Niki

8 minutes ago, Frederic said:

With regards to an underseat sub, i think that's not easy to achieve and/or install. 

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-HQg9uVlbF7x/learn/q-a-about-compact-powered-subwoofers.html 

check out the ones listed here - they have a whole class of pre-built (sub, amp, enclosure, controls etc) under-seat subs and the install is supposedly done in 2 hours or less.  they are extremely shallow so the bass may be a let down for someone that had a dedicated one in the trunk but as an option for space saving it could work.  if i go this path i will share my experience.  that said, the option of a removable sub is tempting - the store showed me exactly such a pre-built box taking minimal space (as per @Heisem unit).  

ps @Ahab Shamaa the site above is a gift for any newbie to learn from and they make it super easy to look at options car specific etc.  dust off your wallet - i think its about to get some action! 

@topgear i have 2 wonderful kids (boy 8 and girl 9) - they both would love to come to the desert however i feel they may distract me a little ... the boy uses the bathroom it feels like, 4 times an hour and my daughter has zero bravery so i suspect the first dune i have to descend will trigger panic in her and she will be calling her mum! 

I will definitely bring them in the future - get my confidence up first (completed my 2nd drive a few weeks back) and once covid restrictions lifted a little and we do small gatherings for families as i think they will love to play in the dunes as much as the roler-coaster of being a passenger.  

i made sure to have the white text on the new tires left facing the inside so the wife doesn't know i have changed them!! at the moment she is in the early phases of her husband leaving every Friday for 6-7 hours ... though i am confident i will bring her to a future trip ... i actually want her to learn some of the basics as its a skills for us all, especially living out here.  

look forward to meeting you on a ride in the near future and thanks for all the encouragement 

@Frederic thank you for sharing your experience and as someone who had competition setups, that's a lot of quality advice!  removing the software EQ and sound controls from the phone as a source has made a huge difference to the setup so far.  It leaves me much happier and buys me some time to research and plan and future spend - i want to get the Amp right (am glad i added 8" mids as they deliver a decent level of bass even without a sub so for now, i have it much better than the stock and can not be tempted to buy so quickly future upgrades).

@Frederic did you consider (and dismiss quickly) the idea of an underseat sub (ultimate space saver but i suspect No Sub is better than poor quality for an audiophile) 

@Alexander Alcala now you getting me in trouble with the marshals and crew!!  ... as a disclaimer, the begining of my post, i mentioned this was to make the trip to and from the start points more pleasant .. lol (if i am caught pumping my poor taste in music during drives i will hang my head in shame!)

@Ahab Shamaa come on now!! you have the 'pin up FJ' - i stopped looking at mine now i have seen your queen!  Extreme, roof rack with the treads, a WINCH! and i bet the list is going on! ps my knowledge is due to the vast experience with google & 'copy-paste' - a whole days worth of knowledge is what i have  

@Gaurav with that setup i say you are the resident DJ at this Music Party! ... always welcome and appreciate the sharing! 

Tip for any Apple Music and Apple Car Play users - Settings>Music>EQ OFF & Sound Check OFF.  This has transformed the experience (still not amazing but now at least the music experience feels like an upgrade)

I am likely to take 3 stages to build out the system. 

Stage 1: Sound Proofing & Component Upgrade (sound is an improvement but not 'wow' yet, the deadening is really effective) 

• Component pack: Ground Zero GZRC 200NEO-IV
  • Front Doors 2x 8" Mid (120W RMS)
  • Dash mounted 2x 1" Dome Tweets 
• Sound Deadening
  • Door cards
  • Door shell 
  • Dash housing for the tweets

Stage 2: Feed the Component some real power & decide on Sub

• 5 Channel Amp - researching and deciding on budget including install 
• Matching Ground Zero Option GZHA MINI FIVE - Class D Mini 5 Channel Car Amplifier - 1200 Watt Max)
  • Channels: 5
  • Output Power (@ 4Ω) 4x 75 + 190 Watts RMS
  • Output Power (@ 2Ω) 4x 125 + 320 Watts RMS
  • max. Output 1200 Watts
• Subwoofer - more research needed
  • Underseat (Alpine options looks tempting right now)
  • small enclosed unit similar to @Heisem Pioneer setup (as i can still load items around/above it if needed)
  • FJ specific JBL option 
  • FJ Specific custom Fabrication 

Stage 3: Finishing touches - remove the remaining stock 4" speakers (rear pillar in trunk mounted speakers) 

• These bring such little value so once the other items are done i can see if it will bring anything to the setup and its likely a modest spend. 

will share my experience with the Ground Zero products - they are a well loved brand in europe and so far my biggest issue is the weak head-unit (processing and power) - and as my kids say my taste in music doesnt help either!!

32 minutes ago, Heisem said:

@Niki Patel the amp is where you will see the difference along with the sub. Right now your new speakers dont have juice to power. them. Get minimum 4 channel amp 😉.

You are a dangerous forum member @Heisem as this comment I have read as encouragement to go and get an amp 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ (And sub).  Thanks and nice hearing the shops suggestion validated also

8 hours ago, Wrangeld said:

Hi @Niki Patel

Thanks for showing interest. I am putting you on the waitlist already and if you cannot sign in will let you know about adding your name. I am sure you understand that actually adding you to the going list before the drive opens means we do not have a level playing field for everyone. 

I am sure that there will be spaces available for you as we opened up the drives to more cars in the convoy than ususal. 

Thank you @Wrangeld .. was online and booked  see you Friday morning 

Short update to close out the thread.  @Gaurav happy to say I found the size tires   and even better managed to sell my Dunlop’s for 1k to help ease the blow! 
 

I decided to remove the TPMS sesnors from all the wheels and have them sitting in a bag at home as the garage would put them all into the spare as per @Asif Hussain.  I tried and tried to convince them to do it but they refused lol. @Rahimdad I am now testing how OCD I really am as the warning light is now permanent.  I couldn’t remove a fuse to solve the warning light so if I struggle due to OCD it’s either black tape or a more drastic solution (on the FJ forums one owner in the US created a pressurized container with all 5 TPMS in that lol 😂) 

thanks for all the advice.. and glad to have got more suitable tires and learnt the TPMS lesson early enough to allow me to remove them all as I did the upgrade to the tires.  
 

Ground Zero Sound Proofing (5 sheets used) .. main install on door card and inside  of front doors.  They were generous and thorough with where they applied the stuff. 
 

Ground Zero 8” component kit (includes cross over and tweets) 

including fitting it cost a total 1600aed.  
 

I feel it’s a foundation for the next upgrade (adding an amp + underseat sub) 

@Heisem @topgear - i ignored my own (and your)  advice and went ahead with an upgrade!! i went to simply visit the store to look at audio options and ended up upgrading to component speakers for the front door and dash (8" mids in the door and tweets replacing the dash speakers).  I also go it all sound proofed/deadened.  the deadening / soundproofing was the most impressive part.  i am actually a little dissapointed with the audio quality and likely that is due to the headunit.  As lovely as a 12.1" screen is, the quality of the processor and amp is really poor - i would have been better off with the older units  according to the store.  will share some pics below and my experience if it helps other FJ owners.  overall i am actually happy as i feel changes in the future will wake up the speakers. 

look out for some more pics and details to help future FJ upgraders 

good morning @Wrangeld - excited to join this trip and i know registration opens up this evening.  As I may be on the road at that time, could you add me to the list as 'going' pls.  if not possible i will happily sit on a wait list as it seems the RSVPs fill up really fast.  

Great advice @Heisem ... again! 
 

I will certainly take my time ... it’s so tempting to just go rush and install as it’s made so easy to do out here (2hours and I have a sub!).  But I will spend some time reviewing the vids and pics as you mentioned to get to a decision. 
 

hope to see you out on the dunes in the future... am still at a newbie level but have caught the bug so 🤞🏽

@Heisem Massive thanks for sharing your setup, learnings, recommendations and pics!! Truly helpful and what i do have is audio envy  !! 

thankfully the standard head-unit is the 12" Apple's car play/android head unit so suspect it has a decent power output and processors but your pics and experience has me tempted for a proper amp + upgrades to the 4" mids.  

Soundproofing was a big lesson you have shared with us all if we change the door speakers!  much appreciated.  

I am going to do some more research, I have found an Alpine Amplified under-seat Sub fully fitted for 1200.  its hardly a comparison to your set up but may give me that extra bass whilst keep the trunk free?

will share the journey i take and certainly some pics.  I have some of the current factory fitted head-unit i will attach to this thread via my phone later this evening. 

<<Also posted on the Audio Advice channel/forum>>

Hi community,

2 drives into my Carnity experience, I am realizing how disappointing the stock Speakers in the new FJ Cruisers sound as the setup includes 8 speakers but no SubWoofer.  tiny sound, rattling doors and just a disappointing experience (that and the tyres are my only gripe - i love the car in every other way) 

With every future drive with the club being a minimum 2 hours round trip just to the meeting points, I feel the need to improve the Acoustics in the car and add some real bass/subwoofer. 

Current Setup:

• 2 small speakers on either side of the Dash
• 2 speakers in the front doors
• 2 Speakers in the rear pillar 
• 2 speakers in the roof/headlining above passengers
• 12" touch screen Android head unit
  • Toyota didn't provide any documentation for the head unit (so i do not know its specifications however will try and search for this form the FJCruiser Forum) 
  • i will try and source the manufacturer and specs of the current speakers also if that offers any value

My Goal:

• Not replace the current speakers (only 1 month in and i am not an audiophile (yet) so feel its just the low end i am missing out on) 
• add a subwoofer that will work well with the current set up
• ideally keep the trunk space empty (have though about under seat Subs?)
• open to using the space in the trunk if that's a better option
• budget - good quality sound (not needing competition grade and not looking for budget options) 
• Installation: if the team are looking for a small project i would happily get my hands dirty to learn and do it together otherwise i am looking to buy and install from the same place (as per previous advice on this forum) 

Help needed: 

1. Should I consider the stock FJ Subwoofers as an option? either from one of those scrap yards or second hand? 
2. or is there a far better sounding option by buying aftermarket stuff with a custom enclosure 
3. any advice on those that have added a Subwoofer to a stock system and the basics i will need (assumed a new Amp + sub and cabling being the only requirements?) - but assume i am wrong as a cross over i suspect is essential but do educate me here 
4. can the community help guide me on a recommended set up 
5. long shot - any of the group up to help install as a project or advise on suitable locations to source and fit they trust. 

thanks again 

Hi community,

2 drives into my Carnity experience, I am realizing how disappointing the stock Speakers in the new FJ Cruisers sound as the setup includes 8 speakers but no SubWoofer.  tiny sound, rattling doors and just a disappointing experience (that and the tyres are my only gripe - i love the car in every other way) 

With every future drive with the club being a minimum 2 hours round trip just to the meeting points, I feel the need to improve the Acoustics in the car and add some real bass/subwoofer. 

Current Setup:

• 2 small speakers on either side of the Dash
• 2 speakers in the front doors
• 2 Speakers in the rear pillar 
• 2 speakers in the roof/headlining above passengers
• 12" touch screen Android head unit
  • Toyota didn't provide any documentation for the head unit (so i do not know its specifications however will try and search for this form the FJCruiser Forum) 
  • i will try and source the manufacturer and specs of the current speakers also if that offers any value

My Goal:

• Not replace the current speakers (only 1 month in and i am not an audiophile (yet) so feel its just the low end i am missing out on) 
• add a subwoofer that will work well with the current set up
• ideally keep the trunk space empty (have though about under seat Subs?)
• open to using the space in the trunk if that's a better option
• budget - good quality sound (not needing competition grade and not looking for budget options) 
• Installation: if the team are looking for a small project i would happily get my hands dirty to learn and do it together otherwise i am looking to buy and install from the same place (as per previous advice on this forum) 

Help needed: 

1. Should I consider the stock FJ Subwoofers as an option? either from one of those scrap yards or second hand? 
2. or is there a far better sounding option by buying aftermarket stuff with a custom enclosure 
3. any advice on thsoe that have added a Subwoofer to a stock system and the basics i will need (assumed a new Amp + sub and cabling being the only requirements?) - but assume i am wrong as a cross over i suspect is essential but do educate me here 
4. can the community help guide me on a recommended set up 
5. long shot - any of the group up to help install as a project or advise on suitable locations to source and fit they trust. 

thanks again 

@Gaurav. @Chaitanya D thank you for the trip today!  Was a big step up from the absolute newbie session last week!  
 

Getting a better feel for the car (finding the psi that matches my driving style, learning to throttle and turn smoother, power of manual gears).  
 

Your coaching, support, patience, the stunning landscape/views PLUS no ‘pop out’ made this a truly enjoyable experience!

Enjoy your weekend all and look forward to seeing many of you again on the next newbie trip over the coming weeks! 
 

have put some pics up on the gallery however having seen what @Umar Kamal shot.... skip past mine and look at the awesome pictures he took! 

5 hours ago, Ahab Shamaa said:

Hey @Niki Patel, you’re such a gentleman being concerned for the wellbeing of others. I applaud that trait, but as Jedi Master @Gaurav said, you should be fine; just take it easy and enjoy yourself. Lots of fellow drivers have H rated tires... 

My absolute newbie drive was led by @Gaurav. I got stuck so badly within two minutes of starting the drive, that Gaurav had to drive my car to get it out of the sand. Then I got stuck again after a few minutes. In my case, it wasn’t so much the tires, as it was my idiocy 😂 I thought I was in 4 Hi while in reality I was 2 wheel drive mode. Then when I got it to 4 Hi, I didn’t know how to turn off the traction controls (I thought I did). It wasn’t until my third drive, that a fellow driver showed me how.
The moral of the story is for you to go into these drives whole heartedly, and face whatever happens as a group/team.

Finally, you drive a 2020 “queen of the desert” for crying out loud, it can’t get much better than that😀

Enjoy your drive and see you soon!

@Ahab Shamaa 🤜🏽🤛🏽 ... Queens rule (for some nationalities that’s literally true also  )

Thank you also for sharing your experiences ... it really helps build confidence knowing the journey others have been on!  Looking forward to building on these experiences and learning on each trip! See you soon!.

2 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

I appreciate your concern, but I feel you have taken my previous advise way too seriously.

• Dunlop Grandtrek aren't horrendous for offroading.
• They are not forbidden tires, it just that they are less preferable.
• You can still SAFELY use them for few months to year (even) if you just deflate them to 14 - 15 PSI.

We have had so many cars using grandtrek but with a caution of precise deflation and not hard steering. That's it.

See you can resell them to buy a Yoko. If you can't then use them and try at 14-15 PSI for next few drives with your newly adjusted drive style.

If you still pop them out on every drive, I will keep increasing 1 PSI until you find a sweet spot, but Im sure they wont pop out at 15 PSI (most likely).

P.S. And don't worry too much about babysitting, as we all love that challenge and helping each other like we mention its a teamsport and not glory for one.

Thank you @Gaurav ... I did indeed go literal 🤦🏽‍♂️ ... so happy to read this and see you Friday l!  @Michael Gazi sorry this time I cannot sacrifice the spot but really hope you make it via the wait list and get to see you Friday also! 
 

@Gaurav if I cannot secure the new AT tires in time for the drive on Friday, knowing I am an absolute novice and running ‘pop out kings’ do you feel it would be better I free up my slot for others and book again once am fitted out with a more tolerant set up for someone of my abilities .  I know it’s all about the driver and not the car/mods ... just want to make sure it’s a fun experience for all vs baby sitting a newbie.  

1 hour ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Hi @Niki Patel. Sorry for my late reply, but I have been taken by a few working issues.

Regarding your comments, first of all do NOT worry too much about pop-outs. They happen, and yes, they often can be avoided, but off-roading, especially on sand, is a sport with a lot of variables in play, many of them not in the control of the driver, so pop-outs (and other small incidents) DO happen. Their likelihood may be reduced: 1) with the choice of tires that minimize them (see @Gaurav and others' comments),2)  with being careful not to slide sideways toward a flat (and hard) surface, and in general avoiding "angles" between tires and ground which may bee too sharp, 3) with avoiding sharp turns at high speed (ex. you can even have pop-outs on tarmac, if you drive deflated and take roundabouts too fast). So don't beat yourself too hard for what happened.

Also, 4) deflation is an issue in controlling pop-outs. It was your first drive on sand with a new car/set of tires. Being familiar with my own FJ, and my own Michelin tires, I suggested you go down to about 13psi: that may have been a bit too much, but then again, I am aware of the possibility of pop-outs, and I weight it out against the opportunity to enjoy a smoother, more efficient, drive on sand (if deflated to 15-16 psi, the performance of my FJ would suffer a bit), even at the cost of having to be a more careful about pop-outs (see paragraph above).

So, as you will find out for yourself, it just takes you to get more familiar and "in tune" with your car, its potential Vs. your own driving style, and things will come together for you, and balance out, eventually.

About the car's electronics, I just put in a kill-switch right away, and got done with all the headaches of dealing with the fuses, switches, etc. You can do that in due time, but at a certain point, if you persist in off-roading, and rise in rank, you'll have to do it. 

Anyways, the fact you are so interested and keen to learn speaks a lot about your potential. Keep it up, be patient, learn how to perfect your driving skills Vs. your car's characteristics and potential (even as close to stock as it comes), and you'll enjoy your new hobby. 

See you soon out there.

Thank you @Ale Vallecchi for the feedback and encouragement!!  You are absolutely right to direct my focus on building my driving skills and I need to really develop a feel for the car as it’s still completely new for me in that environment!  1000km on tarmac allowed me to master the stereo but that’s about it  

Looking forward to the next experience as a newbie and will take the lessons learnt with me regarding approach coming down, limiting the sliding sideways and over aggression on turning. knowing I may have a more forgiving experience in a more appropriate set of tires - if I can secure these by Friday I will likely make that investment (if nothing more it will give a little more tolerance as I continue to learn and develop my style and confidence)

1 hour ago, Asif Hussain said:

@Niki Patel after loosing 3 TPMS and AED 900 to fix it, I came up with a unique idea sitting at home. TPMS in my ford is fixed in the middle of rim using metal band. I removed all 4 TPMS and fixed in spare tyre (all four in one) and my problem was solved and i is to have pop out happily😃. I guess your model has a TPMS in valve and my idea will not work for you. There is way out to delete this warning light permanently from ECU or by bypassing. Yota forums will definitely have solution for you.

@Asif Hussain huge thanks for sharing your experience and hack ... that’s an ingenious solution !!!!! When switching out tires I will ask the garage if that’s an option!!
 

I thankfully don’t suffer from OCD as previously stated so can likely just ignore the light for now and when in for a service will enquirie about getting it deactivated properly... as it’s a warning light vs showing actual pressure the value is really limited 

@Rahimdad not only does this group teach how to read dunes, it seems reading the spouses and choosing the right track is also one of the value props!   ... what a community 

i will take the experience of this group to hand, am planning on joining every other week (after this Friday  ) to ease the change but will want to join on a weekly basis as soon as i can.  the drive and experience already frees the mind from the week gone!

I sometimes feel the wife worries about the car more than me - she has grown attached to it even though it was my mid-life-crisis toy! 

@Srikumar pls remove me from the waitlist.  This trip has come just a little too early for me.  Thanks for follow up! 

3 minutes ago, Srikumar said:

There is a way if you can manage 2 drives next weekend (Morning and Afternoon). 

@Srikumar that would end my marriage!! Let me see if I can bribe my way to freedom... I am not giving up hope! Thank you for this option! 

@Srikumar 🤣😂 I am counting down the days as that feel like a statement said to a ‘free’ man! 

Hey @Ahab Shamaa ... @Ale Vallecchi actually is first on my Xmas list.  I think I was the definition of a total newbie, I had no experience even airing down my tires and he, with no judgement just made it so easy from me!  As a first interaction with a group I lucked out having him there to help!     If he’s a whiskey man I also may need to x2 the order for sure.  Now adding you and @Najeeb Mohammed I may move to date Champaign instead to ensure I have some aed left to buy the kids something  

Cannot wait to join you on a drive @Ahab Shamaa don’t rush to the new level!!   If you able to could you also share details of where you picked up your set of tires on our FJ forum (the thread I followed with yourself and Gaurav was intentionally cryptic I know  )

also I clearly don’t know much... holding the traction control switch turned traction control and vsc  offf (not abs) and I suspect it was the vsc kicking in that I heard (not abs!) you were right ... just read the manual. 
 

My car the airbag light stays on permanent ... not sure if that’s by design as when buying they added a few Offroad dealer fitted stuff (dual fuel tank, compressor, flag pole and flag bracket).. maybe they disabled the airbags knowing the intended use?  Again I am learning from absolute basics so will double check with the dealership over the week! 
 

for the TPMS I plan to ask them to remove and place a standard valve in its place ... didn’t get to play with the fuses this evening so will also give that a try! 
 

thank you for the welcome and constant support!  Never met before but the support is that of friends on this group!  Grateful 🙏🏽
 

I’ve seen some more drives just posted so better let the wife down again and get myself booked for next Friday! 

17 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Yes if its distraction to see that icon, then find the fuse in fuse diagram box and pull to see if it disable TPMS completely, although I doubt, but worth a shot 5 min DIY.

More than the whiskey, I need a calorie burner, tbh. I mentioned I love doing the shoveling to justify my calorie intake (for JD), as I find shoveling is very good compound exercise.

Another great tip!  Will try that this evening.  The calorie burning may explain why your shovel was so heavy!! I had to use 2 hands to move it 😂 ... to be a good citizen the next trip we do together I will be sure to keep the Dunlop’s on