2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Project Name: F.earless J.ourney
Purchased: February 2010 from Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Thanks to my friend Theresa for creating an amazing logo for my project!
Welcome to the build section of my current project vehicle. This page will be updated as modifications are completed to my FJC. Keep checking back for more!
First up for my FJ was the ICON Vehicle Dynamics suspension system. I now have almost 50,000 miles on this suspension and it is still going STRONG. (link to ICON)
Those gorgeous billet aluminum upper control arms going on.
Before I upgraded to bypass shocks. Here are the ICON mono tube shocks, rear 2-inch coil springs and billet aluminum trailing arms.
Another look at what the new arms are replacing. The often bent stock trailing arms. Notice the replaceable nylon rock sliders on the bottom of each arm. They also feature 16T rod ends, a rebuildable Johnny Joint and are completely adjustable on the truck.
Closeup shot of the trailing arm connection.
Next up was ICON Rear Adjustable Track Bar and rear Upper Billet Trailing Arms. The new track bar uses 3/4-inch rod ends, polyurethane pivots, high misalignment spacers and can also be adjusted on the truck.
With a ton of miles on the mono tube shocks, it was time for 2.5 double bypass shocks at each corner. Not only are these gorgeous to look at but they work like magic. There are only a few bypass shocks on the market that are externally adjustable. Rebound and compression knobs are located at the end of each bypass tube giving you on the trail adjustability. No tools needed just your fingers. I cannot express how amazing it is being able to get under my truck and adjust the ride quality in a matter of seconds.
In order to get those shocks on, Total Chaos lower control arms and shocks hoops were added. This stock width kit is a serious upgrade to your front suspension. The new arms removed the remaining weak factory balljoints from the truck. Heims and uniballs from here on out! The TC arms also feature a skid/bash plate on the bottom for those oops moments off road. (link to Total Chaos Fabrication)
Make sure you use the provided Super Lube to properly lubricate your polyurethane bushings before installation. This is something you do not want to have to do later. Keep the squeaks away! The arms do provide zerk fittings for future maintenance. If you don’t plan on adding secondary shocks like me you have ample room for a set of hydraulic bump stops.
The lower uniball conversion that attaches the lower control arms to the spindle is a thing of beauty. Total Chaos outdid themselves with this guy.
Up until this point everything on my FJC was bolt-on. The secondary shock hoops do require some slight fabrication. The stock bump stop must be removed and replaced with the provided Total Chaos mount. The stock bump is reused on the new mount. A small section of your frame will also need to be sanded down to accept the hoop. It is welded to the frame as you can see here.
Here is a good shot of Dylan working hard to get the truck together.
The ICON shocks are the only double bypass off-the-shelf shock that will fit with this setup. This doesn’t mean you couldn’t run another shock brand. They will just have to be custom made. Why? Another great feature of these shocks is the clockable bypass collars. You can relocate the bypass tubes accordingly. There isn’t much room to spare on my front suspension. The collars allowed the bypass tubes to fit. First shot no reservoir, second shot with reservoir not yet mounted to shock hoop. Your shock hoops will come marked L/R for each side, take note.
The rear bypass shocks fit without modification. The reservoir can is mounted to the frame just behind the wheel. You can see the reservoir line running along the frame. If you don’t have the coin to get four bypass shocks, do the rear. It is a night and day difference.
Closeup shot of the new coil springs.
Next up was a visit to DeMello Off-Road for a new front bumper, rear bumper and rock sliders. Jason has been making Toyota protection products for years and is well respected in the community. He is also a long time friend. Made in America baby! (link to DeMello Off-Road)
Jason fabricated custom mounts so I could run a Rose Racing 22-inch LED light bar across the top and Rose Racing 5×5-watt round LED lights in the corners. (If anyone is interested in these lights please email me) The fit and finish of the bumper is top notch. I also really enjoy the powder coat wrinkle finish.
The bumper doesn’t stick out far and has an excellent approach angle. Very important features. Notice the strong recovery points.
The bumper mounts using factory locations. No fabrication is needed.
Even if I drove a Honda Civic, I would put rock sliders on it. Aside from the obvious protection on the trail, they make excellent door ding protectors.
The rear bumper matches the lines of the front and also mounts using factory locations. I matched the rear lights with the front. LED all around. The rear bumper also makes for a great step to reach the roof rack.
Strong side steps. I was able to keep my factory mud flaps as well. Less chance of sending rocks into the guy behind me.
DeMello offers a hitch to compliment the rear bumper. It is similar in design to the factory hitch.
Here is a good shot showing off the front approach angle. Nice!
The stock paper thin skid plate was replaced with a steel Bud Built skid. Installs in minutes and built like a tank. (link to Bud Built)
All Pro Off-Road offers a really nice high clearance tail pipe for the FJ. It’s not expensive and will save you a ton of anguish. The factory pipe hangs low behind the stock rear bumper and can get smashed on the trail with ease. It bolts on in minutes. Get one of these. (link to All Pro Off-Road)
Mark Ameasing who can be found on the SoCal FJ Forum sells this great hood vinyl piece that matches the Trail Teams edition hood graphic perfectly. His cost is hundreds less. Look for him on the SoCal Forum if you want one. (link to SoCal FJ)
The first roof rack I chose was the FJ Standard Rack from BajaRack. If you ever plan on loading heavy items on your roof rack, get an aftermarket rack. The stock rack was fine but it doesn’t scream “Ready for anything” to me. I would have kept this rack on the truck but with plans of a roof top tent on the way, another model was needed. (link to BajaRack)
I made another visit to BajaRack and picked up a flat FJ Utility Rack. The new rack will be perfect once my tent arrives. The flat design has produced less wind noise on the highway and keeps the overall height of the FJ down. I can fit in my carport and most parking garages again!
A few more shots of the rack. Looking forward to loading up my tent and BajaRack fuel can holders. I also carry a set of Maxtrax and shovel on the roof. (link to Maxtrax)
I haven’t done much under the hood. Reliability is a huge concern of mine as well as retaining the factory warranty. The stock battery was replaced with a 34R-PC1500 Odyssey. I also picked up a new battery tie down from Autozone. (link to Odyssey)
For some reason Toyota decided to change the location of the windshield wiper fluid bottle on the 2010 model. If you swap out the front bumper it hangs low and sticks out like a sore thumb in the wheel well. Expedition One makes this great replacement kit moving the bottle back up into the engine compartment. It holds a gallon of fluid and uses the stock tubing and pump. (link to Expedition One)
I recently added an ICOM IC-2200H for communications. You can view the install here (link).
As well as a Diamond Antenna NR77OHNMO on my All Pro Off-Road Bandi Mount.
I have a few other modifications going on the FJ soon so check back.
Below is a shot I grabbed while testing out the new BFG Rugged Terrain tires. (285/75R16) If you need a tire that is great on the road, keeps your gas mileage up and still performs good off road, check it out. I enjoyed my time with this tire. It is not the Rugged Trail that comes OE on some vehicles. It doesn’t carry the overall performance of the ATKO or the traction of the M/T KM2, but it does fair well overall and is cheaper than the others. It will also most likely outlive both of the higher priced BFG tires. (link to BFG)
Aside from mods, I will also use this page to share photos during various off road runs. This shot was taken off Ford Dry Lake on my way to SEMA.
Ready to go in the ICON Vehicle Dynamics booth at SEMA.
Having a little fun up in Idyllwild, CA.
Roaming around in Big Bear, CA.
Heading up to Santiago Peak (Saddleback) in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Hitting some sand in Ocotillo Wells, CA. I really need to take some more action photos. I seem to always be the one with the camera!
Much more to come…
