Stanley (gericurl76's '07 Black Diamond)

[gericurl76]

Our FJ is named Stanley (after the character of the same name on the office)


I hijacked the first 4 posts in an attempt to stay organized.

I will keep this as a list of goals/ideas as well as a journal of what I have done/spent. I'm also trying to make videos of all the mods I do myself. I don't have a lot of mechanical experience, but I've been able to figure out anything I've put my mind to. I think some video might help alleviate some hesitation in people that are not mechanically inclined. So far I am pleasantly surprised at just how easy the mods have been. (wait until I put in my lift then we'll see)

I just finished school less than a year ago so I still have student loans to pay off, that means this will go a little bit slower than some others on here. But lack of money will force me to think and work harder for what I want. I graduated in Graphic design so if any vendors out there would like to trade product for some help with your brand identity, website, whatever, PM me and we'll deal. (so many of you are in desperate need of help with this, a little attention to your identity will yield increased $ over the life of your brand).

OEM hardware to mount roof rack......................................$36.86 (TRD source)
OEM Roof Rack (Christmas Present)....................................$0.00 (Mother-in-law)
'08 Side flip down visors............................................ .......$63.82 (TRD Source)
White paint for bezel (with misc prep stuff)..........................$31.93 (Local automotive paint supply)
OEM rubber floor and cargo area mats.................................$166.24 (Local Dealership)
Black Tundra Crew max Handles.........................................$5 9.26 (Local Dealership)
OME Heavy/Medium Springs & Shocks..................................$625.00 (Never opened from Cadaver)
Automotive fire extinguisher (Christmas)..............................$0.00 (Sister-in-law)
OEM Tow Hitch............................................. ....................$269.59 (TRD Source)
Manik Tail light Guards............................................ ..........$161.75 (Manik)

Total so far:.............................................. ......................$1414.45
(Now I see why some of you burn your receipts, though this is nothing compared to what a lot of you spend)

Feel free to chime in with suggestions or comments. This is my first real off-road vehicle and I need all the help I can get (which is why I live my second life on this forum) If you are a vendor you have my permission to try and peddle me your goods here. I'll take every thing you say with a grain of salt, but I understand that he who makes a product knows it better than anyone else. If I buy your stuff, it will be the best endorsement Stanley can give.


Engine/Performance Mods:

The truck came with the TRD catback
I plan to add A CAI and/or snorkle (I just saw a new combo kit prototype I'm liking alot)
I need to move all my low breathers north (scuba driver etc)
I'm sure there will be a second battery setup in the future
The stock horn seems weak to me

[gericurl76]

Interior Modifications

Jan 5, 2008 - Unpackaged and "installed" my All-weather floor mats (sorry no pics or video. Just not that exciting).

Also I installed the '08 flip down side sun-visors.
Install Video:
[YOUTUBE]

Modbook - The first and only tablet Mac® computer solution! - Other World Computing

It would sit flush against big flat plastic piece above the passenger glove box, but would be inserted into a frame that would swing out and give a solo driver access to it (like the laptops in squad cars). I could mount a video camera on my rig and import directly to iMovie. Maybe I could even skip the iPod integration and pump iTunes directly into my stereo. This is a good idea if I do say so myself.

I will eventually add the wet okole seat covers, very good for snowboarding and wakeboarding, also I've heard tell of seats getting fuzzy after a little while. Maybe on the 4th group buy.

Oh yeah and I'm looking around at CB radio's/set-ups. I'm totally lost here. This is territory I am totally foreign to. I'm into the bandi mount for sure (good job buddy), but I've got hick friends telling me one thing and city goin' folk telling me something else. I will never be tempted to talk to truckers on I-15 so what do I need? What the H is squelch? Do I need one of those 8-track deck lookin' knob boxes or are the little handhelds good enough?

[gericurl76]

Suspension/Wheels

Jan 3,2008 Finalized a deal with Cadaver for his unused OME lift
for the front: OME 886 springs & N140S shocks (Heavy because I plan on adding bumper, winch, etc.)
895 springs & OME N141 shocks (Medium because even with a rear bumper and a bigger spare, I won't need more)
(install vid to follow, if I can cowboy up enough to attempt it myself)

I can't afford new tires and wheels right now. So I'm worried about putting the lift on until I get some. Oh well I guess I won't be getting off-road too much in the snow we've got. So maybe I've got time to get some cash together for some new kicks.

I can't exactly figure out why, but I'm really liking the teflon mojave rims. (american racing?) I'm not trying to black out my rig or anything, I just think they look B****in'. My wife likes chrome (her parents own Ogden Chrome plating) I guess if I use my allowance to pay for them, she can pipe down.

Tire size/brand I am still researching. All these numbers are just starting to make sense in my head. I don't have another car, so this is my daily driver. The new tires should have an excellent on-road rating (for an off-road tire). I don't do much sand if any. It will probably be mud and rocks, and lots of snow.

I will do the body chop if I have to, and I'm pretty sure the mudflaps will have to come off with bigger tires, we'll see how big I go and all that.

[gericurl76]

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

[wesco]

well' its o'kay your pacing yourself on the modding your fj. the vehicle is pretty much capable in stock form.

[bandi]

REPS For you SIR !... Gtreat Video, and Music !...

gericurl76 previously said:

Interior Modifications

Jan 5, 2008 - Unpackaged and "installed" my All-weather floor mats (sorry no pics or video. Just not that exciting).

Also I installed the '08 flip down side sun-visors.
Install Video:

[mattmainster]

One Stanley Nickle for you. Sorry, I'm fresh out of Schrute Bucks!

[Top Gun Customz]

Looks like you're already making some good progress.

[frogeye]

Great vids and nice mods man. The Office! Good stuff. Great name for your rig.

[wesco]

vids are excellent sometimes its a alot easier viewed then reading or vise versa..