[28.]

My official build thread.. Pretty short so far but hope to add to it as time and money allow.. Thnx for all the help to everyone who've contributed to this forum wether with pics or detailed how-to'... It all came in very handy.. Anyways eventually want to make this truck more long trip worthy, comfortable, and to where I can carry all my fishing and camping gear. I'm not much of a hunter so need to modify to carry plenty of fishing rods and all my gear with room for my Kayak as well..

04 Sport Edition 4WD V8

Anyways how she looked when I got her.. Sittin outside my shop day after hosin her down..


Shock replacement begins inside my shop..



The goodies I used with FJ coils also..


Pic showing sway bar disconnected..


Closer pic of where X-REAS line was disconnected


Used hammer to keep shock from turning while I undid top nut..


View from back..


FJ coils going in. Big difference...


Pic for comparison..


Rear back together..


Fronts..


Sways and X-REAS disconnected


Ball joint unbolted.. This method I think has to be the safest pending done properly..


Dont forget to mark your alingment cams before losening them.. 1500s wont go in without doing so.. At least not this way..


Used channel locks to hold shock while loosening top nut.



Finished..

[AleksV]

Looking good so far.

[AleksV]

Looking good so far.

[28.]

Removed pinstripes last weekend.. Talk about a PITA!!
Anyways used the blow dryer method which I'm sure most here know about already.. Some pics of process...

Starting out... And folks you have to commit once you start and it really does suck.. Especially on a vehicle thats had them for almost 10 years lol..



Removal.. Blow dryer and pocket knife.. tried an exacto knife but oddly enough my pocket knife worked much better..



Before..


After..


Finished..I don't know if you'll can see them but all those little pieces on the floor that look like tin foil are the bits of pinstripe from where the stripe was just so old it would break almost istantly..




Also got my running boards off..

[kris022]

Very Nice!! Where abouts in Texas are you from?

[Mytoy4]

Lookin' good! Look forward to seeing it progress

[28.]

Thanks folks really appreciate the nice words. Kris I live about 30 minutes North of Amarillo.. And Terri hoping mine looks as nice as yours some day. Your Runner looks exceptional..

[oljedi11950]

Originally Posted by Mytoy4

Lookin' good! Look forward to seeing it progress

She 's as bad as NJShadow93 & strato blue , with white one's !

[Evan B]

I don't know if it was the pin stripes or the running boards but that last change made a big difference. Looks great.

[28.]

Tint..


And LEDs.. Sorry for crap cell phone pic but its like 4 in the morning..

[28.]

Put the running boards back on til I get some nerf bars or sliders cause my wife is only 4'10 and was having hell getting in and out lol..

[28.]

Painted my grill and rear bumper..









results..

[28.]

Did the 12v charger inlets on my passenger front and back door. Only did these 2 since its just me, my wife, and our daughter. Got the idea from this thread and it worked great...

DIY: 12volt socket/outlet in your door panels

Pics..

Basic stuff I used...


2 bolts holding door in place. One is behind the door handle and the other behind the door latch..


Drilled hole.. Be careful as to not let the drill ride on you when you start..


Installed.. front passenger


and working..


rear passenger working..


They sell various types of 12v inlets. I got these because I absolutely need them with a lid.. These are actually meant to be used on motorcycles. Got them on EBAY..

[28.]

Painted my roof rack and made my rod holders for inside and outside. Tube mainly used for tarp though..




Made my own homemade fishing rod holder with 1&1/2 inch PVC and an aluminum clothes hanger rod from walmart..


Also trying to come up with some brackets to place my PVC rod holder on my roof rack to eventually have it to where I can use it then take it off easily..


Also got my window vent visors on.. I use the 3m type. I know they aren't the popular ones to use but they're less of a hassle for me.. Any other ideas are welcome and appreciated.. Next I think is more lights.. I need some reverse LEDs and some under carriage lighting to work with the doors..

[28.]

Came up with an idea to use electrical conduit and bungee cords to mount my storage tube..


Worked great