FJ Cruiser
I had an Nissan Xterra. I was run off the road coming home from Mono Lake on 395. Totaled, time to find something else. If you want to read more about that exciting time, you can do so here.
A result of totaling my Xterra was that I needed to buy something else. I have recently begun to travel more…untraveled roads. Ok, backcountry roads. Doing so has made me very aware that I need a good 4×4. I have always liked the FJ Cruiser and now I had the opportunity to buy one.
I went through the Costco Auto Buyers Program, which I strongly recommend. I saw something about the Trails Team edition and that’s what I ordered. The dealer didn’t even know it existed. We talked, he ordered one, it arrived, and I bought it.
FJ at Sunset
I have to say, I am impressed by the vehicle. I am not one for the luxuries of overwhelming comfort. I want a smooth ride, good handling, and something that is a little different from the rest of the crowd. The FJ is all of those and, as it turns out, a pretty competent off-road rig too. The really cool part is that they only made 1500 of this edition and I have one.
What makes it so special? The Sandstorm color (with the matching roof), TRD wheels with Goodrich All-Terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, rock rails, custom interior, and blacked out hood, mirrors, and door handles. And they only made 1500 of them. (Did I say that before?)
TRD Wheels and BF Goodrich Tires
When I first got it, I took it to the local park at sunset and got these pictures. It may be the last time you see the rig this clean.
The Clean FJ
The Clean FJ
The FJ roof and roof rack
Blacked Out Hood
The Grill
The details of the rig are nice too.
Driver's Side Open
The Cockpit
The Dashboard
The Rear Storage Area
Trails Team Badge
Side Marker Light on Side View Mirror
I have been asked by several people to show them my shelf/bed installation that I did so that travel would be easier and better organized. Here is the pictures and description about the build.
The build is in three sections. I can leave the rear section in the car with the back seats up. I don’t plan on leaving it in the vehicle, but I wanted to be able to do so. The middle section has to have the back seats down with the seat cushions removed. The front section has to have the front passenger seat all the way forward and tilted forward also.
The rear section is designed to be able to raise the “floor” up so that I can put a storage box underneath.
Rear Section Installed w/ Rear Seats Up
Rear Section Installed w/ Rear Seats Down
I had to cut some angles into the front to accomidate the slant between the rear storage area and the top of the back seats.
The Front of the Rear Section
The middle section fits onto the front of the rear section and allows me to put two storage boxes, one in each compartment. It is carpeted on the bottom so that it doesn’t scratch the back of the rear seats. The cut out is so the tie down doesn’t get damaged either.
Middle Section Installed with Storage Boxes in Their Compartments
The Front of the Center Section
Each section is attached to the next one with pins that go through the top of one section into the supports of the next.
Close-Up of the Pin and the Pin Hole in the Middle Section
The front section is supported by two 18″ pipe sections and strengthened by a brace.
The Underside of the Front Section
The Front Section Installed
I sleep on a pad with my head behind the front passenger seat and my feet in the left rear corner. By sleeping across the rig, I have lots of room to stretch out or curl up on my side.
All Three Parts Together
I can load up the rig with supplies and still have a comfortable place to sleep.
This is NOT How I Pack, but It Shows How the Storage System Works
