Build Project Fauxverlander 200 Series Land Cruiser Build Thread

[cruiseroutfit]

Today the 200 was on role play duty in the desert.

My job was to get my "friends" 4x4 stuck, and I know nothing about it's 4-wheel drive system or accessories but now I have it blocking the path. Then, some gents hunt me down with a drone using my approximate MGRS and their dunes driving skills. They' show up and have to plan a recovery using some new to them gear.

I recommend everybody get stuck once in awhile for fun

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The Baja 1000 was extremely bittersweet for us this year with Darren getting hurt so badly

The Fauxverlander (aka Canguro Chase 3) was able to sneak down a few extra days before the rest of Canguro and Jaos arrived. This allowed us to relax a bit, soak up the sun, and eat tacos. Good living before the madness.

 

[Oakleyguy]

The Baja 1000 was extremely bittersweet for us this year with Darren getting hurt so badly

The Fauxverlander (aka Canguro Chase 3) was able to sneak down a few extra days before the rest of Canguro and Jaos arrived. This allowed us to relax a bit, soak up the sun, and eat tacos. Good living before the madness.

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I've been following the updates on Instagram, keeping y'all in my thoughts.

How's his spirit through this?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've been following the updates on Instagram, keeping y'all in my thoughts.

How's his spirit through this?

He was sedated within an hour of the accident and didn't come off until yesterday? He was able to speak with his wife and he seems to be doing well. He had a massive pelvis surgery on Monday, surgery on a laceration yesterday and his hand later this week. He has a long road to recovery.

 

[Roody]

He was sedated within an hour of the accident and didn't come off until yesterday? He was able to speak with his wife and he seems to be doing well. He had a massive pelvis surgery on Monday, surgery on a laceration yesterday and his hand later this week. He has a long road to recovery.

So sorry to hear, Kurt. Darren and his family are in our thoughts. Please let us know how the recovery goes.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Standard bouts of ‘love’ for the old 200, and still getting plenty of time off-road as well. The last year has been some super minor stuff, new OE windshield, steering spiral cable in the steering wheel/column, heater hoses needed love, swapped my front BP-51’s with a pair of rebuilt assembly’s, brake pads, oil changes, etc. Other than that it’s been getting its regular use and abuse. A few randomly pics from the last year

 

[Boston Mangler]

“IFS is Crap”
“Electronic Gizmos are Crap”
“That Won’t go where I go”

All things cruiser nerds said about the 200 until they actually drove one.. true story

 

[cruiseroutfit]

“IFS is Crap”
“Electronic Gizmos are Crap”
“That Won’t go where I go”

All things cruiser nerds said about the 200 until they actually drove one.. true story

I 100% agree, have since the early days of the 200

First, let's get the name out of the way. The 200 Series Land Cruiser has taken some serious heat from some in the Toyota off-road community, lobbing comments like "mall-crawler", "bloated with needless electronics" and "no different than a Sequoia". Well, let's set the record straight. The 200 Series platform is every bit of an off-road capable machine as the 100 Series Land Cruiser and it's predecessor the 80 Series and ironically the comments I'm hearing about the 200, are the same exact comments I recall hearing about the 100 which has now been acclaimed the "#1 Used Overland Vehicle". Oh my, have times changed. The US Spec 200 Series is a stalwart beast bedazzled with refinement, some hate the refinement such as the available air conditioned seats, refrigerated center console and off-road cameras and others will absolutely come to embrace it. I'm neither for it or against the refinement really, it's simply the only way I can have it in the US market so here I am. So for me, the name is more of a fun poke at the dissenters and a showpiece to customers as in fact a great platform for off-road travel and overland style adventures.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Running tail-gunner for a Wasatch Cruisers camp trip this weekend. Cold but absolutely oddly and scarily devoid of snow.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The Fauxverlander got a light workout at King of the Hammers last week as we worked the pits Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Rusty Nail Racing fam.

Our pits were full of Cruiserheads, @RustyNailJustin, @landcrusher909, @Mace, @jpsfj60 and many more. Always great hanging with Cruiser family.

While setting up camp in the dark, I recalled having a set of Baja Design rear floods that have been on my 200 to-do list for oh, about a decade

I had some downtime today to tinker on Cruiser projects in my home shop, something really enjoyed doing whenever I can. I buttoned up some BJ74 tasks and got to cutting holes in the ARB rear bumper swings.

I was able to get both sides cut and drilled before the Mrs kidnapped me for some Valentines fun. I'll get some paint on the holes tomorrow so I can mount and wire them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Another older install I wanted to add to this thread. I've carried or still carry a wide variety of jack options, depending on the trip, terrain and participants. While my go-to for most needs is the Toyota bottle jack, I pack an exhaust/air jack if we're doing sand dunes, mud flats or snow. But it's just hard to beat a Hi-Lift and I often found myself strapping one to the roof rack or in the second row under gear bags. Time to solve rogue gear.

I contemplated a variety of ways to mount. Top of the front bumper, fab something on the rear bumper or roof rack. Equipt Expedition Outfitters, the US Eazi-Awn distributor, had a easy solution that integrates nicely to the side of the rack and doesnt take any top real estate. I dont love that it's outside but it's easy enough to pull down, lube and cycle.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

A Pull-Pal is another one of those occasional transient loads. You'll loathe packing it until the moment uou need it, then it's worth it's weight in gold. My pal James @ Expedition One came up with what I consider the best Pull Pal mounting solution I've ever seen. Super tidy, 100% rattle free and easy to mount. I opted for the center of my roof rack, between the Alubox mounts. It was somewhat dead space and this gets one more loose item out of the cabin.

And with paint dry, the aux reverse lights are mounted. I'll get them integrated with the ARB Linx this week.

 

[pismojim]

Another older install I wanted to add to this thread. I've carried or still carry a wide variety of jack options, depending on the trip, terrain and participants. While my go-to for most needs is the Toyota bottle jack, I pack an exhaust/air jack if we're doing sand dunes, mud flats or snow. But it's just hard to beat a Hi-Lift and I often found myself strapping one to the roof rack or in the second row under gear bags. Time to solve rogue gear.

I contemplated a variety of ways to mount. Top of the front bumper, fab something on the rear bumper or roof rack. Equipt Expedition Outfitters, the US Eazi-Awn distributor, had a easy solution that integrates nicely to the side of the rack and doesnt take any top real estate. I dont love that it's outside but it's easy enough to pull down, lube and cycle.

I agree on the bottle jack to the point I also often carry a 3 ton hydraulic bottle jack - also used often.

I would feel ill equipped if I didn't have a five foot Hi-Lift. I carry it in pieces. The mechanical part finds a home inside a box, tub or drawer, out of weather, not exposed. The main bar mounts easily to rack or under seats. The handle (often shortened from robbing bits of tube for trail repairs) slips in next to tool boxes, where it's convenient for use as leverage multiplier. The foot (base) usually stays with the mechanical part, but I also carry a 10"x12" piece of plywood, pre-drilled to match the base for those certain muddy and sandy situations. Some red paint helps me remember why I'm carrying it, but it's amazing how many other ways that little piece of plywood has been used.

But I may be most famous for my splitting maul. It's not just for firewood, that sledge gets used often.

Always love your practical, experienced, set-ups, tips and tricks!

Cheers,
Jim

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I carry it in pieces. The mechanical part finds a home inside a box, tub or drawer, out of weather, not exposed. The main bar mounts easily to rack or under seats. The handle (often shortened from robbing bits of tube for trail repairs) slips in next to tool boxes, where it's convenient for use as leverage multiplier. The foot (base) usually stays with the mechanical part, but I also carry a 10"x12" piece of plywood, pre-drilled to match the base for those certain muddy and sandy situations. Some red paint helps me remember why I'm carrying it, but it's amazing how many other ways that little piece of plywood has been used.

If my current setup falls out of favor or the Hi-Lift get's neglected, I think I'll go with the pieces route. I'd likely mount the standard bar and handle on the roof rack side, perhaps just make a simple two-stud mount that captures both. The running gear is best stored out of the weather as you mention. Trade-offs for sure.

But I may be most famous for my splitting maul. It's not just for firewood, that sledge gets used often.

Always love your practical, experienced, set-ups, tips and tricks!

I bet it does. There is no replacement for a good stalwart/heavy sledge at times!

Thanks Jim!

 

[Dparo]

Have you been happy with the Eezi-Awn roof rack? I also have one on my 100 but I've found that with my RTT it would have been better to use a rack that had left to right supports instead of front to back. I have the Camp King and it has mount rails that run front to back. I've thought about switching to the Frontrunner, it seems that they have accessories that are more often in stock as well.

I've considered doing something different than the Camp King, it takes up the entire rack, and I have had less than satisfactory customer service from them. Still keeping options open although my 100 has seen enough money dumped into it, I want to move on to other things.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Have you been happy with the Eezi-Awn roof rack? I also have one on my 100 but I've found that with my RTT it would have been better to use a rack that had left to right supports instead of front to back. I have the Camp King and it has mount rails that run front to back. I've thought about switching to the Frontrunner, it seems that they have accessories that are more often in stock as well.

I have. But if I was using it for a roof-top-tent, I would simply use load bars and skip a rack.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Had a wonderful long-weekend with the Outlaw crew from Rising Sun 4x4 (and @powderpig ) down in the Swell and Capitol Reef. We poked around old outlaw haunts, mines, cabins, etc. Made big fires, told tall tales, and ate far too much. A few of my favorites...

Photo by @Corbet

Photo by @doughboy

Photo by @jpsfj60

Photo by @Corbet

Photo by @CardinalFJ60

 

[open country]

What's the odometer at these days

 

[cruiseroutfit]

What's the odometer at these days

Just hit 230k range. One day I'll start putting miles on the other one(s)