Wannabe Rock Crawler/Camping Rig Build (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
237
Location
Bozeman, MT
How it looks now:
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I bought this 1997 Collectors Edition with lockers last July.

After multiple cancelled/delayed flights, we finally made it to Maine at midnight, made the transaction, and proceeded to start the long drive back to Montana.
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Just past Sturgis and ALMOST back into Montana, the radiator cracked. I found clear rv sealant at the nearest gas station and spooged it everywhere.
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This "fix" held all the way home plus another week until the new rad arrived. New rad is all aluminum and much thicker than factory. I had some issues with fitment - had to trim the battery tray, lengthen the overflow line, and the shroud did not fit. Even without the shroud, I am super impressed with how this thing works.
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I got it home and put new emblems on the front and rear immediately.
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Parked next to Clifford and realized how small my car is.
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I took off the LandTank tire carrier, threw it away, and gave the truck an overdue detail.
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It's amazing how deep this red is
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Parts started coming in for the build...
37x13.50r17 Maxxis Razr MTs - I really like them so far.
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New brakes and a bearing repack
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Mocked up the storage area
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Put the Go Fast Campers RTT on just in time for the first camping trip with it.
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This hole came out of nowhere and was DEEP
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I was able back out myself, but my soul was a little hurt
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Oh look @Squeegee , it's you


We made it to camp and huddled together just as a heavy storm rolled in.
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A tree branch magically appeared on the way back and smacked the windshield.
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Wheels finally came in
Summit Offroad Dakar 17x9 -25
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And got them mounted
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Looking large
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Got a new hatch piece to replace the cracked old one.
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Good looking rig. How is the road noise for the tires?
 
Wow, I need to keep up with this thread.
Next, I put Dobinsons VT coils (not impressed with them) and long boi shocks on, clearanced the front for 37s and took some pics.
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Welded sliders and finally started to make my bumper design into reality. I wanted to make it as high clearance as possible and mounted the winch right up to the core support.
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First obstacle on the first day I got hung up. Rear was wedged against a rock and then finally broke loose. Front end fell off the rocks and smacked the pass side corner. Totally should not have put off finishing the bumper wings...
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The rest of the weekend was a blast!
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I couldn't quite make it up this ledge and had to winch. This year I redeemed myself though and made it up no problem.
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Great looking rig! Perfect mix of factory appearance and badass. Mind sharing what you did to the fenders in your post #10? I want to retain my fender flares but run 37's as well. Thanks!
Thanks! I took the fenders off and completely cut out the wheel well liners. I cut the fenders just below the flare clips, so about 3-4 inches off and then cut the bottom of the flare out. When I move to 40s, i think I'll trim the flares some more and probably make new inner fender wells.
 
Somewhere in there I swapped in a GX460 steering wheel.
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I have yet to hook the buttons up to the radio. I need to find a bluetooth module I like. The cruise control also is not hooked up - I need to figure out a mount for the Land Cruiser cruise control switch as the Lexus one will not work.
 
Made some mounts for ditch lights. Never ended up using them.
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