Volhoo's Build - The Brigadier

[volhoo]

Stock – From the Dealer:
2007 FJ Cruiser 4x4 AT (with everything)
All Convenience Packages
Running Boards
Upgrade Package #2
All Air Bags
All Weather Mats (including Cargo Mat)
Subwoofer
400w Inverter
Spare Tire Cover
Tow Hitch
Roof Rack
The Whole Enchalada

Fish Creek / Anza Boreggo


On the Trail with Bill Burke


Big Sur


Pismo Beach


Moab


Moab


Monument Valley


Mods:

My plan was 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).
TLC Trailing Arm Skid Plates
All Pro Rock Slidders
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 (pain in the azz to get gas out of)
RUD Snow Chains (From Bill Burke)

Lighting:
On the ARB Front Bumper:
IPF 900 XS Extreme Driving Lights (w/ Brush Guards)
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)

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
Tires: (5) BFG 285/70/17 All Terains (white lettering out)

Engine Performance:
ARB Safari Snorkel

Safety:
Amerex Fire Extinguisher
(2) Guide Markers (antennas) on ARB Front Bumper Corners
Emergency Life Hammer (not yet mounted)

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

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

Phase One (factory skids - stock rack - no lighting - no snorkel)

Barstow - Stoddard Wells


Ocotillo Wells


Azusa Mud Pit


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)


Home (Fullerton Loop)


Azusa Canyon


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


Detail Shots:

Tuffy Box (cut to fit Subwoofer)


Fire Extinguisher


Haven't Hit a Single Deer Yet (knock on wood)


What its all about


Trusted Vendors:

Dirty Parts
TLC

[volhoo]

Future Mods - Wish list.

I'm thinking about "risers".


Next Mods on the list:

• Man-A-Fre (MAF) rear lower control arms

• Dual Battery System (Dirty Parts)

• 2nd full size spare tire (mounted on roof rack) - got it!

• SCUBA Driver Mods (Transmission, Transfer Case, Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather)

• Cargo Barrier

• Waffle Boards/Ladders (Sand Ladders)

• Marlin Crawler Gear Box (or Inchworm or ?)

• ARB Front Locker

• ARB Awning (big one)

• Rear Differential Skidplate (not sure which on yet)

• In Dash Nav - Garmin compatable - rear/front video compatable (DNX7100 ?)

• Front/Rear Video Cameras

• Auxilary Gas Tank (MAF maybe)

• Power Tank (10 lb.)

• Risers

• Ham Radio

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

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 #1 Window Sticker


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


Socal Logo

[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...