05 4runner SR5 V6 4x4 Build

Well, thanks to Trevloc, I got a pair of headlights in the mail today and had them blacked out and reassembled as of 30 minutes ago.

It was pretty difficult at first since I didn't know how heated the headlights really needed to be in order to pull them apart. With a baking sheet lined with cardboard, 9-10 minutes on 275 degrees seemed to do the trick. Also, if you're going to do this, be sure to use a legit, big flathead to pry the pieces apart (not one of those screwdrivers that can accept various bits in the end, LOL). Also, wait a bit for the plastic to cool down before removing the chrome insert that you'll be painting. I tried when it was too hot and the screw tabs broke off even after I had removed the screws. Also, be careful when reinserting these inserts - the tabs all around them are very fragile.

After the inserts were painted and reinserted into the lens, I pressed the two halves back together as much as possible. Then I reheated for 10 mins at 275 and pushed them the rest of the way together.

I utilized this diy thread to help me with this procedure (as well as Bowtie3's comments):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...acked-out-headlight-thread-diy-lots-pics.html

I'll post pics once I get the outer lenses polished and cleaned up, and the assemblies installed.

Thanks for looking! Feel free to make comments or ask any questions at all.
 
Today, after looking at various threads on VSC off and the AndyMod, I decided to tackle the abs, vsc, and a-trac disable mod utilizing the concept laid out here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...trac-abs-without-damaging-factory-wiring.html (which I think is essentially the AndyMod). However, I did not refrain from "damaging" the factory wiring. Instead, I unplugged the connector mentioned above, cut the white/black wire about three inches back, and wired each end to a switch on my console.

I also decided to tackle Bulldog's (from Toyota120) VSC off only mod, found here: VSC Disable on Pre 2008 4Runners - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Everything said held true.

Anyway, I'm pretty pleased because with these two mods I was able to achieve almost the ultimate "control" over the Toyota safety electronics. I can disable only VSC if I want to, or I can disable the whole kit and kaboodle.

Attached are some pics of the abs, vsc, and atrac disable mod:

First one (red arrow pointing to the connector we're dealing with):

absoff1.jpg~original


Second one (closer shot):

absoff4.jpg~original


Third one (showing the wire cover being moved backwards/off the two wires):

absoff5.jpg~original


Fourth one (showing the spot in the firewall that the wires were threaded through):

absoff2.jpg~original


Fifth one (showing the wires spliced into the break in the white/black wire):

absoff3.jpg~original


Then I just ran those two wires into the firewall to a two prong spst switch and mounted it next to the center differential button.

I'm happy to report that the mod worked, and the following lights illuminate: VSC OFF, ABS, VSC TRAC, the parking brake light, and ATRAC (pic of car losing traction). The parking brake light stays on because this utilizes the brake fluid level sensor to trigger the abs, vsc, and trac off condition.

However, you must turn the switch off and then shut the car down, and restart it in order to remove this condition and go back to normal.

If you have any questions about how I did these two mods, feel free to ask! However, I suggest you read the original thread by Bulldog and the AndyMod write-up here: Disabling VSC & TRAC - 2001-2002 4Runner with VSC & TRAC Systems - YotaTech Forums for any technical answers regarding functionality. I'm still trying to grasp it to the fullest myself.
 
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Well, I was bored this morning so I figured I'd put on the headlights I recently blacked out (big thanks again to Trevloc!). The swap was a PITA, well, getting those bolts behind the fender was a PITA. I managed to get the headlights out and back in again without having to remove the bumper or that black trim piece that sits on the top of the bumper (did have to coerce that piece a bit though to make way for the bottom corners of the headlights).

I think they turned out well and I really like the look. I opted to leave off the amber side reflectors.

Pics (I'll post better ones once the sun isn't in such an overpowering mood):

neww_blackheadlights1.jpg~original


neww_blackheadlights2.jpg~original
 
This morning, I decided to take another stab at plastidipping the wheels while leaving the center and lip silver. This time I used a razor to cut along the tape before peeling it away, which worked a lot better!

Here are a couple pics. I didn't do the rear wheels yet, that'll be a task for another day. Let me know what you all think! I'll keep everyone posted on how they hold up and if they start to peel. Do you all think clear coating the whole wheel would keep the plastidip from chipping away and peeling?

blackwheels2.jpg~original


blackwheels1.jpg~original
 
THOSE WHEELS LOOK F$%@ING SICK!!!!!! IF THEY HOLD UP I AM SOOOOO STEALING THAT IDEA!:guitar2::reddance::biggrin2:

side note, lights look pretty rad. i am not a fan of the orange reflector either.
 
Trevloc said:
THOSE WHEELS LOOK F$%@ING SICK!!!!!! IF THEY HOLD UP I AM SOOOOO STEALING THAT IDEA!:guitar2::reddance::biggrin2:

side note, lights look pretty rad. i am not a fan of the orange reflector either.
Click to expand...

Haha, I'm glad you like them (both the wheels and lights)! The first time I tried the wheels resulted in an epic fail, but the key this time was taking a razor blade to the edges of the tape before peeling off.

I'm thinking about clear coating the rims to protect the edges from peeling and the plasti-dip from chipping, tearing, etc. They seem to be alright, and I may not need to do this, but only time will tell.
 
the only thing i see is the plastidip peeling off due to a not to strong hold point. thus thats when maybe a clear coat could create a seal.... hmmm.

i might just actually spray paint them that way. depends, my list is getting huge and i need to prioritize it.
 
Trevloc said:
the only thing i see is the plastidip peeling off due to a not to strong hold point. thus thats when maybe a clear coat could create a seal.... hmmm.

i might just actually spray paint them that way. depends, my list is getting huge and i need to prioritize it.
Click to expand...

I agree. I guess it couldn't hurt anything to spray some clear coat onto the wheels. I guess I can just sand it off later if need be.

I'm just worried about doing anything difficult to reverse if I end up not liking them or the finish gets messed up.

I was also thinking about just spray painting them this way as well. I might as well plasti-dip the other two first, though, and then spray paint later if this stuff doesn't hold up.
 
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Subscribed...love this build, your truck looks awesome.

I like the idea of editing a photo on paint to see what a mod would look like on your truck...never thought of that haha
 
how did you prep/paint your grille black? im getting my rims powder coated soon and wanted to black out my grille as well...
 
mark2511 said:
how did you prep/paint your grille black? im getting my rims powder coated soon and wanted to black out my grille as well...
Click to expand...

First, I removed the grille from the hood. Then I cleaned it with soap and water, and scrubbed the chrome strips with the rough green side of one of those dish scrubbing pads (to rough it up and promote paint adhesion). Then I taped off everything except for the chrome strips and started spraying (I think I did about 3 coats total).

With that said, road debris hasn't been friendly to it and there are little specs of chrome showing now. I'll have to go back and redo it. This time, I plan to (generously) clear-coat the grille after painting it.
 
Hey awesome thread guys. I want to plasti-dip lots of stuff on my 04 as well. you didint have to pull the wheels of to plasti-dip em?

also what size is the hitch step that you ordered? Thanks man.
 
kmccrate said:
Hey awesome thread guys. I want to plasti-dip lots of stuff on my 04 as well. you didint have to pull the wheels of to plasti-dip em?

also what size is the hitch step that you ordered? Thanks man.
Click to expand...

I did have to pull the wheels off to plasti-dip them. It would have been a pain otherwise.

The hitch step is a 36" Go Rhino.
 
keitht253 said:
First, I removed the grille from the hood. Then I cleaned it with soap and water, and scrubbed the chrome strips with the rough green side of one of those dish scrubbing pads (to rough it up and promote paint adhesion). Then I taped off everything except for the chrome strips and started spraying (I think I did about 3 coats total).

With that said, road debris hasn't been friendly to it and there are little specs of chrome showing now. I'll have to go back and redo it. This time, I plan to (generously) clear-coat the grille after painting it.
Click to expand...


Did the clear coating make a big difference? I guessing you clear coated the wheels and grill? What did you use... Thanks!
 
kmccrate said:
Did the clear coating make a big difference? I guessing you clear coated the wheels and grill? What did you use... Thanks!
Click to expand...

I actually haven't clear coated anything. The grill should still be redone, though. The wheels, however, have held up surprisingly well without any clear coat.
 
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