[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

Nope, have the 2005 headlights retrofitted. I have test fitted the grille and the only clearance issue I ran into was between the grille and bumper itself - which will be a non-issue once my Demello bumper is ready; I figure being patient and not cutting into my stock bumper just to be able to fit a new grille will pay off in case I decide to sell the stock bumper in the future.

BTW I like the new signature pic, looks tight

thanks man. I'm shocked you didn't have any issues. I'm still fitting mine, it's been two months. I hit the subframe on the headlights. The 03 headlights go \/ while the 06+ go /\ so the subframe has a spot to rest. Good call on waiting for the bumper, i trimmed the grille instead of the bumper and just removed the black trim piece.

[sluggercz]

Originally Posted by HB 4X4

Nice looking build!

Thanks man

Originally Posted by zopperman

thanks man. I'm shocked you didn't have any issues. I'm still fitting mine, it's been two months. I hit the subframe on the headlights. The 03 headlights go \/ while the 06+ go /\ so the subframe has a spot to rest. Good call on waiting for the bumper, i trimmed the grille instead of the bumper and just removed the black trim piece.

Yeah I didn't want to compromise what the small amount of structural integrity the grille had after removing the center piece; the only place I do get some rubbing is between the grille subframe and the trim pieces that shit below the headlights. It's no more than a couple mm's of overlap so I'll probably just sand both surfaces down a bit.

Last thing I have to do is get a longer piece of metal rod for the grille latch as the 2005 latch sits about an inch higher.

[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

Thanks man



Yeah I didn't want to compromise what the small amount of structural integrity the grille had after removing the center piece; the only place I do get some rubbing is between the grille subframe and the trim pieces that shit below the headlights. It's no more than a couple mm's of overlap so I'll probably just sand both surfaces down a bit.

Last thing I have to do is get a longer piece of metal rod for the grille latch as the 2005 latch sits about an inch higher.

You can use some solid 14 AWG copper wire.

[sluggercz]

Originally Posted by zopperman

You can use some solid 14 AWG copper wire.

That could work, I was also thinking of using a brass brazing rod - it seems to be the right thickness.

[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

That could work, I was also thinking of using a brass brazing rod - it seems to be the right thickness.

Good idea. Can you do me a solid and take some pics of the fitment of your grille when you have a chance? I'm struggling not to cut out the spot welds on the subframe on the driver side where the metal frame is rubbing against my headlights. Grille has been sitting on my mantle for months since I can't get the fit right and don't know how to weld if I cut of the frame. i bolted it together through an existing hole so hopefully that will hold.

You didn't shorten the grille, did you?

[sluggercz]

Originally Posted by zopperman

Good idea. Can you do me a solid and take some pics of the fitment of your grille when you have a chance? I'm struggling not to cut out the spot welds on the subframe on the driver side where the metal frame is rubbing against my headlights. Grille has been sitting on my mantle for months since I can't get the fit right and don't know how to weld if I cut of the frame. i bolted it together through an existing hole so hopefully that will hold.

You didn't shorten the grille, did you?

Nope didn't shorten it. Do you want pictures of the grille on without the bumper or just want to see where it overlaps the headlight trim? If you shortened the grille I would assume it would fit just fine, unless your headlights are slightly closer together than mine are.

Thinking about it though, it may be rubbing more because you've moved the steel subframe up and therefore it contacts more of the headlight when you close the hood.

[ZOMBRNR]

Awesome build thread! Love the documentation on all of the mods.

Also - The pics from the Mojave trip looks awesome, I would love to head out there if you go again!

I see you're pretty local too and did Maple Springs, thats really close to me!

[sluggercz]

Originally Posted by brandoc0mmand0

Awesome build thread! Love the documentation on all of the mods.

Also - The pics from the Mojave trip looks awesome, I would love to head out there if you go again!

I see you're pretty local too and did Maple Springs, thats really close to me!

Hey man yeah anytime you wanna hit those trails around Saddleback let me know. There's the annual Mojave Road trip on September 6-8 with all the information on Toyota120

[sluggercz]

Went down to Dirty Deeds in Escondido this morning and got to hang around the garage while Keith got the exhaust fitted - had to fix the jig to fit the V8 exhaust as it differs in length by about 2" compared to the V6.

Here's some pictures from the day:

Keith's Tundra:



Exhaust before being painted and fitted with a Helmholtz:


Dirty Deeds Industries:


A pair of his prototype UCA's:


4Runner on the lift:


Had a FJ roll in rocking a nice color scheme going on, also running the newer Dirty Deeds UCA's:


Exhaust tip routed to the side & resonator removed:


Shots of the exhaust installed:







My quick review:
Exhaust now sounds beast, not too loud, zero drone, but the depth and clarity of the exhaust note is awesome. Also liking the black color scheme, and the exhaust tip routed to the side does get rid of some of the exhaust smell (as well as looking great).

Words can only say so much, so I'll let the audio clips do the rest. They should be posted by noon tomorrow.

[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

Nope didn't shorten it. Do you want pictures of the grille on without the bumper or just want to see where it overlaps the headlight trim? If you shortened the grille I would assume it would fit just fine, unless your headlights are slightly closer together than mine are.

Thinking about it though, it may be rubbing more because you've moved the steel subframe up and therefore it contacts more of the headlight when you close the hood.

Yeah, i'd like to see how it fit with the headlight trim.

This is my subframe:

[sluggercz]

@zopperman Looks like that silver bracket you bolted on there is definitely hitting the headlight - what's the reason for that thing anyways?

[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

@zopperman Looks like that silver bracket you bolted on there is definitely hitting the headlight - what's the reason for that thing anyways?

Nope, it finally clears now



Here is why:

I had to cut the cut the frame and the bottom piece out and move it up



see how its holing the pieces of the frame together? They dont join up at the right angle since you shorten it

[sluggercz]

@zopperman Looks good man, where'd you find the matching paint?

[zopperman]

Originally Posted by sluggercz

@zopperman Looks good man, where'd you find the matching paint?

Thanks. I couldn't be happier with the stuff.
I honestly cannot see a difference. I'm going to be repainting a few spots on my truck with the leftover

Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup

[sluggercz]

Finally got the videos uploaded comparing the stock exhaust to the dirty deeds exhaust.

Stock:
StockExhaust - YouTube

Dirty Deeds:
DirtyDeedsExhaust - YouTube