[Air2air]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Shadow is gonna have an awesome build, we all know that'll be something.

Gotta get him out to Cali somehow and raise some dust with the Scorpion.

uphill, saw your rear crossmember on this new list and I'm gonna look that up to see what it's about...

 

[Shadow-Warrior]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Shadow is gonna have an awesome build, we all know that'll be something.

Gotta get him out to Cali somehow and raise some dust with the Scorpion.

uphill, saw your rear crossmember on this new list and I'm gonna look that up to see what it's about...

Thanks Todd for the encouragement, but YOU have the ultimate build buddy! I will nowhere come close to that. But your there Todd to give us little guys something to daydream about. I will say this, I am looking forward to hitting the trails with you along with Larry in the Scorpion. I can see now, next years Summit in Ouray is going to be a blast! I may have to make it out to the Left coast one day and do some riding with everyone out there :cowsmile:

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

115 Degrees (in the shade) in the Mojave

9-1-07 http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...trail-mudloving-fj-9-1-07-run.html#post589821

15 PSI, Rocks and Hills, 4L with RDIF Lock and ATRAC engaged -- Scanguage 2 showed 12.2 MPG average during the course of the trail ride. There are other brands of 4x4 (and I'm not identifying any particular GM product) that can't get that sort of mileage rolling down hill in neutral. On the freeway to and from the trail with all that armor and weight, I still managed 18.4 MPG per Scanguage. And I was running 87 octane fuel.

The FJ rocks in the rocks and on the road!

 

[Shadow-Warrior]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Great pics Larry, it looks like it was hot as hell though. I like the tail shot of the rear dif armor, Very cool buddy

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

As my wife knows, I have had a $500.00 budget to build up the FJ and I've stretched the pennys with group buys, coupon clipping and so forth to stay within my budget. She's consented to another $50 for the Wet Okoke Seat Covers because of the group buy discount...:indifferent:

SHADOW WARRIOR (Mike) is very kind to me -- but I will never have a stealth black FJ the way his is with all of the cool stealth black stuff on it no matter how hard I try.

The cool thing about modified FJ's is that we are ALL DIFFERENT. AIR2AIR's rig, MISSFJ's rig and BECHTOLD's rig (while different in concept) are UberFJ's and there is no way most of us can do anything but dream...
:boohoo:

However, I do enjoy the (SCORPION), crush rocks with it -- and sometimes the rocks crush back. I hoped that the rear differential armor painted to match the Don't Tread On Me Flag would have made the rocks fear my FJ, but it made no difference at all.:silly:

 

[Shadow-Warrior]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

As my wife knows, I have had a $500.00 budget to build up the FJ and I've stretched the pennys with group buys, coupon clipping and so forth to stay within my budget. She's consented to another $50 for the Wet Okoke Seat Covers because of the group buy discount...:indifferent:

:rofl:

SHADOW WARRIOR (Mike) is very kind to me -- but I will never have a stealth black FJ the way his is with all of the cool stealth black stuff on it no matter how hard I try.

I don't know about all that, you should have been a politician the way your spreading it around there, but thanks anyways buddy :cowsmile:

The cool thing about modified FJ's is that we are ALL DIFFERENT. AIR2AIR's rig, MISSFJ's rig and BECHTOLD's rig (while different in concept) are UberFJ's and there is no way most of us can do anything but dream...
:boohoo:

A truer statement has never been said than that!

However, I do enjoy the (SCORPION), crush rocks with it -- and sometimes the rocks crush back. I hoped that the rear differential armor painted to match the Don't Tread On Me Flag would have made the rocks fear my FJ, but it made no difference at all.:silly:

I'm sure all the rocks Tremble when the Scorpion is coming down the path

 

[Gunslinger_2-6]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

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.


ARMOR
ARB Bull Bar - Front Bumper
Bud Built Front Skidplate
Bud Built Middle Skidplate
Bud Built Transmission & Transfer Case Skidplate
Bud Built Rear Crossmember.
Inchworm E-Locker Motor Skid
All Pro Rear Lower Shock Skid
All Pro Rear Trailing Link Skid
All Pro Rear Differential Skid/Plate
ARB Sliders
ARB Slider Skidplates
Tail Light Guards

SUSPENSION AND TIRES
Walker Evans Beadlock Rims
Nitto Terra Grapplers - 305/70R17
Demello Frame Chop
Donahoe Racing Shocks and Coil-Overs
Donahoe Racing Upper Control Arms
Light Racing Jounce Shocks (Chubbies) replacing bump-stops
All Pro - Pro Link Lower Control Arms with custom Currie Johnny Joints
Gorilla Lugs

EQUIPMENT ADDITIONS
Airflow Headlight Covers
Hella Black Magic 6” Driving Lights
Scanguage 2
K & N Air Filter
Midland 75-822 Handheld CB Radio with Vehicle Adapter
Bandi Mount
Antenna – 5’ Wilson
Antenna – 2’ Francis (marker)
2 x Wedco Jerry Cans (gas/water)
2 x Expeditionware Jerry Can Holders
(and/or) 3 X 2.5 Gallon plastic fuel tanks
10 lb. Power Tank
Power Tank Super Coupler
Power Tank HD Tire Inflator Handle
Oasis Trailhead Deflator
ARB Tire Repair Kit
SCUBA Driver Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather Mod.
HiLift Jack
WabFab Slider Attachment
HiLift Jack Base
HiLift Jack handle keeper
Hitch Cover (No Fear)
Fourtreks Dual Modular Shovel/Axe Mount
Fourtreks HiLift Jack Mount
Fourtreks Modular Roll Bar Handle
Fiskars Axe
Fiskars Shovel
Crowbar/Pry Bar
I-Pod
Tool Kit

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
4 x 3/4 ton D-Rings

Wow that's a list, I'm so jealous. You're rig is just awesome. I can just dream! Great Job! Reps on your killer rig!

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I SAID, "IT'S AN ILLNESS" ...AIR2AIR SAYS, "IT'S NORMAL." ...SHADOW-WARRIOR SAYS, "DO IT!"

:worried: Not including the possibility of regearing the FJ, these are the only mods I'm contemplating between now and the end of the year -- but even at that, it's about a $6,500 problem:

Pull Pal $405
Fab Fours Rear Bumper (with swinging arm) $2,800
Shadow Mount fuel/Hi-Lift Carrier $ ???
Wet Okole Seat Covers (2 Rows) (group buy) ? Apx $500
Safari Snorkel with severe duty 10" head Apx $500
Man-A-Fre Aux. Fuel Tank Apx $1,000

I need to get out and earn some cash.:indifferent:

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

SCUBADRIVER MOD & SOMETHING FOR THE PASSENGER/SPOTTER

I bolted on an arm rest for the passenger/spotter who keeps complaining that I (Dad) have one but she doesn't. Not much of a mod, but all the same, it's an addition.

The SCUBA-DRIVER mod went on cleanly. A broken thumb kept me from installing it before now since I've had all of the component parts for some time. Thumb is healing, no more excuses:

Since there is a detailed "sticky" on this particular mod by SHADOW-WARRIOR, I won't go into details except to say that I followed his mod example.

Thus SCORPION has earned the right to wear the (coveted) SCUBA DRIVER sticker.

 

[DustPark]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

:worried: Not including the possibility of regearing the FJ, these are the only mods I'm contemplating between now and the end of the year -- but even at that, it's about a $6,500 problem:


Larry, I just recieved my 4.56 gears from All Pro today. Plus a ARB front Locker.

I'm just trying to keep UPHILL with Jones.

 

[CRAW]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Nice looking FJ!!! Jealous is an understatement.

BTW, and I hope you don't think I'm out of line when I say you have a very pretty daughter!

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Larry, I just recieved my 4.56 gears from All Pro today. Plus a ARB front Locker.

I'm just trying to keep UPHILL with Jones.

Just rub it in --- keep rubbing it in! I am concerned that as a machinist, DUSTPARK has built a printing press in his basement and is turning out reliably accurate copies of US Currency.

Who is doing the install? Are you going to actually run the front airlocker or are you getting the set up for the price break on the gearing?

Has All-Pro begun selling those sway bar links yet?

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Nice looking FJ!!! Jealous is an understatement.

BTW, and I hope you don't think I'm out of line when I say you have a very pretty daughter!

Emilie says "thank you".

However, Emilie (youngest of four daughters) is 16 and in California, 16 will get you 20.:grim:

And in answer to your unasked question, yes, they're all as cute as she is. And they can all shoot the eye out of a potato at 100 meters with open sites.

 

[Fjamming]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

lol, she's going to kill you for that picture.

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

If I had it to do over again, I would buy Sonoran Steel Rubicon Express Lower Control Arms. But that is now and this was then:


July 4, 2007
I like the Pro Links and think that they are the choice for lifted FJ's that will be trailed. They're 100% better than the OE lower control arms. As All Pro says, "The links are made from burly 1.75" X .281 wall DOM tubing. Unlike the other links All-Pro offers, these are fully adjustable to accommodate lifted applications and to allow for the axle to be re-centered in the wheel well and for the pinion angle to be adjusted."

I had an unanticipated problem installing their premier lower control arms "Pro Links" on my fj. Let me tell you what happened and you may be able to learn from my follies.

On July 4 I was determined to get the lower control arms swapped out with the Pro Links and to add the Trailing Link Skids. I had a little trail damage on the left forward lower control arm bracket and thought it was time to add the skids and put some substantial lower control arms in place. I already had the All Pro shock skids in place.

PRO LINKS

TRAILING LINK SKIDS

There was a problem. The Johnny Joints (made by Currie Enterprises, Anaheim, CA) are larger than those on the stock lower control arms. This means that you need to BEND the 1/4 inch steel brackets outward to accomodate the new lower control arms.

I used a crowbar.

The first one made it in but the trailing link skids would no longer fit over the end of the brackets because they had been spread to get the PRO LINKS in place. More on this later.

The second (right) lower control arm bracket bit back.

And I ended up with a broken thumb when the crowbar slipped and smacked my right thumb (resting innocently on the concrete below it).

So the FJ was not drivable since the right (stock) lower control arm is out of the bracket and the brackets have not been bent out at this point. WRIGMAN came over and brought a come-along and we were able to re-install the stock lower control arm later in the week (thanks again Scott!!).

My right thumb is still broken (today as I type), and the FJ is drivable but I can be obsessive. So I threw myself into the project again, hoping to get the lower control arms installed properly for the Cajalco trail run this coming Saturday.

There was another problem. The way the PRO LINKS came from All Pro, "These high quality rebuildable joints are custom made just for this application and provide flexibility, strength and control, and feature zerk fittings for easy lubrication."

You can't fit the trailing link skids over the zerk fittings (even when spread to fit over the PRO LINKS) unless the zerk fittings are pointed DOWNWARD. Trail damage would rip those zerk fittings off very quickly if mounted downward. Even though All Pro guarantees them it would be a frigging mess.

I called Currie Industries, the company that made the Johnny Joints for All Pro and whined. They suggested that I buy a "Greasable Bolt Set" ($35.00 including shipping). In this way the zerk fitting is located within the locking bolt. Currie replaced the joint ends with custom joints that can be greased from either the greasable bolt or the zerk fitting located on top of the joint.

Note greasable bolt (rear)

Note greasable bolt (front) - now the spread trailing link skid fits the way it should without blocking the zerk fitting.

Right lower control arm in place.

This was originally posted on the All Pro Vendor section of this Forum and as is their right, they deleted it because it contained information that they might consider negative in their quest to SELL-SELL-SELL. After all, that's why they're in business.

Don't BLAME All Pro for exercising their rights:

And as far as All Pro exercising their VENDOR PERROGATIVE in deleting the previous posting I made about a separate non Ultimate-Link-Related problem with one of their products - no harm/no foul as far as I'm concerned. If I was a vendor I wouldn't want to have anything negative about what I was selling on my vendor section either.

Deleting things you don't want others to know about is not new with All Pro. (see Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) After all they're a vendor and they want to push the maximum number of widgets out the door as they can to pay the rent.

I don't think that deleting a posting in a vendor section constitutes BOOK BURNING as in the Germany - 1930's context above. It's not so odious because as vendors, they actually have the right to delete whatever they want with a mouse click. In this case All Pro merely exercised their rights.

See, All Pro, I'm trying to stand up for you even though you blamed ME when my All Pro Ultimate Sway Bar Links failed.

 

[TiFJ]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Emilie is hot!!!! You better keep an eye on her!

 

[Sean K.]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

However, Emilie (youngest of four daughters) is 16 and in California, 16 will get you 20.:grim:

Tryin' for a boy, huh Larry? :lol:

Sean

 

[Sean K.]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I didn't realize that Currie is now offering the JJ with a cast in threaded rod. That's good news. I never cared for the old weld on sleeves (I think the are still available). They look good sized....are they 1.25" shanks?

What about the bore size? 9/16" or bigger? Nice set up, though for what those things cost, I think they should be heat treated 4130.

Sean


***EDIT*** Sorry to hear about the thumb. Hope it heals up quickly for ya.

 

[uphill]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Tryin' for a boy, huh Larry?

Tried four times for a boy. Failed. Settled for cute girls... Photo from April 07 wedding of the oldest.

I didn't realize that Currie is now offering the JJ with a cast in threaded rod.

Yes and these are custom machined. Weld-on-sleeves make no sense to me.

are they 1.25" shanks?

1.5 "

What about the bore size? 9/16" or bigger?

9/16 "

The joints are hardened steel casings and the arms themselves are very robust. And yes, they're expensive, but I wanted to have the best I could put in place there. To spite (mostly) correct assertions that the front end of the FJ is its most vulnerable point, the LCA's and the leading edge joints take a LOT of trail damage. The All Pro armored cups that protect the front of the J/Joints have already been dented. Currie and All Pro both said that the armor is not necessary with these LCA's however, I differ and feel that the plate is just another level of protection.

In the military, the philosophy is "If it doesn't move, paint it." My philosophy with regard to the FJ is "if it's on the belly, armor it".

Nice set up, though for what those things cost, I think they should be heat treated 4130.

And plated in platinum.

 

[Shadow-Warrior]

Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Since there is a detailed "sticky" on this particular mod by SHADOW-WARRIOR, I won't go into details except to say that I followed his mod example.

Thus SCORPION has earned the right to wear the (coveted) SCUBA DRIVER sticker.

It Looks great buddy. Wear it proud!