CrotalusFJ - Finally!

[CrotalusFJ]

After keeping it stock for almost a year, my son and I started the first of several mods on my 2007 VooDoo Blue Toyota FJ Cruiser to make it even more trail-worthy.  The only significant previous mods were a scuba mod for the differential and E-locker breathers and a custom antenna mount for a cb antenna.

Last weekend, we put on a 3\" Rough Country lift with the upgraded Trail Teams Edition Bilstein Offroad suspension for the FJ.  This week, we began work on a custom tube bumper.  Rock rails are soon to follow.  I\'ve also ordered some 34\" Nitto Terra Grapplers and they should be here from Discount Tire Direct in about a week.  

I hope to have all of this accomplished before an FJ event at Rausch Creek the weekend after Turkey Day.  I\'ll get some pics posted of the build here soon.  Any other FJs out there?

[MrMindless]

sounds pretty sweet!

[gCracker]

very cool

[CrotalusFJ]

Thanks!  Here\'s an update and some pics of our progress...







I\'m adding a bull bar in front and a 2\" hitch receiver on the lower member to finish it off and then a friend of mine who is an excellent welder is going to finish the joints for us.

Rock rails are next...

[smichaelR22]

i totally saw those plates at rochester surplus last week and almost bought them- im glad someone found use for them!

[GTJake]

totally

[smichaelR22]

totally indeed.


buzzzz crack pop


(XJ with no muffler)

[CrotalusFJ]

True!  I\'m glad that you didn\'t buy those plates because they fit my FJ like they were made for it! :lol1:  Otherwise, the plan would have been to just have tubing where the plates now are!  

I thought that I would get the bull-bar bent up and put on today, but I\'m not feeling up to it.  Perhaps tomorrow...

I made another trip to Rochester Surplus today also - I now have the steel to make my rock sliders and will get started on those right after the bumper is completed.

[CrotalusFJ]

Had a blast at Rausch Creek over the weekend!  It was the first trip there for me and my son.

Here\'s a a couple of pics of our finished home-built bumper - one in the driveway and an other of the bumper in action at Rausch Creek...

Notice that for the run, I attached my Hi-Lift to the bumper.  I\'m pretty happy with how it turned out - it\'s very solid.  We still have some minor cosmetic blemishes to smooth over and it\'s only in primer for now - I\'m thinking about painting it white when I can get it someplace warmer to work on it.

Next project:  Rock sliders!

[CrotalusFJ]

Well, my 34-inch Nitto Terra Grappler \"pizza cutter\" tall and skinny 285/75/17s made it to my doorstep yesterday from Discount Tire Direct!  I took them to get put on at Monro\'s today but had to pick the FJ up after dark  All I have are crappy cell phone pics, but this is the best I could do for now.







They haven\'t rubbed on the body mounts yet, but they barely rubbed a couple of times on the plastic body mount cover when turning into a drive that had a dip in it.  I really haven\'t had a chance to drive around on them much - only about eight miles.  On the flat and standing still, the closest that the edge of the tires come to the body mount cover when turning them is about 0.5 inch.  Yes, the back window will still open over the spare.

Time will tell, but I think that I am really going to like these!

[GTJake]

they fit the fenders well. looks good

[fedrusion]

Very Nice.