Blcktpgsr's '97 transformation

[blcktpgsr]

Beautiful truck. I love those Level 8 wheels. Scotty@Addicted introduced me to them and I am in love. One day I will buy a set of the polished ones. Unless you want to sell me your old wheels, that is. I will honestly drive to BC, just give me a weeks notice.

If you are on a hunt for the Level 8 wheels, check them out at Discount Tire Direct, I swear by their customer service and fast shipping. Got my set in 4 days.

Unfortunately, the old set are still mounted on the KM2's and I need them as my spares just in case...anyways I sent you a PM not realizing this thread's been revisited...thank you for the comment.

 

[blcktpgsr]

With the wider 305's, I was rubbing ever so slightly at full turn flexed, so I ordered a 1.5" BL kit with HD hardware from Roger Brown and replaced my 1" ones..it was just what I needed to eliminate the rubbing.

Install went just as easily but with the exception of the radiator fan hitting the bottom portion of the fan shroud..I chose to lower the radiator for the purposes of maintaining it's cooling efficiency with the fan centered within the shroud----so I read:boxer:. I could've gone and just took the bottom shroud off and be done with it, but I had plenty time...tik tok.

Oh was I ever lucky I didn't start the engine and head off before realizing the fan was stuck without any chance of rotating.:bravo: So Bodylifters be aware!!

When I asked my friend to help me change the waterpump and all the belts awhile back, he noticed that the Fan Pulley Mounting Brackets bearing was grinding and making some whirring sounds. We just re-greased it at the time 'til I can replace it with a new one.

But I knew it was just a matter of time before the grease dried & the bearings seized and the threat of an overheated engine would be imminent. I got some Aisin brand one and spared no time to install it.

the stock "fake water pump"

.....and lastly, to those who still have their trailer hitch but dreads the gapped look created by the Bodylift well, too bad! jk! jk!:biggrin2:

Here's what I did to put the hitch back up to stock form..

Bonus pics from last Sunday...

 

[Rc4r]

Can you fit a full size spare?

 

[blcktpgsr]

From underneath the truck with the hacked up hitch?, probably with a little more modification, if that's what you were asking....But that's the whole point of my having a tire carrier now, though!

 

[Rc4r]

I'm asking about the tire carier

 

[fightman80]

Lookin good as always man!:cheers:

 

[blcktpgsr]

Ohhh! Just go a few pages back for some pics, if you haven't seen the truck not only with a full size but a matching set of spare.:boink:

 

[blcktpgsr]

Lookin good as always man!:cheers:

Oh you know me...just keeping up with you guys.:biggrin2:

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Nice job on the hitch match... ive been wondering why n one has done this and now that i know it works for sure ill def be doing it since i hate the look of the gap. More pics or info if u could to clarify all the details

 

[blcktpgsr]

Nice job on the hitch match... ive been wondering why n one has done this and now that i know it works for sure ill def be doing it since i hate the look of the gap. More pics or info if u could to clarify all the details

Thanks, I've been wanting to do this eversince the 1" BL I had, and now that the gap became more conspicuous with the 1.5" BL, I needed to do something about it since I want to retain the hitch.

Here's a collage photo of the original and the modified section removed from the hitch.

above..Pre-scored according to the height of the gap between the bumper and hitch + a little allowance

below..material taken out showing in blank.

I took away 1 5/8" of material across on both sides of the hitch to leave just a tiny gap between the under part of the bumper and the hitch itself...kinda like the original configuration.

I used an angle grinder to cut with. Once you've done that, all you'll have left is the flange or the flap that actually attaches the hitch to the frame and just re-weld.

Good luck buddy!

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Figured that was all the steps but just wanted clarification... thnx for doing that. Getting my bl on later today so hopefully ill have some time with a friend to knock out all the welding that needs to be done on the ARB, rock sliders, and now the hitch.

 

[blcktpgsr]

You're welcome! Can't wait to see the truck lifted and with the added sliders too! Post some pics during and after all the install!

 

[rickashay]

Man your truck is looking awesome! I'm still so jealous of that rear swing out. Keep it up!

 

[bak3rme]

last semester i had a picture of your rig as my background on my laptop. whenever i study in library i remember i use to display the background while not using the computer so ppl would think its mine! hahaha. just need that plate bumper now . and sliders.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Man your truck is looking awesome! I'm still so jealous of that rear swing out. Keep it up!

Thanks, I was chatting with my brother in Cali over the phone about 2-3 weeks ago and much to my surprise, he asked me to order him the Hilux Surf carrier with the hatch..

But I guess this time there isn't any available yet at the junkyards in Japan because I still haven't gotten any replies back from the importer....Guess my brother finally got tired of carrying his full spare up and down his roof rack..

I'm jealous of his Supercharger, though.

last semester i had a picture of your rig as my background on my laptop. whenever i study in library i remember i use to display the background while not using the computer so ppl would think its mine! hahaha. just need that plate bumper now . and sliders.

Hey why not?...we have the same color rig, but many many thanks for the complimentary thought..I appreciate it.

I'd probably go with the sliders first since it's the more affordable item, but from time to time I see deals on the ARB bumper in the Seattle area on craigslist, and the 2-3 hour road trip's starting to sound so worth it.

 

[FLEXincRunner]

I do believe I have found my favorite rig on here.

 

[blcktpgsr]

I do believe I have found my favorite rig on here.

Oh man..I have always always praised your rig with high admiration even well before you went with the marine green motif..what true honor to be admired back........that really means a lot coming from one of my top listed rigs on here.

To me, your rig epitomises beauty and brauns man! :trophy:

THANK YOU!

 

[brian2sun]

FLEXinc's 4runner is beyond sick! But your build is what I call "smooooooth". It just looks modern and clean, but still very capable. Definitely one of the best on the site!

 

[blcktpgsr]

FLEXinc's 4runner is beyond sick! But your build is what I call "smooooooth". It just looks modern and clean, but still very capable. Definitely one of the best on the site!

Ha ha thanks bro...I remember talking with my brother from California about driving over to his place and spend some days wheeling, we even talked about possibly meeting some of the Cali boys just for fun, and the first target company was you, 4Runit etc..Yep your rig was often our point of interest.:hiding:hehe..and yes in a good way.

But then plans changed...hopefully though next time, I will have the opportunity to go, wheelin' the Cali boys way. I do promise I'll try and keep up!?

 

[brian2sun]

Right on man, that's cool! And yeah, anytime you're down this way let's go wheelin! Is your bro on the forum too? What's his username?