also added some flush mount lights to the wings, giving me 180° of light up front.
I finally achieved the dream of owning a rooftop tent
Added some LEDs for underhood lighting. They come on automatically when the hood is opened. The whole project was less than $15.
$6.95 for the LEDS - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C1YI2XA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
$3.49 for the switch - DEI 8607 Viper Avital Car Alarm Security Adjustable Pin Switch For Hood Trunk
Swapped out the previous owner's Walmart battery for an Optima Yellow Top.
I have plans for the rear cargo area including a cooler/fridge slide and some custom drawers, but I'm not there yet. When we're going out, I have a system of loading everything up in milk crates, which isn't without its own advantages, but I think I can improve upon it. When we're unloaded, I just run a single bin and a simple frame to keep it from sliding around.
Currently in the process of finishing up my CB install and cleaning up my Sirius installation.
We're planning a couple short trips this year. We'll also be doing a multi-day run from Tidewater to Disney World, and we'll be at Overland Expo East.