[STRRAYNGE]

Ok guys, here is my build thread, sort of. Maybe I should call it an After Build Thread? It is short and sweet pretty much, mainly just pics. I should have started a thread on this when I first got her, but I didnt. My apologies for doing this now, and for having everything all cluttered together all at once.

Ok, here is how she sat when I got her. 1996 T4R, 5sp, 4x4, bone stock. Day after I got home with her this past December.

[STRRAYNGE]

Here she sits a week or so later, after I installed my 1st 3" lift. This lift was just the Toytec 389.00 spring only lift and top 1/2" spacers. Looked good, then at least, but still not satisfied. It worked for a little while. Sporting the stock 265/70/16 tires.

[STRRAYNGE]

Ok, another week or so passed, and I decided to install the 2" Body Lift from Toytec. True, it wasnt needed, but I like it either way. Lift was super easy to install. Did it in my little 1 car garage/shed one night. Think it was about 15 degrees outside. Wouldve been a little better if I had some help, but I managed by myself pretty good!! Still sporting the stock 265/70/16 tires.

[STRRAYNGE]

Ok, finally got rid of those street tires, and found a decent deal on some 90% tread life left, Goodyear Wrangler Authority 265/75/16 tires on CL for 350.00. I think they looked pretty good, they performed well in the snow, on the street, and didnt have much road noise. Only downfall is they werent really that soft of a compound, and felt really hard on the road. Wife got these as hand me downs not too long ago after I finally got my Duratracs!! Im happy, shes happy, its all good!!!

[STRRAYNGE]

Couple of the best mods ive done so far here. Installed my Addicted Off Road Front Tube Bumper and Rock Sliders!! Oh and my XRC8 Winch!! I felt almost unstoppable at this point!! But, on a side note, I definitely wasnt unstoppable! I learned that very quickly!! Family and I took a short trip out towards Red Feathers, and tried to take a side road for some scenery and some pics. Ended up stuck in about 2 feet of snow, no phone reception, nobody esle out where we were, about 20 degrees out, 40 mph winds, and straight up SOL!! Thank GOD for my winch and a little bitty pine tree. I was able to winch us out. ALOT more to this story, but too embarrassed to talk about!! Sporting my 265/75/16's here. Still need better tire!

Also, no pics of these mods, but after getting stuck that day, I went and bought factory complete hub to hub E-Locker rearend and front diff. Upgraded from open diff 4.10 to e-locker 4.30. And installed matching 4.30 front diff. Wasnt wired for the locker, but after some googling, and about 15 minutes building a harness, I had my locker up and running!!! Super easy!!

[SantaCruzRunner]

Nice truck! what kind of shocks are you runnin with the OME kit?

[STRRAYNGE]

Ok, getting near present time now. My next mods were, CB Radio with fender mount antenna, Toytec adjustable front coilovers, blacking everything out, and 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs!!!

[STRRAYNGE]

And here she sits as of today. Everything as posted above, but in these, I finally installed my Yakima Load Warrior roof rack!!

Ok, this is my short and sweet thread as of today. Im almost positive that there will be more in a week or two. But shes come a LONG way since December! Would have alot more done, but I had to build up my wifes ZJ Grand Cherokee as well while building mine. She would have left me if I didnt!!

(ALL work done by me and only me. I dont trust anyone else enough to pay them to mess up my stuff!!!)


Oh, and no, im not trying to be a SA, but yes, I feel TOUGH!!

[STRRAYNGE]

Originally Posted by SantaCruzRunner

Nice truck! what kind of shocks are you runnin with the OME kit?

Thanks!! Sorry, you caught me in the middle of posting everything. Im running the Toytech Ultimate kit on mine now, shocks and all.

[SantaCruzRunner]

Originally Posted by STRRAYNGE

Thanks!! Sorry, you caught me in the middle of posting everything. Im running the Toytech Ultimate kit on mine now, shocks and all.

oh sweet! is it worth it? im thinking about saving up for it

[STRRAYNGE]

Originally Posted by SantaCruzRunner

oh sweet! is it worth it? im thinking about saving up for it

Definitely save up for it! Dont waste your time or money going the long route like I did.

But it also depends on what you plan on doing with your runner? I built mine for using it every weekend, weather permitting or not, to go off-roading. I love getting out where most cant go!

[PitbullRescuer]

How did you go about painting the chrome bumper? Truck looks great BTW. I dig the black split spokes too.

[STRRAYNGE]

Originally Posted by PitbullRescuer

How did you go about painting the chrome bumper? Truck looks great BTW. I dig the black split spokes too.

Honestly, I sanded the crap out of the chrome, and painted it with spray on bedliner. I might end up changing that soon, due to ease of cleaning, but thus far, im having no issues and it is cleaning up fine. I wanted to go with a shiny look to match the paint, but went this route instead. I like it.

[SantaCruzRunner]

Originally Posted by STRRAYNGE

Definitely save up for it! Dont waste your time or money going the long route like I did.

But it also depends on what you plan on doing with your runner? I built mine for using it every weekend, weather permitting or not, to go off-roading. I love getting out where most cant go!

Ill probably save up for it, i off road often so thats where id need it. did you install it yourself?

[STRRAYNGE]

Originally Posted by SantaCruzRunner

Ill probably save up for it, i off road often so thats where id need it. did you install it yourself?

Then definitely save up and do it right the first time! I learned the hard way. And yes, everything ive done to my runner, I did myself. I just dont trust anyone else to work on it. That way I know that the work was actually done and done right. I know that not everyone can do that, due to tools, etc, but the lifts on these are pretty easy, and you can do the loan-a-tool from autozone for pretty much anything you need to do.