Hello everyone! this is my first ever post on T4R.org and the first time ive ever attempted to mod my 3rd gen in any type of way, so i decided what better way to share my experiences then on here! it all started with me reading posts on this site that first got me interested in doing some changes to Lola (My truck), what started off as some inexpensive improvements to increase the value of my truck (when i eventually decided to sell her) ended up taking on a much larger project. ive Ive only owned Lola for 2 years and since then all that had been done was plasti dip on the flairs, for a while i wasn't to particular on the way she looked so the black/dessert metallic offset was a decent look and it stayed. just recently i started looking into the look of the straight bodies on the SR5's and 85's and in comparison the limited kinda started to look like the chunky older sister in comparison to the classic straight steel body. after doing research and checking out google images of Limited flair removal i decided to finally make a plan and do some work to get the more desired look.
Sorry about the vertical pictures i took them on snap chat. while removing the clips i bought two clip removers and ended up braking one, took me about 1 frustrating hour but i was able to revove all the clips (about 120) while only breaking two in the process. after i removed the clips i was able to see what i had to work with and the potential, some parts of me kind of wanted to leave the holes open.. as far as body work goes, the only real experience i have are sanding fiber glass bumpers for my dad in his shop when i was a kid, luckily i payed attention to how the old timers did it when it came to doing fills. woke up early, went donw to the store and picked up bondo tape sand paperm aluminum tape and primer(the aluminum tape idea i got from a post on here). within the span of 3 days i had completely filled sanded and primed my sides making sure to keep the original fender lines incase i ever wanted them back on.
I think it came out not bad, i gave it a 7/10.
No thats not primer! its actually a metallic silver.. uhh
yea wasnt to fond of the color so something definitively has to be done.
my next step was my front bumper, i was iffy on trying to take the bottom plastic off to give it kind of a more aggressive yet subtle look, then i figured wth might as well!
took some sheet metal cutters to the three plastic splitters in the middle, unbolted the 4 bolts holding it on and ripped that baby right off (while keeping the fog lights still on).
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/rob+schneider-albums-work-picture34374-img-7092.jpg
I think it looks pretty good, how about you?
BUT WAIT THERES MORE
wasn't to fond of the chrome either so i painted it matte black including the back!
And as of today, this is where we stand. stay tuned for updates on the next episode of Extreme 4x4 we use loctite!
