Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum banner
Cancel

The Scorpion

378984 Views 1336 Replies 184 Participants Last post by  TCao, 
uphill
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
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.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
401 - 420 of 1337 Posts
sanab430
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Another rig to live vicariously through. Thank you.

Your rig looks great. It's a nice blend of functionality and bad-assness.
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
17
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

500,000,000 (five hundred million) years ago the Cambrian Period marked an important point in the history of life on earth; it was the time when most of the major groups of animals first appeared in the fossil record. This event is sometimes called the "Cambrian Explosion", because of the relatively short time over which this diversity of forms appeared.

​

Today an intrepid group of amateur fossil hunters went in search of the remnants of that ancient time in the Latham Shale, near the almost Ghost Town of Chambless, California.

UPHILL (Ti FJ), VOLHOO (Col Mustard FJ) and friends James (Jeep Wrangler) & Mike (Ford Bronco) -- with families-- trekked back into the dim and distant past through their explorations on "Black Friday" when most of the people in SoCal were crowding into shopping malls in a mad panic to spend their hard-earned money.

VOLHOO stops by a road sign to find the way to the fossil shale. The confusion is enough to drive a species extinct.

Mike recruited the best spotters he could find!

UPHILL discussing "the line" with James.

Sometimes an old mining road will turn into a trail making the turn-around interesting. (note turn-around carnage on rear bumper)


EXPLORATION

VOLHOO directs a team of crack paleontologist at his "dig".

Emilie (MISSUPHILL) examines shale for fossils. She found some ancient coral and another example of petrified algae between slabs of shale.

Éamon scores a big find!

Heavily ladened with fossils, a handy hatchet and a water bottle, a notorious desert rat makes her way back toward the Jeep.

The truth is out there...I know it is.

AFTER FOSSIL HUNTING, it's time for firearms instruction and target practice:






Another successful desert run with fossils and spent cartridge casings to show for it!
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
F
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

now that you have that second battery your ready for the lowrance gps upgrade.
Reply
Save
Like
O
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Very Nice!
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

okladuckbuster said:
Very Nice!
Click to expand...
Thank you. From your screen name, I take it that the duck hunting there is very good!

felonious said:
now that you have that second battery your ready for the lowrance gps upgrade.
Click to expand...
The Lowrence GPS's should be shipping out next week to distributors and then they'll hit the market in time for the Holidays. SHADOW WARRIOR and I have talked about placement issues and he's fabbing a mod for each of us to mount them uniquely.

And you're right. I needed the second battery in before I put in the fuse block(s) and relays for the lights, GPS, etc.

I don't plan on installing a cold air intake so the fuse blocks will go in the empty space on the fender piece directly in front of the battery. The relays for the front and back overhead lights will run high along the firewall.

I decided on the Acro X970 as the principal overhead driving lights (3 forward) and PIAA floods on each quarter forward and back.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
4XX4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
It's a disease. There are some who think I need to have my head examined.


When I see this ink blot I think that I need to add more stuff onto the FJ. Does the blot look like an incomplete FJ to any of you? :silly:
Click to expand...
Actually, it looks like you ran over a turtle.


Love the way this buildup is progressing. Man, if I had this OCD to keep up with the Jones' I'd be royally tanked with this rig. :D

Thanks for sharing, Larry. One of the best on the forum.
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

4XX4 said:
Actually, it looks like you ran over a
turtle.
Click to expand...
That's a FELONY here on the mainland. It may even be a felony to THINK of running over a turtle here. No joke. If you obtain a permit to drive in the wilderness area, you have to LITERALLY swear that if there is a turtle in your path, you'll wait until the turtle crosses before you proceed. Simply picking up the turtle and moving it out of danger is a CRIME. Penalty: Civil: up to $25,000 Criminal: up to $50,000 or up to one year year in jail or both. Federal law also precludes transport of desert tortoises across state lines.

CTTC - California's Permit System for Desert Tortoises

The Law and the Tortoise

:worried: so...no, I don't think that it looks like a dead turtle. Honest, judge, it looks like an FJ in need of modification. :grim:
Reply
Save
Like
LandCruiserSteve
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
That's a FELONY here on the mainland. It may even be a felony to THINK of running over a turtle here. No joke.
Click to expand...
San Quentin hard-timer to new arrival: "So, whadaya in for, Sweetpea??"


"Uhhh . . . . . . I whacked a turtle. :eek: :eek: "
Reply
Save
Like
Teotwaki
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
That's a FELONY here on the mainland. It may even be a felony to THINK of running over a turtle here. .....
Click to expand...

Bust me! Bust me! I thought of it years ago...

A long time ago I was coming back down from Calico Peak and some other folks were ahead of me in a 4x4 dually pick up. It was night time and my headlights showed something jammed between the right rear tire set. I soon realized it was just a big rock but I couldn't resist and picked up the radio:

Jim to Ron. "No s**t, you've got a tortise jammed in your rear wheels!"

Ron, disbelieving "Aw heck! Are you sure?!"

Jim in a serious voice "Yup. It is whirling around each time your tire rotates"

Ron slides to a halt in a storm of desert dust and jumps out with a little bitty flashlight. He catches sight of the top of the dark colored rock poking out and I add a little fuel to the fire, mentioniong that he just violated a whole bunch of laws. It wasn't until he took a prybar to the rock that he realized that he had been snookered big time. :silly:
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
4XX4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
That's a FELONY here on the mainland. It may even be a felony to THINK of running over a turtle here. No joke. If you obtain a permit to drive in the wilderness area, you have to LITERALLY swear that if there is a turtle in your path, you'll wait until the turtle crosses before you proceed. Simply picking up the turtle and moving it out of danger is a CRIME. Penalty: Civil: up to $25,000 Criminal: up to $50,000 or up to one year year in jail or both. Federal law also precludes transport of desert tortoises across state lines.

CTTC - California's Permit System for Desert Tortoises

The Law and the Tortoise

:worried: so...no, I don't think that it looks like a dead turtle. Honest, judge, it looks like an FJ in need of modification. :grim:
Click to expand...
:lol: And I thought we were the only ones with such laws. In fact, native Hawaiians cannot even use the "part of our cultural cuisine" excuse.

So, if a turtle crawls into your path, it's best to go over the rim.
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I just left DeMello Offroad... and my wallet seems lighter.

I planned on buying a Kaymar rear bumper but Jason's Fab Fours group-buy was too much for me. I can resist anything but temptation.:indifferent:

So maybe FJAMMING can photochop me a photo of what the bumper would like on a Titanium FJ.


Because I am adding the MAF auxiliary fuel tank, there will be more weight to deal with (and because, yes, the bumper is heavy) so I'm going to OME-896 HD rear springs when the stock bumper comes off and the Fab Fours goes on, replacing the Donahoe coil-overs.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
jeshua
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Very nice Larry it should look great on the titanium. When are you going to install?
Reply
Save
Like
Fjamming
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Larry, post your FJ and I'll chop one up. Unless you want to see the Ultimate FJ in Ti. :)
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

jeshua said:
Very nice Larry it should look great on the titanium. When are you going to install?
Click to expand...
The install will go down when Jason gets them in. If he had them --like now-- I'd be pushing for an install tomorrow. He said after the first of the year unless he gets more than 5 or 6 orders before and can get an early shipment -- So if you were a pal, Josh, you'd order one for yourself and one each for 4 of your friends to help me expedite my order :grinbiginvert:
Reply
Save
Like
jeshua
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
The install will go down when Jason gets them in. If he had them --like now-- I'd be pushing for an install tomorrow. He said after the first of the year unless he gets more than 5 or 6 orders before and can get an early shipment -- So if you were a pal, Josh, you'd order one for yourself and one each for 4 of your friends to help me expedite my order :grinbiginvert:
Click to expand...
I think you have a little more coin then I do my friend.:) Thats why I still have my stock bumpers front and rear and nether one is in good shape.:lol: The rear one looks like it will fall off any day. :) Plus as much as I like you Larry and think that bumper looks killer it is way to heavy for my ride and what I like to do. :(

I hope 4 or 5 more guys make an order here quick for you. I was hoping I would see it up close in Calico in a week or so.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

That bumper is going to look awesome on the Scorpion Larry. I too have been thinking about heavier rear coils myself. I won's do it until down the road farther once maybe I build a sleeping platform/storage system in the rear of the vehicle. Can't wait to see the pics with the new bumper. Watch your mail for the Lowrance GPS mount. :)
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Shadow-Warrior said:
Watch your mail for the Lowrance GPS mount. :)
Click to expand...
Christmas is coming early! :bigthumb:

Thanks Shadow Santa!


As to the weight of the Fab Fours bumper, especially when you consider that I'm adding the MAF Aux. fuel tank, my build is getting away from high speed transits (Air2Air concept) and leaning toward the expedition concept vehicle. Long range, high endurance, while keeping the all-terrain capability of the FJ and handling characteristics and reliability of stock IFS. As I learned on the Kokopelli Trail Expedition with the Trail Teams last month, the FJ needs to be loaded to the skuppers with gear, water, spare fuel, etc. It's still effective at 4WD speeds but you aren't going to be skipping over the sand at high speed.

And to spite my general love for humanity, I really enjoy getting away from human sewers (big cities) and spending time in the open, exploring, and using the FJ for that purpose. And the tupperware bumper on the FJ is beat up enough that it needs to be replaced. I'm lucky enough that $ wasn't a problem and I was able to pick from all available options. ("old guys rule/young guys drewl" - CRAZYHERMIT)
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
5
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Scorpion has been pestering me to allow it to open "just one present" early. So today because we're wrapping gifts, Christmas music is playing on the stereo, etc. I relented and said, "Ok, Scorpion, just one."

A new BudBuilt skid that replaces the stock ARB spacer plate!
And because the Scorpion was so filthy from the mud romp on Cleghorn Road yesterday, I had to hose down its hide just to get to the plate without having mud drop on me. No, Scorpion is not clean yet. Just clean enough to install the new plate. You can see the difference in color between the dirty IFS plate and the new spacer plate. (after above - before below)



The big present (Fab Fours Bumper) is still pending and my daughter Emilie (below) points out recent trail damage from the fossil hunt.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
fj in nepa
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

that is a bad assrig brother
Reply
Save
Like
uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

cmtuohy said:
that is a bad assrig brother
Click to expand...
Thanks. I've been adding one piece at a time and have enjoyed doing it - and running with the FJ more than any other car/vehicle I've owned.
Reply
Save
Like
401 - 420 of 1337 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
A forum community dedicated to Toyota FJ owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, accessories, mods, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Introductions & New Arrivals Interior / Exterior Visual Tech Want to Sell (FJ Related Items) Stereo / Electronics / Electrical
Top