100 series modification for Looks

[sleeoffroad]

Remember this is a Safari look I'm going for.

Damn, I am from Africa and I can not recall ever seeing a Safari vehicle that looks like that

 

[ckkone]

Damn, I am from Africa and I can not recall ever seeing a Safari vehicle that looks like that

I think that says it all

 

[twstrchasr]

I've got to get people's attention from 1/2 mile away and make them want to catch up to see what my rig says.

Imagine that logo against a silver body. From a graphic design and marketing point of view Silver cars are really overbearing and details get lost. I wouldn't have purchased a silver LC just for that reason. I wanted dark grey or forrest green, but I got this for a super deal with all the DVD equip and beautiful interior, I couldn't pass it up. If I had a dark grey LC I'd just have the logo and it would really POP off the side. Since I went with the Silver, I needed something to overpower the shine of the car and make it look not-so-pretty (it's a gorgeous vehicle). That's why the yellow stripe. From a marketing point of view, it makes my Logo stand out and makes the LC look more big kid rugged rather than soccer mom pretty.

Remember this is a Safari look I'm going for. Think about all the rally or baja rigs you've seen. They're flashy like this.

If you really wanted the "safari look" why didn't you get a white 100 (or even better >> a white D110) and paint zebra stripes on it along with a spare tire on the hood? That pretty much sums up the "safari" look (IMO) !! What you have managed to achieve is something far, far away from anything remotely "safari--ish"! Off-road racing/ baja are totally different things than a safari built expedition vehicle. However,that being said, if it fits your needs and you like it..Well, that's all that really matters, now isn't it !!" Welcome to the camp."

 

[rusty_tlc]

Damn, I am from Africa and I can not recall ever seeing a Safari vehicle that looks like that

So often the image of things is very different from reailty.

He is going for the image not reality.

 

[Dwon]

If you really wanted the "safari look" why didn't you get a white 100 (or even better >> a white D110) and paint zebra stripes on it along with a spare tire on the hood? That pretty much sums up the "safari" look (IMO) !! What you have managed to achieve is something far, far away from anything remotely "safari--ish"! Off-road racing/ baja are totally different things than a safari built expedition vehicle. However,that being said, if it fits your needs and you like it..Well, that's all that really matters, now isn't it !!" Welcome to the camp."

My wife wouldn't let me put zebra stripes on it.

If you thought it looked like a bad radio station rig like this just think with the zebra stripes!

I really like the ARB FJ Cruiser with the Topo Map on it. That looks pretty cool, but that won't catch your attention from across a lake at sunset!

I'm very happy with my wrap. If you don't like it you can ride in one of my other vehicles when you pay to go on one of my Photo Safari Workshops. If there's no room in any of my other vehicles then you can beetch when you have to ride in my LC and I'll listen. If you're not paying for one of my workshops, say what you want about my LC's looks, but don't waste too much of your time cause I'm not listening unless you're paying me to!

Any of you guys Dentists or Realtors? My calsses count as Continuing Education so you could deduct the price of our expedition as a "Photography Workshop".

 

[Dwon]

Damn, I am from Africa and I can not recall ever seeing a Safari vehicle that looks like that

Yea, but have you ever been on a Pacific Northwest Photo Safari?

 

[Dandon]

I'm very happy with my wrap. If you don't like it you can ride in one of my other vehicles when you pay to go on one of my Photo Safari Workshops. If there's no room in any of my other vehicles then you can beetch when you have to ride in my LC and I'll listen. If you're not paying for one of my workshops, say what you want about my LC's looks, but don't waste too much of your time cause I'm not listening unless you're paying me to!

Sorry if I misunderstand you. But first you ask for advice on getting "offroad" looks for your LC100, advice we happily provide. Of course some people agree and some others disagree with your aesthetic criteria; that's why opinions are usually asked for in the first place. Then your reaction towards those whose help you requested is " if you are not paying for a ride in my car, I couldn't care less about your opinion".
Well, in my book that's quite impolite, to say the least.
I beg your pardon if I have misinterpreted your words, english is just my third language.

 

[Dwon]

I'm very happy with my wrap. If you don't like it you can ride in one of my other vehicles when you pay to go on one of my Photo Safari Workshops. If there's no room in any of my other vehicles then you can beetch when you have to ride in my LC and I'll listen. If you're not paying for one of my workshops, say what you want about my LC's looks, but don't waste too much of your time cause I'm not listening unless you're paying me to!

Sorry if I misunderstand you. But first you ask for advice on getting "offroad" looks for your LC100, advice we happily provide. Of course some people agree and some others disagree with your aesthetic criteria; that's why opinions are usually asked for in the first place. Then your reaction towards those whose help you requested is " if you are not paying for a ride in my car, I couldn't care less about your opinion".
Well, in my book that's quite impolite, to say the least.
I beg your pardon if I have misinterpreted your words, english is just my third language.

Relax. I'm just joking around. I didn't post this to get advice for making my LC look offroad. I posted this as a build for "creating" an LC that looks offroad and for getting advice on installing it. I've already got the parts on order and they'll be here this week.

Regardless of whether you'd put a body wrap on your LC, this post was intended to help others wanting to create the look of a beefy LC without having to do all the major work that isn't necessary in day to day driving.

However, I've decided that for safety I'll be adding the OME Tbars and rear springs since I'll have the heavy Bull Bar on the front. So now my LC is more than offroad capable! Since there's already posts for building exactly what I'm building, I'm just going to describe how easy it was to install all this stuff myself with limited tools and reference the posts that already describe all the details.

Evidently if you want an LC that looks tough, you need it to be capable offroad in order to handle all the heavy tough looking gear.

Sorry if you were offended. It's all in good fun.

 

[Dandon]

OK, all right, I apologize sincerely :whoops:.Please forget my message

 

[rusty_tlc]

...Evidently if you want an LC that looks tough, you need it to be capable offroad in order to handle all the heavy tough looking gear.

Sorry if you were offended. It's all in good fun.

It's a chain reaction thing, one small modification leads to another. Better to face up to that and just plunge in than to go cheap and redo everything later.

BTW it could be argued that the 100 is capable offroad straight from the factory.

 

[Dwon]

BTW it could be argued that the 100 is capable offroad straight from the factory.

Yea but look at this post by ShottsUZJ100

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=150735

Check out what he did with his LC with no mods. That seems pretty capable to me although not as graceful as once he completed all his mods. That's a pretty cool post.

 

[rusty_tlc]

It's a chain reaction thing, one small modification leads to another. Better to face up to that and just plunge in than to go cheap and redo everything later.

BTW it could be argued that the 100 is capable offroad straight from the factory.

Yea but look at this post by ShottsUZJ100

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=150735

Check out what he did with his LC with no mods. That seems pretty capable to me although not as graceful as once he completed all his mods. That's a pretty cool post.

Ahh but to see true grace on the rocks you need to follow an FJ40 through the Rubicon. No matter how I modify my 100 it will never be as capable on technical trails as my FJ40. An argument could be made that the UZJ100 is the wrong tool for technical trails. My 100 is destined for long trips and mild to moderate trails. No need to build it into a bazooka when all I will do is hunt rabbits so to speak.

My guess is, after loking at your web site, you could have gone anywhere you need to with no modifications what so ever, without damage to your rig, and with no effort. Your stated objective was to build a marketing tool not a true trail rig. Generally guys modify because they found a limitation and want to overcome it. You are doing something completly different. At the end of the day you will have a rig that far exceeds your need. I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. Who knows maybe you will decide to explore the limits of your new rig, just be careful of that photo wrap when you get into the rocks.

 

[Dwon]

My guess is, after loking at your web site, you could have gone anywhere you need to with no modifications what so ever, without damage to your rig, and with no effort. Your stated objective was to build a marketing tool not a true trail rig. Generally guys modify because they found a limitation and want to overcome it. You are doing something completly different. At the end of the day you will have a rig that far exceeds your need. I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. Who knows maybe you will decide to explore the limits of your new rig, just be careful of that photo wrap when you get into the rocks.

I used to drive Nissan Armadas for my Safaris. They worked great, but didn't convey the "Adventure" message the way a Mod Land Cruiser does. I could stick with the Armadas but I wanted something that suited the feel of my safari workshops. For guys who know a thing or two about rigs and look at my rig, the mod LC exactly fits my needs. My goal is to have a rig guys in the know say to themselves, "I wish I had a reason to go where that thing can go." My market is guys in their 40s-60s who want to be able to write off fun stuff. If it was a poser vehicle guys would know. Sure it's no monster offroader, but how many of the monster offroaders have gorgeous leather seats with DVD headrests for each passenger. It's the perfect combination of form and function for guys who want to go out and have fun by day and a good nights rest and meal at a 6 star hotel. The high end adventure travel market. The Land Cruiser is built for what I do.

Some guys buy a bad arse handgun for the accuracy, some for the fact that a bad arse handgun will scare away danger without firing a shot. Same gun and it's functionality is the reason it's purchased, but one is for use, and the other is for potential.

My LC build is for the marketability of it's potential.

I've experienced things that made me realize that adventure isn't something you want. Real adventure is what happens when you're somewhere you shouldn't be and things go wrong. Like a time I was in Guatemala as an archaeologist and I saw two warring guerilla factions no more than a hundred yards advancing on each other, and I was in the middle. That's real adventure and it's not fun.

People want to pay for simulated adventure whether its playing with big toys to make them able to drive over anything, or heading out into the great outdoors to take amazing pictures. It's all about the fun. That's simulated adventure. That's what we all want: safe adventure. That's what I sell and I need gear that's capable even if we don't fully utilize it's capabilities.

With photography, all you really need is a point and shoot (unless you're a pro and your needs are specific). It's not the camera that takes the beautiful images, it's the photographer (that's why you should take my classes). But guys buy big awesome cameras with big awesome lenses because they're more fun to carry around and use in the wild. It's all about the experience.

That's what I'm selling and that's what I'm trying to convey with my advertising. It's not a new concept. It's marketing 101: identify what your market wants and create it for them. Sure my market doesn't care about a big yellow stripe, but if it wasn't for the yellow stripe, how would they know to look under my rig and call me when they realize I'm for real?

Plus I get to write off my LC so why not load it!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Ahh but to see true grace on the rocks you need to follow an FJ40 through the Rubicon. No matter how I modify my 100 it will never be as capable on technical trails as my FJ40. An argument could be made that the UZJ100 is the wrong tool for technical trails. My 100 is destined for long trips and mild to moderate trails. No need to build it into a bazooka when all I will do is hunt rabbits so to speak.

Depends on the trail my friend. On super tight obtacles or those that favor SWB, then the 100 and 80 are at a disadvantage. Hail to the 40 or a Jeep.
On obtacles and trails that favor LWB then the wagons have the edge.

No doubt the Rubicon is Jeep and 40 friendly. The 80 and 100 suffer. But that and few other trails (overall) are that tight and tough. For all the others the wagons have the edge.....especially safety-wise.

I'd luv to see a FJ40 climb this without rolling and/or damage. It can do it....but with how much safety and stability? I've seen numerous SWB and LWB rollovers here. If you try this in a 40 it better be one of those coilover conversion ones with super flex or you're on your side.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Yea but look at this post by ShottsUZJ100

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=150735

Check out what he did with his LC with no mods. That seems pretty capable to me although not as graceful as once he completed all his mods. That's a pretty cool post.

Stock, the 100 had a couple of things going for and against it:

For:

Fit 35" underneath with decent clearance.
ATRAC
Excellent articulation
Good ground clearance
Heavy duty frame and build
31" tires

Against:

Front bumper too low
Soft suspension....care was needed on rocks and ledges
Triple locker not an option (and I have always said I'd take ATRAC over a rear-locker-only and day)

 

[rusty_tlc]

Depends on the trail my friend. On super tight obtacles or those that favor SWB, then the 100 and 80 are at a disadvantage. Hail to the 40 or a Jeep.
On obtacles and trails that favor LWB then the wagons have the edge.

No doubt the Rubicon is Jeep and 40 friendly. The 80 and 100 suffer. But that and few other trails (overall) are that tight and tough. For all the others the wagons have the edge.....especially safety-wise.

I'd luv to see a FJ40 climb this without rolling and/or damage. It can do it....but with how much safety and stability? I've seen numerous SWB and LWB rollovers here. If you try this in a 40 it better be one of those coilover conversion ones with super flex or you're on your side.

<images snipped>

We'll have that discussion another day, I don't want to de-rail this thread.

 

[Dwon]

I haven't put in the new suspension yet and found that I have a leaky CV boot!!!

I got all my parts waiting at the shipping co. for me to pick up tomorrow, so I started prepping my rig. I took off the bumper and the skid plates and started squirting everything with PB spray. That's when I noticed one of the joints was all covered in greasy crud and all the others look nice and clean.

I've read through the below post, but it didn't explain it very well for my tiny brain.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=148786&highlight=torsion+bars

Should I just put on a new clamp and tighten it down?
Should I take the boot off and put more grease in there and put it back on tight?
Should I just leave it on and squirt more grease in there and then tighten it down?

How do I know if it needs more grease and what type of grease do I use?

Thanks. I want to nip this in the arse ASAP!

 

[chadiln]

Yesterday I completed the first phase of my vision. I had Toyo Open Country MT 285.75R16 tires installed. I'll have a body wrap for my Photo Safari Workshop business completed this week. The second week in Sept my ARB Bull Bar, Roof Rack, IPF lights, and Firm Valve OME shocks will arrive and I'll install them.

I'll post pics as I progress and let you know if there's things I should have done differently.

I'm going to wait to install the OME suspension and Slee Drop Diff until I know I need it. I want to drive around for a while with the stock Tbars and Springs to see if I am OK with it. I'm not putting in a winch so there shouldn't be a problem with the Tbars (I may have to crank them up 1/2 inch or so, but if the bumper drops more than an inch I'll install OME Tbars).

I'm going to be doing all the work myself and I'm no mechanic. I'm smart enough to take things apart and put them back together the way I found them and I have a few tools. I'll let you know what I had to buy to complete the jobs myself.

I loved ShottsUZJ100 build up report and I think it would be great to see more of them with different approaches. His was for off-roading. Mine is for looks and transporting students to and from scenic photography viewpoints. Two totally different purposes. Looks (mine) vs. utility (his).

I'll keep you updated.
Pic before any mod.

Hi Dwon,

What were the original tires that came with your Cruiser? The 20-inch ones. I have 20-inch rims with Goodyear Eagle GT II and need replacement soon. I really like the tire threads on your Cruiser.

Chad

 

[Dwon]

305 / 50R-20 120T Toyo Open Country AT

Really Smooth and Quiet ride. Like a lux car. You'll love them.

I've got 4 that still have around 20K miles left.
They come with wheels for $2,100.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=175108

 

[rusty_tlc]

I haven't put in the new suspension yet and found that I have a leaky CV boot!!!

I got all my parts waiting at the shipping co. for me to pick up tomorrow, so I started prepping my rig. I took off the bumper and the skid plates and started squirting everything with PB spray. That's when I noticed one of the joints was all covered in greasy crud and all the others look nice and clean.

I've read through the below post, but it didn't explain it very well for my tiny brain.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=148786&highlight=torsion+bars

Should I just put on a new clamp and tighten it down?
Should I take the boot off and put more grease in there and put it back on tight?
Should I just leave it on and squirt more grease in there and then tighten it down?

How do I know if it needs more grease and what type of grease do I use?

Thanks. I want to nip this in the arse ASAP!

The CV kit is about $25 per axle, if you have the FSM it is fairly easy to do the work. The kit comes with the correct grease, the boots, and new clamps. If you do a search you will find threads discussing the clamps and tools required to install them. All it takes is patience and time to do the work, if you lack either take it to a shop. They will charge about $200++ per axle and install rebuilt's.

If you do this it will make you very intamate with the IFS, which can be useful in the field. Very good to know if you plan to go places where AAA won't pay for a tow. (Which is anywhere off pavement, ask me how I know.)