Official Forum of the North Carolina FJ Cruisers |
| | Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY | |
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+3David B smoky cruiser dwc2134 7 posters | |
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dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Fri May 04, 2012 1:45 pm | |
| No, I'm not chroming out my rig, but I figured y'all would be attracted to shiny stuff
Brand new, unnamed Cavalry Blue FJC. I'm moving to another state for college, and as such have to leave my old, faithful trail rig at home. Since I don't wanna drive three hours one way just to do a little light wheeling, and since my new daily driver /also/ doubles as a darn capable platform itself, I might as well set it up for some mild wheeling... and I can't leave anything stock. What fun would that be?! None!
Being a college student, I'm on a shoestring budget, just like everyone else. No long travel and supercharger for this rig. And since I need it to be a reasonable daily driver, anything and everything I can do to maintain driveability and fuel economy will be taken into account.
My current, by the end of the summer, plans are for a budget lift, shooting for around 2-3 inches in the front (I'd like to keep the rake about the same for towing purposes) and 3 inches in the rear. To acheive this, I've been debating between a pair of 5100's up front and superflex coils in the rear OR a 3 inch front and rear coil lift . They're both around the same price, although the 5100/rear coil option comes out around $10 cheaper.
After the lift it'll get some real tires on it in the form of 255/80-17 KM2s. I like the pizza cutter look, and it allows me to skip the body mount chop and keep some fuel economy (thank you to a couple members on here who pointed these out to me).
Sliders will also be part of stage one, though I am undecided upon which ones yet. I'm leaning toward trail-gear, however. The price is right, and I've heard good things about trail-gear.
Stage two... I'll get to that when I'm done with stage one!
Little things will come into this build as well, seat covers and interior storage and the like, but things like extra lights, 35s, and a SAS will not. My trail rig is getting one tons by next year, and 36-38s, so I have no need for another serious wheeler. Just something to amuse me while I'm away from my offroad rig, run some mild (and some low blacks, knowing how things go with me) trails and logging roads, and be a safe, reliable, economical DD. | |
| | | smoky cruiser Tail Gunner
Posts : 656 Points : 5247 Join date : 2012-01-19 Age : 44 Location : weaverville nc
| Subject: ur rig Fri May 04, 2012 8:56 pm | |
| I'm running the km2s and am stoked abuo 10k so far smooth and quiet. I bought through discount tire direct wo has opened a shop in east asheville. They rotate em free for me every 2500 to keep them smooth. I love them and the traction is close to the boggers on my xj. | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sat May 05, 2012 1:16 am | |
| - smoky cruiser wrote:
- I'm running the km2s and am stoked abuo 10k so far smooth and quiet. I bought through discount tire direct wo has opened a shop in east asheville. They rotate em free for me every 2500 to keep them smooth. I love them and the traction is close to the boggers on my xj.
I'm coming from new style MTRs on my old Dodge. I really wish those came in 255, they are GREAT tires IMO. Not that noise (well, as quite as anything gets in a bedlined tub), good road manners, and fantastic traction in the dirt. I checked with a few places, and they all want around $300, mounted and balanced. I can get them online, with shipping, for $235, and with the club discount the local tireshop will mount and balance for $10 a tire. No Discounttire, but we do have their sister company NTB, so I need to check with them as well. If you don't mind me asking, how much did'ya pay? | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Wed May 09, 2012 8:32 pm | |
| Driving up to Crozet on monday to pickup a pair of adjustable 5100s and 2" lift coils for the front. Seller wants $300 dollars for the both of 'em. Half the price of buyin' them new. | |
| | | Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Wed May 09, 2012 8:35 pm | |
| I paid $1250 for a set of 5 (km2 255/85/16) mounted & balanced. Lifetime rotation and balancing included. |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Fri May 18, 2012 9:19 pm | |
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| | | Guest Guest
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Fri May 18, 2012 9:25 pm | |
| I love the looks of those tires. Let us know how they do on the trail. I don't think you have quite 3/4 of tread left though. They can probably get you through another year or so. |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Fri May 18, 2012 9:30 pm | |
| - Brian wrote:
- I love the looks of those tires. Let us know how they do on the trail. I don't think you have quite 3/4 of tread left though. They can probably get you through another year or so.
Yeah, I should of measured it, but alas, they'll get me through till I can actually afford proper new ones, and I've already had two people offer me what I'm asking on the duelers ($500). | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sat May 26, 2012 3:39 am | |
| Debating between Demello Sliders and Trail gear sliders. Besides the Trail gear being a little cheaper, they're just about the same slider. And the shipping is about half the price with trail gear. | |
| | | David B ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 2677 Points : 8243 Join date : 2011-05-01 Age : 51 Location : Wake Forest, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 10:28 am | |
| - dwc2134 wrote:
- Debating between Demello Sliders and Trail gear sliders. Besides the Trail gear being a little cheaper, they're just about the same slider. And the shipping is about half the price with trail gear.
They are both nice. Between the two, I like the Demellos, but just to mix it up, have you considered Orange Boxx or Metal Tech? Orange Boxx is local so shipping should not be an issue and that is a big cost savings! | |
| | | bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8442 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 6:12 pm | |
| or you can go with my sliders...6 and a half dozen of the other... | |
| | | bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8442 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 6:15 pm | |
| not to mention that the trailgear sliders are weld on...either that or you have to get some feet and drill your holes for the 4 mounting plates...and trailgear doesnt actually make them specifically for the FJ>... | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 6:48 pm | |
| - David B wrote:
- dwc2134 wrote:
- Debating between Demello Sliders and Trail gear sliders. Besides the Trail gear being a little cheaper, they're just about the same slider. And the shipping is about half the price with trail gear.
They are both nice. Between the two, I like the Demellos, but just to mix it up, have you considered Orange Boxx or Metal Tech? Orange Boxx is local so shipping should not be an issue and that is a big cost savings! Metal gears basic sliders are $550, which is way outta my price range. Orange boxxx looks like a good option with the discount, but since I live out side of 75 miles, shipping isn't free, so I either have to shell out for shipping or drive down to Greensboro. - bigdogdewey2 wrote:
- not to mention that the trailgear sliders are weld on...either that or you have to get some feet and drill your holes for the 4 mounting plates...and trailgear doesnt actually make them specifically for the FJ>...
According to trailgear they are bolt on. | |
| | | bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8442 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 7:14 pm | |
| not for the FJ...i see no sliders for the FJ on TrailGears website...they have them for the Tacoma , 4RNR , trucks...if yo see them post a link...id like to see them...
by the way....where do yo live if you dont mind me asking... | |
| | | David B ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 2677 Points : 8243 Join date : 2011-05-01 Age : 51 Location : Wake Forest, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 7:33 pm | |
| I am not speaking for them, but Mike or Darrell might be able to work something out with you. | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:09 pm | |
| - bigdogdewey2 wrote:
- not for the FJ...i see no sliders for the FJ on TrailGears website...they have them for the Tacoma , 4RNR , trucks...if yo see them post a link...id like to see them...
by the way....where do yo live if you dont mind me asking... There's a direct link in my first post about sliders (click the trail gear). They're pretty basic. Im living in lynchburg, VA right now. I'm moving down to Charlotte for school in the fall. | |
| | | Crazy Hube Gunner
Posts : 1764 Points : 6527 Join date : 2011-05-11 Age : 30 Location : Raleigh RDU Area
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:21 pm | |
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| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:23 pm | |
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| | | Crazy Hube Gunner
Posts : 1764 Points : 6527 Join date : 2011-05-11 Age : 30 Location : Raleigh RDU Area
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:26 pm | |
| Gotcha that'll be cool. I am also going to Charlotte this fall, but for UNCC | |
| | | bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8442 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:30 pm | |
| yeah i dont see the link..i see the links about the coils and shocks...but not for trailgear...sorry
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| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:36 pm | |
| - bigdogdewey2 wrote:
- yeah i dont see the link..i see the links about the coils and shocks...but not for trailgear...sorry
http://www.trail-gear.com/fj-cruiser-welded-rock-sliders | |
| | | bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8442 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Sun May 27, 2012 8:43 pm | |
| ok cool i have no idea why i couldnt find that...oh well...282 plus shipping....so 350 ish....348.68.....not too bad... | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Wed May 30, 2012 3:10 am | |
| - bigdogdewey2 wrote:
- ok cool i have no idea why i couldnt find that...oh well...282 plus shipping....so 350 ish....348.68.....not too bad...
Yeah. The ground shipping quote from demello was $170, which is half the price of the bloody sliders them selves. I should check with orange boxxx and a few of the other companies with sliders in the $280-$320 price range and see what shipping might be from them, or if I could work out some form of delivery with someone like OBXXX. But as it stands the sliders are going to be put on hold for at least a month, if not longer. The steering went to heck in a hamster bowl on my dedicated trail rig ('88 ramcharger). Steering shaft is shot and the power steering pump is leaking like crazy (filled it up one night, drove it a little over the next three days, and by the fourth morning it was completely empty). So I'm looking at about $500 dollars worth in parts that I need to order and install in the next month to make my local clubs Uwharrie run. And as fun as wheeling and modding the FJC is, I love having a trail rig that I can beat the ever loving snot out of, run the entire front end into a tree trying to make a line meant for a MUCH smaller vehicle, and not care one bit. I've got a car note on the FJ. The dodge is payed off. | |
| | | dwc2134 Trail Scout
Posts : 99 Points : 4458 Join date : 2012-05-02 Age : 30 Location : Charlotte, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:29 am | |
| Okay, okay, okay, time to reboot this thread! With an actual plan! That might (hopefully) get followed as the summer months near and my ability to have gainful employment grows more likely!
First up, sliders. Gotta, gotta, gotta be sliders. I spent a week getting in and out of my ramcharger from the passenger side 'cause the driver side rocker panel ate rock and I couldn't get it pried open to hammer the metal back down. Never again, and not on a truck there's still payments to be made on... plus getting out the passenger side of the wartortle would be a real PITA.
Still going with trail-gear. Unless I can find a used set of OEMs, they're still the cheapest option I can find besides making my own (which I have neither time nor facilities for). Hell, I'll probably have to find someone willing to let me use their garage to paint them (ain't apartment life grand?). If anyone spots a set of used sliders for a good price, please bring them to my attention while I squirrel away my pennies.
By the time I have the sliders, I will also be due for new tires. The firestones have given me around 12k miles of faithful service, and they've still got a few more, but they are very, very quickly reaching the end of their usable life. Still looking at 255/80 KM2s as my first choice in replacement shoes. No plans for a lift to fit these yet. Most of the wheeling I'll be doing for a while, at least until I get my rig better protected (and get better at getting it into and out of sticky situations), shouldn't cause too much of a problem with rubbing, and since I have some definite idea's on HOW I want to lift it, I'd rather do it once as a more costly venture then several times. | |
| | | SingleTrack Trail Scout
Posts : 267 Points : 4442 Join date : 2012-11-25 Age : 46 Location : Greensboro, NC
| Subject: Re: Dual purpose, budget, college... Whoa SHINY Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:57 pm | |
| Ok, Noob question here: what is meant by "pizza cutter look" when referring to tires? | |
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