Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum banner

bc_indiana's - 08TTSE Build "Oreo" -

103K views 182 replies 63 participants last post by  FJ4 Tahoe 
#1 · (Edited)
Jump to Summit 2014 (#8) Trail Photos...


Jump to Trail Photos...

07/06/2014 Photo:
Warrior Products Low Profile Roof Rack

07/02/2014 Photo:
Vinyl Porn (MORE HERE!)

06/22/2014 Photo:
Newly refinished tail light housings and new Trail Tail LED pucks.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/interior-exterior-visual-tech/330586-rocktek-tail-lights-old-new-w-duplicolor-bed-armor-new-led-pucks.html


06/15/2014 Photo:
New Goodyear Duratrac 285/75R16. Kept the 1.5" spacers on for now.

05/23/2014 Photo:
Freshly removed OEM roof rack and air dam.

10/1/2011 Photo:
New MetalTech Bumper, 1.25" Spacers, & Ricochet HD Skid

12/31/2010 Photo:
New 305/70R16 Goodyear Fierce Attitude MT's

11/23/2010 Photo:
New MetalTech Bumper and PIAA Fog Lights

Pre Summit Photo:

06/14/2010 Photo:


PART I: SEARCH & RESCUE

I purchased my FJ in March of 2009 after many months of looking, comparing and pricing. I had wanted an FJ since they debuted late in 2006. I really fell in love with the Trail Teams Edition because of the white/black color scheme, which was the same color scheme as my previous ride – a 1994 Pathfinder XEV6.

From the start I had no delusions of grandeur in thinking I could find and afford a low miles 2008 TTSE, and set my sites on a used 2007/2008 of any color within my price point of low-mid 20’s. After test-driving a 2008, and even a 2009 at a dealer, I stumbled upon what I thought was a mirage.

A seller in Houston, Texas had a listing for a 2008 TTSE with 6500 miles for right at my mid 20’s cap. The kicker to this was that it was very well equipped already with some very unique modifications (all of which were taking it toward the direction I wanted to go with the build.) I came to find out this truck was purchased by a Toyota manager and built up by his Toyota mechanic to be his beach toy.

Lucky for me the cost of the beach house he was also building had gotten out of hand and he had to sell his ‘Baby’ before ever even taking it offroad. A second buyer purchased it, couldn’t make payments and his extended family was selling it (and having to pay the note!) Long story short, this FJ was listed very plainly and poorly, thus slipping through the cracks. (The fact that the economy had tanked and no one was buying anything didn’t help their cause either.)

Lucky for me, I had been saving and planning on a new purchase…so this was prime striking time! So I drove to Houston, test drove it and purchased the next day after seeing it was literally still in show room condition.

Here is what all my researching, waiting, and looking patiently turned into:





Unlike many build pages; I have quite a few modifications to list prior to me ever touching it. The most striking is the Rhino lined bottom half of the doors. I had to see it in person before committing to the purchase…but I absolutely love it! It hits the line of the front and rear fenders, which to me is the natural point to stop it.

I am so used to it now that when I see an all white TTSE, I have to admit, they look a bit odd to me.

The list of “pre-mod” mods:
-Rhino lined doors
-Safari Snorkel
-Garving Hi-Lift & Axe/Shovel mounts
-Hi-Lift with a matching Rhino lined handle
-True-Temper Axe
-Trail shovel
-Gobi Ladder
-Tail Light Guards
-2-3” spacer lift
-295/75 R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers
-Toyota Air Dam w/ Hella lights
-Toyota Brush Guard w/ Hella lights (TTSE package)
-Toyota Rock Sliders (TTSE package)
-TRD Exhaust (TTSE package)
-non Toyota tow package
-custom cut rear TTSE skid to accommodate tow package
-custom black chrome Toyota/FJ badges.








So leaving Houston driving back to Dallas…I was all ready to hit the trails! (and start making payments!)
 
See less See more
18
#2 · (Edited)
PART II: ARMOR & TRAIL GEAR

After my first outing with the DFW FJ group (and many new found friends) I decided my current priorities for the truck should be Armor and Trail/Recovery Gear.

06.28.2009 - ROCOCHET FRONT SKID & ENGINE SKID
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/89582-ricochet-aluminum-skid-install-comparison.html



08.02.2009 - RICOCHET TRANSMISSION SKID


08.26.2009 - RICOCHET LCA SKIDS


09.05.2009 - WET OKOLE SEAT COVER FRONT & REAR - (used like new)


09.24.2009 - OUTRIDER SUSPENSION ARMOR
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/suspension-tech/94789-new-outrider-differential-skid-armor-installed.html




10.26.2009 - M-PAC HD COMBO (used like new) Thanks Bengt18T



11.21.2009 - AXE REAR DOOR INSTALL
I found it was starting to rust being mounted on the rack and exposed to weather.


01.10.2010 - RICOCHET GAS TANK SKID, TRANSFER CASE SKID, ROCK BLOX





01.13.2010 - SOURCE CO2 TANK, RAINGLER CARGO NET


03.20.2010 - O.R.T.T. 2" STRAP HOLDER (TRDParts4U)
O.R.T.T. Recovery Strap Holder 2 5077
(One note on the strap holder: With the supplied 3/4" bolt it will not close around a 2" ARB strap, I swapped the bolt for a 1 1/2" length, which allows you to close the panel over the bolt - then start the wing nut and tighten down.)


03.20.2010 - MAG LIGHT RELOCATION TO REAR DOOR
With the install of the above strap holder, I needed to relocate my mag light. I found the unused space above the rear MPAC was just screaming to be filled with something useful. (This is a tough position due to the window release mechanism. Somehow after looking at it, holding the panel up, marking, re-looking, I got it just right.)


11.07.2010 - MetalTech Front Bumper Install
A big thank you to Mark and all of MetalTech for donating this bumper to the 2010 Summit Raffle!
Jump to Bumper Install Write UP

The Old...
and the New...

07.15.2011 - M-Pac Rear Cargo Barrier (Pet Barrier)
Finally cashed in my $150 Gift Certificate to Springtail Solutions that I won at the 2011 Lonestar Jamboree. Big thanks to Doc for a great raffle donation!

2011.09.30 - Ricochet HD Bash/Engine skid




TRAIL GEAR
-ARB Snatch Strap (TRDParts4U)
-Smittybuilt Black D-Rings (2)
-Smittybuilt Black Receiver Hitch D-Ring
-Craftsman Work Gloves
-Leather Winch Gloves
-Rockteck Hi-Lift Tube Adapter (TRDParts4U)
-Hi-Lift ORB
-REI First Aid Kit
-ARB Tire Deflator (TRDParts4U)
-Midland Handheld CB (Thanks Landy!)
-Mag Light



 
#3 · (Edited)
PART III: SUSPENSION


06.12.2010 - ICON EXTENDED TRAVEL REMOTE RESERVOIR/ 2.5" ICON PIGGYBACK SHOCKS/ TOYTEC SUPERFLEX COILS/ CAMBURG 1" UNIBALL UCA/ TOYTEC DIFFERENTIAL DROP KIT
Jump to Icon Lift Install/Write-Up


[/IMG]





11.24.2010 - R***chet U.U. Rear Links (the U.U. stands for Unofficial and Unobtainium):lol:
...Fabbed by Brad at Rico***t in S*** Lake City, U**H.:deal:



07.10.2011 - SpiderTrax 1.25" Wheel Spacers Installed

06.29.2014 - Install rebuilt Icon Piggyback rear shocks / Skyjacker rear Sway Bar Liniks


07.01.2014 - Install Moog Front Sway Bar Liniks

 
#4 · (Edited)
PART IV: PERFORMANCE

06.21.2009 - K&N DROP IN FILTER
(My first MOD!!!)

12.31.2010 - Goodyear Fierce Attitude MT's (305/70R16)
More Photos Here


07.01.2011 - TRD Brake Pads Installed (Front & Rear)

06.13.2014 - Goodyear Duratrac's (285/75R16)
More Photos Here!


IN HAND: FjNewb's Scuba Mod




PART V: INTERIOR/EXTERIOR VISUAL TECH & ELECTRONICS

08.30.2009 - GEAR TYPE RAZOR WINGS



FIRST STICKER MOD
All hail Eddie Vedder and the boys! Pearl Jam...the best band ever!
I couldn't think of a better place for the stickman than on the Gobi Ladder!


03.13.2010 - HUSHMAT INSTALL (ENTIRE FLOORBOARD, REAR DOOR, SIDE PANELS)
03.13.2010 - REPLACED VINYL FOOR PADDING WITH CLOSED CELL SPONGE



04.04.2010 - AEROFLOW SMOKED HEADLIGHT GUARDS


06.05.2010 - ROCKTEK REAR LIGHTS (METAL / L.E.D.) (used) - Thanks BEERHAT!
For information on these lights see: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/65548-unbelievably-cool-rocktek-rear-lights.html






07.12.2010 - CB Install_Cobra 75/Bandi Mount/4' Wilson Flex
I wanted a clean install without the large CB unit. This would be primarily for trail use, so I went with the Cobra 75. The plug mount is concealed in the tray area of the console.



07.12.2010 - LED Dome Light Install
(I call it the SUN.)

11.13.2010 - PIAA 5201i Fog Light Install
Wired to FJ Cruiser OEM Aux light switch and harness.



03.10.2011 - Scan Guage II Install

09.30.2011 - Install Grill Badges on M-Pac Cargo Barrier

09.30.2011 - Fiestick II (4') Install
My Wilson Superflex stopped working...so I went with a different brand and a spring this time. (and changed to white.)

10.15.2011 - NEW LITE DOT L.E.D. PUCKS
Installed the new style Lite Dots from ORO (Off Road Only).http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/interior-exterior-visual-tech/137206-new-new-rocktek-tail-lights-new-style-pucks.html

Oh, and they sold me the new style replacements for less than half of cost. Great guys at ORO!

TAIL:


05.19.2014 - TTSE Door Sills Installed

05.19.2014 - TRD Center Caps
This was a great purchase... makes my rims look brand new (ok, minus scratches.)

05.20.2014 - Roof Rack /Air Dam / Lights Removal

06.22.02014 - Refinished Tail lights in Bedliner & Installed new Trail Tail L.E.D. Pucks
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/interior-exterior-visual-tech/330586-rocktek-tail-lights-old-new-w-duplicolor-bed-armor-new-led-pucks.html





07.02.2014 - Vinyl Hood and Roof
MORE PHOTOS HERE

Finally got the removable top that I have always wanted. I just never really take it off.


07.06.2014 - Warrior Products Low Pro Roof Rack Installed
More Here...

 
#10 ·
#11 ·
Looks great, keep up the good work!

-Greg
 
#17 ·
Looks good...I like all your mod choices so far!
 
#20 ·
Awesome story. Looks great!
 
#25 ·
Was going to try and replicate silverdusk's rear door shovel/axe mount, but saw our response to the thread. Can you describe your install process in greater detail for me?? Your method seems better with the ability to basically choose exactly where i'd like to place the quickfists. Thank you!
 
#26 ·
One set of original quickfists (TRDParts4U sells them.)
Take them to the hardware store and start shopping! I picked up the black metric countersunk allen head screws that worked, a nyloc nut for each, and a 2" and 1" (2 of each) flat washer.

First pull the door panel off.

The flat washer is the back-up behind the plastic panel. You may need a dremel tool depending on where you mount on the door panel. (The door panel has plastic ribs on the back for reinforcing that you may have to cut/grind with the dremel wheel.) The reason for buying a 1" and 2" washer is to avoid having to cut the door plastic of possible.

just mount the quickfists over the axe handle where you want them, and play with the positioning on the door panel until you like it. Mark it, drill, and secure the quickfist.

put the door panel back on and you're done.
 
#31 · (Edited)
As some of you know, I did this a few months ago --

Which resulted in some water & mud leaking under the passenger side door seals --


This spurred me to do something I have always wanted to do - TAKE THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OUT OF THE FJ.


This involved pulling out the floor & cleaning the mud & water out of the passenger floor board. I replaced the carpet padding under the vinyl floorboard with closed cell sponge rubber. This meant a lot of goo-gone and a tired set of arms. Once I removed all the padding glue, I cleaned the vinyl and used spray adhesive to mount the CCS replacement pads. The CCS will not absorb water, so in the event this happens again, it will be easier to clean and air out. Much thanks to NICEGUYSANTI & this thread:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/misc-technical-discussion/86508-replaced-padding-under-fjs-floor-no-longer-smells-like-wet-socks.html



I also opted to seal the edges of all the rubber drain/access covers with clear silicon. (I noticed a small amount of mud infiltration on the drivers side at a drain hole seal.) I know it's a belt and suspenders approach, but the rubber seals can still be removed easily if needed.







Since I had the interior out, it made sense to apply some sound deadening. I used Hushmat on the recommendation of RECON FJ & this thread: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/interior-exterior-visual-tech/92854-sound-dampening-installed-what-difference-pics.html It was also locally available. I lined the entire tub, sides, and rear door. I am planning to do the front doors with the remaining sheets.









Overall this mod took a few weeks with the interior out, with cleaning, new rubber, and hushmat. I mainly worked a couple of hours a day after work and some during the weekend.

I'm glad I made a good modification out of a cleaning situation, and I think the Hushmat has improved the acoustics and decreased road noise. Although this was not really a cheap or needed modification, it sure made cleaning out the FJ a lot easier to take.:rocker:
 
#36 ·
This weekend is a possibility. I will get in touch about it.

Can't wait to see it with ALL the new toys.
Well, are you going to Summit?

I really like your FJ. I need to get going on making mine special like that. LOOKS GREAT.
Thanks, I appreciate the comments.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top