Alright. It's time to get started on this whole build thread mess. I'll start by formally introducing myself. My name is Michael, I'm 19, from Houston,TX, and a proud owner of a 2000 SR5 3.4 V6. My first car was a clunker - a 1994 GMC Suburban. I sure did love that truck, though.
This is Big Red the day we traded her in. We got $800, which is way more than what we were expecting.
Ah, here she is. She was a corporate lease so she was taken care of for the most part. Whoever drove it was a smoker, but nothing a few air fresheners couldn't fix. She had 164K. The salesman said the radio, dome lights, as well as the rear window didn't work (it turned out to be a fuse for the radio and dome lights, and a disconnected harness for the rear window). There were no floor mats and I was forced to by some cheap @ss ones from AutoZone. If anyone knows where I can find some OEM mats, that'd be awesome. Also, the rear key latch had been broken off and is depressed into the license trim thingamabob.
My first "mod" happened as soon as I pulled into the driveway. I ran to my room, grabbed my stash of Apple stickers (I've been obsessed with Apple since I was like 8) and stuck one on the rear window.
I kept my Kenwood from Big Red and installed it into the 4Runner (after replacing the fuse, of course).
My next task was getting an alarm. I just wanted something simple: keyless entry, locks when I turn on vehicle, unlocks when I turn off vehicle... simple. So I got this Prestige alarm. It was fairly cheap and I was in and out in about two hours. There's an option for remote start which may or may not be put to use in the future.
For Christmas/Birthday (only 5 days apart), my parents bought me 2 Rockford Fosgate P12's and an Alpine Amp. That is my most recent mod.
This is pretty much what my Runner looks like today (with the exception of the tacky stealership license plate).
I have quite a few mods that I'd like to get done which is what this thread is mainly about.
The first big mod that will hopefully get done as soon as I get my tax refund is bigger tires. My 4R has the stock 235/75/15. I'd like to step it up to at least 265/75/15 (I don't think they make "275/75/15," do they)? At that point, I will take the running boards off. It'll give the illusion of being higher but it won't have the donut wheels, at least I assume. I'll also have to buy the mudguards like the
metal head did so the flares don't look silly.
My next mod (which will probably happen first) is to install a CB. I've already (as in thirty minutes ago) ordered the super-amazingly-awesome
CB mount that Drifter33 fabricated and was made famous by
COB, as well as my
4' Firestik Firefly from Amazon, and I already have a Cobra 18. So this thread will most definitely be updated soon.
If funds permit, I will either be getting a Flowmaster 40 series or Magnaflow 18". Aside from that, the only other projects will be to redo the interior LED's like
Fo_Sheezy has (minus the floor lights) and PlastiDip the trim and bumpers like
COB and
NickF have. Eventually I'll get a grille guard and some fog lights.
Oh, how could I forget? A lift. My 4R is a 2WD, so there won't necessarily be any crazy off roading goin' on. However here in Houston, especially during the wet season, it can flood out of nowhere and having a truck is almost a necessity in some parts of town. A lift would just make things a bit easier. Also, I have family out in the country and I think there are a few trails that they take 4 Wheelers down and such. I work in the "artsy" part of town and if it's possible, I'd like a lift that allows me to drive over all the "individuals" with fixies that insist on driving in the middle of the road. So Gay (Okay that last part was a joke).
I've read a few different things when it comes to suspension and quite frankly I'm down right confused. I've seen what a few people have done and I'm not too sure which would be the best for me.
•COB did
this and that's a pretty modest lift. However, is that all that's necessary?
•
Econhonda used OME
881's and
906's for his lift, but that required new shocks as well. Is that pretty much with any lift?
Toytec has the
2.5" Lift with spacers and rear OME coils, the "
Best Seller," and
the Complete OME Suspension...
wuz all dis den?!
So drop some knowledge on this grasshopper if you will. It'll be greatly appreciated.
Also if you haven't already, check out ChildrenofBodom's build thread. That sh!t's inspirational right thurr.