Garfield county search and rescue buys 97' FZJ80 for hasty vehicle (2 Viewers)

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nmt252355

nmt252355

Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Threads
43
Messages
326
Location
Glenwood Springs, CO
After almost a year of research our SAR has finally purchased a bone stock 80 series and will be building it up to become a hasty team personnel carrier and patient transport vehicle. I'll be posting photos as we progress.....more details to come....

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stay tuned.

ForumRunner_20130221_034040.jpg
 
A good decision! :popcorn:
 
so at tonights board meeting I was given permission to start getting the "low hanging fruit" items (LED interior lights, recovery/roadside kit, hi lift, compressor, full tune, etc...nothing too sexy, but the stuff that will add up in a hurry), whilst getting in touch with Slee and getting our lift and armor priced out and an ETA on delivery. I also have to get the local decal lined up to start with our decaling work. So, with that there should be some fun stuff coming down the line on this build in the next few weeks.

Ultimately we're thinking: 4" lift, 4.88 gears, rear ARB air locker, 35s, full length roof cage with LED light bar, Warn 10k winch, dual battery set-up, high out put alternator, 1/2 cargo bay drawers, ARB front bumper, Slee rear bumper with all attachments, Slee underbody armor, and a couple other things I am sure I am missing. This won't all happen rite away, but that would be the ultimate build-out on this vehicle.
 
Sounds like a great plan of attack. Me personally would not go with ARB front, too much weight, and they tend to shake & rattle because of the crush zones built in. I'd use Slee at both ends.
 
Super happy with my ARB. No rattles at all, solid as a rock. Maybe a different story on the FJC. It's heavy but I'm only running OME mediums with an M8000 and have no problems handling the weight.
 
It was nice to finally meet you in person Nate, can't wait to see your progress on this build!
 
Ryan - nice meeting you as well.

Although heavier and it sticks out more I am leaning for the ARB front bumper. I have nothing but good things to say about the one on my Fj62, and plus it cover/protects more of the front end. I light the headlight and grill protection that the ARB offers.

More to come. As I take pictures I'll post them. We're getting quotes from local decaling vendors, and that'll be the first order of business.


N
 
Oh ya, and its official. I'll be picking up a 4" lift, belly plates, rear bumper, and sliders from Slee in Golden, CO in late March....then the cool pictures will start to come out!
 
Are you approaching vendors for sponsorships by chance? A lot of manufacturers are happy to give discounted items in exchange for some on vehicle advertising for a truck that will be used like this.
 
jonharis said:
Are you approaching vendors for sponsorships by chance? A lot of manufacturers are happy to give discounted items in exchange for some on vehicle advertising for a truck that will be used like this.
Click to expand...

I would be happy to help out if possible!
 
we've had some discussion on who/how we approach vendors/donors for this project. We have decided that the only vendor/donor that will be represented on the vehicle will be Big Horn Toyota. They have been a huge supporter of the team over the past several years (even before we purchased a Toyota), they will be helping out with all of the equipment installation, and the vehicle will be maintained by their staff for the rest of its life with us. We're going to try to have other vendors/donors featured with the vehicle in a photo op and something we can print, frame, and give back to donors as a token of appreciation.

It seemed like an awful big can of worms to open when we have to decide how big will a donors decal be based on money contributed, where will it be featured, why did company X get space right on the front quarter panel and we (company y) are behind the spare tire? Are their potential conflicts of interest...since we're a non-profit organization do we want to possibly give the impression that we're now owned by ----- company becuase we have their name plastered on our vehicle. Perhaps we're being too paraniod or over thinking this...thats the beauty of a board of 10 different people with 10 different opinions...:rolleyes:

At the end of the day it was just easier all the way around to keep it simple and not put anyone's logo on the vehicle (aside from Big Horn for the aforementioned reasons)

Suspension, belly plate, sliders, and rear bumper will be picked up on March 22nd and then installed at BHT the following week!
 
nmt252355 said:
we've had some discussion on who/how we approach vendors/donors for this project. We have decided that the only vendor/donor that will be represented on the vehicle will be Big Horn Toyota. They have been a huge supporter of the team over the past several years (even before we purchased a Toyota), they will be helping out with all of the equipment installation, and the vehicle will be maintained by their staff for the rest of its life with us. We're going to try to have other vendors/donors featured with the vehicle in a photo op and something we can print, frame, and give back to donors as a token of appreciation.

It seemed like an awful big can of worms to open when we have to decide how big will a donors decal be based on money contributed, where will it be featured, why did company X get space right on the front quarter panel and we (company y) are behind the spare tire? Are their potential conflicts of interest...since we're a non-profit organization do we want to possibly give the impression that we're now owned by ----- company becuase we have their name plastered on our vehicle. Perhaps we're being too paraniod or over thinking this...thats the beauty of a board of 10 different people with 10 different opinions...:rolleyes:

At the end of the day it was just easier all the way around to keep it simple and not put anyone's logo on the vehicle (aside from Big Horn for the aforementioned reasons)

Suspension, belly plate, sliders, and rear bumper will be picked up on March 22nd and then installed at BHT the following week!
Click to expand...

Heck I don't need my name on it, I think the cause is a good one :) if you need anything, please let me know if I can help
 
my previous post was pretty weak (from phone).

So the decals are on. Next week I'm going to pull her into my garage and run through plugs, wires, filters, installing PFRAN LED lights all the way around...the following week I'm headed to Golden to pick up a truck load (literally) of goodies from Slee to bring back. Big Horn will be installing the lift, rear bumper, belly plate, and also handling a new P/S pump.

Pretty stoked for this build and to get her on the trail to test her out. We always get folks stuck up in the high country unprepared during the shoulder seasons...and spring is right around the corner.

I'm completely convinced that this vehicle will be a very valuable resource to our team in the years to come!!!
 
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ARB Front bumper has arrived!!!!

The last time our local guy ordered an 80 series bumper it took 2 months becuase there were none in the US inventory....this time it took 2 weeks. I have to get the second battery, winch, isolator, etc... ordered now.

THOUGHTS ON 12k WINCHES? I know the winch purists will default to Warn. I have a Badlands Harbor Freight 12k winch and have yarded on it several times and its run great..... Ideally I'd like to find something in the middle of the $1500 Warn Winch and the $300 HF winch.

any recommendations/thoughts/discussion welcome? Fully loaded we're expected the vehicle to be in the 6500# range.
 
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