Builds My Backwoods Overland built URJ200 “Jolene”---

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Awesome!
 
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We added a 2019 Blizzard Pearl to the stable yesterday for my wife. Needless to say, she’s ecstatic!
 
weaselox said:
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To follow other member’s protocol with an overview of their rig build, I thought now was as good of time as any to post a comprehensive write-up detailing the modifications I’ve made to this outstanding truck. First off, to give a bit of background on myself. I’ve been a Jeep guy/family over the last 20 years and while I still own my AEV JKU Wrangler that is a great rig for East Coast trails, I realized after completing the Ghost Divide Expedition in 2016 that I needed something more comfortable and reliable. A few months later my long-time friend, Mark Farage, picked up a 100 series with over 200k miles on it. I didn’t know what to expect but it was the first time I had been in a Land Cruiser and I was blown away that a truck with already a 15 year life span was so comfortable and mechanically sound. I was sold!

From an off-road/overlanding perspective, the size and capability of the 200 Series was everything I could ask for surrounding extended trips from Virginia (will I be taking it on tight, bolder strew trails on the East Coast?...not likely, but if I do encounter an obstacle I want a truck built to overcome said obstacle with minimal or no lasting issues (i.e. body or mechanical damage). In the last several years, I’ve been blessed to have the ability to compete in the Vermont Overland Trophy (twice), take extended overland trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, New Mexico, Arizona, New Hampshire, Vermont and some other spots. The Wrangler was great, but the longer trips presented challenges with comfort and overall stamina behind the wheel and thus it was decided that the 200 would be our next rig. For this truck, it will carry us to Colorado, Utah and Arizona this summer while setting our sights on Newfoundland/Labrador in 2019 or 2020 (need to fit in a trip to Europe with the family at some point). Thus, I put a lot of emphasis on quality products, quality upgrades that many of you have either already installed or provided feedback on via these forums. To that, I say thank you for sharing your insight and experiences as it’s generally assisted a great deal in figuring out how this build would transpire.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2016, I ordered my 2017 Magnetic Gray with Black Interior URJ200 Series Land Cruiser from Miller Toyota in Manassas, VA. The process was simple, and the truck was delivered in late February 2017. I remember Mark specifically stating, wait a year to feel out the truck and build your plan before you start throwing money at modifications. Thus in the first 12 months the only modification made to the vehicle was the installation of a RedArc Tow Pro Elite that I needed to assist with the transportation of a horse trailer (for my wife and daughter) and later on rusted out 1stGeneration Nissan Patrol for a friend.

In January of this year, I started my conversations with Nick Atwell at Backwoods Overland in Mt. Airy, MD. Nick has been working on Toyotas for 15 years, is an electrical engineer by trade, and operates his own shop. From the first conversation we had about what I was looking to accomplish with the truck, I knew this was the right guy for the job. Nick was meticulous about wanting to understand what I wanted the truck to do, how I would use it in order to guide my thought process on the build. My initial strategy was to focus on building the truck in stages: Phase 1-Electrical; Phase 2: Suspension/Tires; Phase 3: Bumpers/Protection/Recovery. I can’t thank Nick enough for his patience and overall focus on this build, it’s been an exceptional experience and I highly recommend you check him out if you’re here in the Mid-Atlantic. As a side note: If you want to check out Nick’s 4Runner, watch the SwellRunner Walk Around from Overland Expo West 2018—this will showcase the attention to detail and thought process Nick puts into his rigs.

The following lays out how the build went down over the last 5 months (February-June) and what is will happen over the coming months with the truck when we return from Colorado here in July 2018.

View attachment 1751252
Click to expand...

Our trucks are almost twins. :)
 
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Added a Fire Extinguisher Via a Drake Mount attached to the Slee Swing Out. Amazing that it bolted right into the pre-drilled holes and “L” on the Slee Logo!
 
Quick Couple of Updates:

Baja Designs 40” S8 Light Bar:
After about 15 or so emails with the COO of Baja about the issue I have repeatedly had with the S8 Light Bars, they agreed to send over another replacement that they would test and certify for moisture resistance into the housing. We put the new light bar on the truck in mid-March and so far have not had any issues thus far with moisture build up. That being said, with the last bar, it took about 2-3 months before anything noticeable was visible in the housing. I’m thrilled that Baja was so responsive. CBI/Prinsu was also very responsive with my inquiries on overall design/bar placement on the rack itself.

Blown CV Axle:
I was out with the Mountain State Overland guys this weekend in Southern WV. I had my Turtleback and was first to take a creek crossing and muddy, rocky hill climb on the opposite creek bank. The truck struggled to climb up the narrow passage and the weight of the Turtleback didn’t do us any favors. After several attempts, we nearly had the rig to the top of the obstacle when a thunderous explosion blew out the passenger side CV. This was shocking, sickening and sobering in that in all the years I’ve been out on the trails, I’ve never put myself in a position that my truck could not get me home. The truck is currently sitting at a Dealership in West Virginia waiting to get into the shop to give a better understanding of how much actual damage occurred. I have a sneaking suspicion that they’re going to want to replace the other CV and possibly the front diff as well.

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Ouch!

LMK if they end up replacing your front diff (and I hope they don't), I'll buy the used one from you as a core assuming the housing isn't damaged.
 
Kurt, I’ll keep you posted. This was the most terrifying thing event. #neveragain

cruiseroutfit said:
Ouch!

LMK if they end up replacing your front diff (and I hope they don't), I'll buy the used one from you as a core assuming the housing isn't damaged.
Click to expand...
 
VooDoo2 said:
You can spit the CV from the shaft, engage CDL and drive home :D
Click to expand...

Correct, just leave the outer CV joint in place as it holds the bearing/hub/spindle together :D
 
Quick Update: Received a call from the L&S Toyota Dealership in Beckley WV yesterday and to my surprise, the truck had been fixed and is ready for pick up. They had their most senior master technician, whom is also a Land Cruiser guy, take lead on the diagnostics and repair. The focus was on just the broken CV Axle, no damage to the front diff and/or the driver's side CV. So thankful that the damage was limited to just the CV. I'm extremely happy with this outcome, as much as it sucked.


If you want to see how this happened, here you go:

 
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