- Joined
- Oct 6, 2018
- Messages
- 16
- Age
- 26
Hey all,
First, thanks to Steven and everyone who helped in starting this forum, I also apologize for taking FOREVER to do this.....
Let me Introduce myself..
I am Trevor Knopp, or TeamBroverland On instagram, My goal is to build the best, Most Capable, street-able, IFS FJC I can. Along with spreading my knowledge with others on some tips and secrets I have learned while building this thing.
The TBL FJC has been through a couple renditions, but it is almost in its finally stage. lets take you through the history and through its future plans.
I had been looking for a Toyota for awhile, for 6 months or so, I went back and forth between 2nd gen Tacos, 4Runners and FJ's. the goal was a 4wd rig to take me hunting and camping in. I finally decided in December I was going with and FJ, with an Auto and a Rear locker. which was a major selling point out of the 4R and Taco. Tacos were too expensive and 4runners lacked some of those things I was really looking for, the CDL and No locker option shied me away.
December, 30th 2016.
Well lets rewind, I had seen this gorgeous Sandstorm FJ Cruiser at a local dealer. Towards the beginning of December. On the 30th I called the dealer and Told them if they would take 18K I would come take a look, if everything checked out, I would Buy it that day.... To my surprise they called me back a few hours later and dropped the price from 23,500 to 18,300, being the end of the year, I had a feeling they would want to clear some inventory, since it had defiantly been there more then 30 days. I had my eye on this one, because it had a small lift and 33" K02's. That night, I fell In love with that rig and bought it. It was one of the greatest feeling, buying something like that at the age of 20, I was so excited to share it with my bestfriend and my girlfriend of 4 years, but I wanted to wait to show her in person... which I did the next night.
A few days later.. January 3rd I took it snow wheeling, which was supposed to be a shooting trip. Pew Pew. turned into a 4low, rear locker on, snow plow fest.. I WAS HOOKED! It did not take long to start draining my bank account and spending all the overtime cash I could on making what this is today.
I started getting behind the wheel, getting the experience I could and figuring out the next big step for the FJ. Realizing I needed more travel, I ordered up the Metal Tech 4x4, "Rear Long Travel Kit" after a-lot of research. I Spent some time measuring bump stops and modifying them to squeeze out EVERY inch of travel I could. whats the point in having it, if you cant use it? I kept wheeling and Kept pushing it, knowing I was going to need a few more things, better front suspension, a bumper and a winch to get me through those tough times... ya know? I got some Icon Coil overs, Total Chaos Upper Control arms, Metal Tech Tube bumper, and a Warn VR8S. These items stayed the course while I grew as a driver, the more I wheeled the more ground clearance I wanted... Needing tires I made a decision I will never regret and Jumped to 35/12.50's, with Cooper Tire, STT Pro's. Part of this decision was knowing Gears were in the future, I wheeled a short time on stock gears, rocks and snow. I debated back and forth on weather or not I wanted a front locker. That was a decision dependent on fiance, knowing the future of this project I decided to LOCK IN (pun intended) on a front locker and the most aggressive gear ratio I would be comfortable with. shortly there after, I had one of the FEW 4.88, FRONT AND REAR locked FJ Cruisers....
This is where I thought I was done and I just started pushing every limit I could, testing every aspect I could before our (EPC) Moab Trip. lets jump to that.
Moab was one of the best experience OF MY LIFE, I pushed every aspect I could and more, I had a few goals set for Moab. some easier then others. Hells Gate, which I walked right up thanks to the most clutch spotter I could ask for, Thanks Richard. Next on the list, Was the Escalator, buttttt on the way, was Mickeys Hot tub, which i debated and told people it is something I wouldn't do.. But after Tyler Davis said "I don't think any Fj has been in the tub before" I backed up and started in, that being said, it started to lift a tire and decided against attempting to throttle out. I did meet my number 1 goal and completed the escalator. along with Kanes Creek, Moab Rim (my fav trail), gold bar, Poison Spider, part of rusty nail and much more... As corny as it sounds, I met some of the best people I know on this trip and can call my best friends now.. A HUGE THANK YOU to Tyler Davis for not only showing us Moab, being an encyclopedia the whole trip and photographing as much as he could! Love you Brother..
Once I was home I started shopping again. It is kinda like going to the grocery store hungry, but like 641684135468x as expensive.. A week or so later I saw An LT kit go up for-sale. Stupid cheap... we all know what happened next.... long story short I completely rebuilt this kit, Axles and all. and still saved a few G's.. Along with adding Dobinson USA MRR LT shocks, Plastics Guy Duro Bumps, and GETTING MY DREAM BUMPER. Resz Fab V2 3 Hoop..
Future Plans are up Grading the rear axle to something bigger, like an 8.2 or a diamond or a rock jock. Who knows, in the mean time I am going to enjoy this DREAM TRUCK of mine, put it through its paces and share my experiences with all of you!!
CURRENT BUILD
\/ \/ \/
allprooffroad+2” LT
Fox Coilovers
totalchaosfabrication axles
cryoheat treated Outer CV’s (coming) .
.
Rear suspension
dobinsonsusa 677v Progressive Coils
Dobinson MRR Shocks/ Resi (Order from @treatyoakoffroad) .
.
Tires
coopertire STT Pro 35/12.50
Toyota Off-road package wheels .
.
Drive Train
nitrogears 4.88
Factory Rear Elocker
arb4x4usa Front Locker .
.
Front End
reszfab V2 3 Hoop Bumper
warnindustries VR10-S
factor55llc Flat
.
.
Armor
official_trailgear Sliders
rcioffroad Full Skids. .
.
arb4x4usa Awning and Room .
.
hiliftjacks 48” .
Full RCI Skid Plates..
First, thanks to Steven and everyone who helped in starting this forum, I also apologize for taking FOREVER to do this.....
Let me Introduce myself..
I am Trevor Knopp, or TeamBroverland On instagram, My goal is to build the best, Most Capable, street-able, IFS FJC I can. Along with spreading my knowledge with others on some tips and secrets I have learned while building this thing.
The TBL FJC has been through a couple renditions, but it is almost in its finally stage. lets take you through the history and through its future plans.
I had been looking for a Toyota for awhile, for 6 months or so, I went back and forth between 2nd gen Tacos, 4Runners and FJ's. the goal was a 4wd rig to take me hunting and camping in. I finally decided in December I was going with and FJ, with an Auto and a Rear locker. which was a major selling point out of the 4R and Taco. Tacos were too expensive and 4runners lacked some of those things I was really looking for, the CDL and No locker option shied me away.
December, 30th 2016.
Well lets rewind, I had seen this gorgeous Sandstorm FJ Cruiser at a local dealer. Towards the beginning of December. On the 30th I called the dealer and Told them if they would take 18K I would come take a look, if everything checked out, I would Buy it that day.... To my surprise they called me back a few hours later and dropped the price from 23,500 to 18,300, being the end of the year, I had a feeling they would want to clear some inventory, since it had defiantly been there more then 30 days. I had my eye on this one, because it had a small lift and 33" K02's. That night, I fell In love with that rig and bought it. It was one of the greatest feeling, buying something like that at the age of 20, I was so excited to share it with my bestfriend and my girlfriend of 4 years, but I wanted to wait to show her in person... which I did the next night.
A few days later.. January 3rd I took it snow wheeling, which was supposed to be a shooting trip. Pew Pew. turned into a 4low, rear locker on, snow plow fest.. I WAS HOOKED! It did not take long to start draining my bank account and spending all the overtime cash I could on making what this is today.
I started getting behind the wheel, getting the experience I could and figuring out the next big step for the FJ. Realizing I needed more travel, I ordered up the Metal Tech 4x4, "Rear Long Travel Kit" after a-lot of research. I Spent some time measuring bump stops and modifying them to squeeze out EVERY inch of travel I could. whats the point in having it, if you cant use it? I kept wheeling and Kept pushing it, knowing I was going to need a few more things, better front suspension, a bumper and a winch to get me through those tough times... ya know? I got some Icon Coil overs, Total Chaos Upper Control arms, Metal Tech Tube bumper, and a Warn VR8S. These items stayed the course while I grew as a driver, the more I wheeled the more ground clearance I wanted... Needing tires I made a decision I will never regret and Jumped to 35/12.50's, with Cooper Tire, STT Pro's. Part of this decision was knowing Gears were in the future, I wheeled a short time on stock gears, rocks and snow. I debated back and forth on weather or not I wanted a front locker. That was a decision dependent on fiance, knowing the future of this project I decided to LOCK IN (pun intended) on a front locker and the most aggressive gear ratio I would be comfortable with. shortly there after, I had one of the FEW 4.88, FRONT AND REAR locked FJ Cruisers....
This is where I thought I was done and I just started pushing every limit I could, testing every aspect I could before our (EPC) Moab Trip. lets jump to that.
Moab was one of the best experience OF MY LIFE, I pushed every aspect I could and more, I had a few goals set for Moab. some easier then others. Hells Gate, which I walked right up thanks to the most clutch spotter I could ask for, Thanks Richard. Next on the list, Was the Escalator, buttttt on the way, was Mickeys Hot tub, which i debated and told people it is something I wouldn't do.. But after Tyler Davis said "I don't think any Fj has been in the tub before" I backed up and started in, that being said, it started to lift a tire and decided against attempting to throttle out. I did meet my number 1 goal and completed the escalator. along with Kanes Creek, Moab Rim (my fav trail), gold bar, Poison Spider, part of rusty nail and much more... As corny as it sounds, I met some of the best people I know on this trip and can call my best friends now.. A HUGE THANK YOU to Tyler Davis for not only showing us Moab, being an encyclopedia the whole trip and photographing as much as he could! Love you Brother..
Once I was home I started shopping again. It is kinda like going to the grocery store hungry, but like 641684135468x as expensive.. A week or so later I saw An LT kit go up for-sale. Stupid cheap... we all know what happened next.... long story short I completely rebuilt this kit, Axles and all. and still saved a few G's.. Along with adding Dobinson USA MRR LT shocks, Plastics Guy Duro Bumps, and GETTING MY DREAM BUMPER. Resz Fab V2 3 Hoop..
Future Plans are up Grading the rear axle to something bigger, like an 8.2 or a diamond or a rock jock. Who knows, in the mean time I am going to enjoy this DREAM TRUCK of mine, put it through its paces and share my experiences with all of you!!
CURRENT BUILD
\/ \/ \/
allprooffroad+2” LT
Fox Coilovers
totalchaosfabrication axles
cryoheat treated Outer CV’s (coming) .
.
Rear suspension
dobinsonsusa 677v Progressive Coils
Dobinson MRR Shocks/ Resi (Order from @treatyoakoffroad) .
.
Tires
coopertire STT Pro 35/12.50
Toyota Off-road package wheels .
.
Drive Train
nitrogears 4.88
Factory Rear Elocker
arb4x4usa Front Locker .
.
Front End
reszfab V2 3 Hoop Bumper
warnindustries VR10-S
factor55llc Flat
.
.
Armor
official_trailgear Sliders
rcioffroad Full Skids. .
.
arb4x4usa Awning and Room .
.
hiliftjacks 48” .
Full RCI Skid Plates..
)
