MichaelM's Build Thread

[MichaelM]

Well she got cleaned up this morning so I figured I would take some pictures. Always have to clean her up before a road trip.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

Looks awesome man! The only thing it is lacking is some type of lift. I saw your post about possibly doing the FJC suspension swap. So where is this road trip taking you?? Don't find too many FSU fans in MS!

 

[10majfar]

Good stuff man. I was against the black-on-black theme, but that actually looks pretty sweet. I know you've been getting several questions, but I have to ask, where did you get that cargo carrier? I've been trying to find one locally to avoid shipping costs..

 

[MichaelM]

Looks awesome man! The only thing it is lacking is some type of lift. I saw your post about possibly doing the FJC suspension swap. So where is this road trip taking you?? Don't find too many FSU fans in MS!

Yeah I know. Only problem with a lift is getting my yak up there. If it wasn't for that I would go all the way. (the reason I am considering FJ suspension and leveling) About to head down to Tallahassee for the weekend to visit my sister. Then stopping in Panama City to do some fishing at the grandparents house.

Good stuff man. I was against the black-on-black theme, but that actually looks pretty sweet. I know you've been getting several questions, but I have to ask, where did you get that cargo carrier? I've been trying to find one locally to avoid shipping costs..

Thanks I was iffy on it as well but am pleased with the outcome. Cargo carrier came from harbor freight. It was on sale and I had a coupon. Couldn't turn down $60!!

 

[MichaelM]

I think I have decided on my next mod. I am going to go with a light bar and two more lights since I don't need the so called "protection" from a brush or bull bar. I am designed and am going to build my own though. The reason for this is I have not seen one that mounts where I want it to and I can build it for less than $20 as opposed to buying one for minimum $150. Anyways I threw together some quick 3D models. Let me know what you think. I have never seen one square but I think I like better than tubular. Also it is not black in the pictures so you can see it better. (will match truck)

 

[4Runner8]

wow thats sweet! you going to be an engineer of some sort or something? and i assume you are going with the LF 170 strikers? correct

 

[MichaelM]

wow thats sweet! you going to be an engineer of some sort or something? and i assume you are going with the LF 170 strikers? correct

Thanks. Yeah I will be starting my 3rd year of architecture school in august. I am beginning to second guess the squareness and lean towards tubular. I kind of like being different though. And yeah I am leaning towards 2 LF 170s right now to go with my hellas until I can afford another two.

 

[borgzman]

:thumb3: Nice setup!
A little off-topic Q:
About your kayak rack..
1. Whats the advantage of having that kind of rack? aside from being able to carry 2 kayaks? compare it to a saddle set( Thule 881)
2. Are you stable at 75-80 mph in a say, 10mph wind? How about just using saddle will it be more stable than that?
Thanks.
I'm planning to buy a tandem kayak, probably 12-13 ft. I can play near, but I also wanna go to a lake 300 mi drive. We usually stay in a beach front cottage. I can save money than renting kayaks for a day, and beside I wanna go paddling early morning..

 

[MichaelM]

:thumb3: Nice setup!
A little off-topic Q:
About your kayak rack..
1. Whats the advantage of having that kind of rack? aside from being able to carry 2 kayaks? compare it to a saddle set( Thule 881)
2. Are you stable at 75-80 mph in a say, 10mph wind? How about just using saddle will it be more stable than that?
Thanks.
I'm planning to buy a tandem kayak, probably 12-13 ft. I can play near, but I also wanna go to a lake 300 mi drive. We usually stay in a beach front cottage. I can save money than renting kayaks for a day, and beside I wanna go paddling early morning..

I can't compare to saddles because I have no experience with them. I can compare to the stock roof rack and the j racks are much more stable. My usual trip is from Jackson, MS to Panama City FL (350+-) with two 14 ft yaks. I can set cruise at 90 and be fine. (you will feel the winds whipping with anything extra on your roof) I also drove in 40+ mph winds in Key West. At some times during that drive I thought my entire roof rack would rip off but all is well :cheers:

 

[MichaelM]

I made my decision. The light bar is going to be round tubing. I picked up the steel today ($25). I am very busy for the next week or so so this will be a slow build. Everything is ready to go as soon as I find some time I will weld and install. Pictures to come. But in the meantime thought I would share the one I took today when I got in from fishing. And an old one I just found.

 

[MichaelM]

Well the light bar is coming together and I am hoping to be finished with it by the beginning of next week. Tomorrow I will be hardwiring my radar. I just ordered new headlight bulbs and 2 130 watt bulbs for my hella 500. Once the light bar is done I will be running 130 watts in two lights and 55 in the other two for the time being. Photos to come!

 

[MichaelM]

New lighting. Bad Pictures.

8500k 80w Lo
8500K 100w Hi
8500k 60w Fogs
On a scale of 1-10.. Looks=10 and Performance=6
I expected nothing different. This is to hold me over until HID conversion

130w bulbs in the Hella 500s
On a scale of 1-10.. Looks=same and Performance=9

Sorry for the phone pics. I am finally going to have time to pull out the big boy toys and weld the light bar this weekend so after that is finished I will post better photos.

First is Lo only, then lo and fog, then lo fog and hi, then all.

 

[MichaelM]

Custom Light bar

All the talk and its finally finished. Wish I had more photos of fabrication butttt.. my camera was dead. Here are some shots of the final results. I am pretty happy with it. It was very easy.

What you need.
2- 20x1x1/4 inch steel bars
1- 16x1x1/4 inch steel bar
1- 36 inch steel pipe
4 (or however many desired) tabs for mounting the lights. This could vary. I used 4 1x2 inch tabs and my lights needed a 3/8 hole for mounting.
1- can primer
1- can paint
4- 5/8 bolts with washers, lock washers and nuts
1- 3/8 bolt with washers, lock washer and nut
Drill and drill bits
Welder
and other common tools


I think I spent about $45 dollars total. Hardware included.

Here are some photos. I'll take some of the brackets and how it is mounted if anyone is interested.

 

[4Runner8]

nice job looks close to a defiant, i think you could make it better buying putting a slight curve in the bar but thats just a suggestion

 

[MichaelM]

nice job looks close to a defiant, i think you could make it better buying putting a slight curve in the bar but thats just a suggestion

Yeah I considered it but left it straight because from a profile it matches the bumper perfectly. If it was longer I definitely would have bent it. And if you think it resembles a defiant. THANKS!!! Mission accomplished. Only reason I didn't just buy a defiant was because I wanted them up on the bumper instead of in front like the defiant.

 

[4Runner8]

haha mission accomplished. yea def resembles one but if someone glanced at it they would think its one cause i even forgot that defiants wasnt on the top. do you think you will upgrade to light forces or something better eventually?

 

[MichaelM]

haha mission accomplished. yea def resembles one but if someone glanced at it they would think its one cause i even forgot that defiants wasnt on the top. do you think you will upgrade to light forces or something better eventually?

Yeah most likely. But I replaced the 55w bulbs with 130w bulbs in two of them and am pretty satisfied for now. I will probably upgrade later though.