Spent 6-months about 3-years ago lurking, reading and getting great input about which LC to get. Ended up purchasing my current 100 in January '05. It's from the northeast...complete with the rust package offered for that part of the country 
. Gotta say I probably won't do that again...but all the rusted/corroded bolts that I have needed to remove, have been drilled and tapped...with typical low humidity here in Northern Nevada the rust seems abated!
It, like other's rigs, has been a work in progress. The first thing I did, getting it ready for desert and mountain travel for exploring, hunting, camping, etc., was to install Goodyear MT/R 285R75-16 tires. Then I built a set of quick and relatively easy sliders...which some day will get replaced with a different design; but for now keep the body from being damaged on some trail runs.
Next was an OME lift from Slee Offroad and a set of African Outback drawers. A Slee rear bumper followed by a TJM T3 Classique steel front bumper made it all work fairly well for my uses for about a year.
Couldn't buy a t-case skid plate...so I made one out of 6061T6 plate and a custom bracket that I welded up. So far, even though it's not the ideal design, it has saved many a rock from smacking the t-case. The factory tin plate is a real POS...barely enough to keep road trash from smacking the t-case...let alone what you find on a typical off-road trail!
A second battery and rear circuit was added next. I thought long and hard about the next accessory...and thanks to all the input here I pulled trigger on the Waeco 50 fridge/freezer. As you all said: "It would be my favorite accessory"...and that's been 100% accurate.
I added the Helton Hot Water Heat Exchanger...with a bracket I welded up to mount out of the way on the PS fender. This has worked as advertised...a great accessory!
Then the Warn 9.5XP winch with X-Line was added...had to make a couple new mounting brackets as the TJM is designed for a smaller winch...but it all fit just fine. And along the way I just couldn't get past the goofy OEM frame mounted hooks. And since the bolt spacing is atypical...and no after market recovery hooks available I, along with a couple buddies...you know who you are!...designed the Frame Recovery Brackets for a small production run. The TJM hoop was removed earlier this year...and I sliced up some thick plate I had in the garage and welded the current recovery points to the front bumper...
The winch has come in handy several times: Pulling a Rubicon off a high centered lump in a trail; pulling aside a large downed pine tree that was blocking the trail; coaxing the rig up Steven's Loop (with the help from my homies that proved they are great spotters and rock stackers...again: You know who you are
) and the last time, that saved our butts since we were out exploring on our own, I used to right the Horizon after I layed it on its side!
Thanks to the Norcal 80 guys and Rusty for getting some of us off our arse...I was able to pass the HAM test and install the 2m Icom 208H...now like others that are 2m friendly I can't wait until the CB never gets turned back on!
A little over a year ago I installed the ARB front air locker along with completely rebuilding all axle/hub bearings, new OEM CV shaft assemblies, 4.88 gears, 315R75-16 MT/R's and ART cryo'd rotors with Porterfield kevlar and carbon pads and custom stainless steel brake lines throughout.
As most of you know...and others will soon learn...it takes LOTS of time to get all the little details done. But I keep plugging away. The next project to be completed this month will be Fox 2" remote reservoir shocks at each corner. The OME's are just not up to keeping this extra heavily laden rig under control.
No regrets on purchasing this rig...and no regrets with respect to any of the mods so far.
More to come as I recollect...
...and a big thanks to all that have offered assistance on this board!
The first three pics were taken right after I purchased it and right after I installed the 285R75-16 MT/R's...
. Gotta say I probably won't do that again...but all the rusted/corroded bolts that I have needed to remove, have been drilled and tapped...with typical low humidity here in Northern Nevada the rust seems abated!It, like other's rigs, has been a work in progress. The first thing I did, getting it ready for desert and mountain travel for exploring, hunting, camping, etc., was to install Goodyear MT/R 285R75-16 tires. Then I built a set of quick and relatively easy sliders...which some day will get replaced with a different design; but for now keep the body from being damaged on some trail runs.
Next was an OME lift from Slee Offroad and a set of African Outback drawers. A Slee rear bumper followed by a TJM T3 Classique steel front bumper made it all work fairly well for my uses for about a year.
Couldn't buy a t-case skid plate...so I made one out of 6061T6 plate and a custom bracket that I welded up. So far, even though it's not the ideal design, it has saved many a rock from smacking the t-case. The factory tin plate is a real POS...barely enough to keep road trash from smacking the t-case...let alone what you find on a typical off-road trail!
A second battery and rear circuit was added next. I thought long and hard about the next accessory...and thanks to all the input here I pulled trigger on the Waeco 50 fridge/freezer. As you all said: "It would be my favorite accessory"...and that's been 100% accurate.
I added the Helton Hot Water Heat Exchanger...with a bracket I welded up to mount out of the way on the PS fender. This has worked as advertised...a great accessory!
Then the Warn 9.5XP winch with X-Line was added...had to make a couple new mounting brackets as the TJM is designed for a smaller winch...but it all fit just fine. And along the way I just couldn't get past the goofy OEM frame mounted hooks. And since the bolt spacing is atypical...and no after market recovery hooks available I, along with a couple buddies...you know who you are!...designed the Frame Recovery Brackets for a small production run. The TJM hoop was removed earlier this year...and I sliced up some thick plate I had in the garage and welded the current recovery points to the front bumper...
The winch has come in handy several times: Pulling a Rubicon off a high centered lump in a trail; pulling aside a large downed pine tree that was blocking the trail; coaxing the rig up Steven's Loop (with the help from my homies that proved they are great spotters and rock stackers...again: You know who you are
) and the last time, that saved our butts since we were out exploring on our own, I used to right the Horizon after I layed it on its side!Thanks to the Norcal 80 guys and Rusty for getting some of us off our arse...I was able to pass the HAM test and install the 2m Icom 208H...now like others that are 2m friendly I can't wait until the CB never gets turned back on!
A little over a year ago I installed the ARB front air locker along with completely rebuilding all axle/hub bearings, new OEM CV shaft assemblies, 4.88 gears, 315R75-16 MT/R's and ART cryo'd rotors with Porterfield kevlar and carbon pads and custom stainless steel brake lines throughout.
As most of you know...and others will soon learn...it takes LOTS of time to get all the little details done. But I keep plugging away. The next project to be completed this month will be Fox 2" remote reservoir shocks at each corner. The OME's are just not up to keeping this extra heavily laden rig under control.
No regrets on purchasing this rig...and no regrets with respect to any of the mods so far.
More to come as I recollect...
...and a big thanks to all that have offered assistance on this board!
The first three pics were taken right after I purchased it and right after I installed the 285R75-16 MT/R's...
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