Black-N-Blue (build thread)

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Hi everybody.
Wanted to share my Black-N-Blue 2004 v6 SR5 4Runner. For your entertainment...and ultimately mine.
It is ever changing it seems...its a sickness.

I have the personality of 80 grit sandpaper, a bit rough, still happy to answer any questions as best I can.

Actually this T4R is Galactic grey.
Perfectly happy with this 4runner from day 1.
It is my third one... i like 4runners.
I do ramble on sometimes...

First was a 1986 T4R, first year of the front IFS.

I thought that was a real nice ride coming from a 1980 toy short bed pickup with 33" Buckshots, lifted. The back breaker, had a metal bar in the bench seat that was a killer.
Then a 1985 toy pickup with 35" Kelly Safari DTR, lifted. The thumb breaker. Tires had so much leverage that the steering wheel would spin so fast (out wheeling) it would slam your thumbs. Needed a steering stabilizer.

Second 4Runner was a 1992 v6 SR5, bought new, one owner, the 3.slow motor. Great T4R but the motor was a dog. Head gasket blew out around 90k on that one if i remember the mileage right, 50 miles from town, dealer repair. It sits collecting dust in the garage, poor old thing. I have an old Chevy v8 that i allways wanted to stuff in there, but never did. I had all sorts of plans for it but kinda gave up on that idea after getting this 2004. These guys had all the toys back then... Northwest Off-Road Specialties, INC.

Was a '89 supra (that was a great car) and a '98 Tacoma (terrible rear suspension, air bags and a fiberglass canopy helped) in there somewhere.

This current T4R was purchased as a certified new vehicle back in 2004. Seat covers and rubber floor matts out the door day one. Pulled all the chrome badging off that day, -Toyota 4runner SR5-. Tires and ground clearence was about the only thing i thought was lacking.
I looked for aftermarket parts but there was nothing at the time.
Sure glad these machines have some sort of fan base now.

My wheeling consists mostly of high speed desert and forest roads and towing, not so much extreme rock crawling.

All was good untill some nutty little deer decided to body slam the front of my 4runner 1 week before X-Mas 2010. The deer jumped jump up off the ground... after rebounding from that surface also... and ran off, never looked back. I almost got rear-ended in the whole deal.

Thats part of where the name came from, its color and its bruises.
Merry xmas...I say that with sarcasm but it was the begining of the mods, so maybe a good thing?
I was going 10-15mph, it ripped the bumper all up on one corner and broke both the headlights mounts (plastic of headlights) and the bumper trim piece between the bumper and grill. Also pushed the driverside fender in some.

After looking for a new replacement bumper i came across these guys...toyota120...and Shrockworks.
Then found T4R.org and yotatech.com.

Then the modifications began.
Spend to much time on these sites and this is what happens.
Nearly all done solo in my garage, with the great info here and over on that other site of course. I am not a mechanic just mechanically inclined with a box of tools. All bolt on no welding. All the info can be found on these sites so not much point of me explaining any installs in depth. This thread is allready getting a bit long winded as it is.

Work safe!

Been a work in progress over the last few years...man how time flies.
Not any real hurry, i upgrade as time, patience and money allow.
Wanted a vehicle to get me there and back again, nothing too crazy...


Listed in general order of installment, as far as i can recall that is.


The parts and #'s (if i can find them)

+ K&N series 63 AirCharger.
part # K/N-63-9023 kit, RC-5100 filter only

+ Optima yellow top.
part # OPT8040-218 D35
Died 11/2017...lasted about 6.5 years. Optmia Yellow top leak - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

+ Duracell SLI35/85AGM. 12/2017

+ OLD stuff...Rancho quickLIFT 9000xl with MyRide remote control. (adj shocks on the fly)(Rockauto.com)
part #RS999914 front R, RS999913 front L, RS999305 rear, RS70080 rear 1.5" coil spring spacer.(used spacer until i switched to the SAW coils)
New front shocks, #RS999760 with Moog FJC coils.

+ Elka 2.5/remote res. front and rear.

+ Light Racing upper control arms (Specialty Products Company)(SPC).
part # LR-25480 pair

+ Air Lift 1000 rear air springs/bags.
Started with the stock size then when to longer part # AIR-46132, 5.38"x10.5"

+ Sway-A-Way rear coils, +1.5", +12% spring rate. (Toped with 1/4" UHD plastic cut to disk shape)
part # SAW 102-1575-195

+ Rear sway bar links, 2nd gen T4R, 1" longer.

+ Shrockworks front bumper.

+ Warn M8000 (from 1992) with Promark synthetic winch rope 5/16" 92ft.

+ Rear diff breather extension to fuel door area.

+ Yakima RailGrab .58" bars

+ Aluminess rear bumper. Last of 5.

+ Depo Black bezel head and tail lights.

+ Front sway bar relocated then removed.
On and off 4 times one year. Back on after 285's to help the on-road manners...and off after the Moog FJC coils...again....gone after the Elkas for sure!

+ Wheelers front bump stops.
part # WHE 01SUPERBUMPKIT
Too soft/squished flat

+ 2nd gen EnergySuspension bumps with 1/2" UHMW spacer

+ Bora hubcentric wheel spacers .750". REMOVED (MB wheels)
1/4" spacer on current wheels, to clear front caliper...gone

+ Drilled/slotted rotors.
Prime Choice PR41329L and R, PR41296L and R
PowerStop Evolution ceramic pads 16-606, 16-976

+ Smoker kit

+ Scan Gauge 2.

+ MB 72wheels, -16 offset, 16x7 then/now American Racing 16x8 -10 offset.
Black chrome E-T Gorilla Nuts and hubcentric spacers 108-106.

+ White Knuckle Off Road DOM sliders with rear step/kick-out.

+ URD MAF Sensor Calibrator. Cool little gadget.

+ Magnaflow 24" muffler, custom made cat-back with axle dump (resonator delete). First work done by a local shop. Nice work.
Added a nice growl, sounds really good to me. Feels faster. No gravel-can sound when you let off the throttle.

+ 70mm Throttle Body
#22030-31060 TB, from car-part.com, 2014 T4R 10k miles

+ URD 70mm TB adapter

+ RCI skids full steel set w/fuel tank and upper rear trailing arm skids
After this adventure Central Oregon Off-Road Day (Around Bend, OR) - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum obviously good insurance...

+ XTP intake manifold spacer

+Icon LCA Skids

+Anti Rodent Screen

+1/2" UHMW Plastic Body Lift (diy)

+Rockmen rear lower links
List keeps growing.

Finally added a set of 285/75/16r Kenda Klever MT.

Low cost sold me on them. Tire is 64lbs on the bathroom scale. With the MB 72 wheel at 22lbs. 86lbs is starting to get kinda heavy.
So far so good, these things hook-up, great in the snow...WAY WAY better than the Hankook MTs.

No Pics stock, but thats no fun anyway. Just the lift and tires helps alot.
Here is the QuickLift installed, brought the 2004 (stock size tires) up to a stock 1992 (31x10.5x15) height. Picture 2.

Shrockworks install, did this two times, just for the fun of it...not really, i needed to get a little more space between the fender and bumper, because it was rubbing. Very heavy bumper 150lbs it seemed like. Had a bumper jack from somewhere. Made the job smooth. Blue headlights in this shot too. Picture 3.

Have fun out there!

Tread lightly!

Thank you T4R.org and toyota120.com and yotatech.com, i could not have done it with out all the great info.

And now a couple pics.

 

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Removed my opinion...if thats confusing, so as not to offend.


Some gems along the way. Irish and Taylor Lakes.

Nail. Was like a nailgun to the tire,all the way in,16p...how does that happen?

 

[SSt4r]

No worries, I'm not offended!

Nice looking ride & nice nature pics. at the end.

And the nail? Same way I got a staple that poked through the edge of the tread & sidewall (having a hard time sealing that leak). Sh!t happens.....DOH!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Well that escalated quickly!...

Haha I'm talking about your build that is, looks good. Nothing wrong a little brutal honesty,the world could use more of it! Welcome to T4R :yo:

 

[RaceTRaCk]

Nice build!

 

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Thanks guys, right back at ya, some nice looking machines.
i sometimes cant help myself spounting off, with the state of the world and all.

Central Oregon.
It was just under 60 degrees last monday, washed the runner.
Snowed all day tuesday, 30 degrees. maybe 12 inches, wind blown.

Brrrr. 24-26 degrees for a high this week. Zero and below at nite. Wow was this a slap in the face.
This was 2 days later, snow compacted in the sun.
REALLY dig these Duratracs in the snow, maybe the best non studed tire I have ever run.

 

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Well my budget LED light bar started to loose LEDs. Lasted less than 5 months.
Can't say i would recomend it to anyone...it is super brite though.

1 LED bead burnt out completly and a couple more were getting dim.
For the price i didnt feel bad about pulling it apart to see if i could really wreck it.

This LED light bar uses 24, 5w LED beads.

It is really to bright to look at lit up so no pics. I was seeing spots for a little while.

Opened it up and found that 5 beads had continuity (multimeter) across their terminals, where-as a good bead has none.

Found some that looked like a match on eBay. 5pcs/$6.50.

Replacing the 5 beads.

De-soldered the beads.
Used the tip of a wood chisle (good little pointy pry lever) to gently pry the beads up, they are glued down.
Used a dab of J/B weld to re-attatch to the board, don't know if that will cause any problems with heat transfer.
The housing/heat-sink had some paint over spray on the metal to metal contact zone, behind the beads, that i cleaned up for better heat transfer.
The foam seal/cord is really stretched out in there, could be twice as long, not sure how they got that to even fit.
I could'nt find any similar seal material so i am replacing the seal with a silicone 3mm tube.

Low and behold it works again... will see for how long.
Its amazing how a tiny little chip of metal can be so brite.

...It started to loose more LED. Junk light bar it was.

 

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A couple little things I have been fiddling with lately.

Sound deadend the rear fenders with some carpet pad that i have had sitting around for 15+ years.
Actually helped cut down on the road noise, less wet road spray noise and no longer sounds like the back door is ajar.
Spray adhesive $10 and old carpet pad on the rear inside wheel wells.

Mounted some low profile Sasquatch lights.
Pulled the roof rack off, drilled and tapped, then modified the light mount brackets to fit.

Made a new fairing from 1/4" ABS.

I had made a fairing out of 1/4" plywood, painted black then 3M vinyl wrap on the front, worked fine for a couple years.
Pulled the 3M wrap off the old one for the picture it held up well.

Just cut a piece of cardboard to the rough shape, set it on the roof then used a marker/sharpie, to get the curve just right.
Scored the ABS with a utility knife then bent till it snapped.

 

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On to the radio.
Like i really needed a new radio.
I swear, i sit down to T4R.org...have my morning coffee and suddenly i am thinking i need to do some-something to my T4R...radio upgrade.
Thanks guys/gals.
Out with the old and in with the new.
Kenwood KDC X500
Uniden BCT15X

Pioneer TS-A6986, 6x9 front, modified the stock mounts.
Have to destroy the OEM speakers for the mounts. Tin snips and a Dremel tool did the job.

Pioneer TS-A1686, 6.5" rear

Used the stock stereo mount bracket, had to grind some little bumps down for the scanner.

Cut the scanner face plate to get it to fit. Scored with exacto knife and snapped out with neddle nose pliers.

Metra 70-1761 plugs made the connection painless, just soldered to the Kenwood wire harness.

Had to Mod the front grills some. Cut inside with X-acto. Doors look all stock.

Stuffed some black foam in the sides. Cheezy i know, i may make some ABS trim panel at some point. Although i can't say that this really bothers me any.

The more i play with the Kenwood the more i like it, at first i was thinking it didnt sound much different than the stock stereo... with the stock speakers.
With the new speakers it sounds way better, i didnt have the OEM JBL and ony 4 speakers, no dash either.
It is lacking in the 'thump'...needs a sub.
The KDC X500 has phone connection/hands free, remote mic, front USB/audio jack (can run scanner audio through speakers) and a bunch of audio enhancing features its pretty cool.
Only bad thing is you can hardly read the screen in the daytime because its to dim. I think it went to 31, what is that? 31? Come on Kenwood, you dropped the ball there, it needs to go to 50.
I have not bought a new stereo in a long time, one other thing about this deck that bothers me is when you use the dial your hand covers the screen. whoops, next time...middle or right side for the dial.
So far..i like it.

 

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Just an info post link.

Seems like more and more of you guys are running the Wheelers superbumps.

While they are a great addition and really take the edge off hard impacts they will squish flat.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/216706-too-much-suspension-travel.html

Like LTDSC said check your travel.

 

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Seems like I always see some one asking about the 'Nanny' kill switch.

I was getting it a lot last fall, that nanny, finally got fed up with it and did that hack floating around on the forum.

This is a V6/2004.

Works great for some extra wheel spin.
Have used it in 2wd and 4x4...but not center locked. edit, works with center lock too.

Pics are worth a thousand words.
The under hood splice, Red wire.
Switch is backwards, now that I look at the pics. Should be 'ON' for fun.
And the dash lights in action.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

If you're ever in Medford, hit me up. Would love to see the runner in person. Like the build so far

 

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Think I have left the county twice in as many years.
Was going to post some pics of my sparkplugs(headgasket/fail) at 70k...getting close.

Added a 1/4" spacer to the Superbumps, seems like the runner rides better.
1/4" ABS and a 3 1/8" hole saw.
Rides on the Superbumps now. Bumps became part of the suspension I guess.
I complain about the front bumper being heavy, but I remember seeing a picture on toyota120.com, a Shrock/runner half way through a Honda car...the runner drove off I believe. Honda not. I will keep the bumper.
I just need real suspension. Some good coilovers.

I don't hardly drive anymore, which is nice because most of the drivers around here are nuts. Don't even like to ride bikes on the road anymore, was almost run over twice...sorry the grouch is getting out again.

I am dig'n the new tunes. Always listening to music now in the runner hardly use the scanner and when I do I seem to forget and leave the scanner on after I walk off...doh.

 

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Guess I should fess up to a little oops last year.
Looking for a firmer front.
I bought a set of Rancho 999777 front struts, (Tacoma) and a set of 2886 OME coils. Was thinking the Shrockworks and winch might be close to the V8+bumper weight.
The coils are supper stiff and I couldn't compress them enough to fit.
Tried halfheartedly to sell the rs999777's but ended up pulling the lower shockeyes and using them in the current ride. Old ones were getting really mashed looking.

Now I am going to try these funky spring spacers, not sure I have seen anyone try them...maybe a reason?...I will see and update at some future time.

Guess I will add my impression of these after 6-7 months. While they do firm up the coil a little, I think it was more of a 'band-aid' for the failing shocks. Did not notice really any negative to them though.


Also.
Pulling the coils off to replace the lower shock eyes I thought I damaged the speed sensors as I had the VSC lights on afterwards.
I had hooked up a ScanGuage2 at the same time and it thru the VSC lights.
A near 10 year old post saved the day.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...ac-vsc-off-lights-zero-point-calibration.html

Here are the spacers.

 

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OH NO'sssss!
285/75/16R Kenda Klever.
Man I hope that fit's.
Damn that Discount Tire sale...$320 for the MB series 72, -16offset/wheels.

 

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285's...that's better!

 

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Couple little things...URD and White Knuckle sent some goodies.

 

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Sliders painted up.
MB 16x7 wheels. -16 offset.

 

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Local shop did a nice 24" Magnaflow cat-back with axle dump for ground clearance Nice growl to it, not obnoxious at all. I like.

 

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A happy T4R!