My FJ Cruiser

[keith richardson]

The FJ is fully kitted out for overlanding

* 127Ltr Aux fuel tank + 75Ltr main tank
* 50mm Lifted suspension, Tough Dog adjustable shocks and +300kg rear coil springs
* 33inch tyres (2 sizes oversize)
* 3 Optima Yellow top deep cycle Aux batteries + 1 x cranking battery
* 50 Ltr water tank
* 4 Drawer aluminium drawer packing system
* 1 x 40Ltr National Luna Freezer
* 1 x 35Ltr Indel Fridge
* Roof rack
* AluCab RTT (used to have an EaziAwn)
* Ostrich wing 270degree awning
* 2 x 110W solar PV panels with MPPT tracker charger regulator
* Kenwood 60W VHF two way radio
* Plus theres bound to be something ive forgotten

In 3 weeks time im taking the FJ cruiser instead of my 105 Series Cruiser and we're off on a 15Day trip from Johannesburg to Northern Namibia (on the Angolan Border) the Koakeveld, Marienfluss and Skeleton Coast region in pursuit of the elusive desert elephants. Fortunately - Having done this trip many times before we know exactly where to locate them.

This was before I changed the Roof Top Tent and installed some matt black wrap.

 

[stumog]

Very nice

How do you find the FJ compared to the 105?

 

[nick_the_fish]

Really? an FJ cruiser over a 105? Do tell.....

Great photos BTW. Have a great trip. Be safe

 

[keith richardson]

The negatives of the FJ over the 105 are;-
The FJ doesnt have the packing space of the 105
The FJ isnt permanent 4WD and doesnt have a front locker
The FJ is IFS
Ground clearance

The positives of the FJ over the 105 are:-
It has more power
It is an Auto box
The fuel consumption is much better that the 105
It is newer (2011) and has less mileage (87500km) (the 105 is 1999 and has 260,000km)

Sorry - Pic overload . . . . . . just a few pics from my 20years of overlanding in Africa

 

[GeekOKent]

So cool!

Love the little gaggle of 105's.

 

[stumog]

What you doing with the 105?

 

[SpinDrift]

The pictures are great. We like pictures

More space is not necessarily a good thing - less space means you need to put more thought into and be more selective with what you carry. We'll be hear about the trip and how you get on with the FJ.

 

[Gr8Yota]

Hello. Love the pictures. I think it was the pick of your FJ on three wheels that I found when looking for pics of the Front Runner rack installed. I just fitted one to mine replacing the useless (but nice looking) OE rack. My overland build has ended with the purchase of a Metalian but I’ve camped out for the FJ no problem for 5 yrs.

look forward to more pictures

 

[keith richardson]

What you doing with the 105?

The 105 is now a collectable - Solid front axle, coils all round, OEM fitted centre, front and rear locker - its a keeper. Its a 1999 model and Ive owned it since 2000 (112,000km)

My rules for vehicle choice for our trips is simple
If the trip is longer than 14 days then i will use the 105
If the trip is shorter than 14 days then I will use the FJ cruiser

Every 2 years we do our "Legends Trip" which is for pre 1985 Cruisers and for these trips i will use either Kermit or Darth Vader, but Kermit (FJ40) has already done a few Legends Trips so the next one which is in 2020 will be done in Darth Vader (FJ40LX)

 

[keith richardson]

Hello. Love the pictures. I think it was the pick of your FJ on three wheels that I found when looking for pics of the Front Runner rack installed. I just fitted one to mine replacing the useless (but nice looking) OE rack. My overland build has ended with the purchase of a Metalian but I’ve camped out for the FJ no problem for 5 yrs.

look forward to more pictures

My FJ is fitted with a FrontRunner roof rack, with AluCab rooftop tent (with 2 x 110W solar PV panels) and Ostrich Wing Awning

 

[4play]

Re the Front Runner roof rack
(FrontRunner is Chinese for its gonna break)
Ive had the gutter rails replaced 3 times by Front Runner cos the right angle bending radius on the rack tabs are too sharp and they stress crack after w few days on badly corrugated tracks.
We eventually gave up trying to get Front Runner to rectify the bending radius and instead we made up 4 x 5mm thick aluminium gussets to prevent rack side movement.

 

[4play]

Just showing = "Another sh1t day in Africa"