This truck is a beast. She has saved us so many times! The FJ has pulled many trucks out of the snow and mud, including my F350 from the frozen mud while attached to my car hauler with a 2007 Ranger on board!! This was the result:
We purchased front and rear third members from ECGS many moons ago, this FJ has 4.56 nitro gear sets with dual ARB lockers.
I too have melted the rear air line on the exhaust more then once.
I have had the third member out of the housing more times then I care to remember because it was one of the first FJ diffs Chase at ECGS setup with an ARB and it needed a re visit (or two!) I had to remove it package it up ship it to them and wait. However we now have lifetime warranty on both diffs so I'm happy.
The 07-09 FJC had a 8" rear end, which is pretty weak really for such a heavy SUV with so much torque and big tires, in 2010 they upgraded to a much stronger 8.2" rear end.
I wish we had one of those
We are stuck with our 8" for now, although I was looking at the Currie 9" or d60 rockjok axle this am very tempting!! $2500-4500 depending on how you build it.
This 2007 8" has gone 205+K miles now and the bearings are making noise on a side load.
I have already replaced the rear driveshaft with the new updated style, so we are good there.
I keep telling the wife I am going to setup a ford 8.8 to go back there with adapter to get the 6 lug pattern, there problem solved!
I am able to replace both rear wheel bearings, all seals, the rear brake rotors, pads and parking brake shoes and hardware for $380 rockauto along with the Toyota rear bearing press jig/ weld it yourself kit for $120....so now we are even more invested in this 8"
Local shops are $1200+ for this job using OEM style bearings.
I plan to cut the old bearing races from the factory axle shafts and use my 20 ton press and new Ebay Toyota jig to press on the new Timken bearings
Also the speedometer quit working, I believe the instrument cluster itself needs repair as all 6 speeds sensors are accounted for on the scanner
Sometimes I really love my 1988 Bronco II........a much more simple beast!
Here is the FJ again getting ready to strap another Gen II explorer back to the shop....during spring run off season we have alot of mud and the challenge is to get the trucks we buy back to the shop...this gold Gen II 4.o OHV only made it so far with its half bald goodyears lol