The Scorpion

[uphill]

shadow-warrior previously said:

You going to post some before and after pics of the body mount chop?

The first chop of the "body mount" is done and it looks like everyone else's chops with the welded piece/painted covering the chop. If I hadn't removed that I would have rubbing issues there -- but I don't.

The "second chop" will go down after the new aluminium UCA's are installed because they do move the position of the wheel slightly. That will change the position of the tire to the body and no need to chop until it's "where it will be". I'll post before and afters on that one. Essentially the plastic crap at the rear of the front wheel well (why is it there in the first place??) must go because that's where it's rubbing. I think that will do it but if we need to be more aggressive, we will be. That's one thing that Jason Demello is not shy about (aggressive modification to suit the purpose).

[Shadow-Warrior]

uphill previously said:

I think that will do it but if we need to be more aggressive, we will be. That's one thing that Jason Demello is not shy about (aggressive modification to suit the purpose).

Yeh, I have seen the pics of Todds (Air2air)

Thanks buddy

[uphill]

shadow-warrior previously said:

Yeh, I have seen the pics of Todds (Air2air)

I'm waiting for Jason to suggest a full internal roll cage. And I don't know if I can resist. Where the FJ is concerned I can resist anything but temptation.

[Dragon]

uphill previously said:

I'm waiting for Jason to suggest a full internal roll cage. And I don't know if I can resist. Where the FJ is concerned I can resist anything but temptation.

http://www.swracecars.com/shopdispla...ch=Yes&sppp=15

[Archy Chris]

Nice Build-Up! Thanks for sharing.

[FJrod]

looks good bro...se you soon

[Fjamming]

uphill previously said:

I'm waiting for Jason to suggest a full internal roll cage. And I don't know if I can resist. Where the FJ is concerned I can resist anything but temptation.

Inchworm...lefty...craw gear...solid axle...portals...cage...

[uphill]

Fjamming previously said:

Inchworm...lefty...craw gear...solid axle...portals...cage...

Thanks, Tony -- like I needed suggestions/temptations -- but I'm looking hard at the URD Supercharger as the next big mod -- and the transmission gear ratio change since that's a given if I boost the HP along with the larger tires I'm running. I've been chatting with AIR2AIR and he seems to be on the cutting edge of the whole FJ Supercharger metamorphasis. URD is coming out with a new supercharger in a few months that's significantly less expensive than the present model.

[uphill]

RUBBING ISSUES - Nitto Terra Grappler AT 305/70/R17



I know a lot of you have talked about getting 35x17 tires but it's going to require a 6" lift to make that dog hunt. I'm running a (roughly) 3" lift over stock with the DR's. The T/G's are just under 34" and this is what it is like at full lock: (note the contact with the mud-guard mounting)



So I took off the mud guards since the rub was not against the chopped body mount, but against the mud flap rubber:



It clears, but not by much - maybe 1/3 inch. That was the R/F tire. Because of lighting, you can see it more clearly on the L/F tire:



TIGHTENING THE BEADLOCK RINGS ON THE WALKER EVANS WHEELS:

I've put about 600 miles on the new tires and just tightened the Walker Evans Beadlocks for the first time. Each bolt took about 1 turn to click the torque wrench at 20 lbs. The Gorrila lugs were all tight.

NOW AND THEN
The FJ is cool. I like the FJ a lot. But this was my ride --- in another life:



(photo taken at Camp Billy Machim near Nyland, California - between the Salton Sea and the Chocolate Mountains in 1989 prior to the First Gulf War)

[uphill]

CB ANTENNA CHOICE: 5’ Wilson Silver Load



Incorporating the now famous BANDI mount (of course)!

unfortunately, size does matter

About 60% of the antenna should be above the plane that the antenna is broadcasting from. When I throw on metal fuel cans, that means a 5' antenna. I know that many of you have smaller antennas and they work but they won't work as well. The 5' antenna does pose problems with drive-through bank/fast food, etc. situations and use the quick disconnect for daily driving and just leave the antenna inside the FJ when I'm not going to use the CB.

This is why I chose the Wilson 5' antenna.

(1) My radio is a P.O.S. Midland 75-822 Handheld CB Radio with Vehicle Adapter. So we're not talking high output and high quality. However for the FJ, it works and while I tend to be a radio snob, I put that ego away and bought the most adaptable unit I could find.

(2) Given the above, I wanted the best possible signal. So we are left with the antenna and a good signal match. Those are the only variables left to me.

(3) I wanted an extremely rigid antenna that didn't flex around, smacking the FJ (damaging the antenna).

So given the variables: 5' (60% above plane), rigid, and higher gain, I had to look at what was out there.

Many of the popular fiberglass antennas put losses, like a dummy load, to make their antenna look good on the SWR meter, but sacrificed most of the power gain. (not good considering we're starting out with the POS radio)



I found propaganda from Wilson on the 4' antennas (above) but nothing was available for the 5' antennas. I think that the same ratios apply.

Features of this antenna:

Wilson designed the Silver Load, with an impedance matching transformer, to give good SWR without sacrificing power gain. Additionally, using spaced windings on the top load to eliminate the dielectric losses, and silver plated wire for maximum radiation.

-It uses a flying lead from the antenna DC ground to reduce static & ignition interference.
-Adjustable tip for fine tuning SWR & Resonant Frequency.
-3/8" Fiberglass rod for heavy duty performance on FGT
-Fully linear top loaded for maximum transfer of power out of antenna (better than Helical winding).
-Spaced winding to reduce dielectric heat loss.
-18 gauge silver plated wire to reduce resistive losses on FGT
-PVC protective covering around antenna on FGT
-Impedance matching transformer (paragraph above)
-Power Handling: 5 ft. @ 1,000 watts. Since the Midland puts out 2.5 watts on a good day, I'm not overloading the antenna's capability.