Your Thoughts on Fafhrd 3.0

Haggis

Haggis

Adventurist
Senior Staff
Founding Member
...'cause I'm not sure what I want to do.

So eight years ago I bought this slightly used Tundra...

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Fafhrd version 1.0 if you will. Wasn't to long into my ownership that the transformation into an adventure/work truck hybrid began. Fafhrd 2.0 so to speak...

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Its been a great 8 years of ownership. Fafhrd has been a reliable member of the Clan Haggis adventure team providing exceptional service both as a play machine and as a work truck. Lately Fafhrd has got some new upgrades due to the Toyota frame recall and at 149,000 miles he still has a lot of life left in the old power-train. V8 power, good fuel consumption, very comfortable and roomy cabin have been the highlights of this truck. But after eight years one can get a wandering eye for new projects and my wife has been pushing me to replace the old Tundra with something new. But really, where can I find a V8 powered, mid-sized truck with the reliability of this one to replace it with. I haven't yet found a true replacement for this truck and while I like the wife's new Tacoma it feels like weak applesauce on the road compared to Fafhrd. So I have convinced the wife that we keep Fafhrd for a few more years (the boy gets the FJ for college and I have mixed feelings about this) and invest some funds into sprucing the old boy up as opposed to dumping a bunch of cash into a new ride.

But I don't know exactly what to do. New tires for sure as mine are getting worn down and I have been talking about a set of sliders to protect those long rockers but I find myself waffling on other mods or improvements. I'm not a farkle kind of guy but would like to upgrade the truck some. If you just picked this truck up what would you do?

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If it was me, I would put a shell on it, but I know where you stand on that front. ;-)

You might look into some additional lighting, subtle installation of course. Rock lights are great around camp.

I don't remember if you carry a winch or not, but having a quick connect in the front and rear of the truck is nice so you can use the winch in front or back as needed, along with bringing power to the back for whatever 12V needs you have at the time. You can't go too wrong with a plug and play solution.


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Seriously though, maybe sliders and a set of BFG AT KO2's

A vinyl wrap, or some sort of appearance refresh, might actually be fun and make it "new" again.
 
Agreed on sliders and new rubber. I'd look into an OEM type integration of a winch behind the front bumper if there is room to add one, if you see the need for it. Keep it simple and clean like the rest of the truck is already. Perhaps even try doing a smaller simpler change, like blackout or paint match the chrome on the truck.
 
BlkWgn said:
Put an American Adventurist mountain decal on the back end and call it good. If it has been a solid truck for you and does the job you ask then save the money for a Mountain Rendezvous trip to show off the new decal
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Well I got the old standby round AAV on the back glass...

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But one of the new mountian ones on the tailgate might look nice. BTW look for us out California way sometime next year...
 
Mr. Leary said:
If it was me, I would put a shell on it, but I know where you stand on that front. ;-)
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Damn you, I already bought one cap I didn't really want. ;) I already have a cap for Fafhrd. Its been sitting on the rack under the hard maple trees in the back yard for the last 5 years. Anybody need a cap for a 1st gen Tundra or T100?

Mr. Leary said:
You might look into some additional lighting, subtle installation of course. Rock lights are great around camp.
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Hadn't thought about that, its something to consider. Usually we and the people we camp with like it dark as possible when were out in the woods but there are times some light other than a headlamp would be nice.

Mr. Leary said:
I don't remember if you carry a winch or not, but having a quick connect in the front and rear of the truck is nice so you can use the winch in front or back as needed, along with bringing power to the back for whatever 12V needs you have at the time. You can't go too wrong with a plug and play solution.
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I already have a front receiver hitch mounted for just that purpose, just never got around to getting a winch for it. Now might be the time.

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Dave said:
That ExPo decal has to go :stir
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Old photo, see above current photo....ExPo sticker got removed with much violence and mayhem the day we walked away...

Dave said:
Seriously though, maybe sliders and a set of BFG AT KO2's
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Definitely sliders as hitting those long rockers has always been a concern. I'm leaning towards the Stubbs sliders as Allpro doesn't make a set for DC Tundras. As far as the BFGs...nah, they use to be my tire of choice back when our options for offroad tires were more limited. There ares so many good options these days. The BFGs don't work well in our environment (shale and coal tailings, clay and fibrous mud). I've had much better results with the Coopers, both the ST Maxxes and the AT3s. I'm going to put another set of ST Maxxes on the Tundra.

Dave said:
A vinyl wrap, or some sort of appearance refresh, might actually be fun and make it "new" again.
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I don't want anything too brash or shouts "Look at me!!!" Having a truck that looks like it belongs on an oilwell or logging site has been beneficial to me in the past. I am thinking about doing a hood black-out panel though with maybe the raven flag motif or possibly the AAV battle star.
 
richard310 said:
Perhaps even try doing a smaller simpler change, like blackout or paint match the chrome on the truck.
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Maybe paint matched, while I've always like a nice blacked out vehicle it has been over done as of late.
 
BlkWgn said:
Give me some notice and I will use some vacation days
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Look for a advice thread soon...

TangoBlue said:
Is that a threat or a warning?
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I always wondered why Chris left that beefcake picture of himself in the tent he borrowed from me at the last Appalachian Rendezvous. I had thought Paige had dropped it, now I'm not so sure....o_O
 
You didn't think he carried an ax in Death Valley to chop down trees, did you?
 
Along with the recommended sliders I would go with a rear locker of some type. I am partial to easy to do lunchbox style, as it is cheap and works well... That, some armor (like aforementioned sliders) in key locations, lights for working around the truck as mentioned... of one type or another... and camping gear as needed, though I think you have that covered already.
 
I'm at the same point with my rig, only keeping it for 2-3 more years. So only installing items that come off easy and can go to the next rig. Lighting, tools, recovery gear etc. Last fall I put some Blue Ridge Overland MOLLE panels on the back of my front seats with 4 pouches on the passenger seat and tools on the drivers seat. Most defiantly get the sliders! Those will be my first mod on the next truck.
 
After taking in all that you guys posted and doing some serous thinking I have come up with a modest plan. As I'm partial to subtle mods and for the fact that the truck just works for us as it is I'm not going to do anything to grand...

*New headlight bulbs, my originals are getting a bit dull.....Done

*New seat covers for my aging interior. The back seat is fine but the fronts are just now starting to show some wear.

*A set of full length sliders as the long, unprotected rockers have held me back from certain trails and areas in the past.

*New front shocks...I'm at nearly at 70,000 miles on this set of 5100s and they be getting week....Done

*A set of AirRides for the rear...I'm just getting a little bit of flatness in the Deavers and don't want to spring for another set of custom ones.

*New set of meats...probably stick with the Cooper ST Maxxes as they have been excellent for my use both in tread wear and traction in our enviroment. That is barring any good deals that come my way...Done.

*Possibly a Brute Force DC bumper but I might wait a year on that to see where I'm at on ownership of Fafhrd.

Like I said, nothing ground breaking just enough to keep the truck up and refreshed without it becoming a gear harlot. Thank you all for your input.
 
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