Richards 2010+ FJ Cruiser
What was your first 4x4?
2000 Ford Ranger extended cab, V6.
Why your current rig?
It was between a Jeep or FJ. The FJ won because of space, comfort, looks and the fact that Toyota has a great reputation for reliability.
What was the first trail you ran in this rig?
Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area in Texas.
Favorite Trail?
Too many to choose From.
Favorite Modification?
Snorkel. Down here in south Louisiana when it rains...it floods. I've had to use it a few times to take my wife to work because the roads flooded over 3-4 feet...(I love when a modification justifies it self to the wife). Again, down here in south Louisiana I see more snorkels on other vehicles, but when I go other places I don't see them as much, so it really stands out.
Worst Stuck?
...In my back yard. We had a lot of rain and I was driving through my back yard and sank. My neighbors Chevy 2500 had a tough time pulling me out. It took about 1 1/2 hours, lots of cursing and a few beers to get the FJ out...I don't drive in my back yard any more.
A Bit About the Rig
CARGO/STORAGE:
- Tuffy lock box - 2 drawer storage box in the rear - 2 cargo nets on rear door - Baja drop in basket for OEM roof rack
Comunications:
- CB - 2 hand held radios
PERFORMANCE:
- K&N air filter - TRD cat back exhaust - Safari snorkel - Rear differential scuba mod - Ultra Gauge- Optima yellow top battery
SUSPENSION:
- 2.5 Sway Away adjustable front coil overs - Light Racing adjustable UCA - Icon 2.5" Piggy Back reservoir rear shocks - Stock rear coil springs with 1.5" Daystar spacer
ARMOR/PROTECTION:
- Metal Tech front tube bumper - Metal Tech rear tube bumper - Metal Tech sliders with 2 stage rub rail - RCI Metal Works front skid plate - RCI Metal Works transmission skid plate - Rocktek front link armor - Rocktek rear link armor - FJToyman rear shock armor - BozTec rear differential skid - Total Chaos LCA skids
INTIORIOR:
- JBL speakers with sub - Blacket out all the silver - Blacket out all the light tan plastic paneling - Ellis percision black shift nobs and matching e-brake cover - Fire extinguisher - Medical kit - Peel & Seal on the roof, walls and floor (to help reduce road noise)
LIGHTING:
- 40" Olympus Off Road LED light bar - 20" Olympus Off Road LED light bar - 2 Rigid Industries LED D2 lights on rear of roof rack - 2 LED box lights on the drivers side of the roof rack - 2 LED box lights on the passangers side of the roof rack - 2 Rigid Industries LED D2 lights on the front bumper - 2 RIgid Industries LED (amber) lights on the front bumper - LED (amber) mirror lights - LED license plate lights - LED back up lights - LED intiorior lights - HID head lights - sPOD with switch panel for lights
RECOVERY:
- Engo 10,000 LBS winch with synthetic line - 20' recovery strap- 10' tree trunk protector - High lift jack - 8 ton bottle jack - Air compressor with 2 gallon tank
WHEELS:
- 5, 285/70/17 Toyo Open Country II A/T on stock 17" rims - 4, SpiderTrax 1.25" wheel spacers
EXTERIOR:
- Blacked out all the silver - Black hood decal - FJCruiserforums.com badges - Stickers...lots and lots of stickers
2000 Ford Ranger extended cab, V6.
Why your current rig?
It was between a Jeep or FJ. The FJ won because of space, comfort, looks and the fact that Toyota has a great reputation for reliability.
What was the first trail you ran in this rig?
Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area in Texas.
Favorite Trail?
Too many to choose From.
Favorite Modification?
Snorkel. Down here in south Louisiana when it rains...it floods. I've had to use it a few times to take my wife to work because the roads flooded over 3-4 feet...(I love when a modification justifies it self to the wife). Again, down here in south Louisiana I see more snorkels on other vehicles, but when I go other places I don't see them as much, so it really stands out.
Worst Stuck?
...In my back yard. We had a lot of rain and I was driving through my back yard and sank. My neighbors Chevy 2500 had a tough time pulling me out. It took about 1 1/2 hours, lots of cursing and a few beers to get the FJ out...I don't drive in my back yard any more.
A Bit About the Rig
CARGO/STORAGE:
- Tuffy lock box - 2 drawer storage box in the rear - 2 cargo nets on rear door - Baja drop in basket for OEM roof rack
Comunications:
- CB - 2 hand held radios
PERFORMANCE:
- K&N air filter - TRD cat back exhaust - Safari snorkel - Rear differential scuba mod - Ultra Gauge- Optima yellow top battery
SUSPENSION:
- 2.5 Sway Away adjustable front coil overs - Light Racing adjustable UCA - Icon 2.5" Piggy Back reservoir rear shocks - Stock rear coil springs with 1.5" Daystar spacer
ARMOR/PROTECTION:
- Metal Tech front tube bumper - Metal Tech rear tube bumper - Metal Tech sliders with 2 stage rub rail - RCI Metal Works front skid plate - RCI Metal Works transmission skid plate - Rocktek front link armor - Rocktek rear link armor - FJToyman rear shock armor - BozTec rear differential skid - Total Chaos LCA skids
INTIORIOR:
- JBL speakers with sub - Blacket out all the silver - Blacket out all the light tan plastic paneling - Ellis percision black shift nobs and matching e-brake cover - Fire extinguisher - Medical kit - Peel & Seal on the roof, walls and floor (to help reduce road noise)
LIGHTING:
- 40" Olympus Off Road LED light bar - 20" Olympus Off Road LED light bar - 2 Rigid Industries LED D2 lights on rear of roof rack - 2 LED box lights on the drivers side of the roof rack - 2 LED box lights on the passangers side of the roof rack - 2 Rigid Industries LED D2 lights on the front bumper - 2 RIgid Industries LED (amber) lights on the front bumper - LED (amber) mirror lights - LED license plate lights - LED back up lights - LED intiorior lights - HID head lights - sPOD with switch panel for lights
RECOVERY:
- Engo 10,000 LBS winch with synthetic line - 20' recovery strap- 10' tree trunk protector - High lift jack - 8 ton bottle jack - Air compressor with 2 gallon tank
WHEELS:
- 5, 285/70/17 Toyo Open Country II A/T on stock 17" rims - 4, SpiderTrax 1.25" wheel spacers
EXTERIOR:
- Blacked out all the silver - Black hood decal - FJCruiserforums.com badges - Stickers...lots and lots of stickers
