I have been a member of quite a few automotive forums over the years but I have never started a build thread of my own. I finally feel like I have modded a vehicle enough to start one. I always have liked clean builds that are not completely over the top. The first vehicle I ever started modding was an 1986 Toyota pickup. I didn't do a lot to it. I replaced the carpet, installed a custom stereo, Installed bucket seats, and did a HID Projector retrofit (something I never want to attempt again, even though I loved those headlights.)
I sold that truck for a 1985 toyota celica. I didn't mod this vehicle bacause the previous owner ragged on it so hard I was constantly replacing parts to keep it running.
I then parked it and got a Prius. I had to start driving 140 miles a day and gas was over $3.00s. I did mod my prius a little. I installed body side moldings, huskyliner floor liners, weathertech cargo liner, LED light bulbs, JDM window visors, Euro mudflaps, Sharkfin antenna, and clazzio seat covers.
Once I graduated college and got a job I wanted to get something fun that I could tow with on occasion. So I transferred my prius to my dad (he wanted to keep miles off his Tundra) and I found a pristine 2005 4runner at a local Toyota dealer that was owned by an older couple. I paid more than I should have for it but I am happy and I told the dealer what I was going to pay. They wanted a lot more than it was worth.
To start the overall goal with this project is to build my 4runner as a TRD PRO. I have wanted a TRD PRO since I first saw one. But I am a broke recent college grad and can't afford a $50,000 vehicle. So I decided why not build an older vehicle and make it look and feel similar to the PRO models. My goal is to upgrade it to be equivalent or better. I started by making a rough outline of what is improved on the current PRO models over my 2005 4th gen 4runner.
• Aluminum Skid Plate
• TRD Pro Badging
• Hood Scoop
• Bilstein Suspension
• LED Taillights
• Projector Headlights
• All Terrain Tires
• TRD Alloy Wheels
• Heritage Grille
• Touch screen radio
• Red Front Coils
• Rear spoiler
• TRD Shift knob
• Leather seat covers with red stitching
After making a rough guide I started by planning my build. I split it into 3 stages to make it seem less overwhelming. I have already finished stage 1 of my build and have started stage 2.
Stage 1 (Appearance) COMPLETE:
• WeatherTech Floor Liners
• TRD Pro Badges on rear Pillars
○ Debadge SR5 emblems
• Replace Grill with Black Grill
• Install Touchscreen Radio
• 4runner Snowflake Wheels
○ Full Size matching spare wheel
• TRD Key Fob AJT Designs
○ Spare Fob
• Replace Toyota Emblems
○ TOYOTA 75442-16530
○ 4RUNNER 75431-35020
○ Front Emblem
Stage 2 (Performance: Suspension, Engine, and Lighting):
• Install Lift kit
○ Wheeler T1/T12 Springs
○ Bilstein 5100 Shocks
○ KYB Strut Mounts
• AFE Pro Dry S Air Filter
• 2006 LED tail light conversion
○ 81551-35320 (Right housing)
○ 81561-35280 (Left housing)
○ OEM LED tail light Install w/ pics - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
• 2006 Projector headlight conversion
○ HID or LED Headlight Bulbs
○ LED Foglight or Yellow Halogen bulbs
○ LED High beams
• All TerrainTires
• RCI Aluminum skid plate and Filler Plate
• Exhaust SS: Gibson or Magnaflow
• Raptor Lights Mod
○ 3X - Optronics LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light - Submersible - 6 Diodes - Amber Lens - 12V Optronics Trailer Lights MCL66AB
Stage 3 (Final Details: Optional):
• Camburg UCAs or Rancho
• C4 Fab Winch Bumper with Low Bar
○ Warn Winch
○ OME 886 Springs
• Black with red stitching seat covers (Clazzio or Katskin)
○ TRD Pro stitching on head rest
• Sport hood w/ Hood scoop
• Rear Hatch w/ Factory Spoiler
• Paint Toyota Cement
• Satoshi Grill Mod
Stage 3 is the final details, this is also stuff that I consider optional. I would like to do them but it wont bother me if I can't get them finished. In stage 2 I went with 5th gen snowflake wheels because I think they look a lot better than the stock ones and I wasn't able to track down TRD PRO wheels for a decent price. I also think the wheels I got look better than the PRO wheels do on 4th gen 4runners.
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2005 4RUNNER V8 4WD -- Sony XAV-AX100 -- Bilstein 5100 shocks -- Wheelers T1/T12 Springs -- 5th Gen Wheels -- 2006-09 Tail Light Conversion -- AFE Pro Dry S -- X2Power 24f -- ScanGauge II...