Hello everyone, I am new here to Mud and the proud owner of a new to me 2004 100 series with 76,000 miles (all stock). I am a Land Cruiser guy from way back and have owned at least one at a time for the last 23 years. I purchased this 100 as a all around family vehicle, which will also be used for camping, mild to moderate off road (in my opinion), and towing my Fj40s or pop up trailer. This forum and its members provided a wealth of information, which at times can be overwhelming. After hours of looking through pictures and forums I decided the route I would like for this rig. The plan is for an Ome 2.5" medium lift kit with diff drop. 33" or 34" Terra Grapplers (do not plan on regearing), OPOR sliders, Slee front and rear bumpers, Arb air locker for rear only, and a Baja rack. I believe this combo should achieve the goals for this truck. I removed the factory running boards and removed, modified and reinstalled the rear mud flaps. Now it's time to punish the bank account for all my research. Thank you in advance for the assistance I may ask for during this project.
New to Mud
- Thread starter Throttle Crazy
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Couple pics of my other trucks.
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Another pic
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Thank you. Was trying to get up one more pic of my other FJ but won't let me says my quota won't allow it.
FWIW, if you are going to do this whole build, do yourself a favor and put an ARB in the front as well.
Nice truck and welcome!
I think more important than the rear locker, is the front locker. That's the weak point of the vehicle. It's not just for offroading. You can break the ring gear from just having one wheel slip on loose rocks/ice/snow and then grab traction.
I think more important than the rear locker, is the front locker. That's the weak point of the vehicle. It's not just for offroading. You can break the ring gear from just having one wheel slip on loose rocks/ice/snow and then grab traction.
Welcome! 
He knows this from experiance
I was going to say the same thing Stan and Christo said
Welcome
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Thanks for the info. I was debating on the front Arb as well but wasnt sure it would be neccessary for what I plan to do with the truck. The Arbs will be the last thing to get done and I will spread them out one at a time. My main off road vehicle is my 78 Fj40 which I was unable to post a pic of. I love the idea of having both, just not sure how much I will use them and knowing they are in there might tempt me more to take it places I really don't want it to go. I learned as all off road drivers should to wheel in an open diff vehicle first and it is amazing where you can go. Put lockers in and all of a sudden everything looks possible
. took this truck up to the local mountains (Big Bear) a couple weeks ago ran some trails with it. I was impressed with what it would do even with just the a-trac.
. took this truck up to the local mountains (Big Bear) a couple weeks ago ran some trails with it. I was impressed with what it would do even with just the a-trac.- Thread starter
- #12
Sounds like after I get the lift, tires and protection, I better start with the front ARB first.
IMHO, that's the best choice. It's not so much for what you can do after having the front locked, but more for the overall protection.
The nature of our IFS means the front wheels will lift off the ground much easier than your other locked trucks. Couple that with the ATRAC doing what it's supposed to do (searching for traction) and even on easy trails you could end up blowing the diff.
After you get the family out a few times in the 100 it may be hard to get them on trails in the 40.
The blend of capability and comfort is pretty awesome for a family wheeling rig.
As far as the ARB or front locker goes, remember that it's cheaper to put in the locker before the diff breaks than waiting until it does break. It could also break at an inopportune time.
Welcome and have fun, glad to see you've been researching. If you buy a star you get attachment rights galore, and you've probably already found $25 in value on the site anyway.
The blend of capability and comfort is pretty awesome for a family wheeling rig.
As far as the ARB or front locker goes, remember that it's cheaper to put in the locker before the diff breaks than waiting until it does break. It could also break at an inopportune time.
Welcome and have fun, glad to see you've been researching. If you buy a star you get attachment rights galore, and you've probably already found $25 in value on the site anyway.
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I was unaware of the front diff issue until now, I thought I had read somewhere that the early models with the two pinion diff had problems but the four pinion did ok. I was t aware of a high number of ring and pinion failures. Anyway it makes perfect sense to put both ARBs in.
I have built probably 7 trucks for myself over the years and for my wife so far her favorite ( for comfort and room off road) was a K5 blazer I built (she got mad when i sold it). She loved her Fj62 but liked the K5 better off road. I think she is going to love this 100 with the right combination of room, comfort, power and capability. Also the third row seat was a must for her in the next family truck.
The kids still run to the 78 Fj40 every time we say we are going somewhere. Something to be said for being in an open air vehicle. Although I have a teenage son who will be getting his license soon and even with the bench seat in the rear of the forty he is cramped. As long as he continues to do well in school, when he gets his license one of the Fj40s will be his to drive so we can just take two. I live in So. Cal. and have tons of trails within 45 min drive from me. Some of the trails I run I would never take the 100 on. That why its great to have options. My 78 is set up real nice. I have 16 forward gear options and can take down to 250:1.
I have built probably 7 trucks for myself over the years and for my wife so far her favorite ( for comfort and room off road) was a K5 blazer I built (she got mad when i sold it). She loved her Fj62 but liked the K5 better off road. I think she is going to love this 100 with the right combination of room, comfort, power and capability. Also the third row seat was a must for her in the next family truck.
The kids still run to the 78 Fj40 every time we say we are going somewhere. Something to be said for being in an open air vehicle. Although I have a teenage son who will be getting his license soon and even with the bench seat in the rear of the forty he is cramped. As long as he continues to do well in school, when he gets his license one of the Fj40s will be his to drive so we can just take two. I live in So. Cal. and have tons of trails within 45 min drive from me. Some of the trails I run I would never take the 100 on. That why its great to have options. My 78 is set up real nice. I have 16 forward gear options and can take down to 250:1.
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Finally was able to get the picture of my other truck loaded. 1978 Fj40,
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Front shot
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Thanks. Ya I will definitely be adding a front locker as well. From what I have read sounds like I might need the heavy rear springs instead of the medium with the rear bumper. The majority of the time this truck will not be loaded with much more than my three kids but when we camp it will be loaded heavy.
