[4runnerHokie]

as she sits 12/20/15





New to the forum, but ive been admiring everybody's 3rd gens for a while. Last car was a 2002 Sr5 with 190k miles, but I sold it to buy something with lower mileage and in cleaner condition. Picked up this:



136k Miles, great condition (especially the interior), and runs great. Couple more pics:





To do (Non purchased mods):
-Black out logos
-Remove running boards
-Edit: Double din kenwood head unit (Already had from last rig)

Purchased (Waiting to arrive)
-Borla XR1 Muffler (From youtube videos sounds pretty mean, not too much drone)
-Level 8 Mk6 in Bronze (16x8 -10 offset)
-JBL 6.5" front door speakers
-DC Sports exhaust tip
-Yakima control towers, bar, and fairing
-18x12' Mud flaps. Yes, i like the look of large boxy flaps, and they will protect my paint when the running boards are gone
-Decals, decals, and MOAR DECALS. I dont like obnoxious placement really, but i love stickered out fairings, and trunk side window decals.

In the future:
-OME coils, spacers
-Replace oem sliders
-Roof basket, probably full length low profile
-265/75r16 BFG AT
-Tundra brake upgrade
-Insulation tape in doors, maybe floor

Progress may be slow, but after this first round of mods I will have a nice daily driveable rig and should be able to hold myself over until i can afford the next couple.

[4runnerHokie]

Here are the wheels i ordered. They seem to have become pretty popular along with all the other Level 8 wheels. Well priced and look great.



16x8 -10 offset
Will probably cover the ugly 8 logo with a trd decal.
Updates soon with rims installed, a video of the muffler, and everything coming together!

[98WhiteT4R]

Nice rig, you'll like the Borla... Almost no drone and doesn't sound like a ricer.

[4runnerHokie]

Thanks! Im really happy with the condition of the paint and undercarriage. And yeah, heard great things about the Borla. Little more expensive than magnaflow, and a lot more expensive than flowmaster, but sounds less obnoxious in my opinion.

[Tyota89]

What jbl speakers are you getting? I use to run all jbl equipment back when I first started. One of the best sounding speakers I had.

I am wanting the borla exhaust. It would probably be after my lift. I wanted the level 8s too but think I will go a different route. Your rig should be a looking good once you get all these parts on.. Subscribed.

[4runnerHokie]

Heres a link to the jbls: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003KN..._t3_B003KN2TF8

Had them in my last 3rd gen paired with the same headunit and they sounded great. Eventually ill get a sub setup but im not a real basshead, just like clean tight bass.

I kinda jumped on the borla as soon as I heard it in a video, and lift is probably my next priority, but yeah after these mods go on itl definitely be looking clean. Havent seen many bronze rims on silver trucks and while im still a little skeptical, I think itll turn out well.

[4runnerHokie]

Looking for some advice on how to proceed with this build.

First, rust stuff. The frame is in great condition for being a northeast car, and id like to keep it that way. Ive heard that spray coatings can actually worsen the problem by allowing moisture to accumulate in the cracks and accelerate the rust process. Is this true, or is it just bogus? In any case, i wash my cars quite often, and that wash always consists of a body and undercarriage spray (pretty thorough). Will regular washing be enough to keep this frame lasting for another few years?

Next, some not as significant cosmetic stuff. As you know im going with bronze wheels when they arrive. I originally was going to black out the logos, as i think it looks good on silver, but I am now thinking of doing gold logos to keep the color scheme consistent? What do you think? And how should I go about it? Buy gold logos and replace the originals? Remove and paint the originals? Input/examples appreciated!

Final thoughts: I am also going to refresh all the black parts with some krylon, just get everything looking mint. Super excited to get things started!

[98WhiteT4R]

Originally Posted by 4runnerHokie

Looking for some advice on how to proceed with this build.

First, rust stuff. The frame is in great condition for being a northeast car, and id like to keep it that way. Ive heard that spray coatings can actually worsen the problem by allowing moisture to accumulate in the cracks and accelerate the rust process. Is this true, or is it just bogus? In any case, i wash my cars quite often, and that wash always consists of a body and undercarriage spray (pretty thorough). Will regular washing be enough to keep this frame lasting for another few years?

Next, some not as significant cosmetic stuff. As you know im going with bronze wheels when they arrive. I originally was going to black out the logos, as i think it looks good on silver, but I am now thinking of doing gold logos to keep the color scheme consistent? What do you think? And how should I go about it? Buy gold logos and replace the originals? Remove and paint the originals? Input/examples appreciated!

Final thoughts: I am also going to refresh all the black parts with some krylon, just get everything looking mint. Super excited to get things started!

I had a few surface rust spots on the undercarriage, I just hand sanded them down and used a spray can undercoat which has held up well.

The biggest thing I've seen cause undercarriage rust besides the obvious (snow, salt) is mud. Ive spent 3hrs cleaning my undercarriage after off roading in mud. My buddy didn't bother cleaning the mud off right away and after a few days when he finally cleaned it off there was already surface rust starting on his shocks. Don't know if you plan on doing much off roading but figured I'd mention that.

As for the logos, I'd go with black... the stock gold looks ridiclious on a rig thats been modified

[4runnerHokie]

Yeah, i will mostly be overlanding as the NE doesent have many good public trails. Not much muddling and almost no rock crawling, but i will wash mud out thoroughly when it accumulates.

I agree with you on the logos, it was just a thought. Maybe if i could paint them a matching bronze it would be better, but gold toyota logos are gaudy.

[98WhiteT4R]

Originally Posted by 4runnerHokie

Yeah, i will mostly be overlanding as the NE doesent have many good public trails. Not much muddling and almost no rock crawling, but i will wash mud out thoroughly when it accumulates.

I agree with you on the logos, it was just a thought. Maybe if i could paint them a matching bronze it would be better, but gold toyota logos are gaudy.

Just go to Lowes or Home Depot and pick any color you like for the logos...when I would look for a color I thought I wanted I'd always find something else in the store I liked better

[4runnerHokie]

Speakers are in! Amazon didnt have the JBLs available to ship quickly, so i opted for some Infinity Reference 6.5s of about the same spec. I have already installed the jbls succesfully in a 3rd gen, so it was a little bit of a risk, but I will hook them up tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes. Im reusing the factory bracket, sealing with caulking putty, and it should be good to go!

[96LTDrus]

Might want to add some basic maintenance to the build game plan. I always like to 'baseline' used vehicles that I buy before I go down the rabbit hole of mods. with 136k, when was the timing chain done last? Fluids?

Regarding undercoating, an oil based undercoating like Fluid Film or even old motor oil will creep into rust and arrest its further development for the most part. Wire brushing the loose stuff off, then a coat of rustoleum black paint, then a few weeks later I go over it with Fluid Film. Seems to be a working formula so far for me.

[4runnerHokie]

I have reciepts from the previous owner for t belt, water pump, new battery and alternator, and some basic gront end work. I also just purchased a trans cooler.

[4runnerHokie]

So heres the first round of mods (Except for the new wheels)
-Mud flaps
-Borla XR1
-stereo wiring harness
-keyfob
-exhaust tip
-putty caulk for sealing door speakers

Here are some more shots of the Borla. Cant wait to get her installed!

[MattJakobs]

VT guy? Looking good man, can't wait to see those wheels!