I've been asked to do a build up thread and have always wanted it to be "done" before doing so. The realization after more than 3 years with my FJC is that it will never be done, so I guess its time to get off my @ss and do the build up thread.
I don't have a true classification for my rig, not a pure expedition rig, nor a pure rock crawler, not that an IFS rig could be truly considered that. I simply consider it capable of most anything I want to do, when I want to do it, how I want to do it.
Its so named due to having a "personal" relationship with cancer, my wife having the same and support the
Livestrong - Lance Armsrtong Foundation greatly, simple as that.
That being what it is, more of just a pictorial of how my baby has grown up through the years...
First mods, Demello sliders and OME 885/N140 front, 895/N71e rear, got to get some primary body protection and some fresh suspension...
Along with that, I also had to find a way to attach Yakima racks to the stock roof rack so I could cart around my bicycles and kayaks. So, I found that the Yakima "X-towers" fit the stock roof rack tubes perfectly. The mounts were designed such that one could move the "head" around to fit most any angle. I elected to mount them as low as possible so that I could still fit it in the garage....
Next came the Demello front bumper. After seeing Jason's craftsmanship on his sliders, there was no hesitation when I put my name on the list for his version of a front bumper for the FJC. Of course, I was too impatient to mount the bumper AFTER my winch arrived...
Then, just a couple days later, the winch arrived so I got to take it off, install the Warn M8000 winch, synthetic line and aluminum fairlead...
Quick measure of change in ride height, measured at the exhaust cross-over pipe. Stock height measured at the same place with stock tires (265/75/16) and suspension = 9.5". Measured after OME suspension and 12.5"...
Can't really go off-roading without a reliable way to communicate, so next came the CB radio install. The "Big Bill Combo" became available via Walcott CB and I was one of the first to take advantage of this offering by Walcott. Cobra 75WXST, Firestik antenna, spring, quick release and Bandi Mount...
Finally felt I wore down the stock rubber enough to justify moving to a more aggressive tread pattern, stronger sidewalls and a little taller. Opted for the Super Swamper TrXus MT's in 255/85/16's. Turned out to be an excellent choice, great size, didn't need to do the body mount chop and performed well off-road without bad on-road manners...
Then, of course, I couldn't stand the silver wheels and went with the Duplicolor wheel paint, giving them a new look with some black. Made a nice difference in the overall appearance...
cont...
Threaded Mode
