Here it is , another FJ Cruiser going under the knife . With a desire for better off-road performance and tougher trails in mind , our friend Jeff (M&M) dropped off his FJ Cruiser here at All-Pro to get a Solid Axle Swap . His FJ (MadDog) will be receiving the full All-Pro treatment and will be ready to take on any trail when Jeff picks it up . It will be getting an All-Pro 3-link SAS kit with Fox coilovers . We'll be using a Currie Rock Jock 60 for the front and a matching Currie Rock Jock 60 for the rear as well as a Rear Anti-Rock Sway Bar System . Both axles will be equipped with 4:88 gears and ARB air lockers . Jeff's FJ will also be getting an Atlas 4 and 37" BFG Mud Terrains . Here it is when Jeff dropped it off :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/CamoMadDog028.jpg

The teardown begins :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS006.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS009.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS014.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS015.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS020.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS021.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS024.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS025.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS022.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS018.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS023.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS030.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS032.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS031.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS065.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS066.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS067.jpg

Awesome! Can't wait to see the finished truck...

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS089.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS114.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS084.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS086.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS113.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS112.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS046.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS047.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS050.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSAS091.jpg

Man... that looks like a lot of fun!

If this surgery thing doesn't work out for me long term, I'll probably send you guys a job application. :smokin:

plasma cutter, scapel, welder, stiches - its all surgery Jon!

Getting the frame all cleaned up and ready , there was about two days of nothing but this :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/Grinding002.jpg

Looks like Mike is having fun tearing stuff apart again. When is he gona go solid front on his FJ.

When are you going to sell me the parts so that I can do this operation on one of MY patients!?

...er... I mean... do this mod on one of my buddies rigs. :laughing:

Looking good!

Do you plate/strengthen front section of the oh to flexy frame?

is that actual camo paint, or some of that vinyl stuff?

is that actual camo paint, or some of that vinyl stuff?
Yup , it's paint .

Here's a couple pictures of the Rock Jock 60 in place . Everything is just tacked in place at the moment so that the suspension can be cycled to check for any clearence issues . Once everything is revised , all the brackets will be welded in .

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks016.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks015.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks014.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks009.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks008.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks007.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASAxleLinks005.jpg

Looking good so far. Will be watching this thread



Joe

Question:

Is there an advantage to running that upper link to a tower on the long tube side, as opposed to going from the driver's side frame rail and using the mounting holes I see on top of the pumpkin?

Another question:

The passenger side heim joint on the cross-over steering drag link looks almost maxed for misalignment. Is the axle sitting at full droop? With full twist - passenger side up, does the high steer arm lean over and contact the rod end? Would putting a couple of bends in that link be an option if this was a problem? What diameter/wall thickness DOM tube is that? If one wanted to rig a hydro-assist, can you see fitting that in?

Ok, so maybe that was a few questions...

:D

Question:

Is there an advantage to running that upper link to a tower on the long tube side, as opposed to going from the driver's side frame rail and using the mounting holes I see on top of the pumpkin?

On the FJ , yes because if you ran the link to the top of the pumpkin you would have to cut and re-route the exhaust .

Got it.

How is the Curry axle pumpkin fixed to the tubes? It doesn't look like the plug welds in my Dana. Are those a bunch of bolts?

On the FJ , yes because if you ran the link to the top of the pumpkin you would have to cut and re-route the exhaust .

Hey Pepe! Is this a recent design change? IIRC, both Jon and Brent have their top link on the driver side.

You gain a extra inch or two in up travel this way.

Does any body know what All Pro is charging? My guess is around $8k for the front and $6K for the rear???? this doesn't include the Atlas either, so $20K for everything??? Im starting to think my FJ sucks balls, what I could have had for half the money is discouraging.

...so $20K for everything??? Im starting to think my FJ sucks balls, what I could have had for half the money is discouraging.

So you spent $40K for the suspension on your FJ?? Thats what it sounds like, if thats the case what the heck did you have done and where?

Regardless, what do you have done?

Does any body know what All Pro is charging? My guess is around $8k for the front and $6K for the rear???? this doesn't include the Atlas either, so $20K for everything??? Im starting to think my FJ sucks balls, what I could have had for half the money is discouraging.


There is more than $8k in parts under the front alone, I doubt AP is working for free.

Here's a couple pictures of the Atlas transfer case all mounted up :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED029.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED030.jpg

Here's another couple of pictures of the front suspension and the axle .

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED024.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED013.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED013.jpg

A couple more of the front suspension and axle :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED046.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED048.jpg

A couple of pics of the rear :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED045.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED037.jpg

Are you using stock brakes on the front end?

Are you using stock brakes on the front end?

Yup , factory FJ .

Great job !!! :beer:




__________________
ROCKSLIDE 4x4 JAPAN (http://www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~twist/)

A couple pics of the steering box in place :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS074.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS073.jpg

Here's a couple pics of the coilovers all mounted up :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS077.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS048.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS078.jpg

The lower link mounts :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS045.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS046.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS052.jpg

And here it is , all finished up and hungry for some rocks :smokin: :

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS033.jpg

This thing turned out great , here's a couple more pictures of it .
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS026.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS034.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS038.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS017.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS024.jpg
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FinishedFJSAS005.jpg

Fantastic!

That came out so good, his Warn bumper gave up and turned into an All-Pro! :D

Question: are there holes to let that pyramid shaped upper link mount drain? It looks like it's a giant triple hollow spot that's going to pack with silt unless it's got exit holes at the bottom.

A couple of pics of the SAS in action

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Doran025.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Doran011.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Doran007.jpg

I saw this rig in the parking lot of the Temecula 4WP store last week, and it is an AWESOME looking rig. If I was going to start over, I would go this route.

grade 5 on a coilover ???:(

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ%20SAS/FJSASWELDED024.jpg

Rigs too pretty to take on the trail!

Rigs too pretty to take on the trail!

You'd be surprised , Jeff isn't affraid to wheel this thing . It's built well , here's some pics of Jeff out in Moab :



http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab046.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab043.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab067.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab119.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab133.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Moab136.jpg

Very nice build thread, excellent looking rig. Looks like it works as good as i looks.

did u guys used the same power steering pump or did u have to put a new bigger one in?

It's the factory pump .

Here's some updated pics of Jeff's FJ with it's new shoes , 40" BFG KM2s :


http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ40s002.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ40s004.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ40s005.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt339/allprooffroad/FJ40sRamp3.jpg

look like they rub really bad the 2nd pic looks like they are rubing he need to lift more so they dont rub the tires look bigger than the fjc come p show him a thing or 2

look like they rub really bad the 2nd pic looks like they are rubing he need to lift more so they dont rub the tires look bigger than the fjc come p show him a thing or 2


:laughing: , I have no idea what you said but I think you were trying to say that they look like they rub and you will show him a thing or two . That picture was taken when it was being checked for clearance issues . It has since been slightly trimmed , it only rubs at the top of the wheel well under full compresion now . He's happy with it , and it is on it's way to the Rubicon .

:laughing: , I have no idea what you said...

Give him a break Pep's............ he's from Victorville! :flipoff2:

:laughing: :laughing: , I'm just playing with him .

curious to know what kind of anit-squat/anti-dive #'s you shot for? i know that the front suspension on a street driven vehicle is sensitive.

if you can't reveal that info, thats cool, just wondering.......

P.S. Badass build!!!

Give him a break Pep's............ he's from Victorville! :flipoff2:

Come on now, not all of us from Victorville have a hard time expressing ourselves. All kidding aside, I saw him wheel this FJ at Tin Benders with Brent (another AllPro SAS FJ) and this thing is bitchen. I wish I had the balls to SAS my FJ cruiser.

Come on now, not all of us from Victorville have a hard time expressing ourselves. All kidding aside, I saw him wheel this FJ at Tin Benders with Brent (another AllPro SAS FJ) and this thing is bitchen. I wish I had the balls to SAS my FJ cruiser.

I kid because I'm originally from Apple Valley! :homer::flipoff2:

Nice looking buggy BTW!

I kid because I'm originally from Apple Valley! :homer::flipoff2:

Nice looking buggy BTW!

Thanks, I had to build a buggy because my wife didnt want me to cause anymore body damage on her FJ cruiser anymore.

Thanks, I had to build a buggy because my wife didnt want me to cause anymore body damage on her FJ cruiser anymore.

I can think of much worse scenarios she could have subjected you to! :laughing:

Jeff's FJ on the Rubicon :

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Rubicon09150.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Rubicon09057.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Rubicon09064.jpg

That thing is awesome! ...but it seems there are easier and quicker ways to build a Jeep :)

Jeff's FJ on the Rubicon :

I like that he turned his lights on so he could see where he was going. :flipoff2: :laughing:

it seems there are easier and quicker ways to build a Jeep :)


Yeah but they just don't hold up very well , I know :D

Next up is hydro assist, swapping the ARB for a Detroit in front, and maybe a custom link rear with coilovers...

Jeff's FJ on the Rubicon :

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Rubicon09057.jpg



Some day my FJ Cruiser will grow into this... someday...

Nice build, I love this thing!

Next up is hydro assist, swapping the ARB for a Detroit in front, and maybe a custom link rear with coilovers...

why the change in the front? What locker is he running in the rear?

why the change in the front? What locker is he running in the rear?

I'm currently running ARB front and rear. I have been having trouble with the Front staying locked after it is turned off,mostly when tires are in a bind and mostly when I need my steering the most. I will not have that problem with the detroit. Even with the locker off the 40's are a little hard to steer.

I'm currently running ARB front and rear. I have been having trouble with the Front staying locked after it is turned off,mostly when tires are in a bind and mostly when I need my steering the most. I will not have that problem with the detroit. Even with the locker off the 40's are a little hard to steer.

Leave the ARB and add a hydro assist setup. Your steering will be much better in the rocks with a HA setup.

Im a nissan guy & this build is pretty tight. Its functional but very usable. Thats saying something. Has he trimmed any of the rear plastic. On some of those shots the rear tires seem to stuff so much it looks to may cause have some rubbing issues with the plastic down the road.

Goodjob on the work done so far:smokin:

Im a nissan guy & this build is pretty tight. Its functional but very usable. Thats saying something. Has he trimmed any of the rear plastic. On some of those shots the rear tires seem to stuff so much it looks to may cause have some rubbing issues with the plastic down the road.

Goodjob on the work done so far:smokin:

I have trimmed most of the plastic off and have cut about 2-3" from front and rear inner fenders. I have cut more since the CON. Last time out I found that I still need to cut more. I have to move my Battery and abandon my wipper washer so I can finish cutting the front out. It only rubs a little when completely loaded but I dont want it to rub at all. Surprisingly the back does not rub any more.

not gonna lie... that thing looks :smokin: on 4Ds

cool rig man

Mad Dog's got some new tricks up it's sleeve . I will post some more pics tomorrow , here's a little sneak peak :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0607.jpg

This has got to be the baddest FJ I have ever seen. Caught him at tinbenders last year but not in action unfortunately. He wasted no time getting the rig hammers worthy!

The fuel cell is being put in right now . I will get some pics up of that soon . Here's a couple other pics for now :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0613.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0614.jpg

That is BAD ASS. Is that a FROR flat pitman?

EDIT: I am a dumbass. I meant Sky's.

A couple more pics of the fuel cell in place :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0630.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0629.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0631.jpg

And the new shoes arrived today :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0632.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0633.jpg

Looks sweet. Keep the up dates/pics coming.....

Please let me know how the fuel cell works out where it is. I've been wanting to do the same exact thing but was worried it will still smell like gas all the time.

:smokin:

A couple new pics from yesterday :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0638.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0644.jpg

And a few pics with the 42s mounted up , right before loading up and heading out to the Hammers :

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0634.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0639.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0640.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0641.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0642.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/INKfernal/PICT0643.jpg

Thanks for the sneak pics Pepe. Will be in JV in a couple of hrs. Jeff has allready ran Wrecking Ball and I think he said is doing Back Door today. I'll video that. :)

Awesome Brent :smokin: , see ya out there . Yeah , be sure to get video and/or pics of that :smokin:

Well, saw Jeff out there and all did not go well. He blew up his Atlas and I think he damaged his hydro assist as well.

Well, saw Jeff out there and all did not go well. He blew up his Atlas and I think he damaged his hydro assist as well.


Dan was behind him, and was kinda pissed because he drove through all the gear oil that dumped out of the atlas that he didn't bother to cleanup.

Save the trails...some things can't be taught lol

To clarify a couple of things,Dan was right to be pissed. Please see my post in the So Cal. Area regarding this.It's no excuse but as retarded as it seems I didnt know any better. It will not happen again.
There has been some exageration about my ability as a driver and I just wanted to set the record straight. I do drive like a bat out of hell with no regard for the consequences( this needs to change) The only way that I do the trails that I do is by hammering every obstacle in my way as hard as I can. I am extremely heavy on the foot and if it wasnt for the Atlas I would have been on my lid many times. I am very new at crawling( I dont crawl I ram) and have alot of learning to do. I hope that I can count on my friends in this community to teach me better skills not only so I'm not known as rich with no skills but also so I will stop destrying my rig.

Thanks for admitting a mistake and that you plan on learning from it. Here is a link to a spill kit I have carried before. http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/article/?id=847

or http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Ikr&q=oil+spill+kits&revid=1043113613&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=l1x8S43aFpWwsAOGwrDyBA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCwQrQQwAg

Kudos Jeff....very nice!

You're alright buddie. Alot of racers rolled in the same spot at KOH. It got all cleaned up. Marlon got a ton of nice pics of you on that run of Sledge.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/IMG_0720.jpg?t=1266499650

Jeff ran Jack, Claw and Aftershock in 2 hrs 5 mins. That's Bad Ass!

For the record Jeff still drove his cracked Atlas back to camp some 10 miles away.

Good for you Jeff. It would be nice to see more people do what you just did here on this board. Hats off to you man.:smokin:

:flipoff2:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6367.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6366.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6640.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6668.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6670.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm260/dustpark_bucket/Jeff%20Miller/DSC_6635.jpg

:flipoff2:

that fj is amazing!:D

Please let me know how the fuel cell works out where it is. I've been wanting to do the same exact thing but was worried it will still smell like gas all the time.

THe fuel cell work great, It does not smell like gas inside. THis thing is totally air tight ,I think that is the idea. I was having a little trouble with stalling and may just need to adjust the pressure regulator.

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear it's all working well. Oh...and nice FJ. :D

that f.j. is sweet. Jeff you're an animal.

that things is ridiculous:smokin:

I am desperatly Trying to get ready fo Tim Binders. I was out at ALL PRO last week and there was some progress but there is a long way to go. We finally got the Atlas back from Advanced Adapters and Mike is working on the rear link mounts. It is looking real good.
THe Gussett for the upper link mounts looks great.
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Morework008.jpg

THe front shock mounts have been really beefed up,I dont think I can break them now
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Morework005.jpg

THe rear fenders are being fabbed and Mike made a nice frame to mount the sheet metal to.

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Morework009.jpg

NEw Bump stops
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Morework010.jpg

wow. I'm speechless

Showing off the rear 4 link.and her new bump stops

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/MadDogagain007.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/MadDogagain016.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/MadDogagain014.jpg

I hope to do a couple of trails at TIn Benders without breaking something. I need some action pictures to really do this justice 15" od travel in the rear now.

Any updates on this thing?

He's all over it in other threads. Also, check the blue room. ;)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=883714

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11768036#post11768036

Apparently, the thing is getting appropriately abused. In fact, I've heard from an independent source that this rig is standing up to some pretty aggressive driving techniques. :laughing:

Any updates on this thing?

I will try to get some new Pics up soon. I missed the Midnight Brawl at the HAmmers due to work so am tearing down the front to design the engine cage and continue the rear cage out to the front windshield. ALso will be removing the glass and then no need for the A/C. I want to make FITD end of Sept. so may not finish all.

I will try to get some new Pics up soon. I missed the Midnight Brawl at the HAmmers due to work so am tearing down the front to design the engine cage and continue the rear cage out to the front windshield. ALso will be removing the glass and then no need for the A/C. I want to make FITD end of Sept. so may not finish all.

I just read this thread and was gonna post the question to this answer at the end, but you beat me to it. What about tube doors?


I think my next project is gonna be a junkyard FJ build that will end up very similar to this one (hence why I read the thread.)

The cage is completed out to the front and turned out great. We also installed the Lawrence Baja GPS. Still have a little work to do then she goes to get the rest of the interior linexed and the race radio installed.

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Cage002.jpg


http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Cage001.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Cage003.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Cage004.jpg

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq352/framer2008/Cage006.jpg

That is awesome. You going to KOH?

Sounds a plan, me and the wife (depending how shes feelin, if shes not up to it i'll be coming by myself :) ) will be up there wednesday so will definitly meet up.

Sounds a plan, me and the wife (depending how shes feelin, if shes not up to it i'll be coming by myself :) ) will be up there wednesday so will definitly meet up.

Sounds great, I am planning on camping with the Brawlers far north west corner of Hammer Town.I may still have room in my rig for sleeping but it goes pretty fast up there. If you want me to save you and your wife a bed let me know I have one queen and a double left right now but I must warn you it is not a quiet place.

HA Ha ! I was just looking at the first picture on this thread, Those were the days when she was purdy. Well still trying to get her ready to go to KOH. Still fighting with some wireing issues. It's too cut up now and the computer doesnt like it. Need to yank that 4.0 and install a turn key with a simple harness. I kind of wanted to keep it a Toyota though otherwise I might as well build a buggy.

Dude, yours is almost a buggy lol. Its just got full skins! Whens the roof coming off? :)

Keep it toyota, install a 2uzfe with a twin turbo kit :)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-88612714740256_2140_4465455

I know ,I love that engine, I have seen it at a show. That would keep it Toyota but costs about twice as much as a turnkey engine, I'm not sure it is worth the difference just to say it is a Toyota.

So... To say that thing is tits is an understatement.

Very Cool truck!:grinpimp:

Wow. Sweet ride. I've been lurking the forums to figure out what to build to do all the challenging trails I can find, but still be short of a competition vehicle and have a rig that is street legal.

Your build, while being really cool has also convinced me that I shouldn't build an FJ. I kinda see it like this: You can't get the FJ to Jeep Rubicon levels until you've changed out the front. Once you've changed out the front, you might as well go to even bigger tires. If you go with bigger tires, then you need to change out the transfer case and the rear end and suspension. Then once, you'e done all of those things to get performance beyond the 37" tires and 822 ramp travel index that the JK Rubicon can do with MINIMAL modification, you've stuffed so much money into it, that you might as well make it into a competition vehicle by gutting it, putting a fuel cell in it, etc.

Again, it's a really cool rig and your journey has shown me how perilous it would be to get an FJ and go for some big mods!

[
Again, it's a really cool rig and your journey has shown me how perilous it would be to get an FJ and go for some big mods![/QUOTE]

You are right about this being perilous but I would have the same fears about a Rubicon, you would still need to change out axles and suspension to have areally capable rig ,and maybe an Atlas. Look at dustparks FJ or the Blue All Pro FJ these are very capable and more comfortable than most Rubicons.Having said that no matter what you start with it can become an addiction if you are out on the trail very much. I would not have gonr this route if I had it to do over again. I would just build a race buggy to start with. It would have been a lot cheaper but I wouldnt have the whole baddest FJ Cruiser in the world thing going on either.

Be watching this Forum for a new post coming up about Mad Dog that will have the race buld on it.