Name: I don't really refer to my truck by name, but I have established one, nonetheless. Katie is just a name that I happen to like & Layne has emphasis placed on the pun!
It started in in January of '07 when I acquired an FJ, I drove to my hometown, New Orleans, LA, having already finagled a deal, and then returned weeks later to Grand Junction, CO (Which is where I currently reside...)
If memory serves me correctly it had the following equipment from the factory:
'07 Voodoo Blue 4x4-Automatic FJ
Upgrade Package #1
Roof Rack
Side Curtain Airbags
I added upon purchase:
Toyota OEM Rockrails
A few months later I added a TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, and Wicked Cas 2x10" box with 2xJL10w1v2's, which I have since upgraded.
With the modding bug still kicking strong, I purchased an OME Med (All the way around lift.) When doing so, I also replaced the stock tires with 285/70/17 BFG AT K/Os. Weeks later I had an incident at the OHV in Grand Junction: Driving peacefully over pretty much level dirt rode, but narrow, a portion of the rode collapsed into a crevice, leaving my FJ nose down. The ground was rather unstable so I had to make a quick decision, I drove the front wheel through the ditch, and was now straddling it. Later I used a ramp to literally, in reverse, zoom back across the now 10 foot deep crevice dividing the road. This left my front bumper cracked. Not much damage to speak of but a good opportunity to upgrade. I ordered an All Pro Winch Bumper.
While running Steel Bender in Moab I dinged the rear bumper, and this was yet, another good excuse to upgrade. The truck was also in the shop after somebody had thrown a 40oz beer bottle at it leaving significant body damage penetrating the sheet-metal of the FJ. So I ordered an All Pro Rear Bumper w/ the receiver hitch and them installed, along with AP's front IFS/Tranny skid.
Months later I figured it was time for a winch (Warn M8000) the engine controls are located in the engine compartment), and after banging my LCA mounts up (Not the LCAs) I decided to upgrade to the AP Pro Links, grind the mounts down a bit & straighten them out and get some of the LCA skids around the mounts. Also replacing the steel line with Amsteel Blue Sythetic Line. Due to the extra weight I switched to OME heavy springs up front & added All Pro UCAs.
Pictures of the front bumper w/ winch & synth line are pictured above...
Picture of TRD CAI/Winch Controls in the background:
Picture of All Pro 'Pro' Links & LCA Skids:
We ran into a slight problem after installing the AP LCAs/skids, I'm not sure if it is an install mishap or a general issue, either way, we could not get to the zerk fittings on the LCA's without either removing the skids, or drilling a hole in the skids for access; for $20.00 I decided to just drill, it was a clean, easy solution:
I also had an AVIC-D3 Nav Unit installed & Wet Okole Seat covers (Ipod cable/Steering Wheel Controls etc...Ipod cable is routed into the glove box.:
I wanted the MT Classic Lock Wheels and got them shortly before winter started, which turned out to be a huge mistake:
I had the flu for approximately two weeks and didn't get to wash the salt off and well the rims corroded, I spent hours and hours with WD-40 and steel wool removing the corrosion and later polishing the rims, they look 99% new once again, but I must say it was not a fun two day project.
The rims are corroded here, but the angle is not very lenient towards observing that.
I then upgraded my stock speakers & added another amp:
Front Doors: Boston Acoustic SX95s
Dash: Earthquake TW-25S tweets (What my local shop carried)
Rear Pillars: Infinity Kappa 32.7cf [They had to grind a bit to get the speakers to fit properly, or so the employee informed me and metal bits in the rear of the FJ inferred...)
Amp: Alpine PDX 4.100 [Under the passengers seat, we didn't have to remove the air vents)
I should also note that the Alpine PDX amps were my first choice due to a combination of reviews on sound quality, power, and size.
This audio install and the one following were kind of sour, the shop which I had used 3x in the past seemed to have rushed and forgot a lot of little things, which they corrected and all is well now (Forgot to plug in my steering wheel controls, replace
flushly some of the trim where wires had been run.
Most recently we bought a second FJ ('08 Brick 4x4 Auto) It received my OME setup.
I upgraded my suspension to All Pro's Fox (2.0) suspension system:
Fox Coil-Overs
AP Rear Lift Springs
Fox Rear Shox
I have the fronts set to 4 and the rears to 5, the ride is comfortable. I have not had it offroad yet.
I also have the AP rear shock skids.
My BFG AT K/O's had 90% tread left, and they went to the new FJ. I purchased the new BFG M/T KM2s (285/70/17s.) My local Discount Tire store happened to have 5 in stock for $213.00 a piece, Sam's Club had them a few bucks cheaper, but according to their customer service at the time, could not accept any orders for the tires. (Makes a lot of sense, no?)
With the OME lift the tires rubbed with ANY articulation at full-turn, coming into parking-lots, leaving parking lots, I never had it offroad and drove it very little before switching to the Fox Stuff & having the body mounts chopped while it was in the shop:
KM2s:
(They are also pictured in some of the other photos too, as are the ATs, just so nobody is confused...)
Body mounts chopped:
After the winter-salt got to the rims, I cleaned up the old beadlocks/rings and decided I wanted to try the Anodized Blue rings that MT makes:
I'm undecided on whether I like them yet, at the time of this picture, I only had 2 in my possession. I have now received all (5) and installed them.
I also upgraded my JLW1s and JL (A1200?? maybe it was?) amp to JL10W3v3s and an Alpine PDX 1.1000.
Alpine PDX 1.1000 is under the drivers seat:
Wicked CAS box w/ W3s:
We are only running the the amp w/ half gain to allow the speakers to break in, but I SERIOUSLY doubt I will crank it up any. I love bass heavy music and have the HPF set to 125 on the AVIC-D3 and I can crank it virtually as loud as I desire without getting any noticeable distortion. The woofers vibrate the crappp out of the FJ though, which is why I doubt I want it any louder.
Random picture from Bangs Canyon, prior to all mods but OME Lift & Tires:
I also had D-Shackles powdercoated Voodoo Blue manymany months ago for the front bumper.
Thanks, whomever took this picture at the Summit!
That's my FJ with the AP bumper & shackles...
I have the fourtreks Hi-Lift mounts spray-painted black to match my 48" Hi-Lift Xtreme & roof rack:
(You can see the Hi Lift in the picture above, sorry don't have any other photos of it uploaded..., This was taken on Yankee Boy Basin in Ouray, CO...)
As of now: Terrible picture, these were snapshots and I did not realize my camera was not set to the proper shutter speed etc...
I carry your basic recovery equipment:
Multiple Shackles
Recovery Strap
Tree-Saver
Snatch Block
10lb. Powertank
Small Air Compressor from Sears as a backup
Shovel & numerous other small tools...
I should also note the only problem I've had thus far is the typical brittle-Ilovetochip FJ paint!
I will also be updating a suspension comparison (OME vs. Fox) as soon as I get to offroad with the Fox setup a bit. I think it is a frequent & important question that many ask, is it worth the extra $ for the adjustable setups? We shall see.
) Never had much of a problem with the ATs in rocks yet, and have not done any extensive wheeling in the rocks to comment, but I'm confident I won't be disappointed.
Linear Mode
