OutdoorX4 Family Overlander Build

[txoutdoorx4]

Phase One has been completed and the build sheet for Phase One is listed here. Phase Two will be starting in about one week and will feature upgraded front/rear bumpers, sliders, a custom Gamiviti roof rack, fridge/freezer and storage bags/pouches from Blue Ridge Overland Gear, plus a lot more. All of those items are an essential part of our Family Overlander project and while this truck may/may not be for everyone, everything selected for the build was chosen for a reason based on the criteria noted above.

Phase One Build Sheet:
Vehicle Platform:
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

Suspension:
Old Man Emu 2860 Springs
Nitrocharger Shocks
Slee Off-Road Differential Drop Kit

Tires:
BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 275/70/18

Navigation:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 loaded with Gaia GPS
Ram Mount Pod I Universal No-Drill Vehicle Mount
Dual XGPS160 Satellite Receiver

Miscellaneous:
PFran LEDs CV Clamp Kit
PFran LEDs 100 Series Interior Light Kit w/License Plate Lights and Back-up Lights
WeatherTech All-Terrain Front Floor Mats
WeatherTech Digital Fit Rear Floor Mat

Resources:
www.bfgoodrichtires.com
www.arbusa.com
www.sleeoffroad.com
www.amazon.com
www.dasmule.com
gsp.dualav.com
www.pfranleds.com
www.weathertech.com

 

[ENGINE er]

I really hope you used some more flattering pics of me in the magazine build thread!

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Ha! I didn't use any of you in the magazine, Sam. However, for Phase Two (if you're up for helping some more), I'll get some good pics for placement there. I suppose Plumber Crack photos are no good, eh?

 

[paflytyer]

Spoiler

More build, less chit-chat.

 

[2003TLC]

Nice rig. Off topic and FYI, take those Febreze vent clips off! I and many others (Google it) have had them fail and eat up our trim. I have a claim in with Proctor & Gamble and hoping they'll pay for the damage.

 

[Bretthn]

Very nice. I cant wait to see more.

 

[fireball]

Based on my experience building and using our 100, I urge you to make sure that phase 2 is what you want to do with the truck. I really like your build so far for a very practical while still nicely drivable family over landing rig.

Phase 2 is going to make it a very heavy, not near as nicely riding, even more gas guzzling vehicle. That is the price you have to pay if you want to do some pretty serious off roading with it, but if easy trails and forest service roads are the hardest the vehicle will see you may be better served leaving it as is.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Wow! That's awful about the Febreze clips. I'll get them off ASAP. Please keep us posted on your success/progress with P&G. I feel for you and appreciate your input.

As for Phase 2, we've definitely taken into consideration what will be gained/lost once we get the bumpers replaced, winch mounted, custom Gamiviti roof rack installed, etc. There's definitely a cost-benefit to upgrading certain components, adding weight, etc. In the end, we expect a reduction in fuel efficiency and on-road ride quality but are willing to give up a little on that front for enhanced off-pavement capability. Stay tuned. Phase 2 started this past weekend and I'm about to get this thread started up again.

 

[WiscoProud]

I was just reading about your build in the magazine. As someone in the early stages of modifying a 100, I was quite intrigued. I look forward to the updates.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Thanks! We started Phase Two this past weekend and will get it posted up soon enough. The custom Gamiviti roof rack has been installed and pics will posted shortly.

Congrats on your Cruiser as well. Looking forward to seeing what you do to it.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Picking things up since Phase One completed, we have started Phase Two and this portion of the build focuses on some of the interior-specific overland items such as fridge/freezer, drawers, external mods including bumpers, roof rack, and more.

We started Phase Two with an easy, but VERY beneficial install, of a TemboTusk Standard Front Pull Slide w/Cutting Board Attachment (http://tembotusk.flyingcart.com/index.php?p=home). The install was done on a custom drawer we had sourced from TemboTusk approximately 3.5 years ago for our previous vehicle but had never installed the fridge slide. Installation took about 10-15 minutes and we were left with a highly functional piece of overland equipment, seen here:

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Once the TemboTusk Slide was installed, we moved to another simple but functional item: Gamiviti Antenna Mount for our CB Radio. Again, the install was easy and we chose to place the CB antenna up front, close to the regular antenna. Installation required drilling one hole and then attaching the Gamiviti Antenna Mount using a hex allen wrench bolt.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

The next step was, admittedly, one of our favorite items of the entire build: a custom Gamiviti 100 Series Expo Roof Rack. If you're not familiar with Gamiviti, the owner (Tim Nakari) has a fantastic reputation for building high quality products specific to the Toyota Land Cruiser. Our Marketing Coordinator, Stan Wright, had recommended Tim highly and after trading a number of emails with ideas of how we wanted the roof rack to function (particularly when it comes to mounting a James Baroud roof top tent, incorporation of light tabs all around for plenty of lighting while at basecamp, and awning attachment points) all in a low-profile design, Tim and his team built a rack we are VERY happy with.

The install wasn't difficult but took about two hours, starting with removal of the OEM rack/crossbar and all attachments as well as the OEM bolt covers.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Once the OEM rack/crossbars were removed, it was time to install the new Gamiviti mount attachments. The setup came with a set of eight mounting towers (four on each side of the truck). The OEM configuration calls for a total of six mounting towers (three on each side) and we originally planned for an additional tower on each side to provide extra support. However, after evaluating this we decided that three on each side would meet our needs so we began the installation of the new mount towers onto the truck.

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Now that the Gamiviti Mount Towers were in place, it was just a matter of placing the rack onto the truck. Here's a shot of the rack prior to installation onto the Land Cruiser:

 

[txoutdoorx4]

Here are a few shots once we mounted the roof rack onto the truck. We really dig the low-profile design and are VERY pleased with how it turned out. Please note these photos don't do this rack justice. It truly is awesome!

 

[mpho]

How do you like the tires?

 

[paflytyer]

Looking good!

Gamiviti makes fine products and I've been using my original Gamiviti Expo 1.0 Rack for years. I like the open area above the sunroof. Ya' never know when you gotta bail out!
http://www.gamiviti.com/

 

[dubitup]

@txoutdoorx4 In relation to the stock Roof rack, how much taller is the Gamiviti?

Now that the Gamiviti Mount Towers were in place, it was just a matter of placing the rack onto the truck. Here's a shot of the rack prior to installation onto the Land Cruiser:

 

[paflytyer]

@txoutdoorx4 In relation to the stock Roof rack, how much taller is the Gamiviti?

It's actually lower than the stock rack/rails.