middlecalf
SILVER Star
That in itself deserves a trophy
Builds Purist Step away. Mint 400 2023 FJ45 (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter landcrusher909
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #302
Josh and I both remember this exact spot. Photographer's on both sides. One tracked me down to share this. What an Awesome shot.
whitey45
SILVER Star
Best pic I have seen of an fj45 in a long long time!! So epic Rob!!
I can't imagine why that spring bent... 
EWheeler
GOLD Star
Rob, you're a legend! This is so rad.
whitey45
SILVER Star
Reminds me of being airborne with you in the lvertable at pismo!!!
KT40
SILVER Star
whitey45
SILVER Star
Pretty sure I went to the chiropractor shortly after that
- Thread starter
- #310
Here is a breakdown of our weekend : Wendy and I arrved Friday morning, After getting set up I took the 45 for a pre run of Saturdays race a 13 mile loup. Lots of rocky hills, sand and some spots the woops were over a foot deep and went on forever LOL Scott White showed up and we dove the 45 to tech. With no issues we then got the Chip loaded with the 2 day course. Saturday was layed back we started at 11:25 I thought things were delayed WRONG we headed back to the start/finish and the MORE Official was waving Tygart start your race. No green flag just get going. Josh was doing Great calling out curves, checking the GPS and calling out speeds. Then we hit the crazy stuff. woops, sand washes and off camber corners. It was our 2nd lap a 1600 car nerfed, WTH I started laughing Our first nerf. We blew it off and pushed on. On our 3rd final lap Same guy went to get around I pulled to the side and for some reason his car slid sideways causing me to catch the center of his car just ahead of his rear tire pushing him sideways for 3 or 4 feet I backed off and his tire rolled up the drivers fender. The 45 felt fine and we pushed on to the finish. Each lap every Team on pit row would come out and wave,thumbs up and cheer It was Awesome. Our lap times were all under 35 minutes. We got back to camp and I walked over to say Hi to Rick Madison and saw the 1617 I asked someone is this your car a young man looked up and said I told everyone I bet the Toyota guy was going to kick my ass LOLOL I told him Bro high five my first nerf. Then he showed me what a 1970's Toyota Confer bumper did to his car. Most of the right side tubing was bent or missing We didnt even get a scrach on the bumper. Back at camp we started finding issues Broken rear spring pin, broken front bump stop bent driver front main leaf, pin hole in the radiator and leaking caps on the master cylinder, bent drivers running board and fender, Swiss Army Scott White ( his new nickname he's got everything ) Bob, Chris, Brooks Josh Mark and myself got busy. We got pins from Napa in Barstow, replaced all the broken parts, bent everything bacl and guy camped behid us said try an old Baja trick and fill the radiator hole with a bar of soap OK. We all felt we did all we could do. Andie Spitzer Fraiser took charge and laid out our plan for the morning Prep, timing getting ready and who was doing what. She really took control and stepped up Thanks Crew Cheif. Sunday morning 0900 we started in the back and Josh and I had a plan we were just going to cruise and have fun. The 45 felt great no overheating issues, Josh calling out speeds and chekcing for passing cars. We had planned on pitting each lap to check everything out. 4 - 20 mile laps and 2 1/2 hour time limit. It was a rough course a lot more rock hills and jumps that snuck up on you. Lap 1 complete 54 minutes, We could get one more in. More cheers as we left the pit. By now I really had to pee We got to open desert and saw a course offical I pulled off and he ran over " Is everything OK " Josh told him " My driver needs to pee LOLOL I got back in the 45 and we sat for a minute talking This is so Badass. Several trucks got aound us and we pushed on Save the truck Just have fun and finish. We got to a crossing 1 mile from the finish when a Course offical was waving us off the course I thought there was an accident ahead I pulled off and he was yelling the course is still hot. NO s*** were racing , With a stupid look on his face everyone else yelling go go go . We took off and as we finished our last mile along pit row every Team was waving us on. We took the checkered flag and were told get your ass on the podium. Back at camp we were all smiles the 45 held together I held together and we did it. Those MT tires worked fantastic. So now I will be ordering new front Deaver springs and a few other mods. Thank you Wendy Tygart, BobnAnn BelerScott White Andie Spitzer Fraiser My Co Driver Josh he really killed it and he's getting better with each race. My buddy Mark, Julie, Brooks and the Rusty Nail Family. The fellow racers who came over to check out the 45 handing me business cards and offering help if we needed it. Some local drivers when they found out we built the 45 in my backyard offering a spot in the winter in their own shops to prep for KOH. Just Awesome
Man, what an adventure. Way to go.
- Thread starter
- #312
Not the best video
- Thread starter
- #313
Between the radiator and fan it must have been a washing machine of rocks LOL So I spent today re designing a 40 splash guard and filling in the bottom of the radiator support for to help this from happening again. I also strapped the fenders to the frame to take some pressure off the bib hinge we were getting a lot of vibration, This has been a long learning process. Everytime we have taken the 45 out for a run or race we learn something else. Its a good thing getting all the bugs worked out now We have 40 days until King of the Hammers
- Thread starter
- #314
Posters are now available. Thanks for the support Rusty Nail Racing - https://reefmonkey.com/collections/rusty-nail?fbclid=IwAR3nODvhpLF3QOud6wzusHad1tu-T03-iIdYp2VfuSOIxLIVUp96eMZyP58
- Thread starter
- #315
Each race we learn more and more. When I re drilled the front frame spring hanger I should have cleaned it up and cut the ears off. Well drivers side spring was catching and hanging up really bad causing it to bend and wallow out the bushing flange. I am still grinding and cleaning up the hanger and hope to have another set of custom springs sourced today. Were pushing to get the 45 as dialed in as we can. I am very Proud of what we have accomplished so far we have taken the 45 through a lot. January 27th 2024 will be Epic 4 laps 80 miles of desert.
- Thread starter
- #316
Sliders are happening
- Thread starter
- #317
January 2024 issue of S&S Off Road Magazine
- Thread starter
- #318
It been a good day. Waiting for @brooksfj60 Bob to weld things up. Next start installing the new radiator with a few trick desert ideas.
- Thread starter
- #319
Lots going on before this storm hits Monday. Mac Springs in Highland Ca fixed the front springs and did a fantastic job. Front end is back together and if you remember the issue with the radiator, re working the factory front splash guard should work out perfect. I did some research and found this honeycomb plastic radiator protecting screen. I don't want to kill abother radiator. Some cutting and fabing everything fits perfect. Working Great lots of air flow and hopefully this will take care of any sand or rocks that find there way inside. I also put some in the front, we got roosted a few times and better to be safe. Its been a big push taking advantage of the good weather.
- Thread starter
- #320
Reminded we only have 4 more Mondays til King of the Hammers and the rain is coming. Spent today getting the oil changed, Re torque the front axle and part of the drivetrain. Hours cutting and grinding to get the sliders finished. I am happy with the progress I just hope I get some free time to take the 45 out and test everything
