First safety mods

Silvia · Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:52 pm

Dear experienced offroaders,
As a new regular sand driver, I've been searching for some tips and advice about what safety modifications/add ons/changes I should make for my darling FJ to make it cope better with weekly sand offroading. What I found on the wide web though, is more confusing than helping and it's mostly for mud/rock terrain. I would greatly appreciate if you could share your thoughts on what first safety mods a JO should consider making and where/how it's possible to do it.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

KhaledS · Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:05 pm

What do you want to do ? Why you want to do it?

Silvia · Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:21 pm

Khaled SS wrote:What do you want to do ? Why you want to do it?

Metal bumpers, for example. Should I change the entire plastic bumper with a metal one or just "patch" it with a metal sheet. Also shock absorbers and suspention - do they need upgrading?
I'm afraid my technical jargon (and knowledge) is not that great, so I hope I make sense.

KhaledS · Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:48 pm

My advice is dont think about any mods now
With your FJ you should be able to make it till senior at least, once you feel like you cant overcome obstacles then think about mods
Keep it stock and learn how to drive it thru different terrains

Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:18 pm

I totally agree with with Khalid, don't ever think of metal bumpers at least not now,, you "might" need the metal bumper in the Extreme drives only.
and regarding the shocks, what I know is that the FJ's shocks are good so no need to change them, unless you feel its not good enough for you or they are holding you back then you might think of changing them (my choice will be Bilstein shock absorber), but I don't think you'll need to do anything now.

at the moment just think of the tools you like to get. (Ex.: Flag & Pole, plate, shackles, snatch strap, Air Compressor, Radio, Tools Kit, First Aid Kit, shovel, etc..)
you don't have to have all this but you never know when you'll need it.

And if you want to you can have the Recovery pack or the Air Compressor from UAEOFFROADERS (Bit of advertisement here

)

zeer · Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:43 pm

I heard so many experienced drivers, probably having alot of Mods on their cars, said same as Khalid.
We should learn the driving technics first, adding up later might be useful.
Like for example do I need extra weight in front of my car now or when I change the suspension, should I lift the car now to avoid stucks or I want to keep my car center point of gravity lower as much as I can.
Anyway Mods is fun todo

Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:44 pm

I concur with what said above by khaled and ayoob. No ig mods are needed at this time for the car if you really dont believe they are necessary. The only thing to focus on is as ayoob said from equipment, and suspension if you would feel more comfortable and just a good set of tires. As you probably noticed as an example is my nissan. for what i do with it in the sand, i have only upgraded the shock absorbers (ARB) coils still factory and a set of geolander tires (ATS) and a front skid plate as mounting place or design of engine radiator is well known for nissan as first point of damage or collision.

Silvia · Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:31 pm

Thank you all for your advice. When I first joined the club I did think that the car is as good as it gets for the first phase, but then I did start to get a bit worried about possible damages, especially with all the talk about mods around me! For instance, I read/heard somewhere that the FJ's plastic bumper only lasts a few desert trips!
Anyway, I do feel that my car is doing well so far and since I'm not planning to drive it like I stole it, perhaps I should just concentrate on my driving for now!

KhaledS · Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:24 pm

Know your car well and you will drive it better

Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:41 pm

FJ's bumpers, they are fine,, the only thing that "I saw" that takes damage is the two extra parts at the sides, if they take a hit, they will fall, but just by pushing them back in you'll be good to go.

but that doesn't mean go crazy and nothing will happen, no matter what car you have or what mods you have in the car, you have to be careful, any car will get damaged if it got hit hard (Even with metal bumpers).

But as Salih said, if you feel that you need more performance just change the tires to either "Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S", "BFG All Terrain", or "Cooper STT"

First safety mods

First safety mods

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