Exterior/Armor Modifications
Jan 5, 2008
Installed the Tundra CrewMax black door handles. Thanks to NDA431FJ for posting the idea
Experiment: Blackout door handle using Tundra handle covers, and sealevel for the 1-9 written steps to complete this (post #104 in the same thread)
Video:
[YOUTUBE]
I might get ambitious though and fab up my own.
Skids: I have plans in motion to fab up some UMHWPE skids.
As far as bumpers, for the front:
I love the looks of the Road Armor with the titan guard. What I hate is the price, the weight of the beast, and my local off-road shop says that they've had nothing but nightmares trying to get bumpers from them. I've been looking more seriously at some others. (I hate the pre-runner style, it looks too madmaxx for me). My requirements would be as follows: Better approach angle over stock (duh!). I would like integrated D-rings and fog lights. Winch mount. There is some talk on the bumper comparison thread as to the claims of airbag compatibility from mfgs. If I understand the airbag mechanism correctly it is not the front impact that ignites the airbag, but rather abrupt forward deceleration. Please chime in on this if you know better than I do. I don't see the point of making the safety gear on my truck inoperable, I would no sooner sacrifice my airbags for a front bumper, than I would sacrifice my seat belts for uber-cool heated leather seats with dvd players in the headrests. I don't love weighing my FJ down, but I am adding the Heavy OME lift up front so I am expecting to put some weight up there.
I
liked the fab fours bumper, but I've heard that they slip down and have to be readjusted from time to time.
If I had the money today I would go with the expedition-one diamond hoop. The bumper looks great and they are local(ish) boys.
For the rear my requirements are as follows: I want a bumper that has d-rings, integrated hitch or OEM hitch access, and accommodates existing rear backup sensors (don't want to waste them). I haven't seen an aftermarket bumper that gives worse angles than stock so that is not a major concern. Any thing else it may have would just be a bonus. (again, I'm not excited by the prerunner tube-style bumpers). I won't be needing a swing out tire carrier, because I'm just not manly enough for 35"s.
I don't care about finishes, I can powdercoat to my own tastes.
There will be a light-rack of some sort (I'm really liking the new lucrum one on Air2air's truck, a little pricey but wow!)
And I'll probably fab up some sort of modular basket/snowboard rack/recovery tool hanger thingy
