FJ Bruisers

Bought my FJ in May of 2006. For Christmas ‘06, I asked for a Manik “Bull Bar” (a ghetto fab chrome light bar). Boy, I had a lot to learn about modding… Then, I promptly rear-ended an old lady in Atlantic City on New Year’s – successfully destroying the ghetto fab light bar and my stock bumper beneath. I posted my sad story on the Blue Room asking if anyone had a spare front bumper they’d be willing to part with on the cheap. This is how I met Ben. So, with Ben’s front bumper, I was back to stock.

I still had my running boards on (I really had a lot to learn), and bought a brush guard secondhand from a Blue Roomer in Pittsburgh. This brush guard served a long and dutiful life until Rich mercilessly destroyed it running down blind nuns.

I switched my running boards (slightly bent and mangled by this point) for OEM Toyota Rock Rails (once again, purchased from Ben). I also added a set of $20 JC Whitney driving lights. Best. Twenty bucks. Ever. The red thing is my Hi-Lift strapped on with a locking bike cable.

A mere 2 days after getting the FJ detailed, I get rear ended on I-395.  >:( But, the guy’s insurance company paid for 95% of my new All Pro rear bumper!

Then, at MudFling II, Sarah won the 40% discount from MetalTech! So, next on was the MetalTech front bumper (with bash plate):

Sam gave me a Bandi mount, and Doug gave me a K-40 antenna, so here they are together. Doug also fabbed a bracket to fit.

I picked up some more $20 lights (this time from AutoZone) and bought Trevor’s All Pro front and tranny skids:

Then, Rick bought new tires and gave me his old Hankook MT’s. And Sarah bought me a snorkel for Christmas 2008:

As you can see, almost my entire build has been due to the generosity (and/or spare parts) of others. So I want to say “THANK YOU” to everyone who has contributed to my rig over the past 2+ years – Ben, Doug, Rick, Sarah, Sam, the guy who hit me on 395, and everyone else!