So it begins! (FJ mods)

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:17 am

I just ordered a roof rack for the FJ and will be ordering a new front bumper this week sometime as well. I got a damn good price on the roof rack via a group buy on the FJ Cruiser Forums. Here are some pics of what it will look like installed, let me know what you guys think!

Post by **Bfowler** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:19 am

your getting all kinds of toys! that looks sweet i take it business is going well?

ydnap · Post by **ydnap** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:24 am

"Can I add some extra asses to that swine of yours?" - Mephisto, South Park "Elephant makes love to a pig"

Always use that phrase now when someone begins modding

Its like pringles, once you pop that first piece of plastic or undo that first bolt theres no stopping

Post by **stipud** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:42 am

Nice rack

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:52 pm

Bfowler wrote:your getting all kinds of toys! that looks sweet i take it business is going well?

Actually, since my new business is linked directly to the housing market it's absolutely dead! The GF OTOH is starting a new job on Monday. On top of that her old work is paying her out for her time off and tax returns are coming back. All of that mixed with a don't give a shit attitude lately = many expensive purchases.

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:25 pm

ARB, huh Mr. fancy pants

I'd love to buy some ARB gear for my 4Runner but damned if I can justify the costs due to the low cost/usage ratio I'd get out of it.

Been looking at bumpers for some time now, as well as roof racks and spare tire carriers.

I've come to the conclusion that the only cost I can justify is a getting a stock 4Runner swing away carrier from a junk yard and installing it myself, which has a sketchy aspect to it since I'd be drilling and re-enforcing the body.

I think I'd have to start really taking my bitch off-road more often if I was going to buy ANY of that nice stuff

We'll see what happens this summer. I have too much city-life right now to get away camping, especially since my wife has next to zero interest in it.

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:33 pm

I can only justify the ARB price because it was in a group buy and it was not full price. The one we really wanted was a Gobi Stealth Rack, but they are close to $1500 shipped. The ARB was about half of that shipped to my door. Here are some pics of the Gobi:

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:41 pm

Also, here are a few pics of the front bumper we are trying to get:

Post by **Wakeup** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:18 pm

nice rack...not as nice as Pedi's...but still nice!

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:52 pm

Prefer the look of the ARB rack 1000x.

Post by **mr tibbs** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:05 pm

fuzzysnuggleduck wrote:Prefer the look of the ARB rack 1000x.

Really?? I love the look of the Gobi, it just looks sleek and I like how it follows the lines of the FJ. To me the ARB is almost bulky in comparison, but for half the price I couldn't say no. I do like how the ARB is a flat bottom rack though.

Post by **Bfowler** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:28 pm

i like the ARB better also. it looks more rugged and ready for adventure. like you are getting ready to go on one of those cross continent rally races

BG_001 · Post by **BG_001** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:41 pm

i also like the arb better. that front bumper you are looking at getting gives that front end a nice rugged look.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:30 pm

looking good. have you ever considered having the roof paint matched to the rest of the truck? I've seen several at various trade shows and I think it looks great.

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:15 pm

dedlyjedly wrote:looking good. have you ever considered having the roof paint matched to the rest of the truck? I've seen several at various trade shows and I think it looks great.

I get where the different color roof comes from but I have to say I prefer it on the Land Cruiser. Either way, it's not a big deal to me. There are only a couple things about the FJ I "don't like" but I'd gladly accept one any day

Post by **mr tibbs** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:27 pm

dedlyjedly wrote:looking good. have you ever considered having the roof paint matched to the rest of the truck? I've seen several at various trade shows and I think it looks great.

There are the 2 that come like that from the factory, one all black and one all white. I like the look of both of them, but any other color just doesn't look right to me. I'll see if I can dig up some pics.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:19 pm

I think all that I've seen in one color were all black and it looked damn good.

Post by **mr tibbs** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:40 pm

Here is the all white trail team edition:

And here is the all black TRD edition:

I personally love the black on black, but for off roading it's just not going to work for me. That damn thing would show every scratch and it would drive me nuts!!

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:35 pm

My black 4Runner has lots of wear and some fun trail rash. The paint is not pretty (rust and all) but at least it's mostly even. The hood has a couple larger chips but nothing huge. I also recently repainted the whole right front fender panel.

I swiped a fallen tree point halfway down my truck at 40KM/hour

I've been looking into different methods of carrying a spare. There is a custom fab guy that runs a business called CBI Offroad Fab who makes a nice hitch carrier. Downside of that is the loss of my hitch so I can't haul out a trailer... I just learned my neighbor has access to nice one and I can haul it. Now we just need to find someone else with a decent truck and hit the trails and camp... but again that leaves the problem of the spare as I can't safely fit my fullsize spare in the stock underneath location.

Choices, choices... one is a roof rack that I can throw the spare on... but that raises center of balance and I'd hate to carry my spare like that day-to-day. Putting in the 1990 stock swing away requires cutting, welding and even a new tailgate

There are some nice things about new vehicles.

Pedi · Post by **Pedi** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:49 pm

Wakeup wrote:nice rack...not as nice as Pedi's...but still nice!

Hehe.. Nice one..

Post by **Wakeup** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:54 pm

Post by **mr tibbs** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:41 pm

Well, the rack finally came in today so I just had to spend the afternoon putting it on! Here are a few quick pics, what do ya think boys??!!

Post by **stipud** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:48 am

Giggidy.