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The Scorpion

378978 Views 1336 Replies 184 Participants Last post by  TCao, 
uphill
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WELCOME TO THE SCORPION BUILD-UP THREAD​

The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either.



photo courtesy of VOLHOO (thanks Vince)​


All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
--Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, CB, DSO
The Scorpion FJ, though unworthy of the man, has been created in honor of T. E. Lawrence (1888-1935), may he rest in peace.



When I bought the FJ, I mapped out a philosophy on which direction a build-up should take. My philosophy was built around a vehicle that could operate, removed from populated areas, and support my interest in exploration and examination of unsettled regions (increasingly difficult to find). Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

My philosophy in modifications is simple. I wanted to create a strong, capable, sustainable rig that would BRING ME HOME at the end of the day. Everything I've done to my FJ has that particular end in mind.

My favorite FJ Cruiser Moment: I'm driving my FJ on an expedition and I can't fall asleep at night under the stars because reality is finally better than my dreams.

This is the stock FJ.

I bought my FJ Cruiser on December 23, 2006 as a Christmas present to myself since it was highly unlikely that anyone else would buy an FJ for me no matter how hard I tried to get off the naughty list.

My daughter Emilie agreed to ride shotgun with me on trail runs.

concentrated mist,

a clear jewel on a leafpoint,

drip,

the river begins!​

(Photo Courtesy of THUBUB, Holcomb Creek ford - 07)​

And I began the process of modifying the FJ


SCORPION

Edited and Updated Mod List
I'm going to use this partcular posting to post added mods so it will change over time to reflect those additions. Some mods will replace others so occasionally there will be deletions as well.

(photo courtesy of CRAZYHERMIT and NETTI - Kokopelli Trail - Nov. 2007)

(photo courtesy of DOMINICG - Mojave Road - Feb. 2008)

(photo courtesy of DRAGON - Kokopelli Trail - July 2008)
​
FROM THE DEALER
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Model 4704C
Titanium
Upgrade Package 1 <ATRAC/Rear Locker>
CQ and C7 Convenience Packages
Curtain Shield Airbags
Roof Rack

Build Date: November 2006

Engine bay bulges/rips: First noticed 1/21/08 - bulged on both fenders @22K miles

Significant Mechanical Problems: None so far

  • ARMOR
  • ARB Bull Bar - Front Bumper
  • DeMello Offroad rear bumper w/swing arm[/COLOR])
  • Bud Built Front Skidplate
  • Bud Built Middle Skidplate
  • Bud Built Transmission & Transfer Case Skidplate
  • Bud Built Rear Crossmember
  • Bud Built Fuel Tank (Beefy) Skidplate
  • Bud Built ARB Spacer Armor Plate
  • Inchworm E-Locker Motor Skid (sustained trail damage, cut down in size to repair)
  • Rear Lower Shock Skid
  • Rear Trailing Link Skid
  • Rear Differential Plate (welded)
  • DeMello Hybrid Sliders
  • Manic Tail Light Guards (Real Wheels guards took 5 trail hits -saves- then gave up the ghost)

    SUSPENSION AND TIRES
  • Walker Evans Beadlock Rims
  • Nitto Terra Grapplers - 305/70R17
  • Demello Frame Chop
  • Donahoe Racing Shocks and Front Coil-Overs
  • Old Man Emu Heavy Duty Rear Coil-Overs (OME-886)
  • Donahoe Racing Upper Control Arms
  • Light Racing Jounce Shocks (Chubbies) replacing bump-stops
  • Icon Signature Lower Control Arms
  • Gorilla Lugs

    EQUIPMENT ADDITIONS
  • Lowrance Baja 540C GPS & Freedom Maps Chip F103EX-S and F104EX-W & Shadow GPS R/V Mirror Adaptor Mount
  • Man-A-Fre Auxillery (22 gal.) fuel tank
    --Providing a total capacity of 40 gallons
  • Wet Okole Seat Covers
  • Scanguage 2
  • K & N Air Filter - Replaced by OEM Air Filter
  • Aux. Optima Yellow-Top Battery
  • Dirty Parts Auxiliary Battery Kit
  • Circuit Boss 7 Circuit Fuse Block
  • 6 x REL40 40 Amp custom amber switches
  • Stebel Nautilus Compact Air Horn
  • Passenger-side arm rest
  • Fuel Can Options: 2 x Wedco Jerry Cans (gas/water)
  • Relocated Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather - Scuba Driver Mod.
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • ARB Safari Snorkel
  • I-Pod
  • Death-Stalker Scorpion transfer case shift knob

    COMMUNICATIONS
  • SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker
  • Midland 75-822 Handheld CB Radio with Vehicle Adapter
  • Antenna – 5' and 3’ Firestick/CB
  • Yaesu FT-1802 M/E 2 meter transceiver (50 watts output)/HAM
  • Comet 3D5M mobile mounting hardware/HAM
  • Antenna - Diamond NR-770HA 2M/70CM 3/5.5dB Mobile Antenna/HAM

    LIGHTING
  • Airflow Headlight Covers
  • Hella Black Magic 6” Driving Lights (mounted to ARB Bumper)
  • N-Fab Front Light Bar/Bracket w/3 x Acro X1870M Driving Lights & 2 x 40 B/U PIAA Flood Lights
  • N-Fab Rear Light Bar/Bracket w/2 x 40 B/U PIAA Flood Lights & 1 x LEDQUAD LED Strobe Light Bar
  • 2 x Oznium Flexible Super Thin (red) LED Dome Lights
  • 2 x Puck (white) LED Dome Lights
  • LED Red dash lights replacing white instrument gauge lights

    TOOLS & TRAIL EQPT.
  • Fiskars Axe
  • Short Handle Shovel
  • Crowbar/Pry Bar
  • Eagle Talon (RJM Forge)
  • Husqvarna 350 18" Chain Saw
  • Jumper Cables
  • Tool Kit
  • JB Weld
  • Spool (1000 ft) OD Green Parachute (550) Cord
  • Roll(s) of 100 MPH Tape (milspec rigger's tape)
  • FJC Spare Parts Kit (on extended load-out): including 2xCV Boots, 2xCV Sway Bar Links, Serpentine Belt, rear lower control arm, front axel, spare fuses, tire valves, etc.

    GEAR STORAGE
  • SCORPION MOUNT - An endoskeleton in the back to provide hard points and additional M-PAC storage.
  • Pelican Cases - Allow modular load out depending on the nature of the trip.
  • Fourtreks Shovel/Axe mount
  • Fourtreks HiLift Jack Mount
  • Fourtreks Dual Mount
  • Fourtreks Fuel Can Rack Mount
  • Fourtreks Modular Roll Bar Handle
  • Springtail M-PAC rack and MOLLE gear
  • Springtail M-PAC Side Rack
  • 2 x Expeditionware Jerry Can Holders (currently one mounted)
  • Power Tank Roof Rack Mount - (Custom Fab using Four Treks parts)

    PNEUMATICS
  • 20 lbs. CO2 Auxillery Tank (Internal Mount)
  • 10 lbs. CO2 Power Tank
  • Ingersol Rand #2135 Ti (composite titanium) pneumatic impact gun
  • Power Tank Super Coupler
  • Power Tank HD Tire Inflator Handle
  • Oasis Trailhead Deflator / Stebel Trailhead Deflator (both onboard)
  • ARB Tire Repair Kit
  • Spare valves and valve cores

    RECOVERY
  • Warn XD9000 Winch
  • Viking Kevlar Winch Line (100')
  • Winch Safety Thimble
  • Viking Delrin Fairlead Rollers
  • Warn Hitch Shackle
  • 30’ Rescue Strap
  • 100’ of braided steel cable
  • ARB Snatchblock
  • Pull Pal
  • 4 x 3/4 ton D-Rings
  • ARB Bushranger X-Jack
  • Hi-Lift Jack
  • WabFab Slider Attachment
  • Hi-Lift Jack Base
  • Hi-Lift Jack handle keeper

    EMERGENCY EQPT.
  • Basic Survival Kit (on standard load-out)
  • Large First Responder First-Aid Kit including an adult bag/valve mask
  • Smoke Grenades (pyro- red and green)
  • Chemlights (red and green)
  • Polish Model 78 Flare Gun (26.5 MM) with star flares
  • Lensatic Compass
  • Knive(s)
  • Firearm(s)

RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
I have had consistently good service from these
vendors and encourage you to consider them in
your build-ups. I have not received a discount
from any of them and have no financial stake in
the outcome of your purchase.

DeMello Offroad
BudBuilt
Man-A-Fre
Springtail (MPAC)
Dirty Parts






SCORPION IN VIDEOS

FJ CRUISERS IN DEEP CREEK
(Courtesy of FJROD)

(Courtesy of POKER DAWG)

THE LATEST ADDITION(s)

DeMello swing-out bumper.

Scorpion Mount



ICON lower rear control arms
​


​



BUILD-OUT HIGHLIGHTED TOPICS
(hyper-links to this thread)

SPRINGTAIL MPAC

BEADLOCK WHEELS

LIGHT RACING JOUNCE SHOCKS

CB ANTENNA CHOICE

UPPER CONTROL ARMS & TIRE ALIGNMENT

STEBEL NATILUS AIR HORN

DYNAMIC BALANCING

E-LOCKER SKID

ARMOR AS ART

LOAD-OUT LISTS

USING A SNATCHBLOCK

SEAT COVERS & TRAIL TOOL

N-FAB FRONT AND REAR LIGHT BARS

ULTIMATE SWAY BAR LINKS

LOCKING SHOVEL/AXE HOLDER

FIRST AID/FIRST RESPONDER KIT

Note that NO products produced by All Pro Offroad are used on THE SCORPION.




Meet the Scorpion - Current phase of build up/build out for my FJ.


EXPEDITIONS​

When selecting team members everyone looks for a combination of factors in their team mates. The most important is an absolute passion for the project, an ability to communicate, a diversity of proven expedition-specific skills in remote and hostile environments, physical stamina and mental toughness. FJ Cruiser expeditions are designed first and foremost to be fun. Secondly, they hone your skill sets by forcing you into new and unfamiliar situations that requires you to adapt and overcome. Thirdly, you get to make the run in a Toyota FJ Cruiser.



EXPEDITION PHOTOS

"Well George, we finally knocked the [email protected] off."
– Edmund Hillary's first words, to lifelong friend George Lowe, on returning from Everest's summit


MOJAVE TRAIL EXPEDITION
(Ft. Mojave to Afton Canyon - California) October 07

MOJAVE TRAIL EXPEDITION (Afton Canyon to Ft. Mojave - California) February 08

MOJAVE TRAIL EXPEDITION (Ft. Mojave to Afton Canyon - California) April 08

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
KOKOPELLI TRAIL EXPEDITION
(Grand Junction, CO to Moab, UT) November 07


DEATH VALLEY (Death Valley - California) March 08

Kokopelli Trail Expedition (Grand Junction to Moab) July 08


You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
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241 - 260 of 1337 Posts
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

sikocycles said:
Are your walkers evans polished?
Click to expand...
The WE are NOT polished. The beadlock ring is. IMO polishing them is not really necessary for appearance, expecially if you're going with a wide ring.
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uphill
4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

N-FAB LIGHT BAR RACKS (FRONT AND REAR)​

I saw the N-FAB light bar racks mounted to the Skyjacker FJ Cruiser at the Pomona auto show and immediately liked them. They were a logical extension to the OEM rack, an easy fit and did not have the high profile factor that I wanted to avoid. The Skyjacker reps on site weren't sure who made the light bars so I called Skyjacker in Monroe, LA. They put me on to N-Fab in Texas and N-Fab put me in touch with a vendor that handles their products.

The installation of front and back bars took about 25 minutes and simply bolts into the OEM rack hardpoints. I gooped the holes with silicone before threading in the N-Fab bolts and then I was in business.


Rear N-Fab Light Bar



Front N-Fab Light Bar


Closer view of the Front N-Fab Light Bar

Details:

There are six hard points for lights on the front, four on the rear. The price of each light bar was $230. I didn't have to pay shipping because I picked them up from a vendor locally.

Recent mileage checks with an expedition load-out topside made me feel that an air damn wasn't necessary. The lights that I'm going to install will be very low profile and the drag should be minimal. In any event it's nowhere near the drago from 2 Jerry Cans mounted on their side, a Pelican Case and a Power Tank mounted on the roof.
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uphill
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

ALL PHASE OFF ROAD LOCKING SHOVEL/AXE HOLDER



I bought this locking dual axe/shovel hoder from All Phase Off Road. It was based on a prototype designed by another Forum member so it's not part of their regular production equipment - so yes, I paid more for it than I should have. I felt I needed a locking solution and still think that's important.

I installed this modification on Thursday. Today (Monday) I felt that I needed to move it from the side of the OEM rack to the rear because of other modifications underway on the SCORPION.


After having been on the FJ for all of five days, note the rusted hardware/bolts (close-up below):


I went to a local hardware store and bought stainless steel bolts and installed them, greasing the threads with silicone to keep the steel threading (unpainted) from rusting.


The cost of the 6 stainless steel bolts was $3.10. I thought that the original bolts were black annodized metal and not just rough steel. When I put the mount on, I was in a hurry to get down the road and test out my expedition load-out. In any event, the problem was fixed, but maybe the mount shouldn't have gone out the door with substandard hardware on it.
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TCao
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Looks like the Scorpion is ready for our trip next month. Counting the days ...
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S
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Larry Looks great, I like the mount for the shovel and axe. I have the same axe, I bought the Fiskers shovel too, mounted mine to the rear door. The Scorpion is looking good buddy :D
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M
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

That thing is crazy. Thanks for the complete list of mods nice for us to review.
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uphill
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

MERCWORC said:
That thing is crazy. Thanks for the complete list of mods nice for us to review.
Click to expand...
The SICK part is that I still have a remarkably long list of must-haves. The snorkel is coming in late November. I've been PM'ing STEVE-O at Man-A-Fre about the extended range fuel tank that may be ready for my expedition with the East Coast Toyota Trail Teams (and TCAO of course) at Kokopelli Trail. Then I need overhead lights and I would like to get a 40" LED light bar (very bright, never burns out, low power draw - but $1,500 front and $1000 rear). I'm working on a mod based on a part being developed by a vendor that nobody has yet and I'm excited about (I haven't pinged Jason Demello about fab needs but will soon). And then there the whole REAR BUMPER + swinging arm issue. Several are either out or are due out by the first of the year and that's going to be a tough decision.

Maybe I'll find a gold mine somewhere along the Mojave Trail expedition we're making this coming weekend. If that happens:


I may be the only one to emerge at Afton Canyon after we cross the trackless desert (driving AIR2AIR's FJ).

Does anyone remember what happened in this classic movie?

I really need to find GOLD to pay for the mods!

If not the Treasure of Sierra Madre, perhaps Ali Baba's cave. We're too far from Arizona to stumble on the Lost Dutchman's Mine -- however it is "lost" and who knows but what it's on the Mojave Trail?
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TCao
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Badges!? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!!
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)


Precisely!
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uphill
5
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Odessa Canyon/The Doran Loop

MIR207 led a few FJ's into Odessa Canyon on the Doran Loop, a notoriously rough and nasty stretch of trail as icing on the cake. Odessa Canyon is adjacent to the Calico Ghost Town near Barstow, CA.

SCORPION in Odessa Canyon.

SCORPION tries to crest the rock... but can't quite make it.

--Photo by FJDAVE--

The first trail carnage of the trip from (careless) backing up!

But wait! It's a tail-light guard SAVE!

Only slight damage to the skin of the beast and a chip off the plastic lens.
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TCao
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
...

Only slight damage to the skin of the beast and a chip off the plastic lens.
Click to expand...
Dual spare tire carriers would have given you more protection. I was in a LR Defender 110 with dual spare tires and we were rear-ended by a Toyota LC75 in Tanzania last year and the only damage was a couple of scratches on the steel rim and the ARB bull bar on the LC75 (besides my soiled shorts since I was sitting in the third row seat :)).
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

TCAO: Do you know whether nor not the Kaymar dual swinging arm bumper accomodate two TG 305/70R17 tires on the back such that motorists can still see the tail lights?

I have been thinking about that very option but need to run a measuring tape to see if it will work.
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TCao
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
TCAO: Do you know whether nor not the Kaymar dual swinging arm bumper accomodate two TG 305/70R17 tires on the back such that motorists can still see the tail lights?

I have been thinking about that very option but need to run a measuring tape to see if it will work.
Click to expand...
I already measured the width from taillight to taillight and it's 52 inches. A single back-up light will be more effective that the factory lights. If Kaymar offers built-in parking and turn signal lights like the other FJ series, two spares can be mounted on the rear bumper (and they will block the taillights).

edit: I have emailed Kaymar/Australia already about the dual spare tyres and awaiting answer from Jenny.

edit 2: just received email from Jenny/Kaymar-Australia and she confirmed that the rear bar (Aussie speak for bumper) for the FJC will accommodate two spare tires carriers (not sure on the max tire size). May be Man-a-fre can measure the distance from left carrier spindle to right carrier spindle centerline on the prototype bumper and the distance from the spindle centerline to the tire mounting centerline on the swing-out carrier to determine the max tire size.
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

TCao said:
I already measured the width from taillight to taillight and it's 52 inches. A single back-up light will be more effective that the factory lights. If Kaymar offers built-in parking and turn signal lights like the other FJ series, two spares can be mounted on the rear bumper (and they will block the taillights).

edit: I have emailed Kaymar/Australia already about the dual spare tyres and awaiting answer from Jenny.

edit 2: just received email from Jenny/Kaymar-Australia and she confirmed that the rear bar (Aussie speak for bumper) for the FJC will accommodate two spare tires carriers (not sure on the max tire size). May be Man-a-fre can measure the distance from left carrier spindle to right carrier spindle centerline on the prototype bumper and the distance from the spindle centerline to the tire mounting centerline on the swing-out carrier to determine the max tire size.
Click to expand...
I am leaning toward that solution. When MAF gets them in, I'll wheel over and check out that option. I've been speaking with SHADOW-WARRIOR about this for a couple of weeks now. Two tires (on long runs, not around town) also balances the weight better, whereas a tire on one side and a jerry can on the other does not. I was hoping to have the Kaymar bumper and the aux/extended range fuel tank installed at MAF at the same time if all works out. It's a lot more weight on the back of the rig, but I won't run two tires or necessarily run two full tanks of fuel around town. For runs like Kokopelli or other long range expedition style projects, two spare tires and more fuel is prudent and having it off the roof lowers the C-O-G.
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uphill
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)



FOSSILIZED FJ CRUISER TRACKS?

It's science, it's here for the reading. An FJ Cruiser must have roamed the seashore in Scotland 300 million years ago.


SCIENTIFIC PROOF QUOTED HERE AS WELL. The 2007 FJ Cruiser was not the first giant scorpion.
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S
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

That is Scary..a 5 Ft Water SCORPION!...330 Million years ago walking around. Cool, It really does fit you Larry :D
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frogeye
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Damn you guys have lots of mods. I just had chance to browse your thread Larry and your rig is truely unique. Great job. I need to put up a thread for my rig. Great job documenting everything.
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MudLovingFJ
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)



i like your flag on the cb antenna. where did you ever get that idea ;)
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thugasaur
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

i gotta ask why run it so low on the pole shouldnt it be at the top?
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MudLovingFJ
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

if you run it up high it practically bends your antenna to a 90 degree angle when you are going past 20 mph
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