Wannabe Rock Crawler/Camping Rig Build

[1jzhilux]

How it looks now:

I bought this 1997 Collectors Edition with lockers last July.

After multiple cancelled/delayed flights, we finally made it to Maine at midnight, made the transaction, and proceeded to start the long drive back to Montana.

Just past Sturgis and ALMOST back into Montana, the radiator cracked. I found clear rv sealant at the nearest gas station and spooged it everywhere.

This "fix" held all the way home plus another week until the new rad arrived. New rad is all aluminum and much thicker than factory. I had some issues with fitment - had to trim the battery tray, lengthen the overflow line, and the shroud did not fit. Even without the shroud, I am super impressed with how this thing works.

 

[1jzhilux]

I got it home and put new emblems on the front and rear immediately.

Parked next to Clifford and realized how small my car is.

I took off the LandTank tire carrier, threw it away, and gave the truck an overdue detail.

It's amazing how deep this red is

 

[1jzhilux]

Parts started coming in for the build...
37x13.50r17 Maxxis Razr MTs - I really like them so far.

New brakes and a bearing repack

Mocked up the storage area

 

[Squeegee]

Yeeesssss you finally started it!

 

[1jzhilux]

Put the Go Fast Campers RTT on just in time for the first camping trip with it.

This hole came out of nowhere and was DEEP

I was able back out myself, but my soul was a little hurt

 

[1jzhilux]

Oh look @Squeegee , it's you


We made it to camp and huddled together just as a heavy storm rolled in.

A tree branch magically appeared on the way back and smacked the windshield.

 

[1jzhilux]

Wheels finally came in
Summit Offroad Dakar 17x9 -25

And got them mounted

Looking large

Got a new hatch piece to replace the cracked old one.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Good looking rig. How is the road noise for the tires?

 

[1jzhilux]

Good looking rig. How is the road noise for the tires?

Thanks! The tires are loud. I'd say on par with the STT Pros I had on my last 80.

 

[1jzhilux]

Wow, I need to keep up with this thread.
Next, I put Dobinsons VT coils (not impressed with them) and long boi shocks on, clearanced the front for 37s and took some pics.

 

[1jzhilux]

Welded sliders and finally started to make my bumper design into reality. I wanted to make it as high clearance as possible and mounted the winch right up to the core support.

 

[1jzhilux]

Then it was off to Moab to have some fun.

 

[1jzhilux]

First obstacle on the first day I got hung up. Rear was wedged against a rock and then finally broke loose. Front end fell off the rocks and smacked the pass side corner. Totally should not have put off finishing the bumper wings...

The rest of the weekend was a blast!

I couldn't quite make it up this ledge and had to winch. This year I redeemed myself though and made it up no problem.

 

[1jzhilux]

Things got a little tippy

 

[FFDawson]

Great looking rig! Perfect mix of factory appearance and badass. Mind sharing what you did to the fenders in your post #10? I want to retain my fender flares but run 37's as well. Thanks!

 

[1jzhilux]

Great looking rig! Perfect mix of factory appearance and badass. Mind sharing what you did to the fenders in your post #10? I want to retain my fender flares but run 37's as well. Thanks!

Thanks! I took the fenders off and completely cut out the wheel well liners. I cut the fenders just below the flare clips, so about 3-4 inches off and then cut the bottom of the flare out. When I move to 40s, i think I'll trim the flares some more and probably make new inner fender wells.

 

[1jzhilux]

Somewhere in there I swapped in a GX460 steering wheel.

I have yet to hook the buttons up to the radio. I need to find a bluetooth module I like. The cruise control also is not hooked up - I need to figure out a mount for the Land Cruiser cruise control switch as the Lexus one will not work.

 

[1jzhilux]

Made some mounts for ditch lights. Never ended up using them.

 

[1jzhilux]

Somehow did this

And put the tent back on after Moab.

 

[Squeegee]

Very cool. Thank you for sharing