Dept. of Interior
Whether you use your FJ for hauling messy kids or for hunting messy boars, you may want to consider a set of Spector Off Road's seat covers. Made from heavy-duty Haartz material composed of vinyl-coated canvas with a tough denim lining, these seat covers are completely waterproof, yet extremely durable. These covers are designed to accommodate side bolster airbags and are available for both front and rear seats. The front seats also have a map pocket built into the back while the rear still allows the 60/40 bench split. Spector Off Road, 818.882.1238, www.sor.com
Piping Your FJ
"FJ owners are looking for sporty sound and unrestricted exhaust flow," claims Dynomax, and if that is true for you, then maybe you should check out the Dynomax Ultra-Flo exhaust system. Included in the kit is the welded muffler and all-mandrel bent, 2 1/2-inch stainless steel piping for long-lasting performance. DynoMax, 734.384.7806, www.dynomax.com
Belly of Steel
When your new FJ hits the dirt you definitely want to keep the hard parts of the dirt from hitting your FJ, so maybe you need to check out Downey Off Road's skidplate kit made of 3/16-inch steel. Designed to be reusable where your factory skids are replaceable, these zinc-plated skids will offer radiator, steering, and front-axle protection, and if you want to get the skid even further from the rocks, check out Downey's 3 1/2-inch-lift suspension kit that includes Bilstein shocks. Downey Off Road, 562.949.9494, www.downeyoff-road.com
Win Lift
Pro Comp Suspensions not only debuted its FJ Cruiser 6-inch suspension kit at the 2006 SEMA show, but also went home with an International New Products Award. This Stage II suspension kit comes with one-piece crossmembers and extended steering knuckles. Damping duties are done by a 2 3/4-inch coilover front shock and Pro Comp's adjustable MX6 rear shocks. Final lift will allow fitment of 35-inch tires. Pro Comp Suspension, 800.776.0767, www.procompmotorsports.com
Cruising for Bear
From down in the swamplands of Louisiana comes the bear of suspension looking to make your FJ ready for big tires and deep mud. Skyjacker has brought its new platinum series coilover shocks and struts to the FJ in a 3-inch suspension as well as a 2-inch value kit for an entry-level lift. The Platinum struts use the factory coils for a massaged version of the factory ride, while the 3-inch coilover kit is the premium setup offering advanced ride, shock valving, and clearance for up to 33-inch tires. Make you choice of big, bigger, or supersized and get jacked up with Skyjacker. Skyjacker, 818.388.0816, www.skyjacker.com
Armor the Ends
Warn Industries made its name with winches, but the company also offers a full line of bumpers for both the front and rear of many well-known 4x4s including the FJ Cruiser. Its front bumper houses Warn winches up to 12,000 pounds, as well as a set of off-road lights and comes with a black wrinkle finish, while its rear bumper fits around the factory receiver hitch, accommodates factory back-up sensors (if so equipped), features a cutaway to allow the factory tire carrier to transport up to a 33-inch tire, and has welded eyelets for D-shackles. (Check out Warn's front bumper in the Skyjacker photo.) Warn Industries, 800.543.9276, www.warn.com
All-FJ All the Time
All Pro Off Road did a lot of custom fabrication on our Ultimate FJ last year, but they also offer a full line of beginner and mid-level components to make your FJ better than stock. The All Pro line includes front bumpers both with and without winch-mounting capability, rear high-clearance bumpers, rock sliders, stronger upper and lower rear link mounts, 0 to 3 1/2-inch suspension kits using Walker Evans Racing coilover shocks and adjustable rear shocks, axle and transmission skidplates, 4.56 and 4.88 ring-and-pinion options, and prototype solid-axle conversions. All Pro builds them, wheels them, and will send you whatever you need. All Pro Off Road, 951.658.7077, www.allprooffroad.com
FJ-A-Way
Lorenz Industries is presenting the Sway-A-Way 2007 FJ Cruiser suspension as a front kit with a new coilover or complete with new rear springs and shocks as well. The 2 1/2-inch Race Runner coilover shock can be adjusted for up to 3 inches of lift, while the 2-inch rear shocks are valved specifically for the FJ Cruiser. If you're looking for a little more performance out of your FJ's suspension, then contact Lorenz or Sway-A-Way. Lorenz Industries, www.lorenzindustries.com; Sway-A-Way, 818.700.9712, www.swayaway.com
Tough Tummy
Looking for some underbelly protection? Then look to ASFIR. ASFIR is producing a full line of bumpers and skidplates for the FJ Cruiser. The bumpers are designed to cover and protect a winch as well as allowing adequate airflow. The skidplates are made of laser-cut 6mm heavy-duty aluminum that attaches to current chassis and subframe mounting points so no drilling is required. Additionally they have access holes for servicing the drivetrain without removing the plates, and openings to keep airflow consistent around hot drivetrain components. ASFIR Inc., 480.419.5874, www.asfir.com
FJ Krawler
Rock Krawler Suspension has two 5-inch suspension systems for the FJ: the X Factor and the PreRunner. Both kits feature uniball upper A-arms, heavy-duty outer steering links, laser-cut subframes, front and bottom skidplates, rear coil-spring spacers that utilize the factory overload bumpstop inside the OE rear coil, hardware, and detailed instructions. The PreRunner suspension also includes coilover shocks for the front and new shocks and links for the rear. Plus these suspensions come with an Abuse Proof Lifetime Guarantee. Rock Krawler Suspension Inc., 518.270.9822, www.rockkrawler.com
Tuff Stuff
Tuff Country is the official suspension of Ultimate Adventure and have recently introduced its first FJ Cruiser suspension kit designed to fit 295/70R17 (33-inch) tires. The kit includes front strut and rear coil spacers and all the required hardware, and can be ordered with new shocks as well. This suspension should offer about 3 inches of lift and is engineered to retain a near factory ride quality. Tuff Country, 800.288.2190, www.tuffcountry.com
Demello not Mellow
Demello Off Road has been dolling out Tacoma product for a few years now and is now directing its design time to outfitting the FJs. Currently available are front bumpers made of strong but light 1/8-inch plate with a 1/4-inch winch mount and multiple recovery points, rock sliders that easily bolt on, and Demello signature Deaver coil springs engineered to be 15 percent firmer than stock. One item we really like is Demello's roof-rack Hi-Lift mounts intended to clamp over the factory roof rack and mount a Hi-Lift Jack. Demello Off Road, 951.735.4417, www.demello-offroad.com
What's Missing?
We have yet to see anyone offer better mirrors and lights for the FJ. We thing some flush-mounted rear taillights and some horizontal sideview mirrors that really lie flat against the body when folded in would be a no-brainer. Plus, give the mirrors more useful off-road lights built in, which would be better than the silly marker lights. If your company offers either of these please let us know because we want to test some. These two upgrades would easily help the on- and off-road visibility and reduce the broken light lenses. Contact us at fred.williams@primedia.com.