Another slow build

[noontime]

Hey all, I'm new to the 4runners but needed something that I could daily drive AND be my trail rig. I've been wheeling a 1986 Suzuki Samurai for a few years now but my wife and I are about to have a little one....so I'll need more room than the Sammi can offer. This is what it looks like

DSCN0736 by jon.nooner, on Flickr


After much thought, deliberation, teeth gnashing, test driving rigs, and reading of about 2 billions posts I narrowed it down to the 4runner and a Jeep Cherokee XJ. Well, needless to say I bought a 2002 SR5. It was at the right price and with the right service records and the right reliability. Here she is bone stock:


4runner bone stock by jon.nooner, on Flickr

I got her home and....well had to start modding on day one, these had to go!


These had to go by jon.nooner, on Flickr


Removed the running boards by jon.nooner, on Flickr

It's about twice the size of the Samurai! I then saw the rack on the Sammi and decided to see if it fit the 4runner...lo and behold it does, almost like it was made to go there!


Samurai roof rack fit perfectly by jon.nooner, on Flickr

From the front by jon.nooner, on Flickr

 

[noontime]

Almost but not quite!

Decided that I didn't like the silver badging, on the rear of the vehicle...here it is


Silver badges by jon.nooner, on Flickr

So I pulled the badges and blacked them out. I like the black much better, most likely will paint out all the chrome on the vehicle with bed liner or some such while I save up for bumpers. Maybe even do the fender flares


Black badges by jon.nooner, on Flickr

Also decided to dig out the cb from my Samurai and transfer it over...here is a pic with the console torn apart trying to decide where to put the cb. I'll post some more pics when I get a chance of the finished product


Installing CB by jon.nooner, on Flickr

 

[noontime]

My center caps were worn and faded so I decided to pop them off and plasti-dip them, while I was at it I decided to pull the grill and black it out as well.


Painting the grill by jon.nooner, on Flickr

Wheel caps back on nice and black


Black center caps by jon.nooner, on Flickr

Grill before the black out


Stock grill by jon.nooner, on Flickr

and after the black out


Blacked out grill by jon.nooner, on Flickr


Blacked out stuff by jon.nooner, on Flickr

I think it looks much better now! I may buy some plastic paint or truck bed liner and black out the fender flares and the rocker panels. I wonder if anyone has done this on a 3rd gen....maybe I'll do a quick search.

 

[chadsy]

looking good so far!