Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

[volhoo]

Trail Reports

Big Bear Mine Tour - August 8th, 2009 Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Summit #3 Road Trip- July 11 – 26, 2009 Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Anza-Boreggo / Laguna Mountain - 4/8 through 4/11/2009 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Silverwood Lake 3/28 & 29/09 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Hungry Valley 3/12/09 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Hauser Geode Beds 12/26/08 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Vegas Snow '08 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Joshua Tree - Brooklyn Mine Trail - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

BorregoFest '08 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

How I bent my Hi-Lift Jack (at BorregoFest '08) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 1) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 2) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 3) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Gold Mountain - Big Bear California - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Summit #2 Report - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Lockwood Creek Trail - Miller Jeep Trail - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

North Rim Run (Part 1) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

North Rim Run (Part 2) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Wildflowers in Anza Borrego - Wildflowers in Anza Borrego

Solo on the Mojave Road (Part 1) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Solo on the Mojave Road (Part 2) - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Snow, Carnage and Madness on the Mojave Trail - Snow, Carnage and Madness on the Mojave Trail

BorregoFest ’07 - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Inspirational Rigs

Part 1:
Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Part 2:
Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Part 3:
Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Fixes / Installs

Camping Lab Awning Install - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Blitz Can Mount - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Bandi Mount Chop to fit Manik Taillight Guards - Bandi Mount and Taillight Guards

Winch Cable Straightened - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

RUD / Grip 4x4 Chains - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Some of my FJ Artwork - Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

Some of my other Artwork - Vince Peterson Design LLC

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Mileage: Over 75K (no major problems to report)

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My Rig

Toyota build date: 03/06
I bought it 4 days after they showed up at the SoCal Toyota dealers on 4/6/06.

It took me 4 days to find the one I wanted. I had originally wanted the voodoo blue, and waited 4 days to find one at a local SoCal dealer.

When I went down to pick it up, it was sitting right next to a Yellow one, equipped exactly the same, and I drove the yellow one home.

I had never been offroading before I bought the FJ Cruiser.

Stock – From the Dealer:
2007 FJ Cruiser 4x4 AT
All Convenience Packages
Running Boards (I didn't know any better at the time)
Upgrade Package #2
All Air Bags
All Weather Mats (including Cargo Mat)
Subwoofer
400w Inverter
Spare Tire Cover
Tow Hitch
Roof Rack
A-Track
Rear Locker
etc..
The Whole Enchilada (except for the all black paint and the more aggressive Bilstein's , it had everything that the '07 TRD later had)

Some early shots (no mods) -

Fish Creek / Anza Boreggo


On the Trail with Bill Burke


Big Sur


Pismo Beach


Moab


Moab



Mods:

My plan is to build an EXPEDITION vehicle that can take us on extended trips into the backcountry and return us home safely.

Armor:
ARB Front Winch Bumper
All Pro Rear Bumper
BudBuilt Skid Plates (painted Red, full set, original gas tank plate).
All Pro Trailing Arm Skid Plates (on the LCA's) - removed (too beat)
Rickocet! Lower Control Arm skids (I just might paint them Red)
All Pro Rock Slidders
Rear Shock Skids - Thanks Cowboy4x4 (OverlandXT)
Manik Rear Tail Light Guards
Front Headlight Wire Rally Rock Guards

Recovery:
Warn M8000 Winch
ARB Snatch Strap
Hi-Lift Jack
Hi-Lift Lift-Mate
Shovel
Off Road Unlimited Gerry Can Holder
Blitz Gas Can
RUD Snow Chains (From Bill Burke)

Lighting:
On the ARB Front Bumper:
(2) IPF 900 XS Extreme Driving Lights (w/ Brush Guards)
(2) IPF Fog Lights
On the Front of the ARB Roof Rack:
(4) IPF 868CS Driving Lights (w/ white protective covers)
On the Back of the ARB Roof Rack:
(2) PIAA 1500 Driving Lights (used as Work/Back-Up lights)
(2) LED Dome Light Swaps

Suspension and Tires:
Front:
Old Man Emu (OME) 886 - Heavy Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm”) Lift
Old Man Emu (OME) N140S - Firm Struts
Rear:
Old Man Emu (OME) 895 - Medium Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm) Lift
Old Man Emu (OME) N141 -Heavy Duty Nitrocharger Shock
Man-A-Fre 4+Plus FJ Cruiser High Angle Super HD Control Arms
Tires: (6) BFG 285/70/17 All Terrains (I have 2 full size spares)

Engine / Performance:
ARB Safari Snorkel
Scuba Driver Mod (rear diff & E locker)

Safety:
Amerex Fire Extinguisher
(2) Guide Markers (antennas) on ARB Front Bumper Corners
Emergency Life Hammer (not yet mounted)
M-Pac Cargo/Pet Barrier

Storage:
ARB Full Length Roof Rack (87” x 44”, with mesh floor)
Fourtreks Hi-Lift Jack Mount
Fourtreks Shovel Mount
Tuffy Rear Drawer

Communication:
Midland CB (installed by Soder Joint)
4 Foot Wilson Antenna (with spring & quick disconnect)
Bandi Mount (trimmed for Manik Tail Light Guard)
Cobra Li6000 WX Two Way Radios

Way Finding:
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
Garmin Topo Chips - West Coast Hawaii - Moutain Southwest

Comfort
Camping Lab Awning

Cosmetic:
Stars - Two 12” white vinyl (military style) stars on doors

Phase One (factory skids - stock rack - no lighting - no snorkel - the STAR appears on the door - the Brigadier concept is born).

Barstow - Stoddard Wells


Ocotillo Wells


Azusa Creek Crossing


Big Bear - Holcomb Valley


Ouray Colorado - Summit #1


Ouray Colorado - Summit #1 (with the stock Raptor)


Moab (after Summit #1)


Phase Two (full skids, big rack, lights, snorkel)

Mojave Road (2/3/08)


Mojave Road (2/3/08)


The Middle of Knowhere / Mojave Road / 2/03/08


Joshua Tree Brooklyn Mine Trail


What its all about


Trusted Vendors:

Dirty Parts
TLC
BudBuilt


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[volhoo]

Future Mods - Wish list.

I'm thinking about "risers".


Next Mods on the list:

• Dual Battery System (Dirty Parts)

• Marlin Crawler Gear Box (or Inchworm or ?)

• Pelican Cases - I need a couple more 1520 0r 1550 cases (not to heavy to load up on rack)

• ARB Front Locker

• Rear Differential Skidplate (waiting for Bud)

• In Dash Nav - Garmin compatable - rear/front video compatable (Kenwood DNX7140?)

• Front/Rear Video Cameras

• Auxilary Gas Tank (MAF maybe)

• Power Tank (10 lb.)

• Ricochet! LCA Skid

• Waffle Boards / Bridging Ladders / Sand Ladders: looking at these: OKoffroad.com Equipment - Waffle Boards

• Pull-Pal (11,000 lbs) : https://www.expeditionexchange.com/pullpal/

• Risers

• Ham Radio (might just go with a Sat phone)

• I need to change my back springs to the Heavy or Ultra (now medium)

• Adventure Trailer

Some more Trail shots:

Mojave Road


A glorious day in the desert with rain, snow, family & friends.


California is the best...

[volhoo]

Some of my Graphics (FJ related - click the link in my signature to see more of my artwork).

Summit #2 Web Header


Summit #2 Grill Badge


Summit #2 Flags


Summit #1 Window Sticker


Summit #1 Grill Badge (this original design was more diamond shaped)


Socal Logo


Forum Grill Badge


Summit #3 Website Header


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[Fjamming]

Very nice Vince! Love the pictures. In regards to tree limb spreaders, you can always just go with wires. Wires from front bumper to roof rack. I'm assuming you're talking about risers.

[MIKESCRUISER]

Nice build vince

[Shadow-Warrior]

It's about time Vince!

Awesome buddy! The Brigadier looks great buddy! I can't wait to see it again and hit the trails with you and Claudia. This time I'll be ready for the rocks. I'll be watching this build thread closely.

[volhoo]

Fjamming previously said:

Very nice Vince! Love the pictures. In regards to tree limb spreaders, you can always just go with wires. Wires from front bumper to roof rack. I'm assuming you're talking about risers.

Thanks Tony...

Yes "Risers".

Only problem is, I'd have to remove them to open the hood.

No big deal I guess...

[volhoo]

MIKESCRUISER previously said:

Nice build vince

Thanks Mike...

[speedy]

Thanks for posting. I saw your FJ cruiser on one of the latest runs posted here and I actually searched for your member build but didn't see one. Glad that you did.

Your FJ looks with authority.
Cheer,

[volhoo]

MIKESCRUISER previously said:

Nice build vince

Shadow-Warrior previously said:

It's about time Vince!

Awesome buddy! The Brigadier looks great buddy! I can't wait to see it again and hit the trails with you and Claudia. This time I'll be ready for the rocks. I'll be watching this build thread closely.

Thanks Mike, yeah we are both ready for anything this time around.

Can't wait to see you guys again, and OH yeah, That Rock Star Rig of yours...