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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!)
 
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#70 · (Edited)
11/07/2010 - MetalTech Front Bumper Install

As many of you know, I had the FJ Summit Raffle gods smile on me this year. I ended up with some pretty good swag...including this -


After work died down a bit, I finally got a chance to install this baby. I followed MT's instructions (posted on the forum) to the letter. All went pretty easily minus a couple of locked up Nylock nuts. Well, I guess I got some experience drilling out bolts. Needless to say, I switched hardware to hex nuts and lockwashers. With that done it was any easy 1 man install. (Of course Landy did swing by to offer assistance and beer.)

Stripped down and ready for a new front end.

First thing to do was purchase some metal cut-off wheels for my dremmel and trim a bit of metal for the fog lights to fit.


With that done it was time to mask, tape and paint. With a white FJ, there is just no getting around blacking out the lower front end.



Now on with it...

And the Bash Plate.

Some Comparison shots -





 
#81 ·
11.23.2010 - Rear Link Install

Some comparison shots. The new links are steel w/ aluminum skids built onto them (they look really good with all the aluminum Ricochet skids.)




It was a pretty easy install with a rachet strap handy, rubber mallet, & breakover bar. The bolts are really on there, and need to go back on very tight. The breakover bar will make that much easier...or a small cheater pipe.





Very happy with the build quality all around on these. Greasable joints...although the rear Zerk is covered by the Outrider Link mount armor. I over greased it a bit thinking ahead that it will be a pain to pull off armor each time to access the Zerk fitting. Oh well...not a big deal...the Zerk is protected!

Thanks so much Brad for whipping me up a set of these!

(I feel like I'm in the club now...yeah, we're talking inner circle stuff here.):rocker:
 
#86 ·
Thanks. I'm just so proud.

I hope you typed that in your 'Borat' voice Steve.:lol:

wow...love what you did to your ride inside and out! You have put tons of work into it and it looks rockin!

Nice job
Thanks for the props!:bigthumb:

Great build thread. I really like how it's all laid out and really gets me wanting to do more to my FJ. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. All the previous build pages made me feel the same way. So I just started my own build page...and damn if it didn't make me want to buy more mods! ...and so it goes!:rocker:

Your rig is just so tactical...bro!
Thanks for the compliment! That just brings a tear to my eye!:mecry:
(What with all the tactical bashing and what not...its comforting to know there are still good folks out there that appreciate good tactics.:lol:)
 
#85 ·
Your rig is just so tactical...bro!
 
#88 ·
Well it was a great Christmas for the FJ.

New Goodyear Fierce Attitude MT's (305/70 R16)

I have been drooling over these since I saw them on Mrs. Wilson's 'Baby J' and Wilson turned me on to an incredible deal at a local Goodyear shop. (thanks a million!...or rather $250 bucks):bigthumb:

I had to buy a 1/4" wheel spacer and space the tire carrier off the door with 3 washers per stud. The Gobi Ladder really makes it difficult to fit larger tires on the stock rims.





I am panning the body mount chop this next week. I do not rub and have about 1/4"+ clearance at full lock, but under compression on the trails and turned I think I could possible rub. Better safe than sorry.



Well...on to the FJ Porn.:clap:









 
#89 ·
I got the same tires as you (same referral) Not only do they look great and ride great on the street, but they wheel even better. Took a ride to Barnwell with Wilson yesterday to get a pre run for Jamboree. I was extremely impressed. I am very happy that I made this choice in a tire.

Got dirty, dug in well and did a few trails that I wouldn't have dreamed about touching a month ago.

See you at Jambo???
 
#90 ·
Jamboree was the main reason I went ahead and got them now. I could have gotten more street miles out of my Nitto TG's, but in Barnwell clay, they would have been slicks!

I am super impressed with the quiet smooth ride...no shimmy at all. No louder than the Nittos which were queit as a mouse.

Looking forward to Jambo!
 
#95 ·
Any chance you could PM me where you got these and the price if you don't mind? I'm ready for new tires and I wanted the Cooper STT's, but couldn't afford those (sucks being in highschool) and then moved to the Nitto Terra Grapplers which I can afford. But I really like the look of these a lot more than the Nitto's.
 
#100 ·
Hey, that FREE bumper sure looks good! That FJ has come a long way since we tooled around Ouray last July! Gonna make it again this year? This time I want to hand you my money to get the raffle tickets to get some of that good luck! Can't wait to see it in person amigo!
 
#101 ·
Hey...nice of you to drop by! Hope you had a great holiday and new year!

Yeah...it took me a little while to find time for that bumper install...but I finally got it on.:bigthumb:

And Hell-to-the-Yeah I plan on Summit 2011! Hope to get Moab in before hand again.:rocker: We'll have to discuss.

and I have no problem buying your raffle tickets...but I take a 5% fee up front.:lol:
 
#105 ·
when are you going to the flying saucer? i bet you want to see your baja rack again...
 
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