Modified Toyota FJ Cruiser Proves Plenty Capable Off-Road
You won’t find any exotic parts on Kurt Beiermeister’s ’08 FJ Cruiser, but it’s still plenty capable of going anywhere.
In terms of Toyota’s truck/SUV heiarchy, the FJ Cruiser is generally near the bottom of anyone’s list. Toyota’s retro-modern creation isn’t something you typically see out on the trails, or even on the road very much anymore. Not that the FJC isn’t capable of handling the job, it’s just not a very popular vessel among enthusiasts. But after checking out this cool feature on Kurt Beiermeister‘s ’08 FJ Cruiser over at Four Wheeler, it makes you wonder if it should be.
Beiermeister grew up in the woods, essentially, and always dreamed of owning an FJ40. He eventually did, giving that classic a full restoration. But he also found himself smitten with the FJ Cruiser, and this is actually the second one he’s owned since. And over the last several years, he’s transformed it into a capable overlander that spends days at a time out in the wilderness.
Even more impressively, the FJ Cruiser is also Beiermeister’s daily driver. Thus, it doesn’t really sport any drivetrain upgrades. Just a few things like a K&N cold-air filter with a DryCharger filter wrap, a Pedal Commander throttle response controller, Odyssey battery, and NGK copper spark plugs. The FJC even runs on its original stock axles, which have given him no problems thus far.
But you will find a Borla catback exhaust and Rasta aluminum skidplates underneath. Along with an Old Man Emu suspension kit and extended stainless steel brake lines. Throw in a set of Mamba M14 wheels wrapped in Toyo 285/75R17 tires, and you’ve got a pretty capable combo. On the FJC’s body, you’ll find a few upgrades including a RESZ Fabrication V2 front bumper, Badlands 13k-pound winch, and of course, a whole slew of camping equipment.
What impresses us the most about Beiermeister’s FJC, however, is what hasn’t been done to it. There’s no crazy, high-dollar suspension setup here. Nor anything else terribly exotic. And that just proves that Toyota’s FJ Cruiser is, well, maybe a bit underrated. So, be sure and head over here to check out this cool build, as well as Beiermeister’s very cool story, in their entirety!
Photos: Four Wheeler
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