Witness the Build-Up: Let the Modding Begin
While I spend some time getting acclimated with Word Press, I thought the rest of you might enjoy witnessing the modding process first hand. Since I initially purchased my Toyota FJ Cruiser in January of 2007, a lot has changed. It’s still technically an FJ Cruiser, but a whole lot of modifications have occurred over the course of almost three years now, modifications intended to improve one or more aspects of an already well-built and very capable vehicle. But even the best built vehicles still leave room for improvement. The best part about the Expeditionr blogs, is that as readers, you have the distinct advantage of being three years ahead of the modding schedule. The hard part is technically already done (at least three years worth of it). The only delay now is waiting for me to post up details and pics so you all can enjoy the cliff-notes version of modding an FJ Cruiser. Stay tuned for updates to follow very soon and thanks for reading!
FJ Cruiser: Inside and Out
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As promised, I’ve compiled quite a few additional videos covering some of the many great features available on the FJ Cruiser platform. Most of the videos are short but they do provide a good visual demonstration in addition to describing each feature. Not all of the options featured in the videos are available in the base level configuration; some require one or more upgrade packages. But each of the upgrade packages offers a number of additional options that may also be of interest to a potential buyer. For more details on upgrade packages, simply contact your local Toyota dealership. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to fill you on the details. Without further ado, the video links I promised can be found below.
FJ Cruiser: On and Off the Road
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As a follow-up to yesterday’s article detailing the FJ Cruiser’s core structural components, I’d like to add a few more details, specifically addressing the drivetrain systems. The FJ Cruiser can be ordered with either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. Both of these transmissions are extremely capable. It really comes down to personal preference as to which model you choose. I personally prefer an automatic since I’d rather focus my attention on the trail. But for many, a manual transmission is the only way to drive. Arguments as to which is better and why are similar to the IFS versus solid axle argument. There will always be pros and cons to either side. Even though I tend to lean towards the automatic model, I’ve included videos that provide more details for both transmission models below.
FJ Cruiser: Building on a Solid Foundation
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Perhaps before I dive into the modding madness, I should provide some details regarding the FJ’s stock capabilities and features. Targeted at the 20- to 30-year-old off-roading demographic, the FJ was designed with ruggedness in mind. Even though the exterior shell of the FJ Cruiser is brand new, many of the underlying components are based on slightly modified versions of other existing product lines. Some may see this approach as cobbling, a vehicle designed in true Frankenstein fashion. But in my opinion, Toyota’s approach to designing and eventually producing the FJ Cruiser prototype was pure genius. Rather than rely on newly designed and therefore untested parts, Toyota dug into their existing product lines in order to determine which parts were proven to be the most reliable over long-term testing. By piecing together the strongest and most reliable parts, Toyota was able to produce not only a quality vehicle, but one which contained many of the best features from other vehicles.
Purchasing My Expeditionary Vehicle: A Brief History
To save some of you the disadvantage of wading through my admittedly-wordy content, I’ll divulge the dirty little secret up front. For those who prefer to skip straight to the end of the book, my expeditionary platform of choice is none other than Toyota’s FJ Cruiser. For those interested in some of the history behind my purchase, please do read on.
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My first encounter with Toyota’s FJ Cruiser platform was, oddly enough, not on the street or on a car lot. Our paths initially converged, believe it or not, in the overly-commercialized alleyways of the local town mall. My wife and I, while enjoying a brief but leisurely reprieve from our busy work schedule, came out of one of the mall shops only to be presented with a vehicle unlike anything I had ever seen. To say it’s unique in style is a rather broad understatement. The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a most refreshing combination of nooks and crannies, achieving both form and function in its design. Unfortunately, because it was a mall display, all the doors were locked, preventing lookie loos like myself from getting a true first-hand impression. But that did not prevent me from curiously peeking and peering inside through any glass I could find. The encounter was brief, but succeeded in planting a seed, a seed which began to slowly grow.
Madness With a Purpose
This is most assuredly not my first blogging experience. But it does represent the first time I’ve ever been truly motivated to generate content on a regular basis. I’ve started blogs in the past with half-hearted intentions and not surprisingly, they really never went anywhere. But things are about to change.
The purpose of this blog will undoubtedly become clear in just a few short posts. But in summary, I needed a place where I could document my vehicle “modding” madness. For those unfamiliar with the term “modding”, it’s simply a slang term used to refer to any modifications made to a product that alter that product from the original manufacturer’s intended design. In most cases, mine included, the intention behind the modifications is to improve the original product in some fashion.
My plan with this blog is to document, in great detail, the various thought processes that go into modifying a vehicle, and provide both textual (instructions) and graphical (photos) content to allow others to follow suit, should they choose to do so. It will also serve as a historical reference, allowing me to look back months or years from now on past projects, reliving moments both sweet and sour. Hopefully, anyone stopping by will benefit from my experiences, both good and bad. But if not, I’m still thoroughly enjoying the process so it’s still a win-win in my book. Please fee free to leave feedback if you have something you’d like to share that’s related to the content of this blog.