Building a Southern 100 for an August Trip to Ouray, CO

[ntsaint]

Thread title says it all. A few of us from the southern states are organizing a trip that puts us in Ouray in time to join up with JonHaris’ 100s in the Hills trail ride.

On that note, the Southern 100s Road Trip thread is here if anyone is interested: https://forum.ih8mud.com/trails-events-expeditions/614930-southern-100s-road-trip.html

With that in mind, I feel like I need to do some upgrades on my 100 before I make the trip. I’ve been putting these off for a long time while rebuilding my 40, but have to start on them now in order to get them done by first of August.



My truck is already equipped with the below:

• WKOR Sliders
• 33” Nitto Terra G’s (15k miles on them, in good shape)
• Group31 Battery
• ARB Fridge
• Slee Powerstop Rotors/Pads

I’ve already got the two below items in process:

• 90k maintenance, plus tune-up (already ordered parts from CDAN) is scheduled for next week.
• Slee diff drop kit, Toyota CV grease, and PFran42 CV boot bands are already here, ready to be installed

After that, below is a list of things I could see as beneficial to have done before the trip:

• Change diff fluids
• Change transfer fluids
• Rip out my AHC (probably ACC in Atlanta)
• Install 2” Ironman lift, tbars, etc
• Rear bumper with tire carrier (probably BIOR, Slee is backordered too far out)
• Front bumper (ARB? TJM?)
• Roof rack (no idea brand here, but like the look of the FrontRunner)
• Roof top tent (no idea here…)

I guess I’m looking for input from those of you who typically go on these type of runs. What of the above do I really need to do before making the trip? More importantly, what do I need that is NOT on the list above?

I plan on documenting all the installs and upgrades that I make in this thread. Hopefully it will help to get some eyeballs on the topic, maybe generate some interest from some more southern 100 owners about making the trip (plugged again here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/trails-events-expeditions/614930-southern-100s-road-trip.html).

 

[Griffin]

On a budget? If so, designing your rig to sleep in would save you the $2k+ for a new roof rack and RTT. I'm planning for a similar trip this summer and will take a two man tent and air mattress, giving me the option to sleep inside or out. Just a thought...

 

[ntsaint]

On a budget? If so, designing your rig to sleep in would save you the $2k+ for a new roof rack and RTT. I'm planning for a similar trip this summer and will take a two man tent and air mattress, giving me the option to sleep inside or out. Just a thought...

That's a good idea, and I've considered it. I'm just a little worried about sleeping room inside the truck, seeing how I'll be taking a week's worth of gear, fridge, etc.

 

[bamabrock]

I'll be sleeping inside the truck if by myself, but might have to invest in a tent if my buddy is coming along. I'm going to be building a simple platform to line up height wise with the second row folded down and will have plastic containers underneath for clothes/supplies on one side and tools/equipment on the other. I'll be using a yeti cooler

 

[mcgaskins]

I think RTTs are cool but they are not a necessity nor is building your truck to sleep inside - why not just sleep in a regular tent? It would save the money you would be spending on a rack, RTT or drawer/platform setup and you won't have to worry about moving junk out of the truck to sleep in it every night.

 

[bamabrock]

I'm talking about a very basic platform (which I need anyway) with all my stuff in rubermaid storage units underneath and an air mattress. I'm an old Eagle Scout and have spent many months in tents and can pack the basic essentials using our old hiking trick of packing each days clothes in a gallon ziplock bag to save space.

 

[ntsaint]

I've already built a draw system, and the platform is level with the middle row when folded down. The sleeping part is easy, just throw an air mattress in and go. I'm more worried about where all my gear will go while I'm in there sleeping. Now that I think about it though, i can cram it in the front seat if necessary. Think I will go this route.

 

[marshotel]

mcgaskins has it right: unless you are going somewhere like Africa or Australia, where dangerous snakes or flash floods are real concerns, I don't really see the point in a roof top tent....

I've camped out all over the U.S. (and East Africa and Australia) in normal freestanding backpackpacking tents and I've been very happy. In fact, if you know what you're doing, you'll be more comfortable sleeping on the ground than you will be sleeping on top of your truck.

If you are in an area with lots of snakes and ants, then I guess the roof top tent is justified, but for camping in Colorado, I'd rather spend the money on a backpacking tent and a nice down sleeping bag.

http://www.westernmountaineering.co...Bags&cat=Gore Windstopper Series&ContentId=47

I think RTTs are cool but they are not a necessity nor is building your truck to sleep inside - why not just sleep in a regular tent? It would save the money you would be spending on a rack, RTT or drawer/platform setup and you won't have to worry about moving junk out of the truck to sleep in it every night.

 

[mpho]

Grab a nice cot and bag...fun to sleep under the stars! Pack a lightweight tent in case it storms...or, looks like your cruiser is sleepable....

 

[bamabrock]

The sleeping arrangements have been covered I think.

 

[Griffin]

What about navigation? Following a trail leader or off on your own....or both?

I plan to use my ipad with MotionX, using detailed downloads of areas I'll be exploring. Will have map and compass as backup. Probably have read it already, but RobRed has a ridiculously detailed review of a similar setup.

Edit - may want to think about lighting, especially when camping. I few strategically placed single lights can make the wandering around the truck/camp easier.

 

[marshotel]

The sleeping arrangements have been covered I think.

With all that money saved on the sleeping arrangements, I would definitely change the differential fluids, then drain and fill the transmission several times. Do not flush the transmission. Flushing is BAD.

Seriously though, what is there to "build" really?

You can add aftermarket bumpers and springs to your truck, or not.

Your truck will perform about the same either way.

The aftermarket bumpers could prevent damage to the body panels if you are inclined to driving over big rocks while not paying attention. But the OP already has sliders, which provide 90% of the protection anyway.

I don't want to be a party pooper, but to answer the OPs original Question:
What of the above do I really need to do before making the trip?

Probably nothing.

Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel (and change your timing belt every 90k).

It seems to me like a lot of the changes that people make to 100-series Land Cruisers are not really upgrades, but just extra stuff.

In reality your 2006 Land Cruiser came pretty well equipped from the factory, and I have never seen a situation where a swing-out tire carrier or a 2" lift makes or breaks the trip.

My advice is to make sure your maintenance is up to date, focus on your skills and abilities, and leave the aftermarket crap to the posers.

Save your money and take an extra week vacation.
Go camping; bring a tent and a sleeping bag.

 

[ntsaint]

The sleeping arrangements have been covered I think.

Ha...agreed!

 

[ENGINE er]

@marshotel, who s*** in your cereal this morning? Careful how you throw around your opinion and calling those that aren't of the same opinion posers.

Its pretty hard to fit a winch in a stock front bumper, and a lift keeps you from dragging over EVERYTHING. As someone who has wheeled their rig pre/post lift and pre/post front bumper/winch i can tell you they are both worth it. Suspension is cheap and easy, and it keeps the body off the damaging stuff.

Your points about focusing on a well maintained rig are correct, but your sweeping generalizations are a bit off base.

 

[marshotel]

@marshotel, who s*** in your cereal this morning? Careful how you throw around your opinion and calling those that aren't of the same opinion posers.

Your points about focusing on a well maintained rig are correct, but your sweeping generalizations are a bit off base.

Okay. Fair enough.

I absolutely agree that there are some things that can be done to improve the performance of the 100-series under certain conditions.

But there are also people who get gnarly tires, heavy bumpers, and big roof racks because they look cool, then they realize that the factory set-up was near-perfect for a very wide range of applications.

My intent was to add to the discourse by encouraging readers to consider what they are actually doing with their rigs most of the time, rather than spending money on "improvements" just because they can.

It's all about trade-offs and wants vs. needs:
bumpers add a lot of weight
stiff springs kill the ride on road
that spare tire carrier makes it cumbersome to open the tailgate
roof racks get caught on trees, make wind noise, and decrease mpg

Are these things appropriate for some applications? Absolutely.
Do you need these things to take your cruiser wheeling and camping in the mountains? Absolutely not.

OP would be crazy to "rip the AHC out" of an otherwise cherry 2006 Land Cruiser.
A rooftop tent for summertime camping in Colorado is absurd.
But those are just my opinions.

Nobody pooped in my cereal, I'm just jealous 'cause I keep having to borrow my wife's Tacoma.

 

[bamabrock]

His AHC system is failing on him. Thanks for your valued contribution.

 

[ntsaint]

OP would be crazy to "rip the AHC out" of an otherwise cherry 2006 Land Cruiser.

As BamaBrock points out, my AHC is dying a rapidly accelerating death. And it's not a good long term solution for a rig with front/rear bumpers, sliders, drawers, fridge, etc. It's got to go.

Didn't mean to generate an argument here...just trying to document the different equipment a southern-states 100 might need to make the transition to wheeling in CO. And, to potentially get others onboard for the trip.

I will get some real tech in this thread shortly when I start documenting the changes...until then, carry on

 

[marshotel]

I didn't mean to hijack your thread- just wanted to point out that there is a difference between "improvements" and "extra stuff on your truck."

The Ouray trip sounds awesome- look forward to seeing some action shots!

 

[LCAdvocate]

I think RTTs are cool but they are not a necessity nor is building your truck to sleep inside - why not just sleep in a regular tent? It would save the money you would be spending on a rack, RTT or drawer/platform setup and you won't have to worry about moving junk out of the truck to sleep in it every night.

Exactly, this isn't safari land, there are no man eating animals in most parts of the U.S., so why do people want these RTT's. The cool factor?

 

[bonze]

As BamaBrock points out, my AHC is dying a rapidly accelerating death. And it's not a good long term solution for a rig with front/rear bumpers, sliders, drawers, fridge, etc. It's got to go.

Didn't mean to generate an argument here...just trying to document the different equipment a southern-states 100 might need to make the transition to wheeling in CO. And, to potentially get others onboard for the trip.

I will get some real tech in this thread shortly when I start documenting the changes...until then, carry on

I feel your pain! My AHC failed, and after thousands wasted and several attempts to fix, I just dropped off my LX at ACC in ATL today to have AHC ripped out and having ironman 2" lift installed.
Need to do many of the same maintenance items you listed in order to go on that road trip you posted about. Wish I had more experience with a wrench.