Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
:jawdrop: dang thats a lot of girls to deal with.
The Scorpion
25
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
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!
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
(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)
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)
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.
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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
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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
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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.
![]()
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)
THE LATEST ADDITION(s)
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DeMello swing-out bumper.
![]()
Scorpion Mount
![]()
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ICON lower rear control arms
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.
361 - 380 of 1337 Posts
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
True-
I just ordered the dual battery kit from Cruiser Larry at Dirty Parts - pick up/install next week.
All lights, winch, radio and aux eqpt. will be run from that new battery and there's also going to be a new fuse block so everything will be routed through that -- much cleaner than just adding lead (after endless lead) to the principal battery.
imp: ---------------imp:
The light bars are N-Fab bars for those of you who asked.
![]()
(photo of the N-Fab light bars taken from my doorway this morning)
Why N-Fab?
(1) They match and compliment the OEM rack and I decided to keep the OEM set-up. I planned to go to a rack sold by a company in Hemet, CA until I had problems with them -- and changed those plans to keep the OEM and add on the N-Fab, which suits my needs better anyway.
(2) Highly adaptable to customization.
(3) Forward stance. I want the lights as far forward as possible because I want the flood pattern out on either side of the rig, not on the hood and I don't want the blind spot issue close to the rig for slow trail driving that having lights situated farther aft does cause.
(4) I wanted 6 light stations forward and 4 aft.
(5) At $225, the price was RIGHT.
(6) Easy installation - bolts right into the OEM hard points. Takes maybe 30 minutes and they're in.
(7) The air damn offered by Toyota and others wasn't necessary to me. You get wind noise either way.
(8) Nobody else seems to be using them. I found them at the Off Road Expo mounted on the Skyjacker truck. I asked Skyjacker whose light bars they were and the reps didn't know. I called their HQ in Monroe, LA and they directed me to N-Fab. I called the owner of N-Fab in Texas (who makes the predator bars, etc.) and we chatted. They don't make a lot of these because it's not their market. They primarily mfg/sell OEM parts to Toyota.
I prefer NOT to have my FJ look like everyone else's. There are common threads between my rig and others, of course, but I do a lot of research before I buy mods and try and pick what is right for me.:grim:
SHADOW-WARRIOR does chap my a$$ from time to time because we come up with the same "Unique mods", and try and one-up each other on the phone only to find out that the other has come up with the same idea independently. That tells you one thing. His mind rolls through the same gutter that mine does.:grinbiginvert:
True-
I just ordered the dual battery kit from Cruiser Larry at Dirty Parts - pick up/install next week.
All lights, winch, radio and aux eqpt. will be run from that new battery and there's also going to be a new fuse block so everything will be routed through that -- much cleaner than just adding lead (after endless lead) to the principal battery.
imp: ---------------imp: The light bars are N-Fab bars for those of you who asked.
(photo of the N-Fab light bars taken from my doorway this morning)
Why N-Fab?
(1) They match and compliment the OEM rack and I decided to keep the OEM set-up. I planned to go to a rack sold by a company in Hemet, CA until I had problems with them -- and changed those plans to keep the OEM and add on the N-Fab, which suits my needs better anyway.
(2) Highly adaptable to customization.
(3) Forward stance. I want the lights as far forward as possible because I want the flood pattern out on either side of the rig, not on the hood and I don't want the blind spot issue close to the rig for slow trail driving that having lights situated farther aft does cause.
(4) I wanted 6 light stations forward and 4 aft.
(5) At $225, the price was RIGHT.
(6) Easy installation - bolts right into the OEM hard points. Takes maybe 30 minutes and they're in.
(7) The air damn offered by Toyota and others wasn't necessary to me. You get wind noise either way.
(8) Nobody else seems to be using them. I found them at the Off Road Expo mounted on the Skyjacker truck. I asked Skyjacker whose light bars they were and the reps didn't know. I called their HQ in Monroe, LA and they directed me to N-Fab. I called the owner of N-Fab in Texas (who makes the predator bars, etc.) and we chatted. They don't make a lot of these because it's not their market. They primarily mfg/sell OEM parts to Toyota.
I prefer NOT to have my FJ look like everyone else's. There are common threads between my rig and others, of course, but I do a lot of research before I buy mods and try and pick what is right for me.:grim:
SHADOW-WARRIOR does chap my a$$ from time to time because we come up with the same "Unique mods", and try and one-up each other on the phone only to find out that the other has come up with the same idea independently. That tells you one thing. His mind rolls through the same gutter that mine does.:grinbiginvert:
2
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Garvin Industries
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But there is also the Tuffy roof rack lockbox to consider.
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The rear light bar also solves the problem with wanting to use that space on the OEM for equipment mounts (shovel/ax/pry bar etc.).
Nice find Uphill . . . now the embarressment of copying the Scorpion :ack:
Hmmmm, I've been looking for something like this. The OEM roof rack light bar has a nice airdam (and the factory interface/switch), but only accomodates two lights with the loss of the area directly in front of the light bar. I was also looking at adding the Garvin Adventure rack add-on that makes that dead space in the front center of the OEM roof rack usable space.True-
The light bars are N-Fab bars for those of you who asked.
![]()
(photo of the N-Fab light bars taken from my doorway this morning)
Garvin Industries
But there is also the Tuffy roof rack lockbox to consider.
The rear light bar also solves the problem with wanting to use that space on the OEM for equipment mounts (shovel/ax/pry bar etc.).
Nice find Uphill . . . now the embarressment of copying the Scorpion :ack:
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
) Also, I don't think they ended up designing a skid tray for the 23 gal version...
I think it's a "complexity of bookkeeping" issue mainly - having to track alot of part numbers. The design for the 23 gal tank is solid and it's more tested than the 19 gal and I think it may even be easier to manufacture. But it's not listed on the website since I think Steve is *really* keen to keep the number of variants low for parts numbers purposes. But I'm sure if the market is there for the 23 gal tank, MAF will respond (just don't quote me on that to Steve
) Also, I don't think they ended up designing a skid tray for the 23 gal version...
4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Dirty Pictures:
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Dirty Pictures:
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
That's a sweet shot Larry.
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That's a sweet shot Larry.
2
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)
Mount it above the R/V mirror and run the power down the A-Pillar and the antenna up from the R/V mirror. In that way you can both see it.
![]()
The Lowrence GlobalMap Baja 840C has an 8.4 inch monitor. It's a big boy
WIDTH=10.6 in
HEIGHT=7.8 in
DEPTH=3.7 in
600x800 resolution
You almost need to put that in front of the passenger because of the size IMO. You can always tilt it toward the driver, but I think it would be difficult to see.
![]()
The 540C has a 5 inch display and is smaller (fits better "above" the R/V mirror).
The Baja 540C has been on back-order everywhere for double retail $ but Lowrence is supposed to come out with more next week and they should be hitting the retail market again.
Mount it above the R/V mirror and run the power down the A-Pillar and the antenna up from the R/V mirror. In that way you can both see it.
The Lowrence GlobalMap Baja 840C has an 8.4 inch monitor. It's a big boy
WIDTH=10.6 in
HEIGHT=7.8 in
DEPTH=3.7 in
600x800 resolution
You almost need to put that in front of the passenger because of the size IMO. You can always tilt it toward the driver, but I think it would be difficult to see.
The 540C has a 5 inch display and is smaller (fits better "above" the R/V mirror).
Put me down for the NMEX Spring Fling if there is room for 1 more. It would depend on the date (for scheduling purposes) but I'd sure like to get out and run that part of the country.
361 - 380 of 1337 Posts
