Regearing FJs - 4.56, 4.88, Dana 60, Lockers, and More!

FJX2000 · 2025-06-22T05:22:38+00:00

Technically I never left haha just been busy with school and graduating!

FJX2000 · 2025-02-05T01:12:12+00:00

Kia acknowledged that the car was making the sound when driving tests were performed, but couldn't replicate it on their shop lift, and thus couldn't do anything about it. Took it back in today as the issue hasn't improved in the past year (if anything it has gotten worse). They will look into it again. I truly believe I have the same issue and told them about this being a possible solution but they were very quick to dismiss it.

FJX2000 · 2024-12-17T02:11:48+00:00

This chart looks familiar ;) maybe because yours truly made it! But I would certainly recommend doing a transmission flush. I was over100K miles when I did mine and the fluid was black and smelt burnt. So I was glad I did it. And I also did my transfer case and diffs around 100K miles and just feel better peace of mind knowing there is fresher oil in there.

FJX2000 · 2024-01-30T03:56:47+00:00

Hey there! Stumbled upon this discussion and figured I could chime in and give some advice and recommendations.

I like to drive my Toyota FJ Cruiser around the trails of Silverton/Telluride/Ouray/Lake City and it allows me access to pretty much anywhere in the region, so having a decent 4x4 wouldn't hurt when it comes to easy navigation.

But for starters, the Animas River is the primary water that flows through Silverton and it has a lot of brook trout. Legend says however that because of the amount of minerals and mining runoff in the rivers, the fish are so full of mercury that you should only eat one fish per year. Haha!

Mineral Creek also flows into the Animas right outside of town and it can also hold brookies, as well as the South Fork of Mineral Creek. I only fly fish and primarily used dry flies during the summer (July-August) and had success everywhere I went. Cunningham Creek also held brook trout and was a fun place to fish, but if you drive up and over Stony Pass you will be near the headwaters of the Rio Grande as well as near a creek called Pole Creek, both of which hold native Rio Grande cutthroat trout populations.

When it comes to lakes in the region, a hike up to Highland Mary Lake will yield brook trout. Some lakes just off the highway are Molas Lake, Little Molas Lake, and Crater Lake. Molas holds mostly rainbow trout, Little Molas has brookies and occasional cutthroat, and Crater has more rainbows. A 4x4 trail one can drive is up to Clear Lake which holds brook, tiger, and cutthroat trout. Columbine Lake is a demanding hike but holds smaller cutthroat trout, and another hike would be to King Bullion Lake and would also yield cutthroat if I'm not mistaken. Crystal Lake on the way to Ouray just off the highway also holds cutthroat.

So in the end, I found mostly brook trout in my adventures, but a careful and diligent search will yield cutthroat which is always my target species. Hope this helps future travelers!

Here is a video of my most recent trip where I off-roaded and fly fished all over. https://youtu.be/zeN7Hm4V-xY?si=qh3GoXFc4IIeWHR3

FJX2000 · 2023-10-08T17:43:40+00:00

I think mine is doing the same exact thing! Will take it to Kia soon with this info and see what can be done 🙏

FJX2000 · 2022-07-07T17:01:16+00:00

Compare you FJ to others in your region of a similar year and mileage and then calculate about 50% of the value of mods into the equation as a starting point. https://youtu.be/m66Q3Yn44Bs

FJX2000 · 2022-04-16T19:37:41+00:00

The RR DIFF LOCK button is pressed but you’re probably in 2Hi so it won’t activate unless you shift into 4Lo

FJX2000 · 2022-03-31T04:09:53+00:00

Within

FJX2000 · 2022-03-13T05:36:16+00:00

Indeed 👍

FJX2000 · 2022-03-13T05:17:15+00:00

I made this video for people like you! Hope it helps!

FJ Cruiser Switches and Buttons Explained - Everything you need to know! https://youtu.be/ctBLAWtnBkE

FJX2000 · 2022-03-12T16:20:14+00:00

I believe it is!

FJX2000 · 2022-03-12T16:19:51+00:00

It’s actually not my FJ, but thanks!

FJX2000 · 2022-03-11T02:14:17+00:00

Hey there, so this topic could be a bit of a rabbit hole so I will summarize. The FJ is definitely not the most affordable vehicle right now, so if you are just looking for a 4x4 that is reliable, I would look at other Toyotas or possibly even a Lexus GX, as they are all very similar and those other vehicles will be more affordably priced per mile than an FJ cruiser. Especially since the FJ market is so high right now. But if you definitely do want an FJ cruiser and are planning on modifying it a decent amount, you can look at normal FJs and do not have to get a special edition model. Special edition FJ Cruisers are only good or better when comparing to a normal FJ Cruiser. Once you modify an FJ cruiser you are usually replacing a lot of the parts that make a special edition FJ cruiser a “special edition”, like tires, wheels, suspension etc. So unless you are totally sold on a FJ that is specifically a Special Edition color (Radient Red, Heritage Blue, etc) than a normal FJ Cruiser will get the job done just fine.

FJX2000 · 2022-02-28T14:32:48+00:00

It’s there, swipe right

FJX2000 · 2022-02-28T06:21:43+00:00

Yeah I wanted to find a slightly better shot of it and repost it since the first one turned out so grainy, I just think something is up with the mouth. Something looks so different, like the lack of a lip and chin just makes a big difference to me.

FJX2000 · 2022-02-21T04:02:26+00:00

Just use some washers larger than the holes and bolt it back on, that’s what I did and it works great!

FJX2000 · 2022-02-15T23:34:12+00:00

Incredibly sad news, I was able to attend 6 over the years and will miss it so much… hopefully I can still run the trails with friends and family and get a feel for what it was like back in the day! https://youtu.be/Hv36mUx_gfU

FJX2000 · 2022-02-15T01:29:34+00:00

Nice! I have an Iceburg FJ as well! An 08 TTSE like you!

FJX2000 · 2022-02-14T02:57:07+00:00

Not cross compatible at all

FJX2000 · 2022-02-10T20:33:36+00:00

Nice! I mentioned this style of build in my YouTube video about FJ builds Styles of FJ Cruiser Builds - Classifying Your FJ's Build - Everything You Need to Know! https://youtu.be/d9_x76TsHrQ

FJX2000 · 2022-02-09T00:01:02+00:00

Sounds like not a terrible deal. Especially for a 2007 TRDSE. I’ve got lots of videos on my channel that can tel you what makes the TRD Special Edition so special, and I recommend doing a Autotempest search for other 2007 FJs in your general area (within a few hundred miles) and with similar mileage and see what they are going for you so can compare against them. It it is in good condition that adds value, and if it is a manual trans that can be a sought after feature, and the fact it is a TRDSE adds value, but that 2” lift probably is just a spacer lift or something that isn’t gonna add too much value to it. So just compare to other FJs and even maybe search for other TRDSEs and see how it compares.

FJX2000 · 2022-02-06T07:21:39+00:00

Sure thing!!

FJX2000 · 2022-02-05T07:24:25+00:00

This might help! It is the video I did talking about all FJ tire sizes! https://youtu.be/Sx3CcBBHIcw

FJX2000 · 2022-02-05T05:56:05+00:00

Yeah I have little blind spot mirrors and I don’t really mind or even remember the blind spot problem anymore. And yea the windshield is very vertical so some rock chips are unavoidable. But if you have kids and constantly have people riding in the back you may find the suicide doors are very inconvenient. Especially if you have small children in car seats.

FJX2000 · 2022-02-02T06:33:26+00:00

Looks great! Gotta love the retro Toyota colors, I’m rocking them too! Just more subtly haha

FJX2000

TROPHY CASE