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The Scorpion

378965 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.
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w5wi
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Larry, You are indeed 'da man! Followed closely by Mike and others.

The off-road multi-purpose tool is a "boyfriend behavior modification device" if I ever saw one!

Keep up the great work!

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

w5wi said:
The off-road multi-purpose tool is a "boyfriend behavior modification device" if I ever saw one!
Click to expand...

It's not a trunk monkey, but it is the next best thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRQkSG36VB8
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MudLovingFJ
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

that trunk monkey commercial was great. i bet you had one for all your daughters, huh larry? :D
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8INTEXAS
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Uphill, Great write up and the FJ looks awesome. I also have 4 daughters and two sons so I can relate to the FJ as a getaway toy. Its funny but this is my daughter Emily and I think we need to keep these two Emiliy's away from each other. LOL
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uphill
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Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

8INTEXAS said:
Its funny but this is my daughter Emily and I think we need to keep these two Emiliy's away from each other. LOL
Click to expand...


I agree that for the sake of free men in a free country remaining free -- my Emilie and your Emily MUST NEVER MEET to compare notes.


Women in general are evil, but Emilie and Emily seem just plain dangerous!
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V
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Uphill, your daughters are stunning! Even better looking than your fine truck. :)


edit: are you going to have to pay for FOUR weddings?? :lol:
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

VoodooBrew said:
Uphill, your daughters are stunning! Even better looking than your fine truck. :)
Click to expand...
In all modesty, I have to admit that they get their looks from my side of the family. :silly:
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4XX4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
In all modesty, I have to admit that they get their looks from my side of the family. :silly:
Click to expand...
Didn't you mention once that you were adopted?

:D j/k Larry. You've done very well both with your truck and family.
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V
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
In all modesty, I have to admit that they get their looks from my side of the family. :silly:
Click to expand...
I want to guess Italian??

did you see my edit?... The wedding fund is going to eat into your mod fund. :grinbiginvert: Well, unless they are smart and eat at your account for college instead of the dreaded MARRIAGE. :lol:
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

4XX4 said:
Didn't you mention once that you were adopted?
Click to expand...
It's a bit more complicated than that. I was born on the alien planet Krypton, before being rocketed to Earth as an infant by my scientist father, Jorell, moments before the planet's destruction.

I was adopted and raised by a Kansas farmer and his wife and imbued with a strong moral compass. Upon reaching maturity I developed superhuman abilities, resolving to use these for the benefit of humanity. And I chose the SuperRig (an FJ) in the process.


The muscles in this rendering are slightly under-stated but that aside, its an accurate rendering.
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4XX4
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
It's a bit more complicated than that. I was born on the alien planet Krypton, before being rocketed to Earth as an infant by my scientist father, Jorell, moments before the planet's destruction.

I was adopted and raised by a Kansas farmer and his wife and imbued with a strong moral compass. Upon reaching maturity I developed superhuman abilities, resolving to use these for the benefit of humanity. And I chose the SuperRig (an FJ) in the process.
Click to expand...
:lol: :lol: Now this inspires me to look for and catch up on that OTHER thread.
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uphill
7
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

MUDLOVINGFJ's & WRIGMAN's PHOTOS OF THE SCORPION
at the Jeepers going-away run and pizza party
(for his third deployment to Iraq)
September 29 - Cleghorn Trail, California​












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

How close to the wall did you get? I love that one trail where your ear is almost touching the ground. Your rig is looking great. I like those rims. I have a rental right now. My Atrac and Rear locker stopped yesterday right before I was going to rip up blowsand. I was bummed. I'll get it back soon I hope. I love Toyota of El Cajon. They didn't read me the riot act for any of my modifications and provided me a rental car FOC.
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

frogeye said:
How close to the wall did you get? I love that one trail where your ear is almost touching the ground.
Click to expand...
:worried: I wimped on it. I have body carnage from the last time I tried it. The strange thing about that obstacle is that sometimes you make it and sometimes you don't. An H-2 (wide sucker) made it through without a scratch as did Highbeams. A 4-Runner had damage from the front bumper along the side to the rear bumper. I've made it several times without damage but didn't take that bypass this time. And if you call me a tame cat for not doing it this time, my only excuse is that you are what you eat.:thefinger:

I did take that nasty bypass (the second one) and not many others went that way with me.:banana_hitit:
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V
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Time to buy something old and beat up? ;) That's why my bro has a 1974 Bronco -- says he wouldn't wheel my FJ. too pretty. :rolleyes:
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frogeye
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

uphill said:
:worried: I wimped on it. I have body carnage from the last time I tried it. The strange thing about that obstacle is that sometimes you make it and sometimes you don't. An H-2 (wide sucker) made it through without a scratch as did Highbeams. A 4-Runner had damage from the front bumper along the side to the rear bumper. I've made it several times without damage but didn't take that bypass this time. And if you call me a tame cat for not doing it this time, my only excuse is that you are what you eat.:thefinger:

I did take that nasty bypass (the second one) and not many others went that way with me.:banana_hitit:
Click to expand...
That one is a pucker route for sure. I wouldn't dream of ever telling a driver that they wimped out. I've done it (wimped out if you will). It shows that you are aware of your comfort level and you're a more experienced wheeler. I chose not to go up a trail in Big Bear for the same reason. I just didn't feel comfortable and I felt my rig was underprepared (no tranny skid) for the rock garden.
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uphill
2
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I wouldn't dream of ever telling a driver that they wimped out.
Click to expand...
And I didn't take it that way at all. It was my way of clowning around. No, I won't go somewhere if I think I stand a solid chance of carnage. I just like my FJ too much - maybe a fault?

VoodooBrew said:
Time to buy something old and beat up? ;)
Click to expand...


I'm in the early part of the process of building a rock crawler from scratch doing everything myself. I mentioned it in another thread. SEAN K's advice has been most helpful. I REALLY love driving my FJ, but there are places that you just can't take them without laying considerable carnage on them because of the nature of the terrain and design limitations to the FJ. I will make the crawler competition-ready but don't think I'll ever actually compete in it. Just crawl up cliffs and water falls and over boulders in it :bananahump-slvrathl :rocket:!!!


(Just one more toy!)
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S
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Superman needs to have a capable rig to go anywhere! I think it will fit you ike a glove buddy :D
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frogeye
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Sweet! rock buggies are the bleep! Awesome.
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uphill
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

15,000 Miles - And Still Loving it!

The Scorpion's clock just passed 15K. None of it is commuting mileage - almost 100% play miles in 9 months. That is a LOT of playing. I still love the rig and have enjoyed it to the max.

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