FJ60 SOA finished... now what?

[lovetoski]

There are 1000's of things you could do. The question is what makes sense for your needs, your budget, your lifestyle. There's so much info on here, it's hard to tell you where to start, but I'd suggest reading some of the ROTM (rig of the month) for info, also try searching for SOA, and read some of the threads for those who've already SOA's their rig. (Some of them are in the ROTM threads.) Between these two, you'll have more suggestions than most of us have time or money to execute on...so then the question will be back at you...

Nice looking truck. Nice to have another cruiser guy in WA. Where in the state are you?

 

[Galmo22]

Nice looking truck. Nice to have another cruiser guy in WA. Where in the state are you?

thanks, im in Chelan,WA. right in the middle of the state..lol. what bout u?

 

[Squatch 2014]

thanks, im in Chelan,WA. right in the middle of the state..lol. what bout u?

I bought this truck about 2 yeas ago from someone down by Mt. Ranier. I have completly rebuilt it and its still not done yet (are they ever). It now has 37's, locked, 5.29:1 axles, high steer, reverse shackel kit, 4.0:1 crawl kit, New OME suspension, etc., etc. still have to finnish the EXO cage among other things.

 

[Squatch 2014]

I bought this truck about 2 yeas ago from someone down by Mt. Ranier. I have completly rebuilt it and its still not done yet (are they ever). It now has 37's, locked, 5.29:1 axles, high steer, reverse shackel kit, 4.0:1 crawl kit, New OME suspension, etc., etc. still have to finnish the EXO cage among other things.
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Sorry about all the duplicate photos as Im new to posting. I cant figure out how to remove them.

 

[The Phoenician]

what's securing the tire down on the roof?

 

[Squatch 2014]

what's securing the tire down on the roof?

Nothing, its just up there because I was working on it and had the back full of other stuff. Someday the exocage will be done and I can mount it up there permenant like, along with the highlift, shovel, axe, etc.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I ran without sway bars on my SOA for years. I just installed the stock sway bars with custom fabbed links. It rides so much better on the road now. Turns are so much easier without the body roll too.

If you drive your rig on the road then work on getting sway bars installed. They help a lot.

On board air is a must. You can get an electrical compressor, mount one on your engine, or get a CO2 tank. The ability to air up and down is used every outing.

 

[Squatch 2014]

I have the stock F&R sway bars installed. It feals much safer now. I have a 2 cyl electric compressor with a small tank but its not installed yet. One thing at a time. My buddy has a 84 FJ60 with SOA, 35's, ARB F&R, and a warn winch. Reminds me of yours.

 

[Tapage]

I can't remember last time I drove with sway bars .. not even in my 80 .. but well I don't do speed.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You need to decide what you want if for.

Offroader:
Lockers
Sliders
Winch
Doubler or Toybox
Tire carrier on the back

Driver:
Sway bars
Better shocks
Winch
Tire carrier on the back


In your pics, It looks like you have a rear sway bar now?

 

[Squatch 2014]

I have front and rear sway bars now. I extended the sway bar links so at full twist I only loose 1in. of travel. The sway bars really help off road when your on a side hill they lower your center of gravity and eliminate body roll. After all this is a camping rig not a rock crawler.

 

[Squatch 2014]

You need to decide what you want if for.

Offroader:
Lockers
Sliders
Winch
Doubler or Toybox
Tire carrier on the back

Driver:
Sway bars
Better shocks
Winch
Tire carrier on the back


In your pics, It looks like you have a rear sway bar now?

Yes - Keep in mind I am not the same person that started this thread. He bought it in chellan and I bought it later south of Mnt Rainer. For me I have a plan and its an expedition camping rig. Others will go faster or rock crawl better or mud deeper. I will bring with me the luxuries of home and enjoy watching them dent their rigs. Don't get me wrong I will use and abuse this Squatch, but when I get there I can sleep inside and eat well, and generally be at home away from home.

 

[Squatch 2014]

Went for a shake down run to Walker Valley. Brakes went out, motor mount broke, and found a whole page of things to fix. They are mostly all fixed now except the brakes. I have all the parts just need a nice day to finish.

 

[darwink1]

Id reconsider putting a bunch of junk on the roof. Itll be a huge pain to get it up and down and all of the cog lowering the sway bars got you will be offset by weight up high...

The exo will not help too much either but this is coming from someone whos on the verge of makin something to protect his roof so take it with a grain of salt.

I vote for tons to get the cog even lower and a set of 44s.

D

 

[Squatch 2014]

Id reconsider putting a bunch of junk on the roof. Itll be a huge pain to get it up and down and all of the cog lowering the sway bars got you will be offset by weight up high...

The exo will not help too much either but this is coming from someone whos on the verge of makin something to protect his roof so take it with a grain of salt.

I vote for tons to get the cog even lower and a set of 44s.

D

I agree about the weight but the tire is just too huge to put anywhere else and it does have an aluminum rim to keep weight down. Inside space is precious to me. As far as the rest not that heavy and since I am 6'5" reaching the roof is easy for me. I had to drop the seat by 4" and move it back 6" just to fit inside. The main reason for the exocage is to mount stuff to including my many antennas and camping gear. Its got 37's now but 44's wow they are too expensive.

 

[cruisermatt]

Just wondering, why is there a bench vise on the front bumper?

 

[Squatch 2014]

Just wondering, why is there a bench vise on the front bumper?

The vise is plugged into a receiver hitch in the front and is removable. I am building the truck in a friends side yard outdoors so the vise has been heavily used during the build. No garage build here just less muddy than the trail. The front receiver hitch is used for all kinds of things including holding big antennas for mountain top DXing with my Ham radios.

 

[cruisermatt]

That... Is brilliant. I'm seeing many potential uses.

 

[Squatch 2014]

Thanks. I've even seen a BBQ that plugs into a receiver hitch. But then again I have the fold down shelves in the back for BBQ & stove & water container etc.

 

[darwink1]

I agree about the weight but the tire is just too huge to put anywhere else and it does have an aluminum rim to keep weight down. Inside space is precious to me. As far as the rest not that heavy and since I am 6'5" reaching the roof is easy for me. I had to drop the seat by 4" and move it back 6" just to fit inside. The main reason for the exocage is to mount stuff to including my many antennas and camping gear. Its got 37's now but 44's wow they are too expensive.

I made a swing down tire carrier mounter on a swing out gate for mine. There are options for the big meats man. Even if youre 7' tall and have adamantium rims the tire is gonna be a bitch to put on the roof. Hell im not a small dude and my 40s on alu rims are fun to put in the rear cargo area.

D