Aw man, amazing shots by Tom, haha! Can't wait to hear some stories over beers.
Builds LX450: Baja surf trip build
- Thread starter DanMedeiros
- Start date
-
- Tags
- expedition ready fzj80 lx450
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Oh yeah, how did the Icons do over all the washboard?
- Thread starter
- #143
Pretty good! Never noticed any fade. But the 2.5's are on the long term list. Plan on doing this trip almost every year. The washboard is Brutal!
The Surfers Journal says it best. I will leave it for you to take in.
"In the early 1970s, the only surfers on the planet who knew the name “Petacalco” were those who had been there. In that pre-Google Earth and social media epoch, The Code was adhered to. It was based on a simple verity: if a locale had been transformational for you, and you had put the hard yards in to get there and to learn it, to know it, why in god’s name would you broadcast the news, thus ruining the future experience not only for yourself, but for future adventurers?"
"In the early 1970s, the only surfers on the planet who knew the name “Petacalco” were those who had been there. In that pre-Google Earth and social media epoch, The Code was adhered to. It was based on a simple verity: if a locale had been transformational for you, and you had put the hard yards in to get there and to learn it, to know it, why in god’s name would you broadcast the news, thus ruining the future experience not only for yourself, but for future adventurers?"
- Thread starter
- #145
@bajaphile , My apologies if my photos of our Baja trip bums you out or was a transgression of the "code". I certainly can relate. I have been a surfer for 30 of my 35 years. Have traveled the world surfing. Nothing bums me out more than agro crowds here in Santa Cruz. Or the proliferation of "surf culture". I remember once that tepui sponsored an article in surfline highlighting all sorts of quiet spots to camp and surf in northern california. I wrote them a lengthy letter explaining why this wasn't acceptable!
That being said I feel that your concern is a bit misplaced. You will noticed that I didn't post a single location or a single photo of a wave worth surfing. The one photo of me kitesurfing is at a location (that i failed to name) that has a freekin airport and full on surf camp and is lousy with euro kitesurfing tourists. I have a few friends in Santa Cruz that have been going to Baja for 20 plus years. They didn't share any spots with me either (i didn't ask ), kinda just pointed me in the right direction and said "explore". Rest assured that any waves we may or may not have found on the trip will not be shared nor will photos be posted on social media.
The reason I posted any photos at all is that I wanted to document for myself and others the process of a total noob who has never worked on cars before building up a land cruiser and taking it on a rad trip. Wanted to share that we had made it and our 20 plus year old trucks had crushed it. I feel that all these photos give away is "these guys went surfing in baja in old land cruisers". Not to much secret about that right? I mean your name is bajaphil?
There is one iron clad rule I follow when on surf trips, don't blow up the spot, and don't mess with the "locals"!
That being said I feel that your concern is a bit misplaced. You will noticed that I didn't post a single location or a single photo of a wave worth surfing. The one photo of me kitesurfing is at a location (that i failed to name) that has a freekin airport and full on surf camp and is lousy with euro kitesurfing tourists. I have a few friends in Santa Cruz that have been going to Baja for 20 plus years. They didn't share any spots with me either (i didn't ask ), kinda just pointed me in the right direction and said "explore". Rest assured that any waves we may or may not have found on the trip will not be shared nor will photos be posted on social media.
The reason I posted any photos at all is that I wanted to document for myself and others the process of a total noob who has never worked on cars before building up a land cruiser and taking it on a rad trip. Wanted to share that we had made it and our 20 plus year old trucks had crushed it. I feel that all these photos give away is "these guys went surfing in baja in old land cruisers". Not to much secret about that right? I mean your name is bajaphil?
There is one iron clad rule I follow when on surf trips, don't blow up the spot, and don't mess with the "locals"!
Last edited:
Man I cant believe I waited so long to look at this thread. Love this rig. My trim/flares are so coming off.
- Thread starter
- #148
@rc51kid I forgot the part numbers for the icons but they are the 2.0s. I went with the smaller shock because something had to give in my budget considering how much I did to my truck all at once. Happy to report that the 2.0's where up to the task. I really like the digressive valving. Drives great on the highway and softens up when you start hitting stuff.
I didn't notice any fade ( but was worried about it ) but the washboard was pretty freekin brutal! I tried to keep it really slow. If i was going ro run faster on the dirt roads would defentilty want the adjustable 2.5s!
I didn't notice any fade ( but was worried about it ) but the washboard was pretty freekin brutal! I tried to keep it really slow. If i was going ro run faster on the dirt roads would defentilty want the adjustable 2.5s!
- Thread starter
- #149
Be careful what you wish for. Removing my flares and trim and fixing the mess may be the hardest project I have worked on, including replacing all the plumbing on my house. That being said its pretty straightforward, just labor intensive!
How much product went into the paint job?
Jobs like this are perfect for me. I have an 1860 G3 aluminum boat. I once drilled and replaced every rivit lol. Half way through I was like, "what the hell am I doing"? Love the trimmed look of your rig.
- Thread starter
- #151
@TomOsborne, I filled all of the holes (roughly 150 on an LX) with jbweld steelstik, then sanded smooth. I originally bought two gallons of monstaliner. Turned out OK but I learned a lot in the process and thought I could end up with a much more even paint job. Ended up buying a third gallon for 4 total coats.
Alright cool. 3 gallons. Doesnt seem like that much. I would have guessed almost twice that. I read the entire thread and took note of your tecnique. I might have to go with the Tarheel blue. I think everyone who surfs makes it a point to let it known in here, and I moved from Flagler to Wilmington NC to attend school and still not give up surfing. And a friend of mine there had that same color 4 runner that I idolized. Well see....
Both of your rigs are sweet. What is the model designation of your buddies red 'cruiser? Is it diesel?
- Thread starter
- #154
Hey @baldilocks @Tominhull 's truck is a BJ75. Pretty awesome because it is really low miles, left hand drive, and cable lockers. It has a diesel 3B engine and sits on 35 inch tires. A unicorn in the USA for sure. The baja locals where all way pumped on it. Much more so than my truck lol
Hi Dan,
Curious how the JBweld filled flare holes held up? Regarding the holes with no easy access to apply backing tape (like rivet holes inside doors) did you just smeer it in or reach around in there somehow? Prepping for paint and just tore off the flares...
Nice thread, looks fun. used to fish/dive/explore south of the border in my old tacoma
Curious how the JBweld filled flare holes held up? Regarding the holes with no easy access to apply backing tape (like rivet holes inside doors) did you just smeer it in or reach around in there somehow? Prepping for paint and just tore off the flares...
Nice thread, looks fun. used to fish/dive/explore south of the border in my old tacoma
- Thread starter
- #156
Hi @ryan greathouse,
Monstaliner and JB weld area going strong! Out of thew 144 holes I filled ZERO have failed. And if they do, i'll just patch it and paint it again. I think this is impressive given my truck lives outdoors in the CA sun and I drive it through coyote bush and manzanitas every week at work. So glad I didn't pony up for a real paint job. Two of my good friends in town who also have toyota trucks did theirs the same way too
Monstaliner and JB weld area going strong! Out of thew 144 holes I filled ZERO have failed. And if they do, i'll just patch it and paint it again. I think this is impressive given my truck lives outdoors in the CA sun and I drive it through coyote bush and manzanitas every week at work. So glad I didn't pony up for a real paint job. Two of my good friends in town who also have toyota trucks did theirs the same way too
- Thread starter
- #157
Hi Everyone!
It's been over a year since my trip to Baja and so much has changed with life and the LX since then. This past year I didn't make it to Baja. My wife got pregnant (so inconsiderate of her
) and her doctors banned me from Baja due to bull**** Zika concerns. It's the freeking desert! Due to the kid we also sold our first house, bought a condo condo closer to the beach, moved, and then remodeled the condo. All of this was basically solo due to pregnant wife. Needless to say I was self-enforced on lockdown the past year
My first trip to Baja was kinda a cluster #$%!. I was racing to finish the truck in time and didn't really get to tests everything. I also didn't have a ton of experience with wrenching so a lot of things could have been done better. The past year I felt as though I have really improved the truck with the help of some great friends and vendors here on mud.
So I have spousal approval for a big Baja trip this year. Thought it would be fun to revive this thread to document what I have learned over the last year and to detail the build moving forward.
Here is a pic of the little camper who side tracked my surf trip plans. We got her out to the Sierras this past weekend with @Shoredreamer and our buddy @Hyup . These guys saved my ass this weekend. My low pressure power steering line blew up and Chris dug our some super special tape out of his bottomless 80's spare parts pin. Joe made this fix and the weekend was a success!
It's been over a year since my trip to Baja and so much has changed with life and the LX since then. This past year I didn't make it to Baja. My wife got pregnant (so inconsiderate of her
) and her doctors banned me from Baja due to bull**** Zika concerns. It's the freeking desert! Due to the kid we also sold our first house, bought a condo condo closer to the beach, moved, and then remodeled the condo. All of this was basically solo due to pregnant wife. Needless to say I was self-enforced on lockdown the past yearMy first trip to Baja was kinda a cluster #$%!. I was racing to finish the truck in time and didn't really get to tests everything. I also didn't have a ton of experience with wrenching so a lot of things could have been done better. The past year I felt as though I have really improved the truck with the help of some great friends and vendors here on mud.
So I have spousal approval for a big Baja trip this year. Thought it would be fun to revive this thread to document what I have learned over the last year and to detail the build moving forward.
Here is a pic of the little camper who side tracked my surf trip plans. We got her out to the Sierras this past weekend with @Shoredreamer and our buddy @Hyup . These guys saved my ass this weekend. My low pressure power steering line blew up and Chris dug our some super special tape out of his bottomless 80's spare parts pin. Joe made this fix and the weekend was a success!
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #158
A coupe of photo's showing he current state of the LX
AMEN....
- Thread starter
- #160
@zapata get over it..... I have surfed all over the world for 20 years and have more respect than most I have encountered regarding surf etiquette. I also hate surfing with other people, even friends LOL. However its not like overlanding in Baja is a "secret". Do you post similar quotes when people post about their trips to Utah, Death Valley, etc
I have never, and never will, post where I am going to surf, photos of surf, or the conditions on the internet. The one photo i posted of me kiting was at at paid freeking wind-surfing camp. This thread is about building my truck. Now go lecture someone else
I have never, and never will, post where I am going to surf, photos of surf, or the conditions on the internet. The one photo i posted of me kiting was at at paid freeking wind-surfing camp. This thread is about building my truck. Now go lecture someone else
Last edited:
