Claremont Meet and Greet

I've just added the album I took at the Claremont meet and greet – take a look by clicking on the album element on the right. Hope you like them. Post me a message if you want one of the originals sent to you.

List of mods to date

OK – thought I'd set up a list of all the stuff that I've done to the truck so far, and list out a couple of additions that will be in the near future!

Firstly – this was actually a used truck – it came from an unwind where someone had bought it then returned it after a weekend with 300 miles on the odometer realizing she couldn't afford it. It is an automatic, four wheel drive model. It came from the dealer with option pack one (no subwoofer), a pre-installed reversing camera, and low profile tires! OK – fix number one, get the low profiles off (what the heck were they thinking) and get a set of BF Goodrich TA KOs installed. OK – the dealer staff was Muppets and installed BFG TA Rugged Trails instead, but to be honest I was so sick of them by now that I decided to go with it. In addition my wife sweet-talked the salesman into throwing in a passenger armrest. It's all about the passenger armrest!

Next came an online order to install rock rails, engine skid pan, floor mats and a tire cover.

I then decided to concentrate on power – I got in touch with Awesome performance in Rancho Santa Margarita (http://www.ocautosites.com/awesomeperf/) and arranged with them to add an Air Raid air filter charger, a set of JBA headers, a Magnaflow catback exhaust, and a custom set of exhaust outlets that exits in the angle of the wheel well and rear of the bodywork. This added nicely to the high-revving power, and improved the sound of the vehicle substantially, but at the cost ( in my opinion )of some low end torque. Supercharger anyone?

A small addition was a replacement set of main headlight / daylight running lamps. I originally installed a pair of Phillips CrystalVision Ultra(http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/us/automotive/products/crystalvision.php), but thought I was having some daylight running light issues, so I contacted the manufacturer. Their aftermarket product manager Ingolf Sischka immediately got back in touch, and proved all was good. However he asked me to try out a set of Philips 9003 NightGuide lamps (http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/us/automotive/products/nightguide.php) which I did – they have this cool feature where the edge of the light shining towards the center of the road is more yellow to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, but the nearside is more blue as that helps road signs reflect back information, and also the reach and saturation of the main and dipped beams are a huge improvement over stock. I actually toggled between these two sets a couple of times over the course of three or four months. The Crystalvision have a really white light, the NightGuides are more yellow, but provide a much more saturated beam. I ended up with the NightGuides as my preference, as they are easier on the eye, and also work well in terms of color temperature with the IPF light bar. Recommend you look out for a set of these – they are an inexpensive and effective upgrade!

The wimpy FJ horn was beefed up a bit by the addition of a second, high tone horn, purchased from Elmore Toyota in Westminster CA, and installed in the stock harness position at the back left of the engine bay. As and when I finally get around to installing an on-board compressor I may need to relocate it. However a much better volume and tone than stock!

That was about it for the year, had to wait for executive approval for the next round of mods!

I picked up a Cobra 75WXST weatherband CB radio from Amazon, along with the "BigBill combo" from Walcott CB (http://www.walcottcb.com/bigbillcombo-p-1090.html) which provided the four foot antenna, Bandi mount and all fixings. I arranged for Audiotoyz to install this and arranged for a couple of extra power sockets at the same time.

OK – tax rebate time comes around again, and this time suspension is in focus. I get together with Connor from Outlaw Offroad (http://www.outlawoffroad.com/) at the Pomona off-road show, and line up with Sean and Bond to get a set of Icon racing front coilovers, rear Icon shocks and springs, and front Total Chaos upper control arms installed. I also end up with a changing table and a glider chair for the nursery, not quite sure how that happened. Thanks Bond! J. While at the Pomona show I also hook up with Erick at the Tuffy stand and order one of their FJ Cruiser rear drawer units, and a light bar. A quick trip to Costco.com and I pick up two sets of 100W IPF driving lights, and these are rapidly installed by Outlaw Offroad and wired by the guys at Audiotoyz (http://www.ataudio.com/) in Mission Viejo. Much improved trail running, excellent night visibility, and also improved looks!

I also picked up a tow hitch receiver and harness from Claremont Toyota at their meet and greet event – installed that myself.

Last upgrade was the navigation, written about below.

Next is going to be the dog cage to work with the Tuffy box – again details below.

Future thoughts are definitely looking towards a new set of black wheels, both for looks and performance, along with BFG TA KOs which I really like from previous experience. Then a new front bumper module, maybe with winch although I think that is a bit overkill for my usage. New under protection is also on the books – a couple of manufacturers seem to have great solutions, so will keep an eye open for deals on that.

That's about it. Addictive, isn't it?!

CB antenna tuning

Just spent a couple of hours tinkering with my new two foot FireStik tunable antenna. I already have a four foot that I use offroad, but wanted to keep a shorter antenna on for chatting with any of the SoCalFJCruiser forum guys in the SoCal OC area. The four foot is a pain as it continually ends up hitting everything. When I tuned the four foot using my old RadioShack SWF meter, I had 0.9 on channels 1 and 40 – a really good connection – so expected it to be a bit less efficient with the two foot. However, the first hour of testing resulted in a best SWF of around three – too high to be safe for using it. Couldn't work it out – I knew that there wasn't a great length of antenna protruding above the truck, but I also knew that there was adequate grounding etc. as the other antenna was good. In the end, as I was taking the shorty on and off I realized that the chrome plating on the base of the quick link was starting to chip off – had a quick go at it with my trusty Kershaw Tanto and then retried – SWF of 1.2 on both channels. Looks like the quick link chrome plating isn't doing a great job of conducting! Anyways – all good now after a frustrating couple of hours! It still just clips my garage door as I exit, but at least it leaves it on the runners, unlike the four foot!

Kenwood DNX5120 installation

I've just installed a new head unit to replace the innocuous FJammer that came with the FJ Cruiser. I decided to go for this when my existing reversing camera stopped working, and rather than just debug it I decided to get rid of my Magellan Roadmate 700 which was taking up way too much of my preciously small windscreen real-estate, and get a navigation unit at the same time.

First impressions are that it is a solid unit – it plays DVD movies, MP3s loaded on CD or via a USB key, the socket for which is located in the glove box, and can also accept a wide variety of seemingly $200 add-ons. iPod, Sirius, XM, Bluetooth and HD Radio modules are all available.

Recommended!

Pet cage compatible with Tuffy rear drawer on FJ Cruiser

Out of interest I've been in touch with Lisa at WeatherTech automotive - they make a pet barrier that with a bit of "adjustment" I think will allow a good fit on the top of the Tuffy box. By cutting down the screw-bar and the uprights we should be able to get the overall length down to below the 23 inches required by the Tuffy box. Also the horizontal bars are fully adjustable up and down, and fit widths between 39 and 66 inches, so I reckon one adjusted to 43" wide near the ceiling and one set at 53" above the headrests will do the trick.

I'll get them installed and post some pics if interested.



If you call them, ask for Lisa and mention "FJ Rob" . . might get me a price cut on the bug deflector I'm looking at

Also mentioned that they should look at making a custom mat to fit the top of the box - I'd be interested in that, so their design department is investigating.

Pet barrier link

Pet barrier installation link

Weather tech phone - (800) 441-6287 (Illinois)

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Howdie

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