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...
Next up came the Scuba Mod, had to keep the drivetrain free of water. I had my fluids change at 15k just because and found it contaminated though I hadn't been in any real water other than a couple stream crossings...
Next up came a Wet Okole seat cover group buy, hard to turn down such a nice deal on some fine covers. Had to get them to match of course...
Another critical protective measure is to eliminate the weak rear lower control arms. I picked up a set from All-Pro. I also ponied up for the lower control arm bracket skids since I've already damaged them and could see an easy way to help prevent that. Nothing special, just way beefier and something that will help reduce the chance of being stranded on the trail...
That's how we went to Moab and Ouray for FJCS1, couple of pics for no good reason...
I was lucky at the FJCS1 and won a full suspension kit. Already having something I was very happy with, I sold it to a fellow member for the cost of what I really wanted to win...a full set of Budbuilt skids. So, on my way home from Ouray, I stopped by Bud's and picked up a set...
Now that it was well protected, I wanted to give it some more protection in another area, the motor. In as much as I don't do a bunch of mudding or deep water travel, it is easy to drop the passenger front into a deep hole and swallow some water, so the snorkel came next. Still nothing I've done on this thing was more stressful than cutting that 4 1/8" hole in the fender but, sometimes you've just got to trust your measurements and do it...
Now, I couldn't be sporting Demello sliders and front bumper without getting his rear bumper, just wouldn't make any sense. So, on the list I go again, stressing this time since I wanted it before I planned on heading west in order to run Rubithon '08, hit Moab again then the FJCS2 on the way home. Thankfully, it arrived just in time for installation before I headed west. For those that came to the FJSC2 and witnessed the raffle, I came in second in the "Irony Award". Athena won a set of Budbuilt skids, winning the 1st place Irony award, I won a Demello rear bumper, placing second in the Irony awards. No worries though, traded it to another member for a prize they won...
Also added before heading west for Rubithon/Moab/Ouray '08 was a full size ARB roof rack. Knowing I'd be carrying full gear for Rubithon as well as the rest of the trip, I thought it best to have a rack that I could pack well for the trip. I didn't have a specific pic of the install but thought this one worked well...
The last planned mods before this big trip is a set of the "thick" 4.56 Nitro gears. However, production delays kept me on edge to get it done locally. It finally became apparent that it wasn't going to happen so I had a set of the Nitro 4.88's dropped shipped to Inchworm in CA, just miles from the Rubicon trailhead. Jim @ Inchworm put some time away for me so all I had to do was arrive a couple days early, have them install the 4.88's, Inchwork Lefty transfer case and an ARB front locker. Nothing like throwing a few new mods on right before taking on one of the toughest trails for an FJC.
Thankfully, Jim and his crew did a great job and my girls and I had a great time with the Robbie, Ron, Woody and the rest of the Toyota Trail Teams crew, along with a handful of other FJC's where we talked the Rubicon trail with hundreds of other Toyota's of all years, models and sizes. No real pictures of these mods so pics of the trail will have to suffice. The last true mod was the addition of Rubi the wonderdog, becoming a regular fixture in/on/under my rig whenever I hit the trail...
Getting home after this trip of a lifetime, now re-geared, it was time for some fresh meats for the FJC. Decided to follow the theme of having tall and skinny, getting some Super Swamper SSR's in 35 X 10.5 X 16's...
As you can see, Jason Demello had the foresight to know his bumper needed to be able to fit 35's...
And, the obligatory measure of the difference the tires made in ground clearance at the exhaust cross-over/Bud's skid support...
Then came the debate to go commando or not, as in with or without the plastic flares. Something about all the plastic on the FJC just doesn't sit well with me. So, I posted a thread asking which everyone liked better. Of course, I had those who agreed with me and those who were, umm, wrong. The biggest rational for keeping them on were those who like the protection from overspray and rocks, believing that the plastic flares offered some protection for this. Well, I can say now after running them w/o for almost a year, no new chips or other signs of any side effects running w/o the flares...
Inspired by a conversation with Jim of Inchworm and Bud of Budbuilt at the FJCS2, I talked with Bud and the idea of the Tummy Tuck came to fruition. I dropped my rig off at Bud's for a few days while Bud took the necessary measurements and made the plans to create the new transmission cross-member for the Tummy Tuck. Amazing at the difference made at the "belly" of the FJC. Gained 4" of clearance with the flat belly, nothing is below the frame rails anymore, no fear of getting hung up on anything under the belly anymore...
New measurement where the cross-member used to be, net gain 4"...
Somewhere along the line, I picked up the Metal Tech tube doors. Another great modification that puts even more "fun factor" into the FJC. I added some diamond screen to help keep things inside and some speakers from West Marine that can handle the outdoor elements...
Sometime before going to Rubithon, I added a Kenwood DNX 7100 with a back up camera. Love the hard drive Garmin navigation engine and how well the back up camera works now that I can't see a thing out the back window...
Also, met Doc of MPAC fame, he had a great deal at FJCS2 and installed his rear door unit on the FJC while there. Love the ability to keep things organized, helps keep the wife happy knowing where everything is. Like his stuff so much, also picked up the pet barrier when it came available in the group buy...
Can't forget the Powertank and fire extinguisher, two necessary mods IMHO...
Does a roof top tent count as a modification? I guess, even though now its on my homebuilt tube expedition trailer, gives me an excuse to show them both off...
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