Purist Step away. Mint 400 2023 FJ45 (2 Viewers)

[Bear]

"Free time". Haha. You probably thought that you would have free time once you retired. And so now you know. First the "honey-do" list expands astronomically. Then you notice the roof needs replaced, the house needs painted--both inside and out. All those projects you put-off for another day are suddenly on your doorstep. And then......................you went and decided to become a world-famous racer !!

Free time, spare time, fishing, sailing, ocean-cruising, rocking chairs and mint juleps--forget about it. It's a myth sold by investment planners.

All kidding aside, we are all envious of you, pursuing your dream, and succeeding at it. Bravo, Rob. Enjoy being busy doing whatever the phu*k you please. And thanks for taking the rest of us along on your ride ! Well played, my friend !

 

[landcrusher909]

Thanks Mike @Bear , I am not going to lie there have been some brutal days days in the past year. Second guessing myself, design flaws, thinking what the Hell am I doing LOL then I sit back look at what we have accomplished so far and figure lets keep going. We never expected this to grow into what it has. King of the Hammers is going to be a tough race no doubt. Like everything else we have done so far Just taking the green flag in a 56 year old FJ45 is going to be EPIC !

 

[landcrusher909]

25 days left before the 45 needs to be on the trailer. Getting new front springs built tommorow, because of all the body roll I am building a new sway bar mount using the factory 45 rear sway bar and beefing everything else up. Once I get everything in place I will get the measurements for the sway bar rods and @orangefj45 Valley hybrids will be building new heavy duty links. Dont think just Build LOL Also working on a better rear bump stop mount. Really enjoying this weather everything needs to be locked in before saturday rain expected

 

[landcrusher909]

Great day. Andie killled it welding up the new sliders. I would not be where I am without these kids helping

 

[landcrusher909]

With the 2024 Race season coming up I am Honored to have the continued support from the Vendors and Sponsors who have been there since day one. Valley Hybrids, Cruiser Brothers, Classic Cruisers, Cruiser Outfitters, Bowfin Cruisers, Kortias tire and wheel, Summit Steel, Travis Miller Engineering those stepping up during the year to offer support GY6 Off Road, S&S Off Road magazine, Ruffstuff, OPTIMA battries, Friends and Family. TLCA, IH8MUD, and the Rusty Nail Family. Special Thanks to Josh, Andie Bob @brooksfj60 Chris for being here to help put in the work getting the 45 prepped and ready. I have learned a lot this past year. I am Proud of what we have accomplished so far. Waiting on new front springs, finish the sway bar, re torque everything, but the list is getting shorter

 

[landcrusher909]

Rainy days getting things done in the shop. Sliders are painted. When it dries out i can get them mounted and tied into the frame. 18 days a counting

 

[landcrusher909]

Happy New year. Using some old running board mounts I trimmed them down and re bolted them to the factory location. The will be welded to the bottom of the sliders giving them more strength and a nice factory look.

 

[whitey45]

Those are great Rob! What color/ paint did you use?

 

[landcrusher909]

Those are great Rob! What color/ paint did you use?

Thanks. Honestly I had a buddy try to color match the hood. It's what I used on the doors and fenders. I'm really happy with then.

 

[landcrusher909]

After chewing up a few rear bump stops on the U bolt flip kit I started mocking up some pads that we be welded on the top plate of the flip kit. Once I get the new front springs installed we can get the full race weight and get a true measurement for the bump stop pad height and weld them up. Swat bar mount is installed and @orangefj45 Valley Hybrids killed it making the new sway bar links. Waiting on a few parts like new fuel cell foam, We are on track and should have everything buttoned up in a few weeks

 

[matzell]

After chewing up a few rear bump stops on the U bolt flip kit I started mocking up some pads that we be welded on the top plate of the flip kit. Once I get the new front springs installed we can get the full race weight and get a true measurement for the bump stop pad height and weld them up. Swat bar mount is installed and @orangefj45 Valley Hybrids killed it making the new sway bar links. Waiting on a few parts like new fuel cell foam, We are on track and should have everything buttoned up in a few weeks

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Take a angle grinder and cut the threads off those u-bolts right above flush, that will help and save weight! It will make it quicker to get them off and have less chance of rust on the threads causing cuss words on removal. I can not wait to see you out racing in a few weeks, I will be here in VA but there in spirit.

 

[landcrusher909]

Take a angle grinder and cut the threads off those u-bolts right above flush, that will help and save weight! It will make it quicker to get them off and have less chance of rust on the threads causing cuss words on removal. I can not wait to see you out racing in a few weeks, I will be here in VA but there in spirit.

I'll get that on the list, Thanks for the support I am not sure how well the internet will be working once Hammers town fills up. For those wanting to watch January 28th 0800 California this link should get you to the updated live feed. Live Stream - King of the Hammers - https://kingofthehammers.com/live-stream/

 

[matzell]

1/16 cut off disc will make short work of it

 

[landcrusher909]

6 days away from loading the 45 on the trailer, FC sent me a text this morning about some concerns about the lower sway bar bracket binding. Made perfect sense and 2 hours later I was back from KarTek with new himes and stuff. I cut the bushing part off and sleeved the upper part and using the bungs for the hime got everything welded up. Bob came by tonight and burned the brackers into the rear axle. We are doing good and I am going over everything and if I am not 100 percent sure it looks good it gets rebuilt or replaced. This is the race of a lifetime and its all going to come down to prep and me not overthinging everything LOLOL

 

[landcrusher909]

Monday update. We finished getting everything welded in and got our bump stop pads installed. @matzell got all the u bolts trimmed. Today install a couple of new brake lines, bleed brakes, pick up new limiting straps, finish wiring secoundary alternator. Camper and tow rigs are lined up for this Friday. I still havnt packed a thing LOL

 

[KT40]

Looking forward to seeing this in person on the lake bed!

 

[landcrusher909]

This is it. Everything is loaded and we replaced the front springs, I have double checked everything. Nothing left now but see how we do. Shock tuning session next tuesday and pre running Thursday and Friday. Thanks for all the support and comments. Its been one Hell of a year.

 

[landcrusher909]

This race is for Dom. He was a Great friend and one of our Cruiser Brothers.

 

[aztoyman]

Be safe, have fun and good luck!

 

[47coeman]

Be safe, have fun and good luck!

The best for success and be safe.