Joined
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3,642 Posts









Trail Reports
Kokopelli Trail - April 28-29, 2012 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/2164487-post482.html
Surf N Turf 2011 - Pismo Beach - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/2024616-post440.html
Summit No. 5 Road Trip Report - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1947032-post434.html
Anza Borrego - 12/26-28/2010 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1801671-post416.html
FJ Summit #4 Report – July 18 – 25, 2010 - Part One - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1703821-post394.html
FJ Summit #4 Report – July 18 – 25, 2010 - Part Two - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1703822-post395.html
Cruise Moab Road Trip - April/24 - May/1/2010 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1651812-post373.html
Mojave Road – 3/13-14/2010 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1622656-post350.html
Anza Boreggo 1/2/10 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1564358-post331.html
Bull Frog - November 7, 2009 http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1527727-post316.html
Big Bear Mine Tour - August 8th, 2009 http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1467147-post309.html
Summit #3 Road Trip- July 11 – 26, 2009 http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1455966-post301.html
Anza-Boreggo / Laguna Mountain - 4/8 through 4/11/2009 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1367769-post280.html
Silverwood Lake 3/28 & 29/09 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1353417-post270.html
Hungry Valley 3/12/09 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1335249-post252.html
Hauser Geode Beds 12/26/08 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1245407-post213.html
Vegas Snow '08 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1229463-post204.html
Joshua Tree - Brooklyn Mine Trail - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1216189-post200.html
BorregoFest '08 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1172437-post180.html
How I bent my Hi-Lift Jack (at BorregoFest '08) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1197828-post195.html
Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 1) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1148680-post145.html
Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 2) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1148682-post146.html
Grand Staircase Trail Report (Part 3) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1148683-post147.html
Gold Mountain - Big Bear California - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1074395-post139.html
Summit #2 Report - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1068949-post134.html
Lockwood Creek Trail - Miller Jeep Trail - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/989199-post96.html
North Rim Run (Part 1) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/949760-post70.html
North Rim Run (Part 2) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/949772-post71.html
Wildflowers in Anza Borrego - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/trail-report-photo-section-gps-coordinates/50150-wildflowers-anza-borrego.html
Solo on the Mojave Road (Part 1) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/996675-post101.html
Solo on the Mojave Road (Part 2) - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/996677-post102.html
Snow, Carnage and Madness on the Mojave Trail - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/822222-post365.html
BorregoFest ’07 - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/936969-post67.html
Inspirational Rigs
Part 1:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1375926-post283.html
Part 2:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1375929-post284.html
Part 3:
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1384513-post287.html
Fixes / Installs
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Installed - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1640830-post356.html
Camping Lab Awning Install - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1086427-post140.html
Blitz Can Mount - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/931702-post63.html
Bandi Mount Chop to fit Manik Taillight Guards - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1024405-post8.html
Winch Cable Straightened - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1165001-post178.html
RUD / Grip 4x4 Chains - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1234422-post211.html
Some of my FJ Artwork - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1210976-post197.html
Some of my other Artwork - http://www.vincepetersondesign.com/Vince_Peterson_Design/Projects/Projects.html
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Mileage: Over 115K (no major problems to report)
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My Rig
Toyota build date: 03/06
I bought it 4 days after they showed up at the SoCal Toyota dealers on 4/6/06.
It took me 4 days to find the one I wanted. I had originally wanted the voodoo blue, and waited 4 days to find one at a local SoCal dealer.
When I went down to pick it up, it was sitting right next to a Yellow one, equipped exactly the same, and I drove the yellow one home.
I had never been offroading before I bought the FJ Cruiser.
Stock – From the Dealer:
2007 FJ Cruiser 4x4 AT
All Convenience Packages
Running Boards (I didn't know any better at the time)
Upgrade Package #2
All Air Bags
All Weather Mats (including Cargo Mat)
Subwoofer
400w Inverter
Spare Tire Cover
Tow Hitch
Roof Rack
A-Track
Rear Locker
etc..
The Whole Enchilada (except for the all black paint and the more aggressive Bilstein's , it had everything that the '07 TRD later had)
Some early shots (no mods) -
Fish Creek / Anza Boreggo

On the Trail with Bill Burke

Big Sur

Pismo Beach

Moab

Mods:
My plan is to build an EXPEDITION vehicle that can take us on extended trips into the backcountry and return us home safely.
Armor:
ARB Front Winch Bumper
All Pro Rear Bumper
BudBuilt Skid Plates (painted Red, full set, original gas tank plate)
OUTRIDER OFFROAD rear Diff Skid
OUTRIDER OFFROAD LCA Skids (rear/ front and back)
Rickocet! Control Arm skids/guards
All Pro Rock Slidders (kick-out style)
Rear Shock Skids - Thanks Cowboy4x4 (OverlandXT)
Manik Rear Tail Light Guards
Front Headlight Wire Rally Rock Guards
Recovery:
Warn M8000 Winch
ARB Snatch Strap
Hi-Lift Jack (60" currently mounted to front bumper)
Hi-Lift Lift-Mate
Shovel
Off Road Unlimited Gerry Can Holder
Blitz Gas Can
RUD Snow Chains (From Bill Burke)
XD/HD Waffle Boards - Bridging Ladders OKoffroad.com Equipment - Waffle Boards
2nd Full Size Spare Tire (carried up top when needed)
Lighting:
On the ARB Front Bumper:
(2) IPF 900 XS Extreme Driving Lights (w/ Brush Guards)
(2) IPF Fog Lights
On the Front of the ARB Roof Rack:
(4) IPF 868CS Driving Lights (w/ white protective covers)
On the Back of the ARB Roof Rack:
(2) PIAA 1500 Driving Lights (used as Work/Back-Up lights)
(2) LED Dome Light Swaps
Suspension and Tires:
Front:
Stock UCA's (replaced at 80k with and new slightly used set - thanks Sang)
Old Man Emu (OME) 886 - Heavy Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm”) Lift
Old Man Emu (OME) Nitrocharger Sport Shocks (Struts) OME 60004
replaced: Old Man Emu (OME) N140S - Firm Struts - these lasted over 80k and were great.
Rear:
Old Man Emu (OME) 896 - Heavy Duty Coil Springs (Prado Springs) - 2” (51mm)
replaced: Old Man Emu (OME) 895 - Medium Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm) Lift
Old Man Emu (OME) Nitrocharger Sport Shocks (Struts) OME 90000
replaced: Old Man Emu (OME) N141 -Heavy Duty Nitrocharger Shock - these lasted over 80k and were great.
Toy Outfitters Lower Control Arms - Control Arms
Toy Outfitters Rear Upper Control Arms Control Arms
Tires: (6) BFG 285/70/17 All Terrains (I have 2 full size spares that can be deployed)
Engine / Performance:
ARB Safari Snorkel
Scuba Driver Mod (rear diff & E locker)
No Cut Atrac/Rear Diff Hack (Thanks much Roger/FJ4RWS)
Safety:
Amerex Fire Extinguisher
(2) Guide Markers (antennas) on ARB Front Bumper Corners
Emergency Life Hammer
M-Pac Cargo/Pet Barrier
Matte Black Hood Decal http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/1653690-post374.html
Storage:
ARB Full Length Roof Rack (87” x 44”, with mesh floor)
Fourtreks Hi-Lift Jack Mount
Fourtreks Shovel Mount
Tuffy Rear Drawer
Pelican Cases (one yellow 1400 & one green 1610)
Communication:
Midland CB (installed by Soder Joint)
4 Foot Wilson Antenna (with spring & quick disconnect)
Bandi Mount (trimmed for Manik Tail Light Guard)
Way Finding:
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx (hardwired/installed)
Garmin Topo Chips - West Coast Hawaii - Moutain Southwest
Comfort
ARB Rooftop Tent (Simpson Series II)
Camping Lab Awning
Cosmetic:
Stars - Two 12” white vinyl (military style) stars on doors
Phase One (factory skids - stock rack - no lighting - no snorkel - the STAR appears on the door - the Brigadier concept is born).
Ocotillo Wells

Azusa Creek Crossing

Big Bear - Holcomb Valley

Ouray Colorado - Summit #1

Ouray Colorado - Summit #1 (with the stock Raptor)

Moab (after Summit #1)

Phase Two (full skids, big rack, lights, snorkel)
Mojave Road (2/3/08)

Mojave Road (2/3/08)

The Middle of Knowhere / Mojave Road / 2/03/08

Joshua Tree Brooklyn Mine Trail

What its all about

Trusted Vendors:
Dirty Parts
BudBuilt
Outrider Offroad
ARB
Rock-Tech Offroad
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