A little bit of SEM self-etching primer to protect the bare metal welds.





The view from the bottom is damn near pornographic!

Next on the list is the quarter windows.

These are also difficult to locate these days. I sourced these online despite the right side having been discontinued.

First, the surface where the glue sits must be scuffed.




Second - Mercedes-Benz window adhesive promoter/primer




After application:




Third - Mercedes-Benz window adhesive






Justin has over 20 years of experience installing windows. He lays the glue down quite consistently!





The Mercedes-Benz adhesion promoter/primer also gets applied to the window backing prior to install.




Installed!







Also did the passenger side... somehow I didn't photograph the finished install, I got distracted...

Extracting the BRAND NEW rear glass... Got the last one in the USA!

My existing rear window is still intact, but the defroster is non-functional and there are some deep scratches in the outer surface of the glass.








Brand new window molding going on.





Scuffing the surface on the back hatch to accept the Mercedes-Benz adhesion promoter/primer and adhesive.




Justin laying down adhesive:









I wish I had a photographer... there's simply too many moments I want to capture, but can't. This install was hair-raising!

The rear fuel tank shield, as discussed before, was difficult to source, as Toyota does not store them in boxes. They're left uncovered. This was the best shield remaining of the 3 in the USA. Justin knocked out the one dent and now it's ready to be painted.







Application of black seam sealer to the new 6-speed transmission tunnel.







Applied from the bottom also (peekaboo)




Application of undercoat also took place. Don't have a photo of the completed product yet, but there's going to be some later when the rest of the underside is coated.

Pulled the rear bumper out from storage.

All new clips and hardware, all of it. All clips, nuts, bolts, inserts...

Here's the little clips that hold the two metal brackets inside the bumper.









Oooooooooooooh pretty

Seeing that license plate gives me the chills! I miss the ol' girl something fierce...

A little more Dynamat in the driver's floor area. The previous damaged spots are now completely covered. Still lots more floor to be covered.





I want to get assembling on the door shells, so they took priority over the dynamat phase. Both doors took less time than the driver's floor pan.









The door latches, strikers, and hardware had pearl white still on them. I used paint thinner, red scotchbrite hand pads, and SEM Trim Black 39143 to fix that.

I also ordered new door bolts to be painted IJM and installed later on. For now, I'm using the original door bolts, painted with SEM.





This boot used to be fully pearl white. No one bothered to mask it when doing the door jams years ago.








It took an hour to clean it, but I'm very pleased with the result!







That's all for now.

So today's the day the doors get assembled...

I've been stuck at work and it's been on my mind all day.

Here's some of the painted stuff and the rest will come tonight or tomorrow.

All items painted with SEM trim black 39143.


Door strikers




Temporary door and fuel door bolts. Will be ordering a lot of new Toyota bolts to be color matched





Rear tow hook






Door check straps




Lock actuators and hardware

While the door is still light, it's easier to hang for assembly.

First thing to be installed is the check strap, so you don't open the door too far.

Next things are the latch and door striker.




Door handle




Belt molding installed with new screws






Flashback...




Night and Day! Brand new door seal also installed. Next is installing the window and a little soldering of a broken wire.






Taking photos into what's effectively a cave isn't too great with an iPhone






The new clips for the side panels are on their way, then I've gotta paint the rear fuel tank skid, finish dynamat on the interior, and get the alarm installed.

Some more pics... pardon the dust








New door seal







Closeup on the door latch... will be replacing the black hardware with color matched hardware later on.



Still a long ways away from the pearl white mess.




















Brand new trims looking clean as hell





Wiped her down and used some spray on wax... shiny!

That is really awesome to see it coming back together. It's looking good!

Do you have a spray wax you recommend?

Thanks JBurt!


My spray wax preference is Meguiar's Last touch spray detailer.


It's not really wax, but it's a decent top coat, especially since the car is indoors.

Rear window trim for the inside has been installed... the hatch is just about done. Needs the interior panel installed and that's it.













Side duct...











Side duct boot retainer







Boot retainer grommets





Duct retainer grommets








Wheel well clip retainers















I realized that I'd forgotten to order the lower clip that attaches the front end of the duct, so those are on order and the duct will have to come off once more. I also have all of the new rocker panel trim to install which will help the panel flow a bit more.











New duct grates









Mirror installed
Squint and it kinda looks like a car... lol













The obligatory garage angle

Sanded the scratches out of the fuel tank skid.











Gave it a healthy coating of flat black using SEM 39143








Installed with new bumper retainer and zinc coated bolts...















More clips...








Even got a replacement pair of door plastic covers...






Had to get a complete new mirror assembly to find a suitable replacement glass. I had tried out some aftermarket Burco lenses, but did not like how there's a part number visible when installed. This was the only way...












Going to the passenger side duct. Cleaning the rubber boot with lacquer thinner.







Freshly painted








Side clips/retainers have arrived.

Subwoofer box back in after the dynamat









New rear targa seal has been installed








plus the rear headliner and quarter window panels.







Rear hatch plastic installed with cargo cover retractors







Passenger side plastics







Driver side plastics







Cargo area is almost complete.















Brand new hatch seal











I also borrowed a sandblaster and cleaned up the exhaust heat shields, rear wiper arm, and front two tow hooks, all to be painted with SEM trim black 39143.






The shields were especially disgusting, seeing how they came out is really motivating me to sandblast more parts.