Ok so this is all flavored for only trip kind use in mind. I have a trail 40 and it is setup differently with trails more in mind.
For sliders, I like ones that will push out toward the rear. I have 4x4Labs sliders and rear bumper and think both are great. My sliders could use about an inch more outboard than they are to give a better step. I find them useful for utility more than as sliders, and I think that's worth considering if you are building more for trips than strictly wheeling. I should probably have done something clever like use them as air tanks too.
All the armor has gotten my unlocked H55/HZ around Wentworth to Loon and I used every corner of armor to do it, but that is probably the worst the truck has seen for harder core stuff. After using my setup for six or eight years, I've found I am usually coming down on the rear bumper more than anything else on the truck.
My front is going through a redesign. I am going to mount it similar to FJ454's front bumper mount (box the frame, mount it 4 bolts to a side and have through mounted recovery points, see below), and work in a front hitch to use for winching and carrying a motorcycle up front. Not sure on the rest of the front design but it will have some kind of brush feature as I end up using the one I have a lot to push through things as well as push down trees around. I tend to go where people haven't been in many years so there are usually obstacles to deal with.
I know something about frequencies of diesels you guys get. Gary will call every so often looking for a 3B or 1/2H part. It is very comforting to know the 1HZ is the longest production engine Toyota has ever made across every engine they've made, and it is still being produced, since '90, so it is a known quantity and plentiful parts-wise.
It still isn't too late to sell yours and get a good one. Georg has a few.
Look at Opposite Lock and Load Ranger for tanks, or look into a custom tank. I have a homemade Aussie 50G tank so 1000 miles is not far off the maximum range without carrying fuel. Luke got about 1200 miles out of his African outfitted HJ61 but I think he had a normal main+30G or so aux. I would rather have part of the tank more forward between axles if I were to do it again.. the truck is about 2800F/3600R last I weighed it. One nice thing about the 12H-T is you get to keep your original exhaust line, the HZ is opposite from the factory 6x route. Look into v-band connection at the downpipe to make it easy to disconnect the exhaust if you have to- I want to change mine from flanges.
Also in the vein of extra fuel and weight, design to keep weight as centered and low as possible. Stay away from roof racks unless you can't stand it and feel you need one or have more than 2 people to carry. Make use of WagonGear and all the panels Kevin makes. I have them all and the seat box, mostly because I'm his guinea pig, and all that extra space is very usable. I have a long way to go in organizing storage. Need to spend a couple weeks with Kevin to work out the next evolution of my sleep/storage platform.
For sliders, I like ones that will push out toward the rear. I have 4x4Labs sliders and rear bumper and think both are great. My sliders could use about an inch more outboard than they are to give a better step. I find them useful for utility more than as sliders, and I think that's worth considering if you are building more for trips than strictly wheeling. I should probably have done something clever like use them as air tanks too.
All the armor has gotten my unlocked H55/HZ around Wentworth to Loon and I used every corner of armor to do it, but that is probably the worst the truck has seen for harder core stuff. After using my setup for six or eight years, I've found I am usually coming down on the rear bumper more than anything else on the truck.
My front is going through a redesign. I am going to mount it similar to FJ454's front bumper mount (box the frame, mount it 4 bolts to a side and have through mounted recovery points, see below), and work in a front hitch to use for winching and carrying a motorcycle up front. Not sure on the rest of the front design but it will have some kind of brush feature as I end up using the one I have a lot to push through things as well as push down trees around. I tend to go where people haven't been in many years so there are usually obstacles to deal with.
I know something about frequencies of diesels you guys get. Gary will call every so often looking for a 3B or 1/2H part. It is very comforting to know the 1HZ is the longest production engine Toyota has ever made across every engine they've made, and it is still being produced, since '90, so it is a known quantity and plentiful parts-wise.
It still isn't too late to sell yours and get a good one. Georg has a few.
Look at Opposite Lock and Load Ranger for tanks, or look into a custom tank. I have a homemade Aussie 50G tank so 1000 miles is not far off the maximum range without carrying fuel. Luke got about 1200 miles out of his African outfitted HJ61 but I think he had a normal main+30G or so aux. I would rather have part of the tank more forward between axles if I were to do it again.. the truck is about 2800F/3600R last I weighed it. One nice thing about the 12H-T is you get to keep your original exhaust line, the HZ is opposite from the factory 6x route. Look into v-band connection at the downpipe to make it easy to disconnect the exhaust if you have to- I want to change mine from flanges.
Also in the vein of extra fuel and weight, design to keep weight as centered and low as possible. Stay away from roof racks unless you can't stand it and feel you need one or have more than 2 people to carry. Make use of WagonGear and all the panels Kevin makes. I have them all and the seat box, mostly because I'm his guinea pig, and all that extra space is very usable. I have a long way to go in organizing storage. Need to spend a couple weeks with Kevin to work out the next evolution of my sleep/storage platform.
