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 SingleTrack's Build

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DamnItsAGlasgow
Speedrye
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SingleTrack
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SingleTrack
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SingleTrack


Posts : 267
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Join date : 2012-11-25
Age : 46
Location : Greensboro, NC

SingleTrack's Build Empty
PostSubject: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeTue Apr 30, 2013 11:14 pm

So, I bought the FJ back in November 2012 and really had no intentions of doing
anything to it but adding some step bars ... boy was I cluelessly mistaken in
my assumption!



2007 FJ Cruiser
Titanium - 16,059 miles on the odometer - November 2012

The day I brought her home
SingleTrack's Build Day_110

A trip to Hilton Head a couple weeks later
SingleTrack's Build Fj10

After the trip to Hilton Head with in-laws and 80 year old grandparents, it was
clear to my wife and I that we needed the predator style step bars. My wife is
currently 7 months pregnant and then just 2 months but we knew she'd need all
the help she could get getting in and out later on down the road. She's using
them like clockwork now. I decided on the predator rails instead of rock rails
because I don't ever intend to do any serious wheeling like tackling Daniel at
URE!

SingleTrack's Build Rails10

My next job was to tackle the factory front rake so I went the route of
installing the Bilstein 5100's on the front and setting them on the 3rd notch.
Thanks to Speedrye's help and expertise with installing these. After that day,
he and I are 5100 pros! We turned that day into an NCFJ wrenching day at his
house and had a lot of FJer's show up. It was a good time!

5100's ready to go on
SingleTrack's Build 5100s10

Before & After
SingleTrack's Build Before10
The front measured at 34.5" ground to fender before install and the rear
measured 36". After install and setting on the 3rd notch, all four
measurements are at 36" ground to fender.

Another thing we did at Ryan's house was the good ol' interior dome light LED
conversion. If you haven't done this, do it! This is probably my most favorite
mod!

The shekinah glory!
SingleTrack's Build Led_in10

Later on that weekend I installed Hella 700's with 100w bulbs. This was a fun
install, seriously. You can click this link HERE to see my writeup on wiring the lights. THIS WRITEUP on installing the lights on your front bumper is exactly what I followed to install mine. I installed a SWITCH on the interior switch panel that took a
little trimming here and there to get the switch to fit in but once
finished it fit perfectly. Removing all the panels and console was pretty easy.

The switch

SingleTrack's Build Switch10

A little trimming to make it fit

SingleTrack's Build Switch11

Panel finished

SingleTrack's Build Switch12

Install complete

SingleTrack's Build Switch13


... and we can't forget the lights!


SingleTrack's Build Hellas11


SingleTrack's Build Hellas12


Next I was able to pick up some amazing wheels from NCFJ's very own Sun Cruiser 6(Jami). These are 17x8 Black Rock wheels with a 0 offset. They looked so awesome on Jami's truck. Thanks Jami for these wheels! I love them!


SingleTrack's Build Black_10


Mounted and installed! This picture was taken at the 2013 NCFJ Spring Meet


SingleTrack's Build 13_sho12

At the show I was able to pickup the 3" Toytec lift kit. Since I already have the 5100's I plan on setting them on the 4th notch and use the 1/2" spacer it comes with on the front to lift the front a little more. The supplied rear springs will lift the rear 2". This is the exact same lift that Jami has on his truck ... and I have always loved his truck! So I'm excited to say the least. I'm not going to need the 2.5" spacers that come with this kit so I was able to send those to my new friend Jeremy in Wilmington for him to be able to use on the front of his FJ to get that nose up!

This is what's next ... Speedrye and I are going to tackle this once we get a chance and an excuse! New rubbers are right around the corner too!

SingleTrack's Build Spring10

Stay tuned for more updates to come ...

*** UPDATE ***

I tackled the lift yesterday.

SingleTrack's Build Spring11
Toytec 2" lift rear springs and 1/2" front spacers

It involved a complete redo of the front suspension. I removed the 5100's and set them on the 4th notch. I also installed the 1/2" spacer on top of the shock.
SingleTrack's Build Spring13

SingleTrack's Build Spring14

The original bolts on the top plate needed to be removed and replaced with the longer ones supplied by Toytec. Easy switch. The pressure of the spring against the rubber bushing kept them from spinning once in place and they tightened down just fine. I did have to loosen the UCA from the vertical spindle in order to get the shock back in seeing as it is longer now. Easy enough.

Setting the new Toytec 2" springs in the rear was a simple process to0, just time consuming. I followed the article in FJC MAGAZINE on replacing the OEM springs with the Toytecs. It was right on. Only thing I had to do was use the spring compressor to get the longer Toytec springs in place. Again, nothing to it.

All four sides, ground to fender measured right at 36" before this install. After a 15 mile drive the lift settle out. Both fronts ground to fender measure 38" on the dot. Both rears ground to fender measure 38.25".

Before & After

SingleTrack's Build Before11

SingleTrack's Build Pool_p10

*** UPDATE: November 13, 2013 ***


So it's been a while since I've updated my build. Seems like a lot has changed though it's mostly cosmetic.

Here are some pictures of a trip to Hilton Head once again, I thought I'd make a splash.
SingleTrack's Build Hh110

SingleTrack's Build Hh210

And a little Uwharrie fun at the Fall Meet "New to Offroad"

SingleTrack's Build Ure110

SingleTrack's Build Ure210

Changed the look of my wheels a bit


SingleTrack's Build Wheels12
The thing I'm most excited about is having our very own Mike T. (BigDogDewey) make some sliders for me. Man he did an awesome job. I got in one his "ROctober" discount!

In Mike's shop being welded
SingleTrack's Build Rails110

Prepped and primed for paint
SingleTrack's Build Rails210

Painted and ready for mounting!
SingleTrack's Build Rails310

I had to go BLACK!

SingleTrack's Build RpxwqxKkES4gx_t6NwpkLkvvse7GjVQwXpFdSUzDT90=w257-h192-p-noSingleTrack's Build LocM2cxa-hS1cGjcovT6-U2rNYXSiuGjjNy1GHh_FL8=w145-h192-p-no

SingleTrack's Build S9z2wjhD3iu9_Ct4qqCsKPFw8ah9xld_DmbtmrSdBZk=w288-h229-p-noSingleTrack's Build V9Jfqood4ioQrLZ3AvWBi3xCrryNEhkqaU8au3tfBKE=w298-h223-p-no

Went to URE with Jami and Brendan and had a great time.

SingleTrack's Build RwyZsCoOSmlSBFmsUieS37QaYgKaqD2cm3k2DHX_Gbk=w345-h229-p-noSingleTrack's Build E46-b8RfkCls05Dh-IDQv_Xx4t-fNY_pAUIbJwieX1I=w230-h229-p-no
SingleTrack's Build TcDLaq8uubE_ROlOAFyRaL37CZ-n4XNtcxJtIdZQApA=s213-p-noSingleTrack's Build NBi7N_jumBPfEKGJrG4hueNTLl8YgmwVFQ4TNx8KoH8=s213-p-no

This is probably what I'm most proud of to this point. I'm currently back in school (36, married and have a 5 month old) for a career change and studying to become a machinist. I love it and I should've pursued this career 15 years ago. Humbly speaking, I have found my niche! I drew up prints for a new shifter knob using Solidworks software. I made these on a manual lathe all by hand. Here's the result!

SingleTrack's Build JEPlGwcbZNPsc-jdFtryjX6MsS4FJogykLsloZ8G9w0=w306-h229-p-no
Raw 6061 scrap aluminum for the project

SingleTrack's Build BnAnLn7yc-zZ7pa9p-rsEzSKmbocT_4JLGfQYMNST5w=w257-h192-p-noSingleTrack's Build BjhHMwcVncV7HSWGSHeIErFwiz0Y9TfiSG9H4jwOraA=w256-h192-p-no

SingleTrack's Build 1426261_10202286871594443_1953464106_n

... well, that's it for now. Maybe I'll have something exciting like long travel suspension, skids or an adventure trailer build to post up next! ...I'm leaning the trailer route. Speaking of that, check out www.dinoot.com for great DYI trailer info.

SingleTrack's Build Snow_f12

New matte black hood decal from Amaesing Decals


Last edited by SingleTrack on Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:54 am; edited 10 times in total
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bigdogdewey2
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeTue Apr 30, 2013 11:27 pm

awesome job Bro!! looking good!
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeTue Apr 30, 2013 11:44 pm

Thanks Big Mike and a huge thanks to you and Angie for such an awesome job at the Spring Meet. BTW, your FJ looks good clean! Laughing
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Speedrye
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 7:04 am

Man, you probably don't want to hang around me much because I'm pretty sure my FJitis is contagious. Treatments are expensive... Those wheels made a big difference! What kind of tires are you thinking of upgrading to?
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DamnItsAGlasgow
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 10:01 am

You should upgrade to my barely used Federal Couragia M/T's... I'll sell em to you cheap and they should go quite nicely with those wheels!
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 10:04 am

Wylie has some Nitto Crossteks with about 8k miles on them I'm probably going to buy. If not those I like the Coopers.
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Speedrye
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 10:04 am

^^ That's a good plan right there. See if he'll throw the ARB front bumper in for free too! Very Happy
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DamnItsAGlasgow
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 10:07 am

Speedrye wrote:
^^ That's a good plan right there. See if he'll throw the ARB front bumper in for free too! Very Happy

I can add that ARB bumper in there too! Along with a couple HID's to outshine those Hellas!
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 12:22 pm

I love the ARBs but I don't plan to go that route after the lift & tires! Next on the list will be a hitch bike rack. After that will be some sick race wheels for my mountain bike!
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ULTIMATEcruiser
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 9:58 pm

Nice work in progress! And you thought you would buy a FJ and not mod it, yeah right LoL.
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 01, 2013 10:25 pm

All it took was seeing your darn FJ at the Darryl's meet Jami and it was over! Down for the count...
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j.dorton
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu May 02, 2013 8:38 am

Looks great.
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeMon May 06, 2013 10:14 pm

Jami and Jon you two need to get a room. I am a little embarrassed at the bromance going on there.
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeMon May 06, 2013 10:45 pm

Hey, when it's meant to be its meant to be! :-D
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeMon May 06, 2013 11:21 pm

shelbyfort1 wrote:
Jami and Jon you two need to get a room. I am a little embarrassed at the bromance going on there.

Well we thought about doing the room thing but we didn't want to leave you out we knew you would be jealous....so what do you say?
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeMon May 06, 2013 11:25 pm

Sun Cruiser 6 wrote:
....so what do you say?

I'm dying with anticipation!!!!
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed May 08, 2013 10:43 pm

*** ORIGINAL POST UPDATED ***
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MCRobertson
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Aug 15, 2013 1:56 am

Ride is looking god man.
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Aug 15, 2013 11:13 am

Thank thanks! You coming to URE in September?
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Aug 15, 2013 11:36 am

I think so. Finally got my shock back and on. Lol. Your going I assume?
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SingleTrack
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeWed Nov 13, 2013 11:38 pm

**** UPDATED THE ORIGINAL POST ****
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Nov 14, 2013 12:07 am

Looking nice!
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Speedrye
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Nov 14, 2013 11:35 am

Nice looking knobs!  I'll bet they're cold on these past few mornings though!
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DamnItsAGlasgow
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Nov 14, 2013 2:34 pm

Speedrye wrote:
Nice looking knobs!  I'll bet they're cold on these past few mornings though!
No doubt!  But at least it's an auto... less hands-on time!
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PostSubject: Re: SingleTrack's Build   SingleTrack's Build Icon_minitimeThu Nov 14, 2013 3:59 pm

DamnItsAGlasgow wrote:
Speedrye wrote:
Nice looking knobs!  I'll bet they're cold on these past few mornings though!
No doubt!  But at least it's an auto... less hands-on time!
Oh yeah, my bad.  I forget about those of you driving the FJ's with the "Easy Button".
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