[TXST8SR5]

I am starting this thread on behalf of my son and his 2006 SR5, 2wd that we will be working on together.

For Christmas this year, my mother-in-law passed down the vehicle to him. He won't be 16 until August, but she wanted him to have the vehicle early so he could do his driver's ed with it...and momma didn't want him learning to drive with her Caddy

I am a Jeep guy myself, but have always loved Toyotas, so this will be fun to work on with him.

The reason for the thread title is unfortunately it is 2wd. However, it isn't going to stop me from throwing good money at it so my boy has a fun vehicle.
He is excited to learn to turn wrenches with me, and if that means putting a bunch of offroad gear on a 2wd...well, I'm all aboard.

[TXST8SR5]

We are working with a bone stock '06. Leather interior and a sunroof top off the 'upgrades'. Grandma was the original owner and has taken excellent care of it.

The paint is decent overall, but shows its age. There are not many dings (surprisingly) but a few deep scratches. We will be looking at either a paint job or a wrap.

The tires have a little life left, but perfect timing to install a lift and upgrade.

[TXST8SR5]

I have always enjoyed the forums for researching and learning, but also documenting my own projects (Jeeps mainly).

We have some plans laid out for this. The goal is to have most everything completed by August. This is essentially our contribution (aside from insurance and fuel) to providing a vehicle for him.

I have a spreadsheet that I keep track of the parts we are going to use and the cost. Not including any body work, I am at about $8k. We (my wife) uses the 30% rule to any plans I have, so let's call it $10k...ish


To get things started, it was decided that we would upgrade the headunit to one with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a backup camera. All makes complete sense as any one of us would have enjoyed those comforts when we first learned to drive.
So with that direction, I ordered up a full stereo system lol.

I went with an Alpine iLX-W650. My preference in h/u has always been Alpine. This is their least expensive unit with CarPlay and will do everything we need it to. I ordered it from Crutchfield and packaged it with all of the harnesses and brackets needed.

I'm pretty sure I heard some crackling in the 17 year old speakers, so I ordered a JL C1-650 component set for the front, and pair of JL C1-650x coaxials for the rear doors. These are part of their entry level line of speakers and I think they will do just fine.

I already had in possession some other brand new gear. A JL 4-channel amp, Alpine mono channel, JL 10w3 sub, and the backup camera.

We ordered a Proclip phone bracket and mount. I use their brackets in all of our vehicles. Also ordered an amp wiring kit (not pictured). The small black envelope on the bottom right corner of the table is a set of LEDs to swap in for all of the interior dome/map lights.

My son and I will build the sub enclosure, so he will not only get to learn stereo install, but he will get to help with some wood.


Total investment so far: $1035 (not including amps and sub)

[TXST8SR5]

The rest of the build plans that better explain the "Overbuilt" part include:

3" lift
1" body lift (possibly)
upper control arms
33" or 35" tires
wheels

front bumper
rear bumper/tire carrier
rock sliders
roof rack
snorkel/dorkel

various LED lights
Headlight mods of some sort

floor liners


There isn’t anything that I can’t install or build, so all work will be done by us. I picked DIY bumper and slider kits that we will weld. Considering building our own rear bumper. There are few on the market that I really like and most I would want to modify anyway.

All in all, I am looking forward to this process and hope he takes pride in his vehicle with all of the hard work he is going to put into it.

[TXST8SR5]

We hope to get started on the stereo install this weekend; however, we may jump over that and install what's below first. Either way, I plan to post some pictures of the process. Should be a fun time.

I ordered the lift today. It is the Rough Country 3" kit with the M1 monotube loaded struts and rear shocks and coils.
For my price, I think it is going to be hard to beat. Without going too far down this road, RC gets beat up for their entry level Nitro level of shocks, which in truth are the same as any other nitro shock out there. However, I think this upgraded monotube shock will ride quite nice.
I will be transparent with my actual opinion after we get some seat time with them.

Stay tuned

[TXST8SR5]

The rear coil springs showed up today.

[TXST8SR5]

The rear shocks showed up today. Was really hoping to get everything installed today, but the front struts won't be here until tomorrow.
Still not bad considering I ordered the kit on Thursday.

[jhlsal]

When does work begin?

[TXST8SR5]

Originally Posted by jhlsal

When does work begin?

Well, now that the struts have arrived, we plan to do the suspension install on Saturday and start the stereo on Sunday.

[TXST8SR5]

The lift install was completed this weekend. We had a good time and did not run into any issues. I did one side with my son watching and then he did the other side.

With plenty of time under the vehicle, we did encounter plenty of original parts that are worn out. The tie rod ends and swaybar links are due for replacement. The UCAs will likely get replaced with aftermarket parts, so that will take care of those bushings and ball joints.

Once done, we removed the running boards and it really set it off.

The upgraded monotube shocks/struts are very comfortable and so far are a great ride.

[shiftmx]

Nice, clean Texas frame. What are you planning for tires and wheels?

[SamIn]

Wheels and tires would set it off, looks great so far though, good luck!

[TXST8SR5]

Originally Posted by shiftmx

Nice, clean Texas frame. What are you planning for tires and wheels?

I feel like all I see is people talking about rusted frames on these things. Previously never knew it was such an issue. Certainly not upset about not having to deal with it.

Still trying to find the right wheel. Thinking something with a -35/-38 offset would be best because we are going to stuff 35s in there. Right now, the SCS Blaze10 in black is on the list.
Also fully expecting to do a body mount chop and 1" body lift.

For tires, either Cooper STT Pros or BFG MTs. He wants aggressive.

Originally Posted by SamIn

Wheels and tires would set it off, looks great so far though, good luck!

Thanks! Coming soon!


Passed on a used Prinsu roof rack yesterday from Marketplace. They were asking $800. I offered $600. Settled on $650, which I was happy with. An hour before heading to pick it up they said someone offered $750 so they offered it to me for that price. I declined. It's a decent deal I suppose, but they are $1000 brand new, so for such a small savings, we'll just hold off and order new.

[shiftmx]

Originally Posted by TXST8SR5

I feel like all I see is people talking about rusted frames on these things. Previously never knew it was such an issue. Certainly not upset about not having to deal with it.

Still trying to find the right wheel. Thinking something with a -35/-38 offset would be best because we are going to stuff 35s in there. Right now, the SCS Blaze10 in black is on the list.
Also fully expecting to do a body mount chop and 1" body lift.

For tires, either Cooper STT Pros or BFG MTs. He wants aggressive.


Thanks! Coming soon!


Passed on a used Prinsu roof rack yesterday from Marketplace. They were asking $800. I offered $600. Settled on $650, which I was happy with. An hour before heading to pick it up they said someone offered $750 so they offered it to me for that price. I declined. It's a decent deal I suppose, but they are $1000 brand new, so for such a small savings, we'll just hold off and order new.

That is going to look good. One of my favorite wheels.

That seller is garbage for doing the deal like that. Hopefully you called them out on it and made him feel bad that he could sell his integrity for $100.

Check the Prinsu site often. They have 15% off sales almost quarterly. Saves a nice little chunk of change for other mods by waiting for it.

[TXST8SR5]

Yeah, I agree. It was pretty crummy, but can't say I'm surprised. Even though $750 for a like-new rack is still a good deal, I bounced out.

Thank you for the heads up on the sale. I will keep an eye out and purchase then. It is on the list of items to get, but it is not on any real timeline.