Black Lifted Toyota FJ Cruiser Off Road build With Long Travel Pre Runner Suspension

The Toyota FJ Cruiser remains one of the most popular 4×4 vehicles even a decade after this model was discontinued. Today we’re featuring one of the cleanest Toyota FJ Cruiser off-road builds, outfitted with beefy 33-inch tires and long travel suspension with King shocks. It’s owned and modified by Tom Segura from North Carolina, who was kind enough to tell us more about his awesome project build.

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Off Road Build Specs

Lift height and suspension modifications

• 3-3.5” of lift from adjustable King reservoir coilovers with compression adjusters
• JBA upper control arms in the front
• King reservoir shocks with compression adjusters in the rear

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Wheel specs

• 17×9” -38 Stealth Custom Series BR6 in black with gunmetal grey spokes
• 33 x 12.50r17 Gladiator X-Comp MT tires

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Exterior mods

• OEM black trail teams edition grille
• Lumen LED headlights
• Auxbeam LED’s
• New OEM smoked tail lights
• Blacked out bumper fins & silver accents

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through some of the product links in this post.

Parts Recommended by Offroadium

Lift Kit

• Rough Country 3″ Lift Kit – Front and Rear
• Spidertrax WHS007 Blue Wheel Spacer Kit – 1.25″ thick

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Body Armor

• N-Fab Pre-runner Bumper – With Skid Pate
• Tyger Auto Side Guard/Steps – Frame-mount

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Roof Rack

• Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack Kit (07-14 FJ Cruiser) – Complete kit includes a Front Runner tray 1255mm x 1964mm, 2 foot rails and wind deflector

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Roof Top Tent

• Front Runner Roof Top Tent – Lightweight & Low-Profile

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Awning

• Rhino-Rack Sunseeker Awning – 6.6ft 2.0m available in various sizes

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Lights

• DNA MOTORING Black Headlights With LED DRL +Sequential Turn Signals
• KC HiLiTES Gravity Pro6 LED Light Bar – 50″ Combo System

To ensure proper fit and compatibility, we recommend you verify any selected parts or accessories with a qualified professional or seller prior to ordering.

Technical Details

Model: Toyota FJ Cruiser 2010

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Production years: 2006-2014

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Approximate prices on the market (Used): $10,00-$17,000 ⓘ

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Engine: 4.0L V6 Naturally Aspirated

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Drivetrain: Four-Wheel-Drive

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Construction: Body On Frame

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Traction Enhancement Devices: Rear Locker

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Low Range: Yes

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Stock wheel size: 265/70R17 – 32″

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Offroad Wheel Size: Up to 33″

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Build Level: Advanced

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Budget: $$$$

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Off-road Capability Score: 55/70

ⓘ How did we get this score?

Off Road Heritage

Paying homage to the original Toyota FJ40, the FJ Cruiser, introduced to the market in 2006, features a boxy design and round, very close-set headlights for such a wide-bodied vehicle. This gives the SUV a unique, distinctive look, which attracted tens of thousands of buyers in the U.S. from 2006 until 2014.

t’s not the most versatile vehicle on the road, but if you want to test its capabilities off the beaten path, you will surely be impressed. Extreme off-road trails – that’s where the FJ Cruiser really shines. Even the stock suspension setup has enough articulation to allow the vehicle to effortlessly crawl over boulders and logs.

Interview With The Owner

Driving comfort and reliability, the look that doesn’t blend in – these were the main reasons why Tom Segura from North Carolina has traded his 2019 4Runner TRD for the FJ Cruiser in April 2020. And the first thing he did is installed new LED lights front and back and blacked out all silver exterior parts: the grille, bumper inserts, mirrors, and door handles to make it look even more unique and aggressive.

The suspension lift and custom wheels wrapped in mud-terrain tires complete the picture and make the truck even more capable off-road. We feel that this is just the beginning of this vehicle’s modification journey and keep a close eye on Tom’s FJ Reaper project.

How did you become interested in off-roading?

I’ve always liked trucks/cars growing up and when I got my first vehicle back in high school I went mud riding with some friends and I got hooked. After that I took my truck (2005 Nissan Xterra at the time) on trails almost every day after school both for the fun of riding and also to see new places/photograph. (I’m also into photography)

Why did you choose this particular model for your project?

Reliability, uniqueness, rarity (compared the things like Jeeps, trucks, etc), quirkiness, and the flat out capability of the FJ. I like to stand out and the FJ does that. They also hold incredible value and will never leave you stranded all while having the ability to take you pretty much anywhere you could ever want to go!

What inspired you to choose this modification style?

I’ve always been into pre-runners and been interested in high speed off roading but with long travel being on the pricey side, I could not quite justify spending so much on a (at the time) daily driver, so I decided to go with a mid travel setup. But I did stick with an extended travel coilover/shock with compression adjustability that way I can do some higher speed stuff if I feel like it.

What challenges did you face while putting it together?

The only real challenge was getting the specs right. Ordering suspension that fits the specs and needs that I was trying to achieve along with the right wheel offset/tire size that both looks and performs the part. Forums were my best friend for that!

What do you love about your vehicle?

It’s super unique, capable, reliable, and it’s just “me”. Most FJ’s are different from one another because each owner has their own style and needs and I like that.

Is it your daily or a weekend ride?

It started as my daily but now it’s more of my toy. It’s great for both applications aside from gas mileage!

Do you take it off road? If so, where and how often?

I don’t as much as I would like to. I bought it shortly after moving to NC so I don’t know all the places like I did before moving. Mostly just trips to the beach as of now.

“A Toyota FJ-Cruiser has made its way into the list of 15 Best Off Road SUVs of All Times and proudly scored 121.6 points overall according our evaluation tests”.

See Also

4″ Lifted Land Rover Discovery 1 Overland Build on 35 inch Tires

Interior mods

Interior is bone stock so far as I haven’t even had the truck for a year yet so it’s a work in progress!

What are your future plans about this vehicle?

I plan to do a body mount chop for tire clearance along with front and rear armor. Other than that, I’ve really taken it as far as I planned. I may also do more cosmetics like color matching the roof and such

Anything else you would like to share about your vehicle or about the off-roading in general?

I think I’ve covered it. I’ve had 17 vehicles the last few years (I like to buy, build, then sell a lot) and I got to say the FJ is different. I love it differently than anything else and it’s definitely one of my favorites!

Watch the progress and find out more about this Toyota FJ-Cruiser project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @fj.reaper!

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through some of the product links in this post.

Off-road Capability Score: 55/70

With its body-on-frame construction (5 Points), 4WD drivetrain, rear locker(10 points), and low range transfer case(10 Points), the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser featured already has strong off-road credentials before modifications. The 3.5″ lift kit, long travel King shocks, and aggressive 33″ mud terrain tires (30 Points together) further optimize it for traversing rugged trails.

The total score of 55 out of 70 possible points reflects these meaningful upgrades that transform the FJ into a highly capable off-road rig. While not a rock crawler or dedicated prerunner, it strikes an ideal balance for recreational trail driving, light overlanding trips, and advanced off-road use.

Complexity Level: Advanced

The coilovers, upper and lower control arms, reservoir shocks, and wheel/tire package exemplify the “Advanced” level of modifications. Quality components were selected to substantially improve ride quality, articulation, and traction over stock equipment. The attention to suspension geometry shows an emphasis on performance over cost.

Budget: $$$$

Considering the King shocks, JBA arms, Stealth wheels, and Gladiator tires, it’s clear that a significant budget funded the modifications. The cost of these parts combined with professional installation likely amount to over $10,000 in upgrades. We estimate this build falls into the “$$$$” category for modification spend.

While not the most extreme FJ Cruiser ever featured, the meaningful upgrades make this a well-rounded, highly capable trail rig perfect for Tom’s needs.

Author’s Opinion

Having worked on a good dozen of FJ Cruisers over my career, I can confidently say it’s one of the most capable and enduring off-road platforms available. The sturdy ladder frame, four-wheel-drive, and available locking rear differential give drivers tremendous control when traversing rough terrain.

However, through repairing and upgrading customer vehicles, I have noticed a few common problems over the years:

• Pretty bad vision because of the windshield design (There are plenty of blind spots)
• Pretty bad gas mileage
• Knocks in the steering wheel
• Freedom top leaking
• Rattling and clunking doors when you go over rough sections of road
• Frame rust may appear on older beaters

Overall it’s a reliable, durable vehicle that’s built for adventure. But before installing any off-road modifications, make sure to stay on top of routine maintenance and address any mechanical issues. Refer to the factory service manual if tackling repairs yourself. Proper care is crucial to keeping your FJ running strong on and off the beaten path.

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