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The Scorpion

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#1 · (Edited)
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 b@stard 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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#160 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

SHADOW -- The next anticipated mod is the SAFARI SNORKEL sometime in November. However you never really know. I do "need" an extended range fuel tank as well.

I decided to hold off on the rear bumper until All Pro and Demello come out with their swinging arm models. It doesn't hurt to wait.

I'm also waiting for the Shadow Mount to become available. :bigthumb:


:bump:
 
#161 ·
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
 
#162 ·
#164 ·
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

 
#165 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)


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



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!
 
#167 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Uphill, your daughters are stunning! Even better looking than your fine truck. :)
In all modesty, I have to admit that they get their looks from my side of the family. :silly:
 
#172 · (Edited)
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​













 
#173 · (Edited)
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.
 
#174 ·
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.
: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:
 
#177 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I wouldn't dream of ever telling a driver that they wimped out.
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?

Time to buy something old and beat up? ;)


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!)
 
#178 ·
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
 
#180 ·
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.

 
#181 ·
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.


Your FJ is living the good life then buddy. Mine has seen way too much pavement...
 
#182 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

larry your fj is pimp my fj uses yours as a rolemodel or even a fj hero we need to make fj hero baseball cards the ultra collectable ones would be a2a and mirs and some of the other super mods and mine could be on a rookie card lol
 
#183 · (Edited)
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

NIGHT VISION

You're on the highway at night and you or one of your passengers wants to find something. They can't see because it's dark in the car. The dome light goes on and your night vision goes the way of the Iron Horse. It has some dangers and I have tried to reduce the danger by transitioning from white cabin light to RED light for the purpose of preserving night vision. I have adapted FJ4FUN's solution but he deserves the credit for the mod.


Installing Oznium Flexible Super Thin (red) LED Dome Lights:



(1) Locate the dome light. In this case, I'm showing an instalation of the rear cargo light but that and the passenger compartment both are the same in terms of procedure. Use a flat head screw driver to gently remove the plastic lens cover.



(2) The light is located in the center of the housing. Remove it gently.



(3) Open the package containing the Oznium Flexible Super Thin (red) LED and take out the LED and the adaptors.



(4) Insert the adaptor that is the same size as the dome light you removed (you have several to select from - pick the one according to size)



(5) Attach the LED Panel to the adaptor and use the adhesive to stick it on the housing, then replace the clear plastic cover.



Your cargo an dome lights are now significantly brighter than the OEM lights and they won't impact your night vision!




 
#184 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Very cool, I have been keeping my little mod to myself until now. I used two 9 inch "red" neon tube lights under the dash, to maintain my Nightvision when driving when the wife needs to find something in her purse. Damn, I should have known the Scorpion would have it too :D
 
#185 · (Edited)
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Off Road Expo - Pomona, CA 10/6/07

My moment in the Sun - between Maureen (MUDDYGRRL) :pinklove: and AIR2AIR's Starship FJ - Photo Courtesy of TCAO






Standing next to WRIGMAN at the Expo as we wait to drive stock FJ's --- it's been so long since we've been behind the wheel of stock FJ's that it will be a real experience. My analysis: SCORPION drives SO MUCH BETTER than a stock FJ that I'm not inclined to do that again. I wanted to drive MISSFJ's SFA monster (in background) but the Trail Team said, "no".
---

It's tough keeping up with Shadow Warrior's RAPTOR, but Scorpion and I are trying to do our part. The red -night vision friendly- interior lights, eliminating white light completely is a nice addition to the mods. Not a huge or expensive mod as mods go, but sometimes the little things make a difference.
 
#188 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)


It seemed about time for the SCORPION to get a little ink.



I had two Trail Team Book #3's and decided to use the cover for this application for graphic value for the forum (the rest of the book will also be used - don't fear).





 
#194 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)


It seemed about time for the SCORPION to get a little ink.



I had two Trail Team Book #3's and decided to use the cover for this application for graphic value for the forum (the rest of the book will also be used - don't fear).





I can dig it ;)
 
#189 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Larry, you know that little scorpion just voided your engine and trans warranty right? :rofl:
 
#190 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Nice touch :)
 
#192 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

Not many mods left for uphill, eh? I could envision more RED though... seat covers? shift knobs? sliders? red roof rack???
Since you mentioned it, there is the UPHILL bobble head/action figure coming out and my full line of UPHILL clothing (hijacked from the Cat-in-the-Hat & Where's Waldo)



There will be two more red skids on the FJ that are currently on order from BudBuilt. There is also the All Phase Differential Cover which will be some sort of artistic rendering to match the current welded-on rear differential cover.
 
#195 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

I know you're out there alot. Do you pressure wash that engine or wash it by hand or just leave it alone. It looks good.

By the way that is a really cool scorpion design - I like.
 
#196 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

how does spray paint void a warranty?
 
#198 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

actualy that is cosmetic and if it was on the plastic cover that does absofuc'nlutly nothin! that would be hard to pull off even for a stealership!
 
#199 ·
Re: Meet the Scorpion (Uphill's Build-Up)

actualy that is cosmetic and if it was on the plastic cover that does absofuc'nlutly nothin! that would be hard to pull off even for a stealership!
They would try.
 
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