wow, i just woke up in Bahrain on Friday October 6th, and saw that you had uploaded this vid 5 minutes ago...what a weekend treat to watch immediately (Friday is a holiday here in Bahrain). Thanks for your thoughtful insights on the FJ.
I too have an FJ cruiser and love it- 2012 Aussie model - bought it when 3 years old (the car, not me) - did most of my mods within the first couple of years - my front bar is a Buds, from Queensland - my winch is Runva (dreamed of a Warn but too expensive for me : wanted Ironman but it wouldn’t fit : settled on Runva and no regrets) - Black Oak LED spot lights (from USA : chosen because I didn’t want cheapies and the ARB intensity ones were both pretty pricey back then plus didn’t nicely fit within my bar hoop) - Gemtek lightbar ‘under’ the bar - ARB Oid Man EMU lift initially but recently changed to a GVM upgrade kit - BFG all terrain tyres (love them) - Brown Davies 2nd fuel tank - Safari snorkel - rhino rack -Kings side awning (cheap and very cheerful) - I love the idea of a roof top tent for all the reasons you give but so far don’t want the weight up top so sticking with the swag - love your set-up and videos of it - Chris (Melbourne)
Thankyou! Your setup sounds awesome! Glad you are enjoying your FJ. I hope you have many happy years touring and camping with it. They are awesome vehicles! 😊👍
Excellent review Artie !! Love this kind of insight. Amazing that you got 120k out of your BFGs because that's EXACTLY the same mileage I got out of my first set on my Fj. Could've gotten more milage but got a puncture too close to the sidewall so changed to second set. Thanks for posting. Great stuff
Lazer elite 9 inch I will recomend, 5000k is nice to the eyes From about 50 metres out to approx 5/600 you will have light from fence to fence either side of road They light up through the bends and down the dips/dropoffs so you can see whats coming up 45 minute drives weekdays at 445am through roo/wombat country and I would buy again Love em
A helpful and enjoyable video, thank you. I'm thinking you've placed the awning on the RH side of vehicle because your rear door opens to the left? Have you encountered any issues with using the awning on the right side?
Hey Arty, I know you said you've left the suspension settings alone. You should consider playing around with them. I left my alone and then finally adjusted the front end before going down some trails. Went from the middle setting right to the softest on the rebound just to see how it would feel.. the result was a totally diffrent car in my opinion, settled and comfortable. Takes 1 min to change it back when you hit the sealed stuff again. I should mention that I'm running the same suspension and pretty much the same fittings on the front end.
if you out back and tree is not in sight a winch is necessity! you just have to know how to deploy different recovery methods and anchoring techneques. 👍
Mate my first set of tyres from new on my 2015 FJ were BFG all terrains that I got 110,000 km’s out of. They were the previous iteration/ design. Were your first set also the older ones? I also kept with BFGs the same as yours earlier this year but suspect the tyre compound is now softer such that they can now be fitted to some vehicles as OEM being quieter etc . Also, I found you have to be very careful with the load rating as essentially the same tyre can be made in different countries with varying load ratings that do not match the minimum of what is required on the FJ cruiser‘s tyre placard.
I so far, my second set seem to be wearing well. I haven’t paid attention to where they were made. I will go check it out. So far, very happy with them though.
Them spotties though, just looked like high beams. Even the kings ones are better. I got bushranger and are happy with them, but the lazer ones you mentioned are the best on the market at this stage. Cool vid bro
Great review Artie. Thanks. Did you need a GVM upgrade? I don't have the camper trailer any longer, so debating whether to go rooftop or flatbed inside the FJ. Would like to see the difference the bar light makes, if you get a chance. Didn't catch the name of your roof rack... also thinking about one of those now I'm camper trailer-less! Cheers 🍻
Great video! very educational for me and the missus. We want to get into 4x4 touring/overlanding, how much do we budget for your setup on top of the car?
Great video as always, thanks Artie. Which coil springs did you get (there are a few different ones is my understanding, based on how much weight you're planning to carry? My loadout is very similar to yours and I'm not sure which coil springs to go for, I'm worried about uncomfortable ride, versus not handling the weight if i get the wrong ones.
Thankyou. I’m not sure of the precise model - it was quite a few years ago now. All I remember is that they are OME and designed to go with the BP51’s at full weight.
I’m still debating which bar to get for my FJ. The logic of rather protecting my car than myself and passengers is kinda bizarre to me, no offence! I’d prefer my radiator to crumble and not my legs, pelvis and never walk again. Sadly there aren’t many good looking Alu bars on the market that fit the FJ. ECB has one though they look a bit bulky. Decisions decisions! Thanks for the video. I always enjoy them.
Thanks for your comment. It’s a tough decision. Of course, both have their limits, depending on what it is you hit and the force of impact. Just make sure that whatever you do get it airbag compatible. All the best! 🙂👍
She's a keeper Artie. Your FJ is starting to get really dialled in for your use. 👍
Living the dream!! 😊👍
Thank you Arty, my 200 began to squeak on the front passenger side as well. Will be calling ARB to inspect the spherical joint on my OME.
Glad the video was useful! (Or maybe it just jinxed your shocks lol) 😊👍
wow, i just woke up in Bahrain on Friday October 6th, and saw that you had uploaded this vid 5 minutes ago...what a weekend treat to watch immediately (Friday is a holiday here in Bahrain). Thanks for your thoughtful insights on the FJ.
Thankyou so much! And thankyou for watching! Have a lovely weekend 😊👍
I too have an FJ cruiser and love it- 2012 Aussie model - bought it when 3 years old (the car, not me) - did most of my mods within the first couple of years - my front bar is a Buds, from Queensland - my winch is Runva (dreamed of a Warn but too expensive for me : wanted Ironman but it wouldn’t fit : settled on Runva and no regrets) - Black Oak LED spot lights (from USA : chosen because I didn’t want cheapies and the ARB intensity ones were both pretty pricey back then plus didn’t nicely fit within my bar hoop) - Gemtek lightbar ‘under’ the bar - ARB Oid Man EMU lift initially but recently changed to a GVM upgrade kit - BFG all terrain tyres (love them) - Brown Davies 2nd fuel tank - Safari snorkel - rhino rack -Kings side awning (cheap and very cheerful) - I love the idea of a roof top tent for all the reasons you give but so far don’t want the weight up top so sticking with the swag - love your set-up and videos of it - Chris (Melbourne)
Thankyou! Your setup sounds awesome! Glad you are enjoying your FJ. I hope you have many happy years touring and camping with it. They are awesome vehicles! 😊👍
Love my FJ. Yours is well thought out
Thankyou! 😊👍
Excellent review Artie !! Love this kind of insight. Amazing that you got 120k out of your BFGs because that's EXACTLY the same mileage I got out of my first set on my Fj. Could've gotten more milage but got a puncture too close to the sidewall so changed to second set. Thanks for posting. Great stuff
Thankyou kindly! 😊👍
Very insightful review Attila! Looking forward to part 2, the interior setup (I’m assuming). Thank you.
Thanks Bader! Yes, part 2 will mostly be interior. 😊👍
Thanks for sharing great video
Thankyou! I hope you found it useful. 🙂👍
Lazer elite 9 inch I will recomend, 5000k is nice to the eyes
From about 50 metres out to approx 5/600 you will have light from fence to fence either side of road
They light up through the bends and down the dips/dropoffs so you can see whats coming up
45 minute drives weekdays at 445am through roo/wombat country and I would buy again
Love em
Awesome! Thanks heaps for that. I will order a pair. 😊👍
Try adjusting your lights a little higher. I found that helps 👍
A helpful and enjoyable video, thank you. I'm thinking you've placed the awning on the RH side of vehicle because your rear door opens to the left? Have you encountered any issues with using the awning on the right side?
Thankyou. Yes that’s right. The FJ was designed for the American market, hence the rear door opening on the “wrong” side. ;) No issues at all.
Great video, alway enjoy your content
Thanks very much!
They should release a titanium bullbar!
With airbags on the outside! 😂
Sounds like an idea to bring to Shark Tank!! 🎉😅
Hey Arty, I know you said you've left the suspension settings alone. You should consider playing around with them. I left my alone and then finally adjusted the front end before going down some trails. Went from the middle setting right to the softest on the rebound just to see how it would feel.. the result was a totally diffrent car in my opinion, settled and comfortable. Takes 1 min to change it back when you hit the sealed stuff again. I should mention that I'm running the same suspension and pretty much the same fittings on the front end.
Thanks for the advice. I *really* should play around with it and see what the difference is 😂👍
if you out back and tree is not in sight a winch is necessity! you just have to know how to deploy different recovery methods and anchoring techneques. 👍
Yes, I don’t disagree :) Good point!!
Awesome vid mate👍
Thankyou kindly!! 🙂👍
Great information, thanks
Glad you found it useful!! 🙂👍
Ta heaps for the review. Do you still have the heat transfer hot water system going?
Yes I do. I will talk about it in part 2. 😊👍
Mate my first set of tyres from new on my 2015 FJ were BFG all terrains that I got 110,000 km’s out of. They were the previous iteration/ design. Were your first set also the older ones? I also kept with BFGs the same as yours earlier this year but suspect the tyre compound is now softer such that they can now be fitted to some vehicles as OEM being quieter etc .
Also, I found you have to be very careful with the load rating as essentially the same tyre can be made in different countries with varying load ratings that do not match the minimum of what is required on the FJ cruiser‘s tyre placard.
I so far, my second set seem to be wearing well. I haven’t paid attention to where they were made. I will go check it out.
So far, very happy with them though.
Them spotties though, just looked like high beams. Even the kings ones are better. I got bushranger and are happy with them, but the lazer ones you mentioned are the best on the market at this stage. Cool vid bro
Thankyou. Yes, I think I will get a set of the Lazers. 😊👍
Thanks Artie
Have you thought of rt(hybrid) tyres?
No, I haven’t heard of them until now. They look interesting. I’ll read up on them. Thanks for the tip!! 🙂👍
Great review Artie. Thanks. Did you need a GVM upgrade? I don't have the camper trailer any longer, so debating whether to go rooftop or flatbed inside the FJ. Would like to see the difference the bar light makes, if you get a chance. Didn't catch the name of your roof rack... also thinking about one of those now I'm camper trailer-less! Cheers 🍻
Thanks very much! I upgraded pretty much all the components of the suspension. I’m using Rhino rack backbone rails with 3 x heavy duty load bars. 😊👍
Great video! very educational for me and the missus. We want to get into 4x4 touring/overlanding, how much do we budget for your setup on top of the car?
Thanks very much! The tent, awning, en-suite, rhino rack backbone, load bars etc. would be around $10K AUD.
Great video as always, thanks Artie. Which coil springs did you get (there are a few different ones is my understanding, based on how much weight you're planning to carry? My loadout is very similar to yours and I'm not sure which coil springs to go for, I'm worried about uncomfortable ride, versus not handling the weight if i get the wrong ones.
Thankyou. I’m not sure of the precise model - it was quite a few years ago now. All I remember is that they are OME and designed to go with the BP51’s at full weight.
thanks!
Fantastic rig! Sorry but who makes the tent and awning?
Thankyou. Both made by Alu-Cab.
Light bar from super inexpensive auto 😂
😂👍
I’m still debating which bar to get for my FJ. The logic of rather protecting my car than myself and passengers is kinda bizarre to me, no offence! I’d prefer my radiator to crumble and not my legs, pelvis and never walk again. Sadly there aren’t many good looking Alu bars on the market that fit the FJ. ECB has one though they look a bit bulky. Decisions decisions!
Thanks for the video. I always enjoy them.
Thanks for your comment. It’s a tough decision. Of course, both have their limits, depending on what it is you hit and the force of impact. Just make sure that whatever you do get it airbag compatible. All the best! 🙂👍
@@4xAdventures Totally agree! thanks :)