Blcktpgsr's '97 transformation

funny i thought about it...everytime i show my friends a nicely built 4runner i always pull up ur build thread.
 
Wow. Just when I thought your ride couldn't get too much sweeter. That looks SO sick. I've always wanted the rear door from a Surf. Never thought about ACTUALLY getting the rear door! We need to get together sometime. I want to see this thing in person.
 
ryhi said:
definitely one of my favorites on the board!
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That's real nice.....thanks!


xskydivingdudex said:
Wow dude the tire carrier looks great! i have been looking for something like this so i can still use my ladder since the carrier only takes the right half of the rear hatch but at $1k, its too steep of a purchase for me to justify.
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If you can modify some sort or a latching mechanism or even just fabricate a stop for when the swing-away closes, maybe you can get away with just getting the carrier itself which costed $275.

It'll surely compliment and further accentuate the back of your truck since you already have the ladder in place.

I also love the fact that the only weight factor added was the actual weight of the carrier and the tire itself..even with the stock gearing you won't compromise on performance or having to swap for a more stiff spring to compensate for sag.


Nelsonmd said:
So just a thought on this point, if the tire were off-center on the drivers side, wouldn't that help visibility? I know it would just be adding more weight to the drivers side, which already has more weight on it, but other than that, it seems overall visibility night be unaffected by the carrier if you did that.

Thoughts from the guys that have them?

BTW: are you not keeping the SSRx badge? I thought it was kind of cool.
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And that's ideally where the tire should be located, since Hilux Surfs are RHD trucks, they don't see the wheel arch from behind the drivers seat.

These carriers can only be mounted on the passenger side and the only alteration that can be done to move the tire towards the left is hacking away some of it's tubing, adding more of it and actually moving the tire mount, but ofcourse the lock mechanism stays in place. It can be done, but I'll keep it where it is and move it up and over just a tad.

I thought about sticking the SSR-X badge in place, you think I should do it?


bak3rme said:
funny i thought about it...everytime i show my friends a nicely built 4runner i always pull up ur build thread.
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Super humbled by your nice gestures. I really do appreciate it


Hepar said:
Wow. Just when I thought your ride couldn't get too much sweeter. That looks SO sick. I've always wanted the rear door from a Surf. Never thought about ACTUALLY getting the rear door! We need to get together sometime. I want to see this thing in person.
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I did try and ask the JDM importer whether he could just get me the middle piece and not the actual whole door assembly, he did find one but the junkyard wasn't willing to part it out, that was another option plus it will definitely cut the price more than half.

Only thing though is that you have to incorporate that middle piece onto the existing 4runner door which prolly involves hacking some sheets for the middle part to fit, definitely some wiring, shouldn't be bad, but the thing I'd be more concerned about is the reinforcement in behind the rear door of the 4runner, which I find to be different on the Surfs...there are some additional metal supports inside to absorb the impact for when you close the swing-away carrier.

I didn't want to mess with all that, I'm fidgety and wanted to see the pieces come together already....and just deal with as little modification necessary.
 
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blcktpgsr said:
Yeah it's one of those sorta coveted mods I thought was also very functional at the same time.

Yours though, is as close to the real Surf as it gets...nice nice personal touches too, I love the color combination you've got going.:surfer:Surfs up!
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I try :bluejump: but thanks; keep up the good work!
 
I think you went about it the right way. Might as well put something up that you know works and is structurally sound. True, it cost more than maybe doing it yourself, but the end result is killer!
 
Hepar said:
I think you went about it the right way. Might as well put something up that you know works and is structurally sound. True, it cost more than maybe doing it yourself, but the end result is killer!
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It would've taken me a long time to figure how everything functions, lots of trial and error just to incorporate the middle plastic valance that holds the carrier latch, handle, pressure switch, and all the linkage & mechanisms inside.

Had I not opened the back panel of the Surfs hatch to see the inside, I wouldn't have known how Toyota added extra structural support pieces that would've left me wondering what the heck went wrong in the end. Time and frustration will have consumed me.


rickashay said:
wow, that surf tailgate/tire carrier looks awesome!
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Yes :iagree:, especially when it's retrofitted in a 4runner!:tongue::naughty:

.
 
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Here's a teaser pic.......an entirely diff'rent viewpoint in my take on having a set with a matching spare.:bluejump:

nitto5.jpg~original
 
Nice! :thumb3:

Did Nitto change the tread pattern of the mud grappler? I seem to remember it being a bit different.

So on a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you enjoy having to pay for 5 wheels and 5 tires instead of 4..? Haha JK, looks great with the spare carrier.
 
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4-Ripcord said:
Nice! :thumb3:

Did Nitto change the tread pattern of the mud grappler? I seem to remember it being a bit different.

So on a scale of 1 to 10, how much to you enjoy having to pay for 5 wheels and 5 tires instead of 4..? Haha JK, looks great with the spare carrier.
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:DHaha! it has always been the same design far as I know, although there's been some circulating issues that some of the mud grapplers were actually made here in North America, well in the good 'ol U.S of A to be precise.

I'm just speculating but you may be right...there could be design variance but the ones I got were Japan made, original design if there's such a thing....but I know it's always been the same tread pattern with scale and the claw design on the sides.

I wasn't gonna spend $340-$360 apiece for the grapplers here in Vancouver, tax excluded, I know!...... instead I only payed $1265 Cad for all 5 online and that's shipped too...I was super happy about that deal..paying for a set of 5 suddenly became a treat...killer was that I didn't have to pay for the duties which under the NAFTA agreement...anything made out of North America and Mexico are taxable...

The wheels were also shipped free, again I wasn't charged any taxes at the border.......Happy happy!

thanks man!
 
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man..i'm gunna miss those other tire/rim combo..i swear those were the sickest. lets see the full shot now!
 
bak3rme said:
man..i'm gunna miss those other tire/rim combo..i swear those were the sickest. lets see the full shot now!
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That reminds me, what are you going to do with the old ones? I hope they stay in the community.. Those were cools wheels.

The new ones are better though, for sure!
 
bak3rme said:
man..i'm gunna miss those other tire/rim combo..i swear those were the sickest. lets see the full shot now!
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Man totally agree! The only time I really liked the chrome wheel look was on this ride, but not having a matching spare with a rear tire carrier on a ride this clean probably isn't an option. Give us the full shot NOW.
 
Alrighty....so I downshifted to a 16" wheels by Level 8 in matte black combined with 305 70's this time.

Here's when I had them stored in my gym room, the smell of fresh rubber was too much to take when contained in a smallish unit..

1-14.jpg~original


Got spare?

nitto4.jpg~original


A little comparison of the 305 70 16's with 285 70 17's

nitto2.jpg~original


On to some full photos of them installed....go easy on me now guys!:biggrin2:

1-15.jpg~original

snad3.jpg~original

SAND1.jpg~original

nitto15.jpg~original

nitto1.jpg~original

sand2.jpg~original

nitto6.jpg~original

nitto16.jpg~original


I've since tested them in mud and sand and they've done well so far. The KM2's will be my full set of spares..for longer travels and such. I thought I did ok choosing the wheel and tire combo....your thoughts?
 
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