ROTF: TEXASLAWMAN's build

[TEXASLAWMAN]

Well Im supposed to posting this on the 17th but I will be on a trip where cell and internet service is limited. My first 4x4 was a Ford f-350 crewcab with 10" of lift and 35" tires. (Bigger is better right?!?) I quickly found it couldn't make it around the twist and turns of most trails. But thanks to that truck I met the great people in Lone Star Land Cruisers, found MUD, and saw the light! The original owner ordered the truck without the factory roof rack, side steps, wood grain, and with the E-Lockers! Here is a picture from Clayton, OK the first weekend I had her.

As soon as I could get them ordered I installed an ARB front bumper with 12k winch, J springs, L shocks, 315's and a double cardan front driveshaft.

I also installed a roll cage, and a freind of mine (Tinstar on mud) built some storage drawers for me.

One fatefull weekend I followed some members from LSLC to meet Woody for the Cheese head invasion of Clayton Ok. Big mistake! Below is the last know picture's of my undented Cruiser.

And here 15 min's later taking the bypass LOL.

At first I was sick. But I soon found it to be the best thing I ever did to my cruiser the wheeling freedom that followed was awesome!! No worries about scratches anymore!!!

After several years of not taking the bypass anymore (unless I had too). My wheeling has shifted to more of an expedition style.

Finally after reading here on mud about the $50 paint job I decided to fix the dents and paint my truck. The paint used was rustoleum heavy equipment Sand Dune. Rolled on the top first! The paint has held up great!

Then sprayed on the Sand in the back yard It turned out to be like $80 instead of $50.

I was happy with the paint but sumthing was still not right it needed STICKERS!

Also as you see in the picture above I added limb riser cables, a snorkel, and badly needed sliders. A few pics of the slider build below Thanks John they are super stout!!!

I also put a rear reciver hitch into the rear bumper to tow the M146 clone I built.

Well thats about it here is the overview of the mods and maintenance items.

Modification's

ARB front bumper
J springs L shocks
315 Toyo M/T's
4.88's
12k winch synthetic line
Homemade sliders
Rear drawer storage system
Roll cage
Full length Roof Rack with Axe, shovel, highlift mounted
1 1/2" front lift spacers
snorkel
Roof top tent
Laptop mount
GPS and IPOD
Optima Yellow top
Scangauge II
100 series brake pads
63 12v Fridge/Freezer
And last but not least IH8MUD TX LP

Future Mods

Rear bumper
3" exhaust
2M radio
Wireless cell amplifier

Maintenance

PO used all synthetics I used Amsoil untill just this year I switched to Mobil1 High Mileage
Front and rear axles and birfs complete rebuild
Rebuilt starter
PHH
New A/C
New fan clutch






.

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

A few recent Pics.

And a few video links!!
Every Where Man

TERLINGUA

Test

 

[jfz80]

Truck and trailer look great man!!!

I have enjoyed following the transition and think you ended up with one of the better looking and most unique cruiser combos. And yes the stickers made the difference. Nice vids too.
Which brand aircraft landing lights are those ?
and what did you do for castor w/ the J's and 1.5'' spacer? I see you got the DC shaft so was guessing plates.

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

The aircraft landing lights were in cheap 6" lights on sale from 4wheel parts for like $30 removed the bulbs and but the landing lights in. The landing bulbs are made by GE I ordered them from Chief aircraft parts I still have some and could find the part #, and used a relay from Napa. One morning the relay went out and It became daylight. They were very bright very hot and took a lot of power. I took them off and some HID's are replacing them. I did nothing for castor when I lifted my 40th aniv I used the caster correction bushings but on this one nothing. It may be a little more loose but its loaded with gear. And Ive had these tires on for two years no unusual wear. Thaks for the compliments!

 

[Brentbba]

Sweet write up - love the color combo you did!

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

I remember those videos. Cool for sure.
Nice progression on how your 80 end up better than before!

What kind of full length rack do you have on the truck?

It was a 1/2 length wilderness rack I extended it to full length and welded in a metal grate for the floor left and opening over the moon roof though.

 

[Atticus]

One of my favorite rigs on here. Good job.

 

[bhmmapping]

Incredible build. What roll cage did you use?

 

[Dan2722]

Great write up! Love the Sand Dune paint color.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

x2 on the cage!

 

[hzavarce]

I like the way you painted the truck ! how long ago did you do it ? how has the paint held up over time ?

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Very nice! Love the "liberal" bumper sticker on your rear bumper. I need to find one of those.
Great build up. DO you have pics of how you integrated the receiver into the crossmember?

TK

 

[retrofive]

One of my favorite builds here. Great job!!

 

[Dr Gonzo]

Nice rig, paint looks good too.

 

[reverie]

Nice truck!

Since you have turned more to expedition, or at least exploration, what mods do you think you may have skipped, or done a lesser version of?

Or do you think you would have done exactly the same?

 

[TEXASLAWMAN]

I bought the cage online on clearance in 2003 I think from SOR. It was the last one they had. Something about shipping cost made it a non profitable item for them. The paint has been on there right at two years and is holding up well! I even found some spray cans to touch stuff up. We just cut a hole in the rear bumper welded the reciever in and used square tube welded acros the frame where the spare used to be. I can get some pic's up monday. As far as changing or doing anything different for expedition/exploring type wheeling I dont think so. I feel my rig is set up perfect for everything but extream rockcrawling. Its reliable but very capable and its still my daily driver. I think a dual battery setup would be nice and I think I waited too long to get a 12v fridge/freezer.

 

[concretejungle]

Nice rig. Also love the shots of you wheelin' with the cowboy hat on! just classic.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

One of my favorites also. Sand Dune on an 80 rocks.

 

[pint]

SWEET rig and nice writeup! Your paint job turned out nice. I've gotta stay out of the 80 section or I'm gonna end up buying one!

 

[SneekyTT]

Nice truck! Love the paint, and the liberal bumper sticker is pretty sweet too.