Year: 2007
Model: FJ
Spec: Base
Name: 'The Beast'
I'm going to clarify one thing first, I inherited the name as I am the second owner of the vehicle.
Past:
FJs are built in Japan, and this one was imported to a New England dealership (not sure which one/where). Thus, into a container it went and across the Pacific. It was sold to a Dubai importer, so back into a container and across the Atlantic and presumably through the Mediteranian, down the Suez canal and around the corner to Dubai. There it was purchased by its first driver (now second owner).
I'm almost embarrassed to admit, the FJ began life as that banana yellow/white colour scheme. Thankfully the first driver had it painted CIA black (body and top) and matte black plastics. Soon thereafter he(an American) was transferred back to the US (Houston, TX), and not wanting to sell his vehicle shipped it back. So container number three and reverse the previous order. Despite corporate promises, six months later another transfer, this time to Australia. Unfortunate for him, laws and transportation what-not prevented the trip, so a reluctant sale followed. Enter a Canadian university student.
For nearly a year I watched FJs come and go on AutoTrader. I knew what I wanted, and for several years had saved. I once tried to purchase a TRD FJ, but that didn't pan out. When this one came up for sale, I knew it was the one for me - everything that had been done to it I had hoped to do myself. Ah, modest dreams. (lol)
Present:
Since purchasing the FJ (aka 'The Beast'), I've added about 40,000miles to the odometer and done a few choice modifications (*see personal description). I've driven it across ~26 US states (most more than once) and 4 Canadian provinces (all more than once). It's seen -40'c in contrast to the +40'c in Dubai. I've driven it into the Atlantic ocean and one of the Great Lakes (why? because I could), and I'm fairly confident was in the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean for slightly less exciting boat launchings.
Future:
I was attempting to hold off on posting my vehicle to the forum, but I stand at the precipice of the next phase in the life of my vehicle. I've just purchased a TRD supercharger and with it will come a plethora of performance additions. I feel it only fitting I take this time to honour what it's gone through already.
I haven't many photos of the vehicle as I modified it, but I make a point to take photos of the vehicle in novel locations which I periodically e-mail to the previous owners who expressed sentimental connection. It's my way of demonstrating respect to them and a truck I'm sure they miss.
Please enjoy.
Stage One:
The first upgrade was a 2" level kit. Trust me, it's very much needed.
Stage Two:
E-Bay bi-xenon HIDs. Lasted 3-weeks until the wires shorted themselves out. It took me over a year to trust buying another set. Haven't looked back since.
Stage Three:
Things stayed relatively the same for a long time, mostly because I was trying to pay down my student line of credit I used to finance the remainder. Nearly a year after having bought the truck I went on a bit of a spending spree. See following:
Tires: Nitto Terra Grapplers (I know there are some 4x4 guys lurking on the forum here - stop waiting and just buy these tires).
Intake: TRD (gen. 1): got a great price on it too.
Sound: Powerbass speakers and amps, Kicker cables and other bits, Bazooka sub, and other misc. parts
*Note: There's a lot to know about upgrading your sound. Don't bother buying speakers unless you're running an aftermarket head-unit and ideally amplifying it. The marginal gain in clarity isn't worth the money. If you're going to do it, do it right. I should write a proper post on this elsewhere on the forum (if it hasn't already been done).
Power: Doug Thorley short-tubes (needed to retain emissions testing).
Drivetrain: URD bearing upgrade (overdue)
Suspension: Air Lift assist bags (great product at an even better price). Wish I bought an auxiliary compressor though. In due time.
Trailer Brake Module: Tekonsha P2 w. custom wirring, mounting, and brackets.
Install URD bearing by day, sound by night...
Good help is hard to come by
Flood lights...
This is what May is like in northern Canada - winter jackets and gloves.
A creative solution to mounting 4" components where 2" tweaters used to be (dollar store cutting-boards).
Yet more creative solutions... interior insulation makes for a great spacer. Long screws to attack to the body and spray foam to seal it all up.
Stage Three & Three-Quarters
There has always been one thing I've loathed about my truck since I bought it... the yellow engine compartment. More than once I was ready to grab the nearest black spray-paint but was coaxed out of it (yellow provides a better contrast for tracing wires than black does). Soon to install my supercharger and knowing the additional hoses that comes with it, I figured 'now or never'. Matte white.
Engine degreaser - works wonders.
Some tight corners.
*Note: I learnt a LOT in painting this. e.g., newspaper = NOT a paint barrier. Now need to wet-sand my paint. I think a separate post is in order.
Model: FJ
Spec: Base
Name: 'The Beast'
I'm going to clarify one thing first, I inherited the name as I am the second owner of the vehicle.
Past:
FJs are built in Japan, and this one was imported to a New England dealership (not sure which one/where). Thus, into a container it went and across the Pacific. It was sold to a Dubai importer, so back into a container and across the Atlantic and presumably through the Mediteranian, down the Suez canal and around the corner to Dubai. There it was purchased by its first driver (now second owner).
I'm almost embarrassed to admit, the FJ began life as that banana yellow/white colour scheme. Thankfully the first driver had it painted CIA black (body and top) and matte black plastics. Soon thereafter he(an American) was transferred back to the US (Houston, TX), and not wanting to sell his vehicle shipped it back. So container number three and reverse the previous order. Despite corporate promises, six months later another transfer, this time to Australia. Unfortunate for him, laws and transportation what-not prevented the trip, so a reluctant sale followed. Enter a Canadian university student.
For nearly a year I watched FJs come and go on AutoTrader. I knew what I wanted, and for several years had saved. I once tried to purchase a TRD FJ, but that didn't pan out. When this one came up for sale, I knew it was the one for me - everything that had been done to it I had hoped to do myself. Ah, modest dreams. (lol)
Present:
Since purchasing the FJ (aka 'The Beast'), I've added about 40,000miles to the odometer and done a few choice modifications (*see personal description). I've driven it across ~26 US states (most more than once) and 4 Canadian provinces (all more than once). It's seen -40'c in contrast to the +40'c in Dubai. I've driven it into the Atlantic ocean and one of the Great Lakes (why? because I could), and I'm fairly confident was in the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean for slightly less exciting boat launchings.
Future:
I was attempting to hold off on posting my vehicle to the forum, but I stand at the precipice of the next phase in the life of my vehicle. I've just purchased a TRD supercharger and with it will come a plethora of performance additions. I feel it only fitting I take this time to honour what it's gone through already.
I haven't many photos of the vehicle as I modified it, but I make a point to take photos of the vehicle in novel locations which I periodically e-mail to the previous owners who expressed sentimental connection. It's my way of demonstrating respect to them and a truck I'm sure they miss.
Please enjoy.
Stage One:
The first upgrade was a 2" level kit. Trust me, it's very much needed.
Stage Two:
E-Bay bi-xenon HIDs. Lasted 3-weeks until the wires shorted themselves out. It took me over a year to trust buying another set. Haven't looked back since.
Stage Three:
Things stayed relatively the same for a long time, mostly because I was trying to pay down my student line of credit I used to finance the remainder. Nearly a year after having bought the truck I went on a bit of a spending spree. See following:
Tires: Nitto Terra Grapplers (I know there are some 4x4 guys lurking on the forum here - stop waiting and just buy these tires).
Intake: TRD (gen. 1): got a great price on it too.
Sound: Powerbass speakers and amps, Kicker cables and other bits, Bazooka sub, and other misc. parts
*Note: There's a lot to know about upgrading your sound. Don't bother buying speakers unless you're running an aftermarket head-unit and ideally amplifying it. The marginal gain in clarity isn't worth the money. If you're going to do it, do it right. I should write a proper post on this elsewhere on the forum (if it hasn't already been done).
Power: Doug Thorley short-tubes (needed to retain emissions testing).
Drivetrain: URD bearing upgrade (overdue)
Suspension: Air Lift assist bags (great product at an even better price). Wish I bought an auxiliary compressor though. In due time.
Trailer Brake Module: Tekonsha P2 w. custom wirring, mounting, and brackets.
Install URD bearing by day, sound by night...
Good help is hard to come by
Flood lights...
This is what May is like in northern Canada - winter jackets and gloves.
A creative solution to mounting 4" components where 2" tweaters used to be (dollar store cutting-boards).
Yet more creative solutions... interior insulation makes for a great spacer. Long screws to attack to the body and spray foam to seal it all up.
Stage Three & Three-Quarters
There has always been one thing I've loathed about my truck since I bought it... the yellow engine compartment. More than once I was ready to grab the nearest black spray-paint but was coaxed out of it (yellow provides a better contrast for tracing wires than black does). Soon to install my supercharger and knowing the additional hoses that comes with it, I figured 'now or never'. Matte white.
Engine degreaser - works wonders.
Some tight corners.
*Note: I learnt a LOT in painting this. e.g., newspaper = NOT a paint barrier. Now need to wet-sand my paint. I think a separate post is in order.
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