FJ62 Expedition Build up started

[dieselcruiserhead]

Somehow I missed this thread. I wanted to mention you can get away with murder with weight on your rain gutters. I wouldn't bother hooking to the frame personally. I'll see if I can dig up some of the pics. I have had 400-600 lbs (probably more than I should) up there with no problems. I also strongly strongly second the recommendations for as little weight up there as possible. It messes with everything while moving.

 

[UofRichmondRover]

http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/a_starte.html

 

[MoGas]

I'm watching this one:26_7_2:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Hi, Welcome to the Portal!

Sounds like you have a some great travels planned.

Looks like this will be a fun thread to watch. Be sure to post up some photos of your rig.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

Mike,
John here at Proffitt's Cruisers. I've been thinking about your truck lately and if I remember correctly, you are running 33X9.50 BFG AT's?

For as much weight as you plan on running, you might consider going with a 16" rim and tire.

Or at least going with a 33X10.50. I am not a big fan of the 9.50's. They are OK for a lighter vehicle but they have too much sidewall compared to the tread thus allowing a lot of flex in the sidewall. I think with your rack and the weight you will be carrying, your 9.50's are not going to last very long. They will wear out quite fast and potentially be dangerous if the sidewall fails.

And....... try finding a 33X9.50 tire south of the border.

If you go with a 16" rim, the tires will have a higher load range and be better suited for what you are doing.

I would go with a 255/85R16 (33X10.50) or even a 235/85R16 (32X9 +/-). The 255's are great tires however a fairly new size. This size may not be too common down south. I may go with the 235's if I were you. They are very plentiful down south as this is a very common truck tire all over the world. It's basically a metric radial version of the old 7.50X16 which many Cruisers come with from the factory.

Hope that helps.

 

[bullsac]

Mike,
John here at Proffitt's Cruisers. I've been thinking about your truck lately and if I remember correctly, you are running 33X9.50 BFG AT's?

For as much weight as you plan on running, you might consider going with a 16" rim and tire.

Or at least going with a 33X10.50. I am not a big fan of the 9.50's. They are OK for a lighter vehicle but they have too much sidewall compared to the tread thus allowing a lot of flex in the sidewall. I think with your rack and the weight you will be carrying, your 9.50's are not going to last very long. They will wear out quite fast and potentially be dangerous if the sidewall fails.

And....... try finding a 33X9.50 tire south of the border.

If you go with a 16" rim, the tires will have a higher load range and be better suited for what you are doing.

I would go with a 255/85R16 (33X10.50) or even a 235/85R16 (32X9 +/-). The 255's are great tires however a fairly new size. This size may not be too common down south. I may go with the 235's if I were you. They are very plentiful down south as this is a very common truck tire all over the world. It's basically a metric radial version of the old 7.50X16 which many Cruisers come with from the factory.

Hope that helps.

I second this. I put a set of Toyo MT 255/85/16 on a customers rig. They were installed on a split rim wheel and they held up to his very heavy FJ60.

Weighed it at a roadside scale and he was sitting at 7600 pounds with family and gear.

I will check to see what load rating the tires were, Load range D I believe.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

I believe the 255/85R16 comes in a load range D. I don't think I have seem them in a load range E.
You can get the 235/85R16 in a load range D or E from most tire manufactureres.

 

[Pskhaat]

I need IDEAS for a rack that extends out over the hood...to be able to mount a rooftop tent up there

Might I suggest placing the RTT as far forward as possible. My rooftent is too wide to open over the hood but if I had a smaller tent, I would by all means have it open over the hood to make appropriate use of camp space. The other reason is that I did not prefer the cruiser's ride and total rear load with the RTT's weight situated aft. Moving it forward (as much as I could) helped.

For years I ran my LC80 without sway bars. With the RTT I wish I had stiffer ones. Everyone's stated avoid the weight atop, but if unavoidable consider some beefier/modified F&R sway bars to help stability.

Not that I've traveled much south of the US border by vehicle in the last 10 years, but I'd heed the 235/85r16 advise, some wheel spacers and some Toyota 16" wheels are a good ticket.

 

[masterplumber]

Tires

Just my $.02 the 255\85 - 16 has been around a long time at least from BFG. The Wescots ran them at least as far back as the Turtle III when they went for 1 1/2 years thru SO America. There were on the Turtle IV when they went thru Siberia & they still run them on the Turtle IV. Vehicle weight shouldn't be a problem - the Turtles weight about 12k when loaded for an expedition.

 

[silverton62]

Great Advice

Yes, I must agree. The weight overall will require a different tire than what I have now. Too bad, these are new, and I have 5 on Toyota rims
I will have to upgrade rims as well to get this done. I am a big fan of steel rims, so may stay that way, and go with 255/85/16.
Are there any other recommended brands out there for this size? I have always ran BFG either AT KO or the Mud Terrain tires.
Thanks again John! I had not thought of tires yet...
I will be in touch tomorrow, if you are there, or Monday.

 

[cruiser guy]

I don't see lockers in your plans. If I were to suggest anything I'd be suggesting lockers. When you're in the mud we find down here in Guatemala and Mexico your open diff FJ62 will quickly be a two wheel drive with one front and one rear wheel spinning!

 

[silverton62]

Yep, locker too.

I am gonna try and get a locker in before leaving Nov.7th. The parts are now ordered from ARB, H55F ordered too. Waiting to drop off the truck soon.
Meantime, I have stripped the interior carpet, seats and CLEANED out 20 years of sand and spilled sodas. Looking to add vinyl or rubberized matting, and not carpeting. Also having a rear drawer storage system built for carrying parts, spares, whatever, out of view, and secured.

 

[cruiser guy]

A locker as in one? My recommendation is both ends though if cash is tight then the rear is the way to go. The H55 is nice but as you head south the need is less and less. Once you get to Central America there really isn't much in the way of "Interstates". Yes, there is a few miles in several of the countries that you can get into 5th on but not enough to make it worthwhile.

 

[the dude]

Lockers are a great recommendation. I think it was Mark Watley that gave me a great piece of advice with my Cruiser. Build it for the 5%. The rest will be easy if you do that. I think he was right. 85% of what we drive could be done in two wheel drive, 10% we need 4x4 and a modest tire. But for that 5% you better have bigger tires and be locked up if you plan on having a chance of getting over the obstacle in front of you...

 

[silverton62]

Alternator troubles

Yesterday I woke to work on the Cruiser as usual, and noticed an unusually high voltage coming out the alternator/regulator. 15.35 volts was measured at the batteries! I pulled the old alternator, and am putting in a rebuilt unit today. I have never seen 15 volts come out an alternator.
I plan to drop off my truck possibly late this week, for the mods to start @ ProffittsCruisers.