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12-19-05, 10:16 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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ROTW - dmc
I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles for my ROTW. Believe me I have too. Or I've enjoyed the ROTW series so much that I figured the least I could do was contribute. Hopefully you'll find something of value. FZJFillmore wanted me to do my entire thread about the stickers on my truck. I would but that would take too much effort so here goes...
I was a late convert to the magnificent beast known as the US spec FZJ80 Land Cruiser. However when the bug bit I knew what I wanted and I got pretty lucky. After selling my 97 Tacoma, a truck I loved, here on MUD I gave myself 6 weeks to find the 40th Anniversary 80 with lockers that I wanted. There has always been something about the 1B2 (Antique Pearl Sage) paint color that I loved from the first time I saw it. My 40 almost ended up that color. Well my search lasted about 48 hours. Bret van Tuyle, President of the Green Country Cruisers, had his 80 become available. Within a week I was on a plane to Oklahoma City. Thanks to Woody for the classifieds. Sold and bought my rigs within a month on MUD!
As of April 4th, 2005 I was the proud owner of a 1997 FZJ80, 101,863 miles, lockers (of course), ARB Bumper with Ramsey Patriot 9500 winch, OME 850front, 863 rear, and Slee Sliders. The truck was ready to go. One the way home I even managed to take the 'scenic route' between Moab and Green River, UT. The trip back to Utah was enough to convince me that I had made the right decision. Then of course the battery died as soon as I pulled into the driveway.
So as of this morning I have 118,5** miles on the odometer and have made the following mods in no particular order
New battery
CDL
Swiched to M1 Synthetic
OME Front Js
Pioneer in dash DVD with IPOD adapter
rear storage
CB install
snorkel
PHH
HIR light upgrade, high and low beams
2in front spacers, rear J's and L shocks all around.
custom exhaust with magnaflow muffler
slee lighting harness
Not too much but I started with a good platform. One thing I did learn and I've posted it more than once is this.
BEST TECHNIQUE FOR REMOVING WOOD GRAIN - Forget the heat gun, forget the putty knife. set the heater on high, walk away for 30mins, come back, pull the wood grain off with your fingers. It's really that simple. I tried the heat gun and some 3m adhesive removal. Running the heater was far easier. Took maybe 10 mins to remove ALL the wood grain.
I think long term i'll remove the front spacers and go back to a rear 864 spring. I recently (2 weekend ago) went higher with one goal in mind, ACT 2006. I need room to clear 315 muds and wanted a bit more height. I prefer a bit lower stance for what I'll be using this truck for. Tire choice, as of now, for the 315 will be the Dunlop Mud Rover. I've had them on my 60 and my Taco and liked the way they performed. Plus they are relatively cheap.
Other long term plans include the following
Rear bumper with swing out
long range tank
roof rack (jmoose style)/tent
new rear storage for my latest purchase
dual battery
custom sub and amp
Like many others I'm building this as an 'expedition' truck. Which to me means a lot of wandering the Southwestern US but long term I intended to drive to South America. I tend to like to find the limits of my rigs early on. Between the Utah Cruiser Expedition and the latest Wasatch Cruisers run to Moab I've learned the limits of my truck fairly quickly. Just as I knew I would be I'm very impressed. Okay I used far too many words. Now time for the pics.
First trip in the truck, CM May 05
Moab October 05
Utah Cruiser Expedition Sept 05
Last edited by dmc; 12-19-05 at 12:16 PM.
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12-19-05, 10:51 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Stereo
The
deck.
the adapter
The IPOD is the 30gig photo. Install was done by a Cruiserhead at a local shop called Ratio
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12-19-05, 10:54 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 248
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Nice rig!
__________________
Nick Martinez
TLCA # 14984
07' Tacoma PreRunner 5spd Brought home 12/29/06
05' SR5 Tacoma Brought home 4/24/06 Flipped 12/06/06
1991 FJ80 155k - Traded in 4/25/06
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12-19-05, 10:57 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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One pic of some stickers just for Cory and the reason I need to build new drawers, 63qt ARB! I have to show off the IH8MUD and giant TLCA sticker. I hope at least one of you Alaskan's will recognize the Mapco sticker.
dmc
Last edited by dmc; 12-19-05 at 12:20 PM.
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12-19-05, 11:11 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Lickalotapus Rex
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Planet P
Posts: 2,574
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Nice rig Dave! I enjoyed reading about your expedition in Utah and checking out the pics on the site. I'm thinking I need to get the iPod for my rig. The deck is iPod ready and I keep getting CD's stuck because of to much dust.
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12-19-05, 11:12 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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my easy simple drawers...
I'm into them about $160 in material and 3 or 4 evenings. I'm trying to figure out how i can save them and incorporate the Fridge but it's probably not going to happen. The joints are all biscuited and glued so the thing is like a rock, very solid. They aren't anything fancy. no slides, just wood on wood but so far i've been very happy with them.
dmc
Last edited by dmc; 12-19-05 at 12:25 PM.
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12-19-05, 11:38 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by MaddBaggins
Nice rig Dave! I enjoyed reading about your expedition in Utah and checking out the pics on the site. I'm thinking I need to get the iPod for my rig. The deck is iPod ready and I keep getting CD's stuck because of to much dust. 
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I was anti MP3 for a long long time. It was fine for my pc at work but otherwise I was all about the audio. Most cd traders will understand what that means. I used to haul 500 cd with me on trips just in case I got a specific urge for a certain concert or album. Once I accepted that MP3 was good enough for my bad speakers in a truck with 33in tires and wind noise I was hooked. The IPOD adapter was one of the best decisions i've ever made. I'm considering upgrading from the 30gig photo to the 60 gig movie so I can load up all my live music.
dmc
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12-19-05, 12:27 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Keeping it Weird
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,890
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Nice rig Dave..I have always liked that color. Can't wait for my ipod...
__________________
David Gonzalez
__________________________________________________
"Penny" Y2K Desert Bronze 100-series 33" BFG A/T's, TJM T3 front bumper, Warn M8k w/ X-Line,Hella 4000 with HID conversion, OME Heavy Lift, Kenwood DNX-7100, Front Runner Wind Cheetah rack, 4x4Labs rear bumper
Ghosts:1993 FZJ80 White, 1993 FZJ80 Green, 1991 4BTJ62
Austin Cruiserhead
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12-19-05, 02:18 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Forum Lifer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 4,359
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Good work Dave. You are a sticker artist. Dave and I are equal lovers of the 1B2, and I will always be envious.
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12-19-05, 02:29 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 185
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Nice rig dmc.
Would you mind posting a full dash pic so we can get a glimpse of what your 'woodless' dash looks like?
Thx
WET
__________________
Wile E Toyote
Super Genius 
'96 FZJ80 285/75/16 MTR's, 2.5" OME Med's, 4+ 3" front drop brackets, Factory Lockers, DBA Slotted rotors, PBR ceramic pads, 7 cupholders (2 stock, 5 not)
'89 4Runner 33/12.5/15 SAS w/dual ARB's, 0 cupholders
'96 Avalon
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12-19-05, 03:13 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by wileetoyote
Nice rig dmc.
Would you mind posting a full dash pic so we can get a glimpse of what your 'woodless' dash looks like?
Thx
WET
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For some reason I can't find these pics on my PC right now but this thread shows the majority of the dash.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/41504-indash-slide-out-screen.html
I painted the section around the shifter with a light coat of black. I'll take a pic tonight and show it tomorrow.
dmc
Last edited by dmc; 12-20-05 at 01:37 PM.
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12-19-05, 08:14 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Grass Valley CA
Posts: 689
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How do you like your Pioneer and would you do it again?
I have the older dash so the flip up would not be the best for me but I was looking at the other one.
cheers
Sam
__________________
Snorked & Locked with CDL 94 FZJ80 \ F.O.R 4" Lift kit \ 315 Toyo Mts , 4.88 gears \ Inti Roof Rack with Lightforce 170s \ ARB front with Warn 12000 \ Labs Rear \ Hanna Sliders \ Slee skid plates, Rear lower control arms, and tie-rods \ Landtank CC plates \ NAV system \ CB & 2 Meter Radio \ Diff Breather \ Con tested, Expedition ready
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12-19-05, 09:00 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Frankfort, KY
Posts: 750
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Looks like your wood removal method works a bit better than Junks gouging it off with a screwdriver method. Did the plastic under the wood look good everywhere.
__________________
Josh
08 FJC - my first new vehicle!
91 FJ80-coming soon
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12-19-05, 09:01 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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Forum Lifer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Corrales, NM
Posts: 4,925
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Nice rig Dave...though I prefer the 'well-worn-in' look from the recent TT.
-onur
akron, oh
__________________
1997 FZJ80 with and without lots of stuff.
2001 Honda Accord 3.0L V6 VTEC Coupe EX.
In and out of focus, time turns elastic.
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12-19-05, 09:10 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by NorCalSam
How do you like your Pioneer and would you do it again?
I have the older dash so the flip up would not be the best for me but I was looking at the other one.
cheers
Sam
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I've always had Pioneer Premiere head units in my trucks and have always loved them. The current DVD is not a Premiere unit but I've been very happy with it. The video quality is excellent as is the functionality. 90% of the funcitonality I use can be controlled with the screen slid in so when I get off road I don't usually run with it out. I have read some reviews the the ipod controls on non touch screen units can be somewhat burdensome. I went single din so I would have a convenient easy way to store the ipod.
dmc
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12-19-05, 09:16 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by beno
Nice rig Dave...though I prefer the 'well-worn-in' look from the recent TT.
-onur
akron, oh
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just for you onur. nice and muddy...
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12-19-05, 09:20 PM
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#17 (permalink)
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fatherofdaughterofromer
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Englewood, Colorado
Posts: 7,893
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Nice rig. Didn't we do Kane Creek together at CM05 along with Cruiser Dan?
__________________
Ken Romer ~ Friend of Shaman
Keeper of the FAQ, Defender of Newbies, and Slayer of Tards
Commander Rising Sun 4WD Club - K0ROM
97 LX450, Supercharged, Locked, and lots of other stuff ROTW
96 LX450 - ROD's
06 4Runner - Wife's
99 4Runner - daughterofromer's
03 BMW Z4 Roadster
05 AT Horizon
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12-19-05, 09:22 PM
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#18 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Josh83
Looks like your wood removal method works a bit better than Junks gouging it off with a screwdriver method. Did the plastic under the wood look good everywhere.
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Everything underneath looks great except for the ashtray. That piece needed some persuasion with the putty knife and I scratched it just a bit. Not sure why but it did not want to come off. The heater trick is genius. I just wish it were my idea. I'm just a fan. Simple, easy, quick. Perfect for a man as lazy as me.
dmc
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12-19-05, 09:23 PM
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#19 (permalink)
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Forum Lifer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Corrales, NM
Posts: 4,925
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by dmc
just for you onur. nice and muddy...
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Perfect!
__________________
1997 FZJ80 with and without lots of stuff.
2001 Honda Accord 3.0L V6 VTEC Coupe EX.
In and out of focus, time turns elastic.
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12-19-05, 09:26 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Romer
Nice rig. Didn't we do Kane Creek together at CM05 along with Cruiser Dan?
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Yep that was me. I gave props to you fellas in my "leaning 80" thread a few days ago. I seem to remember you and CDan a bit disappointed in my desire to completely cover my truck in mud that day. Well, you were right.  There is still plenty of it stuck underneath my truck. 18 cars washes down 34 more to go and it might be clean.  That was a good group and trail run.
dmc
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12-19-05, 09:26 PM
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#21 (permalink)
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Site Addict
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Goodyear, AZ
Posts: 1,270
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Looks great...thanks for cross posting on the Expedition Portal
__________________
'96 LX 450 67K locked, ARB Bull Bar, Slee 6", Slee step sliders, Slee rear tire carrier, slee skid, CDL, 315/75-16 MTR's, etc. ROTW
'07 FJ Cruiser locked, 285/70-17 MTR's
Copper State Cruisers #38
TLCA #15560
Rob Clark
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12-19-05, 10:44 PM
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#22 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 365
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DMC...
Nice rig. I also enjoyed your write-up in TT.
Ditto on what Clarkrw3 said too.
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12-20-05, 03:36 AM
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#23 (permalink)
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grown up MOD
Join Date: May 2004
Location: 'in dat der briar patch'
Posts: 3,886
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Very impressive write up and rig.
Nicely done sir.
I too love that sage.
__________________
"If it wasn't a Landcruiser and hadn't been built the way it was you do realize you would be DEAD." VA State Police Officer
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12-20-05, 10:43 AM
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#24 (permalink)
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still solving problems...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: uhhhh...duh...Northern CA
Posts: 5,334
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Great rig!
nicely done.
__________________
a couple pairs of pink panties...
Another convert to the Church of Latter Day Swank, a sub-cult of Shahrislam
"...Opportunity doesn't knock, you have to kick the fuckin door in and drag the bitch out screamin." -- Ullr
"I have more respect for people who change their views after acquiring new information than for those who cling to views they held thirty years ago. The world changes. Ideologues and zealots don't." - Michael Crichton
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12-20-05, 10:49 AM
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#25 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Utah
Posts: 342
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__________________
Black & Tan 96 FZJ80- 07 Toyota Tacoma Dbl Cab - 02 BMW M5 - 67 VW Bug - 77 Ford Bronco
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Johnny Lange - TLCA 8676
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12-20-05, 01:53 PM
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#26 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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for those who liked the write up in Trails I posted a lot more pics from the trip here.
I was sitting home last night thinking of what else I could offer to the 80 forum that might be unique and one of the few things would be about the winch. I've known the name Ramsey but can't say that I've ever heard much them good or bad. I know most people recommend the Warn m12000 for an 80 because it's a heavy truck. I have the fortune or misfotune of using my winch 5 times since I purchased the 80 and have been very pleased with the performance. Three times I needed it to extract myself (maybe I should learn to drive) and twice was helping others including a very stuck, fully loaded 80.
dmc
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12-20-05, 09:31 PM
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#27 (permalink)
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Site Addict
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Posts: 1,721
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That is a bad a** rig. I want to do something similar if I get an 80
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12-22-05, 11:00 AM
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#28 (permalink)
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Site Addict
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Here....mostly.
Posts: 1,046
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Nice Dave...Now we should get a list going of all those that have put dent's and dings into your truck.
__________________
2004 DCAB Hardshell Taco
TLCA 14038
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02-07-06, 08:19 PM
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#29 (permalink)
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 90
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Dave-
Since I don't have my 80 any more (and you do) I hardly venture over to this side of MUD, and look what I've been missing!
I love what you've done to my old truck, Dave. Looks great, and you've done a super job turning it into what I wanted to do. Keep it up!
Bret Van Tuyle
Green Country Cruisers
1979 FJ40
1964 FJ40
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02-09-06, 09:10 AM
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#30 (permalink)
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250+ Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wandering the Western Hemisphere
Posts: 595
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Riverrock97
Dave-
Since I don't have my 80 any more (and you do) I hardly venture over to this side of MUD, and look what I've been missing!
I love what you've done to my old truck, Dave. Looks great, and you've done a super job turning it into what I wanted to do. Keep it up!
Bret Van Tuyle
Green Country Cruisers
1979 FJ40
1964 FJ40
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Bret,
Nice to see you survived the fires. I'm trying to use the truck like it was meant to be used. I must have 50 stickers on that thing now but more people have commented on the FJ25 script "toyota" bubble sticker that you put on there than anything else. i'm telling you, you could make a fortune selling those things.
dmc
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