Build Purist Step away. Mint 400 2023 FJ45

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Big shout out to the Sponsors for the Mint 400 FJ45 2.0

20230214_132836.webp
 
88 Miles an Hour.
 
matzell said:
How did this thing do in the desert? Top speeds?
Click to expand...
Overall we did really good. The welder that showed up didnt work very well so I couldnt get the limiting straps installed, I spent time down at the FOX booth and they had me do a few hard runs in the hoops. My co driver Mat and I were running 12-15 mph in the deep stuff and I know we can go faster My big concern was blowing the shocks out. On the rough flat super smooth running overf 45. Driveshaft compression and extention was spot, steering worked even better than I had hoped. MT tire booth also suggested we drop tire pressure to 30 psi ( which did feel bettre in the soft sand ) Now the list LOL Still getting a little rubbing in the front at full compression Relay rod very close to the tie rod. Plan is re drill a new hole in the rear frame spring perch and move the complete axle back 1 inch taking care of any clearance issues, finish wiring radio, GPS, lights, weld in limiting strap brackets, weld in the tube to tie the bed cage into the frame, re install rear confer bumper, weld in tool and jack mount tray, install side mirrors, get a new speedo cable ( it broke during pre running ) get all this done by the 26th and make another run to Johnson Valley for the last shake down run. Get home adress any other issues and re torque everything Torque paint everything Then start sorting and putting together pit boxes with all spare parts, tires and whatever else I can think of ( Its a big ass list )
 
landcrusher909 said:
Its getting real LOL
Car/Truck Race Course = ~94 miles
Start Line —> Gene Hirst Pit = ~21 miles
Gene Hirst Pit —> Gonzo Pit = ~36 miles
Gonzo Pit —> Finish Line = ~37 miles
Click to expand...
Is this just one lap? I thought it was a two lap race for you guys? I decided not to race not wanting to beat my car up for the 4 laps I would have to go!
 
matzell said:
Is this just one lap? I thought it was a two lap race for you guys? I decided not to race not wanting to beat my car up for the 4 laps I would have to go!
Click to expand...
2 laps, Since this is my first race we also have a plan before they close the course to meet up with @Mace and drive as much of the course as we can just so I at least have some idea where I'm going LOL I am really starting to feel good about everything and back to having fun. My mind set is just Start and the goal is one pit at a time push the 45 where we can and finish. @woody gave me some advice at KOH I hadnt thought of " Its not so much the desert thats going to kill your race its hitting all the crap falling off other rigs on the course "
 
landcrusher909 said:
@woody gave me some advice at KOH I hadnt thought of " Its not so much the desert thats going to kill your race its hitting all the crap falling off other rigs on the course "
Click to expand...

Rob may likely be the only competitor in Mint 400 history to finish the race with more spare tires and hi-lift jacks than he started with :p
 
Yesterday's update. During the shake down run I was still concerned about the relay rod rubbing on the tie rod. So I re drilled the rear spring perch moving the axle back 1 inch. This helped in 2 ways it gave me a better shackle angle in the front and a bit more ride height and gave me enough clearance on the relay rod that we should not have any issues. I will have a spare relay and drag ling in the 45 during the race just in case. And after some fine tuning at full droop no issues with the front driveshaft flange binding

20230216_143355.jpg


20230216_160056.jpg


20230216_143412.jpg


20230216_161101.jpg


20230216_160629.jpg
 
Last edited:
landcrusher909 said:
2 laps, Since this is my first race we also have a plan before they close the course to meet up with @Mace and drive as much of the course as we can just so I at least have some idea where I'm going LOL I am really starting to feel good about everything and back to having fun. My mind set is just Start and the goal is one pit at a time push the 45 where we can and finish. @woody gave me some advice at KOH I hadnt thought of " Its not so much the desert thats going to kill your race its hitting all the crap falling off other rigs on the course "
Click to expand...

I dunno, it's the whoops of the Mint 400 that had my spine tingling :D
 
Morning update : Yesterday I spent a lot of time on the wiring, Getting everything zip tied up and making sure everything was tight. Starting at the front and working my way back inside and under the 45. Moving or adjusting anything the might catch a bush or rock. My buddy Lucas stopped by and swapped out the filler neck on the fuel cell for the side dump, ran the wires for a bed light and took my mind off overthinking the weather we are expecting this week. Rain and snow doesn't help at all. We had planned on another shake down run this weekend but without the limiting straps tabs welded we won't be able to really run it hard. Picking up the doors andtailgate today from the pinstriper, seats are back in and locked down, new hardware for the harness will be here this morning and I can button up the cab. Overall we are still on track with 12 days til it has to be on the trailer.

IMG_20230220_212656_588.webp


IMG_20230220_212656_696.webp


IMG_20230220_212656_647.webp
 
You're an animal Rob! :cool:
 
Do you have one of those rear bumpers planned? Might get nerfed by someone if you can not hear them coming? Also to protect those tail lights. Hard to believe it is almost here, I can not wait to see this out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom