I have sad news.

I had been thinking about it for a while and finally acted on it. With a sad heart I sold the FJ. It was awesome in almost every way, but where it wasn't really started to eat at me. On Monday I sold the FJ and bought a 2013 Jeep Rubicon. I haven't picked it up yet, so no pictures yet to share. It will be delivered on Friday and I will pick it up on Saturday after removing the aftermarket parts on the FJ. I know I will probably be breaking down all the time now, but so does Casey, and you guys still ride with him. I know I will miss the FJ.

I will be selling all of my aftermarket stuff from the FJ. The only thing that is staying is the lift and tires. I will put up for sale threads in a few days. However if you know what I got and want it, PM and a fair price and it could save me the effort of listing it.

How much for the skidz? I want first shot!

NC FJ Driver wrote:

How much for the skidz? I want first shot!

No, "hate to hear that", just give me stuff? That hurts Paul. Jk replied to you pm.

Are you serious Brian?

dont blame ya... IFS wheeling is fun but if you really want to get into more difficult stuff SA wheeling is much cheaper to build.

Although you probably could have gotten a 1st gen toyota and a used dodge tow rig for a similar price as the rubi.

Are you serious? What the hell

Sun Cruiser 6 wrote:

Are you serious Brian?

Crazy Hube wrote:

Are you serious? What the hell

Yes, I am serious. I am going to have to start hanging out with your chubby friend.

Well I am mad

The sway bar disconnects will stop working within a year

And the E-lockers will break off road.

Welcome.

crogers6569 wrote:

dont blame ya... IFS wheeling is fun but if you really want to get into more difficult stuff SA wheeling is much cheaper to build.

Although you probably could have gotten a 1st gen toyota and a used dodge tow rig for a similar price as the rubi.

This is very true, and something I considered. However I don't have the space for a trailered vehicle. I also don't have the mechanical know-how to try to maintain something so old. I hope in time I will have a larger place and the ability to fix up an old 4x4.

Crazy Hube wrote:

Well I am mad

The sway bar disconnects will stop working within a year

And the E-lockers will break off road.

Welcome.

This is very possible, but I hope not. My lift will come with manual disconnects, and I will cross my fingers with the lockers.

I sat down and started looking at what I would likely do with the FJ. I was likely to drop another 4 grand to get it where I wanted it. And this didn't even address the biggest issues I have with the FJ.

Well I for one say, "Good On Ya!"

The Rubicon is a sweet rig, even with the issues. Much more potential. Just hope you don't become one of those "Jeep" guys!

LOL and now we have to wheel with a Jeep guy, or are you leaving the club as well

MadToy wrote:

The Rubicon is a sweet rig, even with the issues. Much more potential. Just hope you don't become one of those "Jeep" guys!

Nope, I haven't caught the "jeep thing" yet. I hope you guys will still let me wheel with you. The funny thing is I was often the only FJ on the ride. Now some of the NCFJ trail rides might be FJ free.

Crazy Hube wrote:

LOL and now we have to wheel with a Jeep guy, or are you leaving the club as well

Are you kidding? I have the 3rd highest post count!

Yea but no FJ or even Toyota!

If Toyota made something that met my criteria, I would have gotten it. The FJ was a great vehicle. I was surprised how well it held up to the abuse. It just wasn't for me any more. Maybe in 2015 they will come out with something else since the FJ is going away.

it happens. I got a pretty shocked vibe from my Mini Cooper club when I showed up with an FJ lol. Least your still in the dirt.... Even if we have to spend our lunch breaks fixing the Jeep.... Or Casey's rig.

Well, you will always have memories of the Raleigh meets at Leith, all the runs you made to URE, the Blue Room contest controversy, etc, etc.....

Good luck with the Jeep. I have a few friends that own Rubis and they enjoy them. (Matt...Aamco... )

I know before I bought the FJ, I was considering a new Rubicon unlimited but once I test drove a stock Rubi, then a lifted one and felt the ride....and once the wife saw how thin the doors were, she said if i ever expected to have my then 3 year old ride with me, I better find an alternative...It make me chuckle to remember when I took Nicky to check out the Rubicon, she opened a door and asked what the little "cloth strap" was that was attached to the door...I explained that is what kept the door from swinging too wide open, to which she replied that I better be happy riding alone.....

Oh well, I guess it was one of those Jeep things that she didn't "understand"...LOL

Well, Brian, I am glad you owned the FJ, otherwise I don't believe that I would not have had the opportunity to meet you and your family. Good luck and don't be a stranger! make sure you post some pics of the new ride!!!

Take care

- David

I usually wheel with a Rubicon, so you'd be welcome to hang with my FJ.

So several people have asked why I sold the FJ. Its actually a result of several things.

The FJ had a very short wheel base, which is great. However when that is combined with a IFS, it becomes really tipsy. If you have only wheeled at URE its hard to explain this. Although this adds to the thrill, it scares my wife to death. One of the reasons I have gotten hooked on wheeling is the ability to do it with my family. So anything I can do to keep my wife involved is a big factor.

The 4-door vs. the suicide doors was not really a big deal. The 4 doors will be nice, but I had no problems with the FJ. I did want windows in the back I could roll down for the kids. They are with me 70% of the time and my oldest will like the window down.

The FJ is by far the better street vechicle. The comfort, ride, and style of the FJ surpass the jeep. However the Jeep has some obvious advantageous offroad. I didnt care about this when I got the FJ, but that was before I was hooked and going wheeling once or twice a month. Now the benefits of the jeep compensate for the losses on the street.

Well it seems like you thought about it, and I know it was a hard decision to make.

What lift are you getting for it?

And what size tars? And will this all be done before Windrock? Or will you bail out on Windrock for fear of scratching your new Jeep?

Crazy Hube wrote:

Well it seems like you thought about it, and I know it was a hard decision to make.
What lift are you getting for it?

Ive researched it for a few weeks now. Unless something changes my mind before I make the purchase I will be going with this and bilstein shocks. RockKrawler 3.5

MadToy wrote:

And what size tars? And will this all be done before Windrock? Or will you bail out on Windrock for fear of scratching your new Jeep?

If you are still saying the MTRs are quiet, I am probably going with those in the 35" size. I am trying to get everything ready for the Windrock trip. Thats priority #1, but that only leaves me a month.

The problem is I need the bumpers before I can get the tires, and tires before I can get the lift. I am going regardless, even if it means the family rides with Casey! In all seriousness, If I can't get it all together I still want to go. If the family doesnt want to go and Casey will let me ride with him, he can stay in my hotel room.

You are always welcome Brian. I even have an upcoming addition that will allow me to have ice cream on the trail