Which direction to go with my FJ62?
- Thread starter DBS311
- Start date
DBS311
Adventurer
The battery tray is from Man-a-Fre, their 4+ unit for the 6x series.
http://www.man-a-fre.com/pa/batterytray60series.htm
I would have gone with a stainless tray from stainlesstrays.com, but I was also under the impression he was no longer making them. Something about losing the laser to cut them or something? Regardless, Man-a-Fre was the only company I knew of that had a dual battery tray in stock, so they got my business. I'll write up an eval as soon as I have the time to install it.
http://www.man-a-fre.com/pa/batterytray60series.htm
I would have gone with a stainless tray from stainlesstrays.com, but I was also under the impression he was no longer making them. Something about losing the laser to cut them or something? Regardless, Man-a-Fre was the only company I knew of that had a dual battery tray in stock, so they got my business. I'll write up an eval as soon as I have the time to install it.
NorCalSam
Adventurer
Hi and welcome,
It looks like you have been getting some great advice, I can’t help you out much on the SOA stuff, for I have an 80.
IMHO, the best and most important mod is the suspension and tires. And the best for most expo or overland use is a small 2” lift with 33”. We had this setup for a couple years and loved it. And as far as capability, I took it through the Rubicon like that with no probs and I can’t see myself taking our nice expo rig through anything worse than that. The problem was that I was never happy with the gearing and wanted to go to 4.56s. But I didn’t really like the idea of spending $1,200 to make the gearing right, it just seemed like a lot of money and I wasn’t getting that much out of it. Also about that time we couldn’t help but notice that our suspension system just didn’t work or look the same anymore and I was not happy with the performance. So that is why I went bigger, now having said all that we love our setup and things are a lot easier when things get tuff on 35s”.
When I started doing this type of wheeling I kind of, scoffed or made fun of some things like roof top tents, trailers, refrigerators, showers, eclectic blankets etc. Now I thought they were cool but just not needed. But I am here to tell you that they are the ticket to speed and comfort. It’s the only way to go unless you explore alone.
Having 2 kids and another one on the way my next off-road project is a trailer and roof top tents.
For someone building an expo rig I would say:
1. best lift kit and good tires you can afford
2. Protection such as sliders, skid plates, and rear bumper/tire carrier (why invest a ton of money and then not protect it.
3. Lockers (at least in the rear, a heavy rig is not a good wheeler without lockers)
4. air tank / recovery gear
5. HAM radio
6. Figure out your storage and sleeping needs and wants for the family. (roof top tent, and or off road trailer (get organized)!
Then you can start getting things like a winch, a snorkel, off-road lights, putting in a dual batt system etc.
Have fun
I hope I helped some
Regards
Sam
It looks like you have been getting some great advice, I can’t help you out much on the SOA stuff, for I have an 80.
IMHO, the best and most important mod is the suspension and tires. And the best for most expo or overland use is a small 2” lift with 33”. We had this setup for a couple years and loved it. And as far as capability, I took it through the Rubicon like that with no probs and I can’t see myself taking our nice expo rig through anything worse than that. The problem was that I was never happy with the gearing and wanted to go to 4.56s. But I didn’t really like the idea of spending $1,200 to make the gearing right, it just seemed like a lot of money and I wasn’t getting that much out of it. Also about that time we couldn’t help but notice that our suspension system just didn’t work or look the same anymore and I was not happy with the performance. So that is why I went bigger, now having said all that we love our setup and things are a lot easier when things get tuff on 35s”.
When I started doing this type of wheeling I kind of, scoffed or made fun of some things like roof top tents, trailers, refrigerators, showers, eclectic blankets etc. Now I thought they were cool but just not needed. But I am here to tell you that they are the ticket to speed and comfort. It’s the only way to go unless you explore alone.
Having 2 kids and another one on the way my next off-road project is a trailer and roof top tents.
For someone building an expo rig I would say:
1. best lift kit and good tires you can afford
2. Protection such as sliders, skid plates, and rear bumper/tire carrier (why invest a ton of money and then not protect it.
3. Lockers (at least in the rear, a heavy rig is not a good wheeler without lockers)
4. air tank / recovery gear
5. HAM radio
6. Figure out your storage and sleeping needs and wants for the family. (roof top tent, and or off road trailer (get organized)!
Then you can start getting things like a winch, a snorkel, off-road lights, putting in a dual batt system etc.
Have fun
I hope I helped some
Regards
Sam
DBS311
Adventurer
It's been a while since I've updated my build. Can't really remember where I left off........
AAL's are in, full float is in, it's regeared to 4.88, air lockers are in, Slee bumper is on........
Here are a couple pics. Haven't had a chance to take it off pavement yet as I'm taking it easy while breaking in the gears.
AAL's are in, full float is in, it's regeared to 4.88, air lockers are in, Slee bumper is on........
Here are a couple pics. Haven't had a chance to take it off pavement yet as I'm taking it easy while breaking in the gears.
