Better Late Than Never Build Thread

[Speedy]

Here's the leather console cover I picked up. Got it from JF Customs on Ebay and they were fantastic. I was surprised how reasonable it was and it came from the U.K. Got here quick. I ordered a tan one at first but it was a little off on color so they sent me a sample set. None were close enough so I went with black with the tan stitching.

It's real leather. Comparing East Detailing "leather" steering wheel cover, it's close, but I think the East Detailing isn't REAL leather. Probably won't really matter, but worth mentioning. Also had a label on it with chineese writing which I wasn't expecting since they kinda act like these are custom made to order at East Detailing.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Sorry, but may I know what is this for?

 

[GhostRing]

East Detailing uses "Eco-Leather" which is natural material, but possibly not animal. But for $60, I'm happy with it!
Take your time getting the ends of the spokes lined up well. There isn't a ton of material that tucks in near
the horn assembly. You may even want to use a dab of CA-type glue at the edges to keep things tidy.

 

[Speedy]

Sorry, but may I know what is this for?

Steering wheel cover.

East Detailing uses "Eco-Leather" which is natural material, but possibly not animal. But for $60, I'm happy with it!
Take your time getting the ends of the spokes lined up well. There isn't a ton of material that tucks in near
the horn assembly. You may even want to use a dab of CA-type glue at the edges to keep things tidy.

There ya go, eco leather. Yeah for the price I'm not gonna complain and once it's on the steering wheel I'd have not known the difference.

I have glue on hand just for the edges around the horn.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

Steering wheel cover.



There ya go, eco leather. Yeah for the price I'm not gonna complain and once it's on the steering wheel I'd have not known the difference.

I have glue on hand just for the edges around the horn.

60 dollars seems a little absurd to me, I got mine from Aliexpress for 18$ with free shipping, sure it took three weeks to get here but i'd rather wait then spend more

 

[Speedy]

60 dollars seems a little absurd to me, I got mine from Aliexpress for 18$ with free shipping, sure it took three weeks to get here but i'd rather wait then spend more

I'll be honest if it was $18 I probably would have never gotten it figuring it was poor quality. Mine was actually $49. I thought it was actual leather when I bought it though. Shopping around the ones I found were all around $40 to $50 and this one had the best feedback

It was gonna be $350 to reskin the wheel at an upholstery shop so $49 was a steal for me.

If you got a link to the $18 one on Aliexpress and think it's the exact same one lemme know. I'll send it to East Detailing and ask them what's up

 

[96RedRunner]

Got it from JF Customs I ordered a tan one at first but it was a little off on color so they sent me a sample set. None were close enough.

Store says made of Italian leather, usually that good stuff! Mine is the darkest Oak color was that what you were looking for?

 

[Speedy]

Store says made of Italian leather, usually that good stuff! Mine is the darkest Oak color was that what you were looking for?

Yes this cover is very high quality and definitely a nice leather. Their customer service was excellent. My interior is what's called "oak".

I actually have some extras if folks can use them. I ended up getting several colors to see which ones would match and decided on black in the end.

Here are the others I have and you can see the samples for color reference they sent me.

The light tan are pretty close. One of the darker ones is more brown and one a tad more red.

 

[Speedy]

[MENTION=164664]brillo_76[/MENTION] will probably tell me this is nothing based on what he sees, but this week I decided to pull the tow hitch to clean it up, remove the rust, and give it a repaint. Once I got it off, it led me to start disassembling all the undercarriage pieces, skid plates, etc to clean those up.

I was a bit surprised by the Z bracket that holds the hitch in place. I don't think my nuts on the Z bracket are actually welded, I think they're some kind of press fit. I got lucky none of the bolts broke and none of the nuts broke loose during disassembly. I'm loving Liquid Wrench.

Well, that led me to now planning to clean up the frame and chassis and giving it a coat of paint next. I'm gonna clean up some bolts and replace any that don't get to looking like new as well. In for a penny in for a pound they say.

Video in 3rd post.

 

[fourfive]

Love finding creative ways of positioning larger/awkward parts to make painting easier. Nice set up on your tow hitch.

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=116877]fourfive[/MENTION] I notice that stuff also, hung mine from tree branch in backyard.

 

[Speedy]

I'd seriously be interested in a second set if you can track it down. Seems like half the battle is finding an original label image for them to use.

PM me if you're up to this, I'll definitely split the expense with you.

Well, I completely struck out at all my local places that make me labels. Seems these Toyota ones printed on aluminum are pretty unique. Once place said they could scan and print in vinyl and would look fine at 10 feet but I wanted a bit better than that.

I ended up finding the ones I needed here:
Labels for 2002 Toyota 4Runner | Toyota Parts

My originals were yellow on aluminum the new ones just seem like white vinyl. Better than no label though.

 

[Speedy]

I've started work on the chassis. I think I mentioned that my hitch Z-bar nuts were not welded to the bar, but sort of press fit. I was worried this could break loose in the future so I had my buddy spot weld them for me. Won't have to worry about them now.

 

[brillo_76]

Those would not break loose for a very long time. Nothing wrong with a quick weld on them. I have a set of those so I can make new sets.

Which may be needed down the road as parts become less available.

I figured I would make them out of stainless, but the nuts would have to be hitch rated. Stainless nuts may be too brittle.

Anyways, good progress on your restoration.



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[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

are you selling them? my receiver doesn't have those brackets.

Those would not break loose for a very long time. Nothing wrong with a quick weld on them. I have a set of those so I can make new sets.

Which may be needed down the road as parts become less available.

I figured I would make them out of stainless, but the nuts would have to be hitch rated. Stainless nuts may be too brittle.

Anyways, good progress on your restoration.



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[brillo_76]

are you selling them? my receiver doesn't have those brackets.

I am keeping my set to create new ones. I haven't given much thought to making replacement sets at this time. As I don't have a tig welder to weld stainless.

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[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

about the use of stainless steel. wouldn't that cause bi-metallic corrosion of the carbon steel?

I am keeping my set to create new ones. I haven't given much thought to making replacement sets at this time. As I don't have a tig welder to weld stainless.

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[brillo_76]

about the use of stainless steel. wouldn't that cause bi-metallic corrosion of the carbon steel?

I never seen issues with it. Keep in mind in my environment, everything rusts unless coated. I have a pile of stainless bolts in 4 runners, and I am seeing any reaction yet. Granted, it hasn't been 20 years.

I can give you a better answer in 5 to 10 years.

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[Speedy]

Anyone have a habit of checking their spare for air pressure? I had honestly forgotten all about it and mine was dead flat. Original tire from 2002, I may need to look at finding a used "newer" tire for that just in case scenario.

 

[96RedRunner]

Got courious had never checked date of mine, 3200 think I got ya beat