The Scorpion

[Tubig]

I think Uphill is just adding all this weight to his FJ so in the end he will have a reason to get a SC

[wrigman]

TCao previously said:

I second Larry's suggestion for the DO sliders as I'll be swapping my OEM sliders for the DO version. Jason is out of sliders right now but Jack started cutting and bending piece parts yesterday for the next batch.

Hey,

I tried to get him some Demello sliders by putting his name in the "Christmas giveaway". But Jason wouldn't do it for him. I even tried(it wasn't hard to do)to make him sound pitiful so he would get some attention. It didn't work!

[uphill]

jbousliman@comcast.net previously said:

That is one sweet ride. How much would you say you have in it? I want to start to modify mine in a similar fashion. What would you suggest to do first?

Historically speaking, lore from the dim and distant past has it that Dragons hoard treasure. I got a lot of ideas from the Forum Dragon.

To me the first and most important decision is what you want to do with the rig. Once you've thought that out, modify to fill that need - with some circumspection and consideration for your budget and what you really want to change. Remember that Toyota did a great deal of research before they cranked out the FJC - don't tear down a wall until you know why it was put up.

crazyhermit previously said:

At what point do you think you are adding too much extra weight to the FJ.

The "Two Buggies and an FJ" run was not what I expected it to be. My FJC is not designed to crawl rocks. Still, the run did tell me how far I could push it.

My real weight additions are the front (and soon rear) bumpers, skids and the coming fuel tank. Each of those adds strength or endurance to the rig that I'm trading for weight.

FUEL - Since a full extra fuel load for an expedition is 15 gallons, the 19 gallon tank is roughly a push for fuel weight. The extra metal isn't nearly as significant as the weight of fuel. Carrying it low drops my center of gravity. Carrying it on the roof raises it.
Fuel Weight in tank = Fuel Weight on roof
Benefit to tank = Lower COG

ARB Bumper - It is a heavy bumper but this model of bumper has been on the road with FJ80's and other rigs for a LONG time. The design is proven and need for the winch housing, etc. aside, I wanted a bumper that would help the FJ survive a highway collision with a deer. (kangaroo = deer)
ARB weight vs Road Armor, etc is about the same. The minimalist bumpers don't provide the protection that I want and I am trading weight for protection.

+150 lbs (vs about 75 lbs for the minimalist bumper)

Fab Fours Rear Bumper - Not on yet but soon. I want a swinging arm that will take the weight of the tire off of my rear door. That's important to me and may eventually save my rear door. It's a vanity move to some extent because of the design characteristics that I find appealing. It also replaces the tupperware panels around the rear with steel plate.

+185 lbs (ARB, WARN, Bent Up, rear bumpers weigh about 75 lbs.)

Tuffy Box - This is a weight neutral addition because the recovery gear on the roof was packed into 3 Pelican cases in the back and the Pelicans actually weigh more empty than the Tuffy. The tuffy does raise the COG but the back of my FJ isn't full of seldom used recovery gear.
Tuffy Box = Pelican Cases

Skid Plates/Sliders

- The ARB sliders weigh just about the same as any others and sliders save the rig so it's weight neutral - a necessity.
- The BudBuilt skids have saved my rig as well. A complete set of BudBuilt skids weighs in at a whopping 175 lbs. The more minimalist skid combos come in at 100 lbs but don't provide fuel tank protection, the cross member nor are they as wide.
175 lbs BudBuilt vs 100 lbs for minimalist skids

That's 260 pounds more weight than it might be if I went "minimalist". The trade off is more protection and lower COG.

I don't think that's a lot more weight. Less would be better but life is trade-offs. What do you think?

[uphill]

Most of the expedition stuff comes off unless I'm on the road doing that anyway but that 260 lbs (plus heavier tires and the aux battery) remains. It's like having a big guy in the passenger seat. And the Kokopelli Trail run taught me to TAKE LESS STUFF with me. I reduced the "stuff" by about 50%.

[uphill]

wrigman previously said:

Hey,

I tried to get him some Demello sliders by putting his name in the "Christmas giveaway". But Jason wouldn't do it for him. I even tried(it wasn't hard to do)to make him sound pitiful so he would get some attention. It didn't work!

I've been selling pencils outside the WalMart, trying to scrape up enough money for my next modification. Doesn't that count for anything?

[wrigman]

uphill previously said:

I've been selling pencils outside the WalMart, trying to scrape up enough money for my next modification. Doesn't that count for anything?

Maybe if we had this info BEFORE the giveaway you would have won!

[uphill]

The weather was threatening. Snow was predicted in the higher elevations. It's raining off and on in the LA/Orange County/Inland Empire. What does that mean to you? Right - ROAD TRIP! THUBUB said he was headed to the hills with his daughter, MISS THUBUB. It sounded like a great morning run to me.

Lytle Creek is located near the city of San Bernardino off Int. 15. From Int. 15, take Sierra Ave. exit and head NW into the mountains. Turns into Lytle Creek Rd. Continue past the town of Scotland to the North Fork.

It was foggy. Really foggy. Can't see your face in front of you foggy. That is to say that the weather was perfect for a challenging, technical day in the Sierra Nevada Range.

BUT WE WERE BETRAYED!

Once we turned from Lytle Creek Road to the Mt. Baldy Road, past Dog Bone Canyon the sun came out.


MISS THUBUB was happy to see the sun.

So she hugged her dad.

It was just a blue line on the Lowrence GPS heading off Mt. Baldy Road. We didn't see any sign of a road but THUBUB knew that the area contained a box canyon. So reckoning with the GPS we set off in search of the canyon. It's between Dog Bone Canyon and the Devil's Backbone for those of you who are familiar with the area.




Lytle Creek/Mt. Baldy 12-20-07

After we crossed boulder fields (and those of you familiar with the area know there is no shortage of rocks) we did find an indication that a road did run through the area at some point and followed it as best we could.


What time had not obscured, the snow covered.


Then sadly, we turned around and came back to civilization.


THUBUB (left) and UPHILL (right), wearing the T-Shirt Bud just sent me.

[Woodsman]

Dang, missed out on another excursion with Uphill

[redfernsoljah]

As a medic in the army I would like to add a few things to your list. Too Easy to add. Heck I would even be willing to send you em. My suggestions are added into your list in Red.


[CUT]
Aspirin Tablets(chewable)/Tylenol gel caps
Lomotil
Benadryl
1/8th of pure vodka
Lidocane 4%
Triple Antibiotic Ointment Packs
Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes
Hydrocortisone Cream Packs, 1%, 0.9 gm
Hand Sanitizer Packs
SAM Splints/Casts
SAM Finger Casts
Metal Finger Splints
Large Conforming Splints
5" x 9" Trauma Pads
4" x 4" Gauze Dressing Pads
3" x 3" Gauze Dressing Pads
4" Conforming Gauze Roll Bandage
3" Conforming Gauze Roll Bandage
1" x 10 yd. First Aid Tape Roll
3M heavy elastic tape (for wrapping breaks) 4" x 10 yd.
Instant Cold Compresses
Triangular Sling/Bandages (safety pins included)
3/4" x 3" Adhesive Plastic Bandages
1" x 3" Adhesive Plastic Bandages
2" x 4" Elbow and Knee Plastic Bandages
3/8" x 1-1/2" Junior Adhesive Plastic Bandages
1-1/2" x 1-1/2" Patch Plastic Bandages
Knuckle Fabric Bandages
Fingertip Fabric Bandages
Thermometers (one time use)
Tweezers
Scissors
Sterile needles
Latex-Free Exam Quality Gloves
Bag/Mask
QuickClot

[CUT]

Added by you Occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds:

Benzoin Tincture- to use for above dressing. When the bleeding is there the asherman chest seal does not want to stick.

Kerlex great for wrapping sam splints, ice packs, pressure dressings for gauze.

Nasal Pharyngal- This would be a great addition to your airway along with a tube of steri-lube. I would not suggest to everyone yet I am sure you have a good bit of medical training. Can use with patient unconsciousness or awake without the gag reflex. (there are some limitation on when to use during maxillofacial injuries.)

14 gauge needle in case of a tension pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung) again not for everyone yet again you should have enough knowledge to use this.

I would also add a CAT Tourniquet never know what could happen miles away from nowhere and could definitely save someone's life.

Mole skin

Space Blanket or a Woobie (I recommend the Kifaru)

Rehydration salts

Steri-strips good for cuts that need stitches.

I would also add the book Wilderness Medicine.

That is about all I can think o off the top of my head. I have a bag that stays with me with all my trauma stuff and field surgical when I am out. I am going to refine a kit for the F and will come p with a complete list I would like to talk to a couple of the manufactures out there that make bags for the FJ and put together some type of kit for everyone else. PM me I would be happy to send you a few of these items.

[FloJo]

might as well throw in some IV kits too and in my case, some immodium (ooops...i see you got Lomotil in there). btw...i'm a little late in this, but i really dig your roof mounted light bar!!! your rig and Shadow's keep getting better and better!