New FJ From Cary

Hello from Cary! I just wanted to introduce myself... I got a 2014 FJC in cement paint a coupe days ago after having researched/wanted the purchase for 8 months or so. This is my first 4x4 and the largest vehicle I've owned to date (last being a Murano). Loving the FJC so far and it hasn't even seen dirt yet   Hoping to hit the farm tomorrow though and with any luck sling some mud around.    I got the FJ because I go shooting at my parent's farm every chance I get and I had gotten tired of having to dig my Murano out of the mud!    My work commute is only 8mi per days total so the lower mpg seemed acceptable given the off-road capabilities. 

My background... Army brat, ex-Ranger/Infantry, hunter, shooter, reloader, 36y/o husband with a 4y/o son and two Boxers (although I'm more of a Doberman fan). Fairly mechanical and good with electrical. Earn my paycheck as a networking engineer (IT).

I hope to be able to contribute to the site and discussions more once I'm up to speed on this new FJ thingy...
  

Welcome, and sorry for the delay!!!  As you can see, it is a little slow on this forum right now... I hope we can get the majority posting back on here soon, but there's still plenty of local FJ action on the NC FJ facebook page!  We've got a great group of folks!  Hope to meet ya soon!

Welcome!  Sounds like you'll fit in perfectly around here.

Welcome!

Welcome to the group! I work in Cary, maybe we can meet up for lunch one day.

Welcome...probably see you around the Cary RTP area.

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I'm in the NCFJ FB group now. Is it ok to post questions directly to that FB page or is it better to direct them here? FB is far easier for me due to phone compatibility/formatting.  

David (& others), What is the "Tread Lightly Supporter" in your avatar/info? When I picked up my FJ I couldn't help but think it needed a DTOM sticker on the back glass... Lunch sounds good. Do you have any preferred places? I work at Cisco off Kitt Creek Road. The beginning of the year will be busy for me but I should have time to meet up or whatever mid-January and on.

I probably should have mentioned that this FJ is my first 4x4. I'd love to mod it more for off-roading and have a more aggressive look but (sigh) I'll be battling the car payments for awhile and I know quality parts are not cheap! All work I do will be DIY. I'm hoping to find a manual type PDF that has all the assembly/break-down instructions with torque specs. I've got something like that for my Mitsu.

Before I hit 400 miles on the ODO I discovered that the seat belt chime would need to be deactivated in order to keep my sanity. Instead of dealing with the dealer to deactivate it I think I will order a OBD cable and the TIM software so I can do it myself. Sounded like the DIY instructions in the How To section may not work for a 2014 model and I'd like to be able to change the settings/config at will (post dead battery).

BTW, I did get to sling a little mud yesterday and pulled/towed some downed trees around. Between that and using a chainsaw for the first time I think my testes dropped another quarter inch  

BattBoy wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I'm in the NCFJ FB group now. Is it ok to post questions directly to that FB page or is it better to direct them here? FB is far easier for me due to phone compatibility/formatting.  

I'd say you could post to either one, whichever is easier for you!  You'll probably get more quick responses on the FB page, but the forum is better for directing you to informational links and more in-depth details.

Posting either place is fine. Down side to FB posts is they get hijacked and you end up discussing tires when your questions pertained to wiper blades.

There are tons of DIY mods you can knock out. And there are always parts for sale out there from folks upgrading and/or changing. Plus we have some awesome fabricators within driving distance. Mike Thompson and Darrell Combs (Bigdogdewey and Orange Boxx). Great products...great prices not to mention great guys (part of my New Year resolutions to be nice   )

Also, Tread Lightly is a great organization that promotes clean safe trail riding and sustainability. NCFJ is a proud sponsor of this organization and folks (Supporters) have contributed to this. They often have representatives at our group events to pass out information and have "classes".

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking at the OBF site for awhile. I want some PSDs bad but am hesitant to drill any of my (brand new) interior panels so soon. Guess I should start checking salvage yards for some spare panels

I've always been big into car stereo and think my first mod will need to be upgrading the subwoofer and amplifier. Hoping to find some pics here detailing the OEM amp power feed and the best route for a new 4 or 8ga wire. I've already got all the parts for that and a spare 15" sub just collecting dust. The other mod that stood out to me was the false floor/drawer system as I have a couple sheets of MDF wood handy. I guess I'll be busy this winter planning things out then when the warmer weather returns I'll be ready to put some work in!

I'm sure I'll be more interested in classes, meets, and trails after I've broken it in some more

Here are some pictures of my storage..

Nice. I really like the flip up top section on the right with the tow straps. The plans I had seen only had the two drawers. I'm going to have to figure out a good way of locking at least one drawer.

I have seen hasps used for locking. I have the 2008 and have an outlet near the  floor on the right side of the cargo area (you may as well). The downside to just drawers is loss of access to this. If you notice, there is a small cutout area on the right side at the top. That is for cords to come out with the lid closed. There is a hole in the side of the box to allow access to that outlet.

Yes I noticed the outlet cut out. My 2014 seems to have the outlet in the same spot. I like that you can access that side cubby without opening the rear door.

I assume the cabinet would block the use of an Orange Box lower rear door PSD but what about the large upper one? Then again, I guess I wouldn't use those much anyway if I had some large cubbies/drawers.

True, the storage prevents use of a lower PSD on the door. I have the M-Pac rack on my door. I have bags on it and I have to pay attention to what I put in the back. I have to account for the extra thickness of the bags. Not typically a big deal though.

You mentioned you got a 2014 Cement... Does it have a white top?

It does have a white top   for now... I'd love to paint it cement or maybe even black (along with blackout mirrors, handles, etc) but that won't happen anytime soon.

I little mud and dust up there and you will never know the difference...