Gearsmith4

Oh yeah, my Grand is now a running joke through the entire family and with all my friends. I bought it when I was a junior in highschool, and my friend bought a land cruiser at the same time, both '93s. Now a few years later, his is still pretty much stock, while mine has evolved. But that's because i've replaced pretty much everything on mine. I discovered that you have to be very dedicated to repairs to run a Grand, and have a small shop to work on it with. They have small axles, low horsepower, and all sorts of engineering flaws. We've both had to rebuild tranny's but aside from that, he hasn't had any problems. My cousin runs a Tacoma that he also has relatively few problems with, and I went to the Easter Jeep Safari and watched near stock Tacomas and 4 runners match Jeeps, and the upgraded stuff embarrass them. I've been converted for a while, just been trying to find the right rig for the right price.

AxleIke

The demello built truck is really sweet.

However, consider that with that kind of coin, just about ANY 4wd vehicle can be that sweet.

Hells gate is not so much a technical obstacle, its a mental one. Its scary, and you can easily screw it up. As TC said, the drop into it on the other side is worse than the exit. But really, any reasonable stock truck can get up it (jeeps, 4runners, explorers)

The FJ's are a cool truck. You will enjoy it if you purchase it.

Gearsmith4

Bought it, hell ya

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Pics pics pics

Congratulations!
What will be your plans as far as modding it?

A trick too with the two mirrors is to not have them aimed inward to see the side of your rig.
They should be aimed outmost so you barely see your rig at all.

Fink

Congrats!

Let's see some pics!

Fink

Gearsmith4

It's dark where I live right now, I'll try and put up some pics in the morning. I got a ridiculously good deal on it cause it was a rebuilt title. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do with it. I'm with search and rescue, so I think my first thing is going to have to be lights, which will mean racks as well. I've been looking around, I like All-Pro's rack, but the Toyota light bar doesn't look bad either. I want something where my freaking expensive lights will be protected though. Nothing like loosing a light on a tree limb to ruin your night. Then I want to do a winch and bumper as soon as I can too. I hate to say it, but I am really wary of ARB. I have one on my Cherokee, and it really sagged the hell out of the front of it, and it tends to dive a little when I brake. They are so freaking heavy. I'm going to have to look at skid plating quick too, I'm really really not a fan of having my gas tank protected with plastic, that's just stupid. It has a 2.5 lift with Billsteins now, and I like the way it is set up. It looks way more solid than my Jeep's lift, and I'm more a trail/expedition guy (search and rescue) than a climbing guy for now. Maybe spacers so I can put on some bigger Toyo's when I replace the tires, but the ones I got on it are yokos, and they look like they have a lot of life in them. Then there's loads of other stuff. Tranny gauge, CB radio, eventually tube doors and a much larger lift, but that's probably six years out at least. SFX fender flares look nice, and I want a snorkel. I also want to put Poison Spyder beadlocks on it eventually, but that will be after I put on bigger rubber. But I'm getting way ahead of myself. I'm just way too excited.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

You should get a hold of member KD7NAC_07FJ.
He too is in SAR, and has built up his FJ for both that and wheeling,
He is the guy who got me interested in roof top tents, mine is the same one.

Beside a CB, he is running a HAM unit with the detachable faceplate which makes it easier to mount.
He has done a ton of mods to his rig.

He has a buildup thread that is pretty current here.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...rk-s-mods.html

tc

Wow, that's ballsy. You know how much damage has to be done on an FJ to total it?

FJCruzer >$6k can opening the driver's side at Poughkeepsie Gulch
StagecoachCO >$11k (IIRC) flopping it on ice.

Neither of those have rebuilt titles ...

Gearsmith4

Yeah, I know it's ballsy. It's from water damage, not a wreck though. I researched the snot out of this before I bought it. Spent about six hours going through it with my mechanic, and he's good. We couldn't find anything wrong anywhere. The exposed hoses have deteriorated a little, so I'll have to carry spares for a while, and the paint is just a little scratched. But I'm used to that with my Jeep. The FJ was stolen out of LA, so the insurance company replaced it, then they found this one parked in a lake, filled with water to about the bottom of the upholstery. Due to the interior water damage, they sold it as a salvage. The guy I bought it from had taken it and redone all the electronics, and what needed redoing on the upholstery, and used it as his for 9000 miles. Now he was unloading it because of gas. I'm pretty sure this was a great deal, and I'm not really worried about it. I did my homework. But yeah, I was really skeptical until we went through it this morning, cause it does take a bit to get an FJ labeled for salvage.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

I would not worry about the water if it has been gone through really good.
Many rigs get more water in them than that while getting stuck 4wheeling.

Gearsmith4

So here is a picture of my new rig. It is gorgeous. Question, where is the sensor that turns the lights on when it gets dark?

Corey

iTrader: (1)

No sensor, lights are on all the time when the parking brake is first released.
Lights are on dim until you turn them on all the way via the stalk.
The FJs use daytime running lights.

Gearsmith4

Whew, okay, thanks. Thought I overlooked something in the wiring for a second. I swear that picture is coming, I'm having issues. It's rather embarrassing.

Gearsmith4

Ha ha, got it

Gearsmith4

Hmm, that pic still wasn't what I wanted. Are you using photobucket to post the bigger ones?

Corey

iTrader: (1)

I use my own server that my website is on.
Attaching pics here is not the best idea, small pics are the result.

You have two excellent options though.
Photobucket
YotaTech

Rig looks great, but hard to see the small pics.

Gearsmith4

Corey

iTrader: (1)

You have to right click the picture and get its properties for the IMG tags.

ozziesironmanoffroad

not as bad as me even CONSIDERING buying an F150. (which i am). wouldnt going to FORD be going to the darkside? oh, btw, NICE FJC!

Gearsmith4