Builds Project Fauxverlander 200 Series Land Cruiser Build Thread

[mdm0002]

The SLEE Kit on my 100 has a steel belly plate and aluminum forward of that. They have been well used and have held up great. I did have to modify them a bit for the ARB steps/rails, pics of that should be in the 100 build thread.

Thank you Kurt!

 

[codyaustin5]

Next stop? Skid plates

Accessory install time has become quite rare for me here in the shop the last few weeks. As such a project that should take a couple of hours (such as these skids) in fact took 4 days, 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there... I swear I spent more time remembering where I left off

I did spent a bit of time with a rattle can cleaning up some factory welds and light corrosion, nothing out of the ordinary but I wanted to address it before I started covering things back up with the clean aluminum skids.

I'm very impressed with the fit and finish and I'm confident they'll offer the protection I'm after. I run the Slee skid system on my 100 Series and they have taken a beating and still clean up nicely. Had they offered them for the 200 I would have given them a really hard look. With the 200, ARB has a fantastic option for a full kit, front, mid (oil pan), trans and even a beefy t-case skid, far better than the tin/plastic covers it started with.

Before, during and after:

The factory setup

Gone with the factory stuff

ARB installed

ARB installed

Next up, sliders and side rails. When? Who knows

Hi Kurt - you mention in another thread that the "updated" ARB skid plate doesn't need to be removed to change the oil. Can you elaborate? I don't see how that works based on your picture here? Thx

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hi Kurt - you mention in another thread that the "updated" ARB skid plate doesn't need to be removed to change the oil. Can you elaborate? I don't see how that works based on your picture here? Thx

It has a deflector made to direct the oil from the pan into a container. It might make a bigger mess than it is worth but it's doable.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Oh yeah, parts are piling up... I might need to spend the night in the shop soon

 

[Romer]

It has a deflector made to direct the oil from the pan into a container. It might make a bigger mess than it is worth but it's doable.

Kurt, I didn't see a way to change the oil filter without removing a skid plate. Draining the oil isn't an issue.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We've been through this Ken

"Sorry guys, I wasn't super clear about that. You don't have to remove the bottom (mid) skid to drain oil. The front skid will still have to come off for oil filter access. One could remove the bottom plug and drain the filter and even remove the filter element without pulling the skid but I don't think you could do it without making a mess. The front skid comes off easily enough I don't plan to deal with the mess."
ARB Skid Plate System - just ordered!

 

[Romer]

We've been through this Ken

I am much older than you. I have a hard enough time remembering two posts ago much less another thread Drop by the Kimberley old folks area at Slickrock when you get there and say hi to the older cruiserdan and me

I like my ARB skids, not too bad removing that front plate by yourself

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I am much older than you. I have a hard enough time remembering two posts ago much less another thread Drop by the Kimberley old folks area at Slickrock when you get there and say hi to the older cruiserdan and me

I like my ARB skids, not too bad removing that front plate by yourself

Will do. I'll introduce myself

 

[cruiseroutfit]

If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute. So they say anyways.

With Cruise Moab just around the corner I had made some goals to get the some of the 200 projects finished up. It's a bit frustrating seeing 200 projects stack up with no progress and I've been spending a bunch of time on other rigs that are in reality less of a priority.

ARB Recovery Point. This thing took longer to take out of the box than it did install. Two bolts and you're done. The factory "tow hooks" are not compatible with a standard recovery shackle and are not often recommended for recovery use.

The box of one, about 20 could realistically fit in this box

The old

The new

Next up was an oil change. Nothing major there but I did install the Fumoto Valve and upgraded the plastic element housing to the aluminum version. You have to swap out the element tube but it's as easy as tweaking a couple of tabs. I installed the TRD filter element at the same time. All oiled up.

Pre-swap

Swapped

Installed

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Next up was the ARB Step/Side Rails. I realize many don't like the look of the integrated side rails between the rockers and the front bumper and I can understand that. For me they are embraced. I've had them on my 40 Series for 15 years, my 100 for 5 and I'm sure I'll come to be glad I have them on the 200 as well. They've saved countless fenders and the look works for me personally. They are a fair bit of work to install, particular the frame mounts on the KDSS side of the frame (left). There is a bunch going on with the KDSS plumbing and ARB really had to make some interesting brackets to allow the mounting. The deck plates come with an natural aluminum finish, I had them coated in a satin black to match the deck plate on the rear bumper, all mirrors of the directions I went on the 100 Series.

Mounting the side rails

Mounting the side rails

Passenger side complete, waiting for the deck plate

Drivers side complete, powder-coated deck plate installed.

Had a great Cruise Moab, particularly some ghost town exploring on the way home.

 

[Romer]

Your truck looked great in Moab. You did a nice job. Nice to see you again. My daughter is still thinking about that BJ74 She will probably stick with her 100.

 

[TLC Norway]

Aah, nice and necessary beef upgrades.
I like the side rails, and agree about the function, they're awsome.

 

[T4Runner]

Are the ARB side rails compatible with non-ARB sliders?

 

[mark71]

I'd be curious about that as well.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Are the ARB side rails compatible with non-ARB sliders?

I'd be curious about that as well.

No, they are designed to integrate and bolt right to the ARB's. A good fab shop could recreate the same effect but would need your vehicle to do so.

 

[kreiten]

Next up was the ARB Step/Side Rails. I realize many don't like the look of the integrated side rails between the rockers and the front bumper and I can understand that. For me they are embraced. I've had them on my 40 Series for 15 years, my 100 for 5 and I'm sure I'll come to be glad I have them on the 200 as well. They've saved countless fenders and the look works for me personally. They are a fair bit of work to install, particular the frame mounts on the KDSS side of the frame (left). There is a bunch going on with the KDSS plumbing and ARB really had to make some interesting brackets to allow the mounting. The deck plates come with an natural aluminum finish, I had them coated in a satin black to match the deck plate on the rear bumper, all mirrors of the directions I went on the 100 Series.

Mounting the side rails

Mounting the side rails

Passenger side complete, waiting for the deck plate

Drivers side complete, powder-coated deck plate installed.

Had a great Cruise Moab, particularly some ghost town exploring on the way home.

love the look of your rig!!! How much are the ARB sliders, do you sell them? thanks,

 

[cruiseroutfit]

love the look of your rig!!! How much are the ARB sliders, do you sell them? thanks,

I'm not remembering the pricing right now but we absolutely sell any/all ARB components Land Cruisers. The steps are offered as a stand alone or with the integrated side rails.

 

[Kajun]

I like the looks of the side rails/steps as well but was wondering about how they hold up as an alternative to a dedicated slider.
I've an 80 with ARB bumper, stock height ARB relacement springs and 255/85 16s. So not a lot of lift. At the same time I'm not rock crawling or looking to high side my rockers, but for the just in case...
I'd like to know what your experience has been and how well they hold up to "normal" over landing conditions.

 

[9780LC]

I like the looks of the side rails/steps as well but was wondering about how they hold up as an alternative to a dedicated slider.
I've an 80 with ARB bumper, stock height ARB relacement springs and 255/85 16s. So not a lot of lift. At the same time I'm not rock crawling or looking to high side my rockers, but for the just in case...
I'd like to know what your experience has been and how well they hold up to "normal" over landing conditions.

Like this.......they custom contour to fit rocks but only once.

 

[Markuson]

Like this.......they custom contour to fit rocks but only once.

View attachment 1256248

Yipe!