The Nixnerd

Here is a list of modifications I’ve made to my FJ:

1. This doesn’t really count b/c I had the dealership do this before I took ownership. Stevenson Toyota West put a 3″ OME lift kit (”light weight” — 884 springs b/c it’ll be a while before I get a new bumber and winch) with 33″ 285 Micky Thompsons on there. I asked if they would match Slee’s price and, to my surprise, they did. I was thinking I was going to get the lift from Slee and tires elsewhere. It was kinda nice to just pick up the FJ with the lift! Click on the photo at the right for more photos.

January 19, 2008:

2. Nikki and I picked up a cargo barrier sometime last summer (i.e. summer 2007). I don’t remember when we got it or what brand it is, but it works. It was about $100. It is adjustable so I can add the cargo drawer system, later, and keep this barrier.

3. In October or November (or maybe it was September?) 2007, I ordered and installed the Panavise Portagrip 2000 with the appropriate FJ mounting bracket. It’s awesome. I love putting my iPod in it. I feel more confident using the iPod without having to look down and take my eyes completely off the road (only partly — I know I know … still not the best …).

Here is a list of modifications I’d like to make to my FJ:

1. Remove the Toyota roof rack and install the full-length ARB roof rack. Slee offers this roof rack (lower right hand corner) with the mounting kit for about the cheapest I’ve seen (perhaps because they aren’t offering the one with the mesh floor?)

2. Add a tow hitch. I’m kicking myself for not getting one from the dealership. I don’t know how much it’ll cost to add it now, but had I gotten it in the first place, it would’ve been about $350.

3. Build a cargo drawer system to allow for better organization. This system will need to do something with the 115V outlet in the back b/c the drawer system wil, most likely, cover up the outlet. Perhaps I can merely run an extension cord or something and install a different outlet (?). Estimated price: $300 for materials plus the time to build it (yes, I’d prefer to build one rather than buy one).

4. If I move forward with #3, I’ll also need to add a cargo barrier. This will allow Moose and anything with moose to stay in the back rather than flying over the seat if we get in an accident or if I need to brake hard. This will be nice so nothing flops on Zaiden. These are kinda expensive and, well, hard to find. I found, here, that Slee can install a Milford barrier in an FJ for this. Kinda nice. $479, though. :\

5. More burly front ‘n rear bumpers. Maybe go with the ARB front bumper but there are others that would work well, too. Of course, if I go forth with this, I’ll have to update the springs in my OME lift.

6. Winch (also needs updated springs in the OME lift).

7. Down the road, maybe do some body trimming to fit 35″ tires — this’ll give me an extray 1″ clearance.

8. Add some fog lights. I’d like to add these to the ARB roof rack, though. This will require me to buy not only the lights, but some nice switches to put in the dash. I found a thread, <insert link here>, where folks have found some (expensive!) switches that match the Toytota switches. Ideally, I’d like to add 4 fog lights in the front, 1 light on each of the passenger and driver sides, and a light in the back. These lights will be nice when it comes time to set up a tent in the middle of the night.

9. I’d like to have a bracked to mount either my cell phone or my iPod. A guy over on the ih8mud forums installed this bracket and this holder. Nifty and not too expensive.

10. I would like to get a stereo (or add components to the FJammer) with these capabilities: a bluetooth cell phone adapter and an iPod adapter that will allow me to control the iPod from the stereo and steering wheel controls. Again, Cory over at ih8mud installed this. Available for this stereo is a bluetooth adapter for the cell phone and the iPod integration is achieved through a cable. Lastly, there’s also a nice back-up camera for it. It also can play DVD’s (not sure I’d use that) and it has navigation (not sure I’d use that, either).

11. More cigarrete outlets b/c sometimes we have more than 1 cell phone to charge. Eventually, Zaiden will have games or something to plug in so it’d be nice to have another one (two?) in the back.

12. Following the cargo box, I’d like to get one of those fancy schmancy freezer/fridges. This will require the cargo box to have a top that can slide in ‘n out, though. Here is the ARB one (again, from Slee — the Land Cruiser world is kinda small, eh? )

13. GPS? I’m not huge on the thought of using a GPS, but I might be if I had one.

14. Tint the windows darker.

15. Add a shelf to the front for more storage of “stuff.”

16. Once I have a new roof rack, I’d like to mount a hi-lift jack on it. Perhaps a shovel and axe, too? Not so sure about these, though, b/c I have a little axe with the camping gear which would go into the cargo box and I have a little axe, too.

17. Perhaps the DVD screen in the head rest for Zaiden.

18. Vent visors would be kinda nice. Again, a guy (same guy as above with the cell phone mount) found these. On that website, though, they don’t have pictures of the ones for the FJ, so here is a link to the guy’s FJ from ih8mud that has them.