4XX4 My Blacksand Beast - 'El Toro Rojo'

4XX4 · 05-18-2008, 01:03 AM

It all started when I saw the new FJC's hit Maui's only Toyota dealership. I had heard that Toyota was doing a "comeback" of the old LandCruiser, more affordable for the masses (the LC's run too much for my wallet). So I took a closeup look of the oddly colored (VD and SF) rigs on display one night after hours. Pricing was reasonable. Styling was incredible. Off road reviews were ecstatic. I was hooked. That was April of '06. My '95 Blazer had turned over 110,000 miles and was bleeding me dry with repairs. But I was not ready to buy anything brand new.

Yet.

I visited Toyota.com on a regular basis for several months. I dropped a few hints to my way better half. It worked. Good thing she knows many of the prominent business people on this rock. A deal was struck in December '06 for delivery in January of a nicely loaded Black Cherry.

In the meantime, the SE TRD's (4) came in and I came within inches of bagging one. But I was an hour late. The last one sold before I called.

So after an agonizing eternity (and a blast in Whistler), the truck came home on January 9th, 2007.

~to be continued~

Then-

Today

Came to me as:

2007 4x4 AT
package #2
running boards ( bye-bye early )
roof rack

Mods to date~chronologically

Blacked out bezel
Sway-a-Way 2.5" Racerunner Coilovers
Sway-a-Way rear shocks
Metal Tech sliders
DeMello Front PreRunner Winch Bumper w/ hoop
DeMello Front Skid
DeMello Clamps

Future Mods

Lights - (4) KC or PIAA
Hi-Lift Jack 48"
Tires - MT ATZ's, Nitto TG's 285-305's or any one of 10 others that can fill my needs.
Rims - ???? MT Classics ?
Body mount chop
Lower links
Winch
And whatever else comes to me.

4XX4 · 05-18-2008, 01:06 AM

The Blacked out Bezel-

Ok, it wasn't my idea, but I never liked the silverish plastic look from day one. And this is such an easy mod I can't help but wonder why most people haven't done it.

Dragon's thread-
The Painted Bezel Thread

The lift-
New Lift with Sway-A-Way's

No detailed instructions, as I had my local 4x4 shop install them, but can say the ride quality has improved greatly. I just have to hit the rear shocks with PB Blaster every week, and the 2.5" coilovers rub ever so slightly on my swaybar. Not the shops fault BTW, they were great in trying to help me eliminate the problems. But their supplier has been a total pain to deal with. Replacements will be done when these wear out.

The Sliders-
MT Sliders for the FJ's Birthday

I think that Metal Tech, Mark and LT are great to work with. Their products are one of the best here, so I sprung for their sliders as my first armor job on the FJ. Easy install, just bolt them up.

The Bumper and Skid-
Pulled the trigger-DeMello PreRunner on its way-BUT...

After perusing every bumper thread here, I was so impressed with TCao's [no-hoop], Air2air's, Wrigman's and ThyIrishMen's bumpers, that I chose the PreRunner w/ hoop from DeMello Offroad. I have wanted to work with Jason and his crew after all of the great writeups for so long that when he announced his Big Sale, I jumped all over it [a few days late]. He's such a great businessman that he extended the prices to me without hesitation. Is that going to translate into future purchases? You bet.

Wiz-of-Awd · 05-18-2008, 08:21 AM

I'm confused...

Isn't that a Black Cherry - "The Red Bull"

...not a Blacksand Beast?

A.W.D.

4XX4 · 05-18-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Wiz-of-Awd previously said:

I'm confused...

Isn't that a Black Cherry - "The Red Bull"

...not a Blacksand Beast?

A.W.D.

\

Last time I checked, cherries were red. Has something changed and no one told me?

And black sand is prevalent on Maui and the Big Island. One of my favorite beaches ( which I used to wheel on many years ago) is called -what else- Blacksand beach in Makena.