Featured Rig: Mikes Black Cherry

For this month’s featured rig we have a very unique FJ. To our knowledge, this is one of the only FJ’s in our small community to have a complete frame replacement through the dealer. For details on that situation, visit the FJ Cruiser Forums.

Mike’s ’07 Black Cherry FJ is built for expedition travels. In fact, he was part of the 2007 Disabled Explorers Continental Divide Expedition, so his truck has seen a few miles on the trail. This Black Cherry (Beauty) is easily recognizable, just look for the well used BC sporting a Baja Rack and a few Arizona pin stripes. If it’s missing the rear bumper, that’s probably Tibaal89’s truck.

Mikes mod list breaks down like this:
For under armor, Mike went all All Pro. The Transfercase/exhast skid, front skid, transfer skid, and rock sliders all came from All Pro Off Road. His front tube winch bumper was custom built, as was his ‘Ultimate’ rear bumper mod. His front end is lifted 2.5” using a FOX system from All Pro with the sway bar removed, and his rear uses All Pro springs, a 2” spacer, and FOX 2.0 shocks. Mike was one of the first to install & review the Baja Racks FJ Cruiser Roof Rack, and it’s usually loaded for an extended stay in the backcountry. The FJ rides on 275/70/17 Goodyear MT/R tires mounted to stock alloy wheels.

In the electronics department Mikes Black Cherry is ready for anything. He’s using a Radio Shack TRC-447 CB with a 3’ Firestik on a Bandi Mount, along with a Kenwood TR-7720 2m Amateur radio for communication. He mounted his laptop on a Jenico mount and runs Topo USA, USAPhotomaps, iGuidance, and Google Earth for navigation. There should be no getting lost when Mike’s in the group! He keeps all these electronics, his ARB MT45 Fridge/Freezer, and 2x 7” Kragen/Checker HID lights running smooth with a National Luna Dual Battery System.

There is no doubt that Mike’s Black Cherry is built for the long haul. If you’re ever looking for an expedition partner, give Tiball89 a shout, he’s ready to go!

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