Builds indycole's 2016 200 Series Build and Retrospective

[Rigger]

This tank goes in the footwell of the second row? Or behind the second row?

 

[indycole]

This tank goes in the footwell of the second row? Or behind the second row?

In the footwell of the second row. The Frontrunner has a nifty cutout for the slight hump. I'm expecting to build a plywood base though it may just be fine to use a couple risers on one side since I want to bias the water to the passenger side.

 

[Rigger]

I confess that I have not read your entire build thread. You’re building a serious overlanding and wheeling rig that you can live out of. I like it.

 

[indycole]

I confess that I have not read your entire build thread. You’re building a serious overlanding and wheeling rig that you can live out of. I like it.

No worries at all! This build has turned into an ongoing experiment as much as anything else. The intent is to push the platform as far as possible to be equally capable on the highway, on obstacles, and at camp. I admit that I've become quite jealous of the sleek, simple, lightweight builds as I've gone down this path

Before jumping back into real life this week (and anxiously awaiting news from Bighorn Toyota), I wanted to share some general thoughts on Cruise Moab and how the 200 faired on the trails.

Event Highlights:

• This was my first Cruise Moab. We're not really big event people but this is definitely an event worth attending and an excellent way to experience offroading in Moab whether it's the first time or your hundredth. Kudos to @use2bn83, the Rising Sun crew, and the entire CM committee for putting on such an awesome event.
• @Mendocino was a phenomenal trail leader and called one successful audible after another while the Colorado Plateau was hit with repeated weather challenges.
• I think I already mentioned this before, but a special thanks to @mcgaskins, @sleeoffroad, @cruiseroutfit, @Markuson, @Mark Mehalic, and @orangefj45 for advice, kindness, offers to help and doing whatever you could to keep us in good spirits while our 200 sat bricked in the parking lot.
• I'm happy to have made it up ToW with plenty of daylight to grab some poser photos. The trail was as relentless as I'd remembered it but also more fun with plenty of opportunities to sharpen ones skills. @Mendocino also had the genius idea to camp near the trailhead (at a spectacular campsite nonetheless) to beat the crowd.
• Run the full Dome Plateau trail sometime. It's wonderful. Camp if you can and don't forget to do the overlook.
• In all our travels my better half has rarely taken the wheel while off road. It was great for her to have the opportunity and motivation to do so during the Chicken Corners ladies run. I think she feels more comfortable in the passenger seat than the drivers, but then again she successfully navigated the same river crossing that I did not.

Truck Highlights:

• This was my first time wheeling in Moab with the bumpers from @TRAIL TAILOR and I'm happy to say report that I was able to complete obstacles with more confidence and little excitement. I did punish the flip-down license plate on a couple of the steep slickrock trails but it left more of a beauty mark than a real scar. The rear bumper performed flawlessly soaking up one hit after another on steep ledges. The front bumper never touched the rock during this trip.
• Overall, the bumpers got off easy but the skids, sliders, shock skids, and rear LCA skids took a beating. I had plenty of time to inspect these components while waiting for the tow truck and am confident everything will be back to normal after a little bit of attention from the grinder and some spray paint.
• I took a couple bad lines that knocked the rear diff pretty hard. I checked the tightness of the drain plug each day and everything seemed fine. I'd consider a rear diff skid if I spent more time on these types of trails.
• The airbags are working out well! The combination of the Jason's Tourflex springs and the bags provide a lot of flexibility both on and off road.
• The ginormous aluminum camping box on the bumper did not scrape at all on the trail and was super convenient around camp.
• The 34s are truly a good match for the 200 though I still need to work out the alignment as I rub on either the sway bar at full lock or the rear bumper liner at mid-lock under compression. The taller tire is especially helpful when aired down.
• I found myself using the rear locker more often than usual likely due to the truck's weight.
• The parking brake doesn't work very well. I think I need to adjust the brake itself and potentially replace the shoes.
• BP-51s make the truck more comfortable to drive on dirt roads than on pavement (well, primarily due to being aired down). We had 3 heavy 200s in the convey over multiple days all running BP-51s and we all seemed to be having a good time.

Full Damage Report:

• Smashed the trailer harness for like the 4th time (and the second time on Top of the World!)
• Dead 3UR-FE
• Undercarriage armor bumps and bruises

 

[Roy Park]

The project cost a total of $1000. That includes roughly $250 in a pallet + shipping, $100 in fittings and small parts, and about $650 for the tank. If you didn't catch it earlier in the thread, it's a custom tank from Tek-Tanks in the UK. The construction/fabrication is pretty darn impressive and the tank itself is baffled to cut down on sloshing (which has been a problem with the current two tanks).

This is why I respect Cole. Some would say, $1,000 for running water?! I would run a tank like this but I actually need the rear seating area for my kid. I’m starting to think selling my LC and getting an Earth Roamer May be in my future. Hahaha.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

The project cost a total of $1000. That includes roughly $250 in a pallet + shipping, $100 in fittings and small parts, and about $650 for the tank. If you didn't catch it earlier in the thread, it's a custom tank from Tek-Tanks in the UK. The construction/fabrication is pretty darn impressive and the tank itself is baffled to cut down on sloshing (which has been a problem with the current two tanks).

Sounds about right, and not too bad.
I’m starting to reconsider my build name.
I’ve had several boats over the years, always stuff at a fraction of the cost of my LX.
B.O.A.T.

Bring
Out
Another
Thousand

Matter of fact, I’ve had boats that costed less that my mods thus far

 

[Overland Tailor]

I continue to love the build Cole - So sorry about the motor.

Good luck my friend.

John

 

[indycole]

I received good news and bad news this afternoon. The bad news is that the engine isn't salvageable (at least practically) and thus I'm not sure if we'll get to the bottom of why the truck lost all its oil. Perhaps the reason will be clear once the engine is pulled. The good news is that insurance is covering the complete repair less my comprehensive deductible. I definitely lucked out with the fact that the incident happened on a marked county road and that the situation technically fell within the normal operating conditions of the vehicle.

I do need to make some decisions about the repair. I'm fully covered for a replacement, recycled (used) motor with about 10k fewer miles and my insurance will warranty that part for the vehicle's lifetime. For those of you who are curious, the rough cost of a 40,000 mile motor, full install, and ancillary repairs for this situation is around $15k.

A snorkel with install seems pretty small in comparison. I'm planning to get one installed before the truck leaves Colorado.

 

[fireball]

Wowzers! Adding to my To Do list: call agent, confirm plan details!

 

[Union]

Dude what insurance do you have because I pretty sure mine would tell me tough luck.

 

[afgman786]

^^^^ I 2nd that. Please let us know what kind of insurance is needed. I doubt I'd be saved by my insurance

 

[indycole]

I use State Farm. I’ve been frustrated with them in the past over smaller issues (mainly windshield damage) but their service has been wonderful. I’ve been using State Farm auto insurance since the age of 16 (34 now) and have been lucky to avoid claims up until this one. I also have several other policies with them so perhaps that factored into the support I’ve received with this claim. I was completely truthful but careful in explaining what happened as well as the location. It happened on a road - not a trail. I don’t think we’d have the same outcome if this had happened in on, say, the awesome but difficult Kane Creek Canyon run.

 

[afgman786]

I have State Farm as well, they didn't help cover my axle breaking on my 80 years ago that happened on the road getting off a highway because they found dirt and mud under the rig. So they said the cause was do to off roading and not appropriate road use...
Good on you for having insurance cover this case though! That had to have been a great relief to hear they will cover the motor.

 

[indycole]

I have State Farm as well, they didn't help cover my axle breaking on my 80 years ago that happened on the road getting off a highway because they found dirt and mud under the rig. So they said the cause was do to off roading and not appropriate road use...
Good on you for having insurance cover this case though! That had to have been a great relief to hear they will cover the motor.

To this point it makes me grateful that I did a thorough wash after modified Kokopelli / Top of the World that removed tens (hundreds?!?!) of pounds of mud from the truck. The truck was a little dusty from the Chicken Corners run but that’s it. I’m happy to have State Farm’s support but sometimes in life just simple dumb luck is the driving force. I’ll take it.

 

[Rigger]

Glad to hear your insurance company is taking care of things for you.

 

[Markuson]

To this point it makes me grateful that I did a thorough wash after modified Kokopelli / Top of the World that removed tens (hundreds?!?!) of pounds of mud from the truck. The truck was a little dusty from the Chicken Corners run but that’s it. I’m happy to have State Farm’s support but sometimes in life just simple dumb luck is the driving force. I’ll take it.

Was thinking same.
You (Cole) and I had similar mud at that point, and I spent a full 30 minutes blasting away with an impressively-super-powered pressure washer (like...hurt-your-hand-at-close-range pressure) to slowly cut through cement-like mud from the previous three days.

Definitely good to give the shop a clean-ish truck...and even better not to instantly bias the adjuster. You were honest with them...but no one benefits trying to assess a truck totally caked with “cement.”

So relieved for ya that they are supportive.
My own State Farm guy has covered me since I was 16, and my parents before me. They have been consistently amazing when a number of bad things have happened over many years and two generations. Kudos, State Farm.

 

[Roy Park]

Well that’s definitely a silver lining to a rough situation. Glad it worked out for you. Smart move washing the truck before turning it over.

 

[linuxgod]

I received good news and bad news this afternoon. The bad news is that the engine isn't salvageable (at least practically) and thus I'm not sure if we'll get to the bottom of why the truck lost all its oil. Perhaps the reason will be clear once the engine is pulled. The good news is that insurance is covering the complete repair less my comprehensive deductible. I definitely lucked out with the fact that the incident happened on a marked county road and that the situation technically fell within the normal operating conditions of the vehicle.

I do need to make some decisions about the repair. I'm fully covered for a replacement, recycled (used) motor with about 10k fewer miles and my insurance will warranty that part for the vehicle's lifetime. For those of you who are curious, the rough cost of a 40,000 mile motor, full install, and ancillary repairs for this situation is around $15k.

A snorkel with install seems pretty small in comparison. I'm planning to get one installed before the truck leaves Colorado.

Diesel swap time!

LANDCRUISER 200 DIESEL | Diesel Toys® |TOYOTA DIESEL CONVERSIONS

Toyota Diesel Conversions

dieseltoys.com

That's $40k though, so not really sensible. Out of curiosity I wonder what a new motor would comparatively cost.

There have been a couple people who have done (or looked into) engine swaps in this forum, so if you want to compare you can get a feel for whether $15k is "reasonable". I know the insurance company is paying. Here's one:

'08 Engine Problems - Options

Here we go... Found what a good deal on a '08 Cruiser 2500mi away from me last December; less than 100K on the odometer, faded paint on hood, some interior wear and bumper rashes, nothing severe, price was less than 10K. Driven all the way home with no issues; until a week ago; while passing a...

forum.ih8mud.com

BTW it has rained like a SOB over the last couple weeks here. I just swapped my air filter and there was at least 1/4 cup of water sitting in the bottom of the air intake, maybe more. I do run my snorkel head facing forward though... turning it around might help. I did RTV the airbox weep hole closed when I installed the snorkel so that the intake couldn't suck in water through it if submerged. For the moment I removed the RTV to let it drain though. I'm thinking about installing a diff breather or something similar in the bottom of the airbox pointed downward to allow water to drain out but not allow it to get sucked in, but I haven't decided exactly how I want to do it yet. Anyway if you're going to install a snorkel (which I recommend and did myself just for this reason) be aware you need to either plug the drain hole and turn the snorkel head around or figure out a way to allow the airbox to drain without sucking water in.

 

[civil offroad]

Yah only problem with the Diesel, is that Mr Cole (like me) lives in Kalifornia, where law makers don’t like the smell of diesel no matter the Year make or model. I almost went for a diesel swapped 80. But cost and headache had me move over to a 100. I’d love the thought of a turbo 105 solid axle. But no, Kalifornia won’t let me register or pass smog for that matter.

 

[Overland Tailor]

Well thats some great news and agree with the snorkel.

I've never been a big fan of them and thought "I'll never go anywhere I would need one"... Well, I've already given Heidi the story and told her one will be going in the 200...

Regards,

John-