[Patsawasy]

So thanks to all that have been instrumental in the past couple weeks answering my last minute questions about the installation process for my new OME suspension. Just to note a few: Brian2Sun, Steezemcqueen, Elton, and Duhockey . You all rock, and there is a wealth of information on the forum thanks to everyone here. I would also like to note the extensive thread research that gave me countless pointers (Except for no mention that the top bold of the rear shock is a pain in the ass to remove). If I ever get to cross paths with any of y'all, I would like to buy you a beer to say my thanks.

But we digress to the more important matter at hand...Mods!

Unfortunately I do not have pictures handy from the beginning of my love affair with my 4Runner, so when I track them down, I will pop them up. In lieu of those photos, I will offer a brief timeline before the mods with photos. Feel free to skip to the good bits.

I bought her ("Molly") back in 2005. As a starving college student, mods have accumulated slowly, with some moments of transition which left her less than beautiful.

Since the purchase (and before I have photos), I have:

-Removed the factory running boards and flares. (Sold to a member here)
-Bought and later sold (for rent) scooped hood and fiberglass front flares.
-Hurculined the rocker panels, bumpers, rear license plate frame, and grill.
-De-badged the rig, with the exception of the Toyota logo.
-upgraded to an aftermarket JVC head unit.
-Installed, and subsequently removed 12" JL audio sub (too much base for punk rock).
-Downgraded to the black trim (I never thought the "wood" grain was ever pulled off well enough)
-Installed 285/75/16r Nitto Terra Grapplers.
-Installed a rear differential breather after blowing two axle seals.
-Painted the factory 16: wheels.
-Installed a fixed radio antenna, after an encounter with a low lying tree limb.
-Installed a K&N Intake system.

NOW FOR THE NEW BITS!

In the past +/- month, the old girl has gotten:

-New spark plugs
-New battery.
-A crap ton of fresh fluids
-Bushwacker fender flares
-A fresh coat of Hurculiner (the first round lasted about 2 years)
-New corner lenses and turn signals
-New rubber floor mats (Tired of cleaning the carpeted ones)
-A new lower valence piece for the front bumper.
-A good cleaning of the engine bay.
-A 1" differential drop.
-And the kicker... OME complete 3" suspension lift!

So without further delay... photos!

Arriving within a couple days of each-other I got all of this... The cat of course could not resist.



Here is everything installed.


For the next couple weeks, the weather was not cooperating, so I gave the engine and interior some attention. Heres how pretty she is now.

[Patsawasy]

Then of course the brown stork brought me 89lbs of joy.

So before we installed, we had to play a bit. Robo-arms.

The fronts before lift.

The rears before lift.

How we kept the rotor in place after the Lower Ball Joint was removed.


Before...

Fronts done.

After. (39" to the top of the wheel well)




More photos to come as soon as she is waxed and also when she gets a mud bath.

Pieces coming soon:

Two new shackles for recovery.
New splash guards to replaces the damaged OEM ones
Energy Suspension Poly Sway bushings F/R.
Trail grear sliders?
-tr4.org stickers for added horse power.

[durrell]

How did you get the residue from the adhesive off behind the wood grain? I want to do the same thing, but I tested it on the instrument cluster wood grain and it turned out really bad with all the white piece of adhesive left behind.

Also, rig looks great.

[Patsawasy]

Originally Posted by durrell

How did you get the residue from the adhesive off behind the wood grain? I want to do the same thing, but I tested it on the instrument cluster wood grain and it turned out really bad with all the white piece of adhesive left behind.

Also, rig looks great.

Thanks! She is finally getting back into some respectable shape. I was fortunate enough to have a friend with the black paneling who wanted wood grain, so we just did a swap.

I did however paint the paneling of my 90' Celica when I had one. It help up great. I Just sanded the finish off and hit it with some primer, and semi gloss krylon. It worked out great. If I were you I would go that route, unless you can get your hands on a donor. There always seems to be a thread starting about the upgrade, so you might be able to swap with someone.

[durrell]

Yeah, I may end up just having to pull and paint. It is really getting to be a pain peeling off and stuff. Thanks for the advice.

[brian2sun]

It looks awesome Patsawasy, congrats!!

[Duhockey]

Yep! looks great!

Great work! how much does that Herculiner run ya? and where did you get it?

[Patsawasy]

Originally Posted by Duhockey

Yep! looks great!

Great work! how much does that Herculiner run ya? and where did you get it?

Autozone, Napa, Kragen, or Schucks... et. all should have it. it comes in a quart and a gallon. If your just doing the rockers, a quart should cover it a couple coats worth, but with the bumpers, grill, and license plate, I went with the gallon to be sure I had enough. I have a bit left over which I might save for a touch up if needed down the line. The quart costs about $30, and the gallon is about $80, but the gallon also comes with a couple foam rollers, brush, and scouring pad. It took about 2.5 hours to do the whole thing, including taping and dry time between coats.

The gloss does fade to a flat over time. There is a couple week period in there where it kind of looks like peeling sun burnt skin. I just took a medium brush to it the first time to get it all off in one fell swoop (About 3 months after application). I have heard that some people add a clear coat to keep the shine, but I don't mind the flat look. It is bed liner after all.

[Elton H]

looks great soo far ... if you need help putting in a water pump or t belt ive got all the tools

[Patsawasy]

Originally Posted by Elton H

looks great soo far ... if you need help putting in a water pump or t belt ive got all the tools

Thanks Elton, I might have to take you up on that sometime this summer. I have been looking for an excuse to work my way down the coast a bit to hit some trails and do some camping. I can just make a big loop and come by your neck of the woods. I want to check out your rig anyways. My bets are just about done, and though my water pump seems to be working fine still, at 167,000mi, I might as well get it all done while in there.

[steezemcqueen]

looks great!

[bak3rme]

ur interior is pretty clean there.

[Patsawasy]

Originally Posted by bak3rme

ur interior is pretty clean there.

Thanks, but it's not normally the case, and I did user a clever camera angle or two to hide some carpet stains and small leather tears. Though for a 13 year old, she could be much worse.

[quicksilvr]

Nice rig! Were you at stock height when you first installed the 285 Terra Grapplers? Or did you have a spacer lift?

[Patsawasy]

I was below stock height. I was working with the origonal toyota suspension 167,000 miles later. When we got off the rear shocks, they were so dead I could fully compress them pretty easily with just my own two hands. Needless to say, the ride quality is hugely improved

It might be the 285s that gave it the perception of a spacer lift before. I have a small bit of rub on the frame at full turn. Nothing major. Though now with the lift, I am looking into some trail-gear wheel spacers because the upper arm is pretty close to the tire now. Not touching, but wheeling might be a small issue until they come.