What's in a name?
Even the Bible says that "A good name is rather to be chosen than gold". For my rig, I went retro and named it after the man who put the Landcruisers on the map, literally.
"In July of 1951, Toyota Test driver
Ichiro Taira drove a BJ prototype to the sixth of the 10 hikers checkpoints on Japan's 12,388 foot Mount Fuji. That was higher than anyone thought likely-or even possible -in a four wheel motor vehicle. Then inspired by a historic horseback riding feat accomplised centuries earlier, Taira drove to Okazaki City and up steep temple stairs. Taira's drive drew attention to the BJ"
-Larry Edsall
Here is my rig:
^^^^^photo by L8Apex ^^^^^
Modifications
The
rock rails are made by Trail Gear.
My Trail Gear Slider Story (pics)
The
suspension system is OME885 Springs in front with N140S Struts, and OME895 Springs in back with N141 Shocks
OME Lift. *sigh* Finally got her done.
The
wheels are ProComp Xtreme 7089 alloys
Dragon Cruiser Sporting Pro Comps and the
tires are Firestone Destination 285/70/17 MT's
Blizzard + FJ + Destinations = Blast (pics)
I chopped the body mounts for the tires to be able to turn fully.
I did the Chop
The
Light Bar is the Dakar Bar (tweaked a bit)
Dakar Bar Stock Headlight Obstruction Fix
...and the
Lights are PIAA 580 fogs and 580 Driving lights
Ahh, now I see
^^^^^Photo by FJSoHot ^^^^^
I extended the
differential and electronic locker breathers as well as the transfer case and automatic transmission breathers to the front engine bay
SCUBA Driver Transmission, Transfer Case, Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather MOD
Gear
I picked up a
HiLift Extreme jack
The
lock is made by Schlage.
The
mount for the HiLift is made by FourTreks (It's incredibly made)
I purchased some
Scepter fuel and water cans (Top quality!!! )
The
lock is again, made by Schlage
Exterior Appearance
Well, I
blacked out everything silver
Blacked out Dragon Cruiser
Including the front bezel
The Painted Bezel Thread
I
debadged it, except for the Front "Toyota" and the back logo, which I moved south
What I did to the Toyota Emblem
I think I might be finished until next year. Lower Control Arms, Skiddies, and some winch set up will be in order.
Edit Sept 07
Ok, I was not finished for this year. I won the Bud Built front skid plate at Coon Creek Crawl.
10/24/07
Added Black Billet aluminum shift knobs and Black Billet aluminum mirror light louvers
Black Billet Shifters / Mirror Light Covers
12/1/07
I really thought I was done for the year. 
Maybe now?
Tacozilla is a forum sponsor and overall good guy. I called him and while ordering a
Safari Snorkel I got impulsive and bougt a
TRD Cold Air Intake and a
TRD Exhaust
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...ly-dragon.html
The install of any one of these is easy, but the transition from the snorkel to the CAI took a bit of creativity.
Here they are:
Snorkel
CAI
3/1/08
Added Digger Links in the rear; upper and lower
Taira gets Digger Links
6/6/08. I designed and made my own light bar, after the Dakar Bar rusted through. Home Made Light Bar (Dakar style). Keep It Simple Stupid (Kiss)
Thanks to this community and wealth of information, it is hard to go wrong with mods if you do your homework first. Some of the people on this site have such an incredible wealth of knowledge, that just by using the search function even an average guy like me can't screw it up too bad
