Emelianenkov’s 2007 FJ Cruiser

Hey all, I’ve been persuaded into making a build thread for my FJ. Here goes nothing!

It all started off with a bone stock 2007 FJ I bought in February of 2015. 130,000 miles, and not a scuff on it (makes me laugh just typing that).


Let’s take a step back and see what I was driving just a week prior to this.. I was sick of driving trails in an automatic, it was too easy for me. I love the technicality of wheeling with a stick. The FJ also has some great benefits, like ATRAC, a manually shifted gearbox, rear e-locker, and full time AWD (with the 6MT). I had my heart set on a magic toaster, and I started ordering parts for one before I even bought one. I ordered the URD short throw shifter kit and a snorkel.

I stripped everything I could off of my 2005 4Runner Sport, traded it in, and tossed everything on the FJ within 3 weeks!


Sold my beloved custom made bumper for $500, and bought this ProLine bumper for $500 including 2 sets of Rigid Duallies!

Mike at RESZ Fab helped out and sent me some trial mounts for my 40” light bar. After some use and abuse, he tweaked the design and sent me another set of mounts for no charge. I highly recommend RESZ Fab!!

At this stage in the game, I had my Bilstein 5100’s with Eibach’s up front, icon 2” rear coils, factory sliders, and not much else. I bedlined my door handles, grill surround, and mirrors. I had also tossed my snorkel on.

I scooped up a full set of Bud Built skids. (Note their almost-pristine condition)


Next I put on a custom hood blackout. The FJ has horrible glare issues, and I wanted to throw my side business name on the truck.


After installing a Cobra WX75ST, Bandi Mount antenna on the rear door, and the Smittybilt x2o 10,500 winch, it was time for its maiden voyage to Rausch Creek!


It was during this recovery that I bent the front of my frame while trying to get my friend Pat unstuck.. That mud was VERY slippery!

 

Next I added some Radflo 2.0 coilovers up front with All Pro uniball upper control arms.


Bajarack Expedition rack was next, thanks to an awesome tax return.


My friend worked at a Toyota dealership in NY, and they had a set of All Pro kickout sliders sitting in the scrap pile. They were taken off of a trade-in FJ. Got those for $free.99.


My friends and I do a week long off road trip every year throughout MA, NH, and VT.

Here is where my passenger side got assaulted by various trees, rocks, and roots.



At some point, I got stupid and tried to mount a Road Armor Tacoma rear bumper on my FJ (pictured above). It looks dumb. A rear bumper is on the list.

After a move to NH, I bought a new daily.


The new daily allowed me to go full retard!

First, after bringing the truck up to about 174,000 miles, I decided to replace the clutch with a URD stage 3 clutch. The stock clutch was still in great shape, but seeing as I’d be garaging my Subaru for the winter, I wanted to make sure I didn’t have any surprises!



At the same time, I decided to go with a 3.5” long travel kit. Camburg’s ancient gen1 kit from 2005, and some King 2.5 remote res coilovers.


I swapped the rear icon 2” coils for Metal Tech 3.5” progressive travel coils.

 

So much win! I plan on trying to make rausch creek next year with my truck

 

In April my FJ group does a Rausch weekend. You should try to make it!

 

Unfortunately april I have a trip planned to Windrock but i will make sure when i come to Roush ill give you guys a head up to make plans

 

That would be awesome man!

Edit: Updated second post.

 

How do you like the 3.5 compared to stock?

 

The journey of getting it working correctly has left a bad taste in my mouth.

I think once I swap to my softer springs and get the front end sitting a little lower, I’ll love it.

For now, I really enjoy how it handles on road, but the springs are too stiff.

It looks super cool too lol

 

It can be a lot of work for sure

 

In the long run, it’ll be awesome once I’m done with it!

I can’t wait to see your rig too. That thing is insane.