There are some cars that you save for the weekends. There are some cars that begs to be driven. To me, the FJ begs to be driven-on dirt. I kind of feel guilty driving it on the freeway. I guess it would be akin to using a thoroughbred to plow the fields. Not that it can't, but it's just not as happy as when it's running! You know what I mean? How do you use your FJ?
__________________
Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans 2.5 dia. front shocks, adj. rear reservoir shocks, Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers, AP 1.25" UCA, Demello skid, TMax 9000 Competition winch. Viking Trail Line. 34X10.5X16 Swamper LTB. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240 HID, All Pro Swing Out.
There are some cars that you save for the weekends. There are some cars that begs to be driven. To me, the FJ begs to be driven-on dirt. I kind of feel guilty driving it on the freeway. I guess it would be akin to using a thoroughbred to plow the fields. Not that it can't, but it's just not as happy as when it's running! You know what I mean? How do you use your FJ?
well, since most of my work is done from home + flights out of town, my "Blue" seats most week just waitting for me to give ok for a trail run, though I also need to use it some times as a HWY cruiser ...(going to s. diego tomorrow...beers any one?), the MT's we are runing dont do us nor the FJ no Good
2008 4x4 5A/T with Off Road pack, AFE Cold Air Intake,3" Camburg/Sway A Away Coil overs,Old Man Emos 2" rear coils,Old Man Emos N71 rear Nitro shoks
17" Helo HE 835 Wheels,305/70/17 Good Year MTR
,Front LED Lights,Roof Light Bar with four KC's,All Casy Hi Lift with Mounts, RASTA Skids, TRD Rock Rails,Midland CB,CO2 Tank,Rear Light Guards,Front/Rear Cameras, 900BT DVD/Navi in dash, Kappa's components all around with a 12" Treo Eng. sub.
Attended yet another great TTORA event. I was in Johnson Valley from Friday to Saturday. I got to ride in Chris' truggy and drove my FJ at Fissure. Also explored some of the surrounding areas. It's a shame that we might lose this area to the marines. The event was first posted here.
This area has a good mix of sand and rocks. The full report is here.
Genie performed great. The LTBs are still to stiff at 15lbs. It just doesn't deform enough. It's tough enough that's for sure. I'm going to play around with 12psi and see how it does. I have a feeling it may need 8psi for it to be where I would like it to be. I may move for beadlocks sooner then later.
Beautiful scenery
A pretty steep descent
Group photo at the top of Fissure Mountain.
Homeward bound.
__________________
Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans 2.5 dia. front shocks, adj. rear reservoir shocks, Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers, AP 1.25" UCA, Demello skid, TMax 9000 Competition winch. Viking Trail Line. 34X10.5X16 Swamper LTB. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240 HID, All Pro Swing Out.
2008 4x4 5A/T with Off Road pack, AFE Cold Air Intake,3" Camburg/Sway A Away Coil overs,Old Man Emos 2" rear coils,Old Man Emos N71 rear Nitro shoks
17" Helo HE 835 Wheels,305/70/17 Good Year MTR
,Front LED Lights,Roof Light Bar with four KC's,All Casy Hi Lift with Mounts, RASTA Skids, TRD Rock Rails,Midland CB,CO2 Tank,Rear Light Guards,Front/Rear Cameras, 900BT DVD/Navi in dash, Kappa's components all around with a 12" Treo Eng. sub.
I finally got a chance to read through this entire thread Tony. Great build-up. You have more juevos than I to run the Hammers.
I love that table in the back. Those tires are awsome too... The Genie has certainly grown up.
Thanks Ollie. Hammers was a blast. It's amazing what good spotters can do to your confidence. . Thanks for the compliments on the tires and table. I'm still playing with tire pressure. At 15psi, they are still too hard. I may try to lower it to 12 or 10 and see the bead will hold. If not, I may have to push up the schedule for beadlocks or inner air locks. At 15psi, they barely deform. They are tough tires though. I've wedged them hard against rocks this past weekend and the sidewalls look brand new.
__________________
Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans 2.5 dia. front shocks, adj. rear reservoir shocks, Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers, AP 1.25" UCA, Demello skid, TMax 9000 Competition winch. Viking Trail Line. 34X10.5X16 Swamper LTB. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240 HID, All Pro Swing Out.
Thanks Ollie. Hammers was a blast. It's amazing what good spotters can do to your confidence. . Thanks for the compliments on the tires and table. I'm still playing with tire pressure. At 15psi, they are still too hard. I may try to lower it to 12 or 10 and see the bead will hold. If not, I may have to push up the schedule for beadlocks or inner air locks. At 15psi, they barely deform. They are tough tires though. I've wedged them hard against rocks this past weekend and the sidewalls look brand new.
As they age they will soften up... You will have adjust the pressure as they age.
Had the chance to organize SoCal's Meet and Greet IV last Saturday. It was a blast with close to 100 FJs in one place. Almost every owner were passionate about their FJ and thirsty for the next mod. Also had the chance to introduce some new people to offroading, which I think is the most important thing. biggkid is a terrific photographer and I think really captured the spirit of the event well. Here are some of his works.
I had the chance to lead the moderate group into Cleghorn and also a group into Arrowhead Lake. The trip had gorgeous scenery and the enough challenges to keep you busy. It's not a hard trip, but it is fun! As we pull closer to Arrowhead, one of the 4 Runners was having a lot of issues. We've planned to arrive at Arrowhead Village at about 7:30, but the unexpected kept us off pavement until 9pm. The 4R had to be winched 3 times and towed twice. It was overheating and just didn't have any power. A simple 15 deg. climb will stop it in it's tracks. There was a lot of recovery in darkness-and cold. I've learned a lot that night. Never ever take a simple trip as a milk run. Always be prepared. I was not adequately clothed for the 38 deg. night. I didn't have enough food or water. I didn't have a rear hitch to tow. Winching on loose hill with the anchor vehicle on slippery terrain just does not work. Much easier to tow a vehicle up then to winch from middle of the hill (the hill is 200ft).
My camera stopped working when it got cold so I didn't have pictures of the night recovery.
I think in the future, vehicles need to pass tech before hitting the trails.
Genie getting ready for another winch session. I used the winched 4 times that day.
__________________
Click for the "Genie" build up
Sandoo Blue FJ
Walker Evans 2.5 dia. front shocks, adj. rear reservoir shocks, Pro Links. AP F&R bumpers, AP 1.25" UCA, Demello skid, TMax 9000 Competition winch. Viking Trail Line. 34X10.5X16 Swamper LTB. Trail Gear Sliders, Aeroflow, Lightforce Blitz 240 HID, All Pro Swing Out.
, though I also need to use it some times as a HWY cruiser ...(going to s. diego tomorrow...beers any one?), the MT's we are runing dont do us nor the FJ no Good
Linear Mode
