Gilmer TX

[firstfj]

Here is our ill advised trip to Gilmer...did not know what I was doing, underestimated the park and the skill it took to navigate.

Ended up with damaging the vehicle on my last exit on last trail coming over a crest too fast (not pictured); see "Headed to Gilmer" thread in Texas section of Regional Forums for further info.

All of the photos are not a representation of how I was driving throughout the day. I tried to be carefull all day and yeiled to all I saw. The park was just about deserted after one of their biggest weekends of the year. The chicky shown is my wife to be. Cant figure out why I cant get them up....

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/galle...00&ppuser=6929

[MoSun]

Nice shots for those going to Gilmer soon. Thanks.

[tuqk4u]

At least you got out there and battle tested the FJ. Good job. Hopefully your damage isn't major...

[Sun Fusion Cruiser]

Nice pics. If the 2wd can make it throught that mud hole, imagine what it can do with a lift and better tires.

[firstfj]

Thanks, yes a 4x4 is defintantly in the future. There are a lot of repairs to be had. But, after the repairs and a few months time building the truck to my wife to be specs, I'll be wanting an 08 auto 4x4.

The mechanical damage consisted of a bent knuckle (and of course alignment issues). Let me say this before moving onto the body damages; anyone in the DFW area that wants FJ work, go to these guys. First, they know what they are doing. Secondly, they are honest on their pricing (very fair). Do not have the normal fear of the dealer ripping you off in every place possible. To replace the knuckle and associated labor was 285 dollars less than a local car repair shop quoted me for the same exact job. Remove and replace knuckle, and of course a four wheel alignment.

....now the body

What we know now...

Front right fender needs to be replaced
Front right appron needs to be replaced
Front right cowl cover is going to be replaced, doesnt need replacing exactly (scratched), but for how cheap it is I might as well replace it.

Toyota of Dallas has not tore it down and got a good look at it with their fancy frame dudads and what not, as the fear is there may be a tweek somewhere. They think they see places where seams are are out of alingment on the right side, but we wont know until they tear into it and see what they are dealing with on the frame issue.

Right now the parts mentioned above are on their way, and I am trying to figure into my schedule not have the car a week or so.

Chris, from Toyota of Dallas, and I have to sent down and talk out the plans for the rig for the long run then we will go from there as far as modding the vehicle for my driving habbits, and what I am wanting to do with the vehicle as far as recreation is concerned.

I went way over board with Gilmer, but it did give me a slight idea and good starting point to learn what I am looking to do with FJ recreational wise.

Toyota of Dallas will be doing all the work. And, obviously I hope to have Chris advice me as to where to go from here after we get her back to the condition she was in before I decided I was big bad off-road boy.

I will get some pics of the damage so you guys can see what happened and how it looks...I opted out of insurance at this point as I am guessing we will come in under 4K when everything is said and done. I am waiting on that magical 25 year old drop in insurance, and if I can afford to not take another hit on insurance right now, that would be best.

[sgrksa]

nice pic

[Trader098]

firstfj previously said:

Thanks, yes a 4x4 is defintantly in the future. There are a lot of repairs to be had. But, after the repairs and a few months time building the truck to my wife to be specs, I'll be wanting an 08 auto 4x4.

The mechanical damage consisted of a bent knuckle (and of course alignment issues). Let me say this before moving onto the body damages; anyone in the DFW area that wants FJ work, go to these guys. First, they know what they are doing. Secondly, they are honest on their pricing (very fair). Do not have the normal fear of the dealer ripping you off in every place possible. To replace the knuckle and associated labor was 285 dollars less than a local car repair shop quoted me for the same exact job. Remove and replace knuckle, and of course a four wheel alignment.

....now the body

What we know now...

Front right fender needs to be replaced
Front right appron needs to be replaced
Front right cowl cover is going to be replaced, doesnt need replacing exactly (scratched), but for how cheap it is I might as well replace it.

Toyota of Dallas has not tore it down and got a good look at it with their fancy frame dudads and what not, as the fear is there may be a tweek somewhere. They think they see places where seams are are out of alingment on the right side, but we wont know until they tear into it and see what they are dealing with on the frame issue.

Right now the parts mentioned above are on their way, and I am trying to figure into my schedule not have the car a week or so.

Chris, from Toyota of Dallas, and I have to sent down and talk out the plans for the rig for the long run then we will go from there as far as modding the vehicle for my driving habbits, and what I am wanting to do with the vehicle as far as recreation is concerned.

I went way over board with Gilmer, but it did give me a slight idea and good starting point to learn what I am looking to do with FJ recreational wise.

Toyota of Dallas will be doing all the work. And, obviously I hope to have Chris advice me as to where to go from here after we get her back to the condition she was in before I decided I was big bad off-road boy.

I will get some pics of the damage so you guys can see what happened and how it looks...I opted out of insurance at this point as I am guessing we will come in under 4K when everything is said and done. I am waiting on that magical 25 year old drop in insurance, and if I can afford to not take another hit on insurance right now, that would be best.

Don't feel bad. You're not the first or last off-road vehicle owner to discover the pros and cons of wheeling. Kudos for getting out there and tearin' it up. Gives you a better appreciation for trails and their levels of difficulty.

Recovery gear is a must and if possible, never wheel hardcore alone. If you get stuck, deer are not a good substitute for a winch.

Great pics. Let us know what the final butcher's bill comes to in parts carnage!

[firstfj]

Eh, its a lot...they have to weld, paint, doing some pulling; parts arent bad, infact I have the couple we know we need.

The killer is the HUGE amount of labor that is going to go into it.

On top of it all its XMAS time and our budget is not ready to take this kind of hit this month (we aren't fans of credit cards)...next month I am sure the labor will begin. I'd like to go ahead and get a suspension system on it while they work on it, along with skid plates and A/T tires...still have to talk over the vehicle plans with Chris at some point...but got to get her back to the way she once was first!