BrianSD_42 Photo Journal Build Maintenance Thread

[2014 Warthog]

Wah! I would have gone!!!

Sad I haven't made it to DV this year

Pictures are awesome so far...

 

[BrianSD_42]

Pic - Washed for the great weekend weather.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The rest of the Death Valley pictures are now up!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I've had problems with mine dragging around in anza borrego.

.....

Have you ever had a problem like that running a larger than stock spare?

[MENTION=84643]JBurt[/MENTION]

I've never had any issues dragging my spare, even in Anza-Borrego. I'm not sure why you are having that issue. The new spare I just put hangs a lot less than the old one did so I should be even more good to go from now on.

How low does yours hang?

 

[Road Bull]

My wallet fears this thread...

Great pics and nice mods man. I am hoping to create a millennium silver 2002 build in the spirit of what you have going on for yours. Thanks for the ideas and info.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Great pics and nice mods man. I am hoping to create a millennium silver 2002 build in the spirit of what you have going on for yours

Thank you for the compliment.



Quick update

1. My projector headlights are partially broken, specifically the screw into the back of the reflector bowl housing has become stripped out. This is the screw that attaches the plastic aiming piece to the back of the reflector bowl. I will need to pull it all apart and try to JB-Weld it together in a way that is non-destructive. I regret more than ever using TYC housings for my retrofit. The only good thing on that TYC light is the glass. They do a good job with the glass. That is all.


2. Since I am taking my retrofit apart anyways .... I plan to add a 2nd Amber Halo set but this time facing rearward into the housing. This should give the light a mean Amber glow. I am getting these 90mm Amber on clearance from TRS for $33 shipped so it is isn't setting me back that bad. If it doesn't look right I will just leave them epoxied in place but not powered up. Hopefully it looks cool!


3. I bought a cheapo HAM radio from Amazon for Moab and future camping trips. I aspire to get my license on day so that is on the horizon. In the mean time we will stick to "throw away, non-repeater channels" and also it will be kept for emergencies. I plan to save all the local emergency channels for each area I travel to just in case I need them.


:reddance:

 

[Road Bull]

Thanks again for fielding my questions about the Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift kits. I am heavily leaning this direction. I might try my hand at making this happen with the aid of a friend. As far as the 1" body lift goes, do you suggest this for added clearance issue? This also seems to leave the bumper mounted with a gab between it's top and the body of the vehicle though correct? Any way to get around that? I am guessing no. I know it's just an aesthetic thing, but it is something I have noticed.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Any update with your possible ground issue/CEL? I couldn't find the original thread so I thought I would ask here.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

3. I bought a cheapo HAM radio from Amazon for Moab and future camping trips. I aspire to get my license on day so that is on the horizon. In the mean time we will stick to "throw away, non-repeater channels" and also it will be kept for emergencies. I plan to save all the local emergency channels for each area I travel to just in case I need them.
:reddance:

I bought the same stuff, though I think mine is black haha. I feel like I am reading what I wrote somewhere because I have the exact same plan... Did we just become best friends? Haha

Anyways, keep us posted on how they work for you, I know I am interested. Also if you go to Expo Portal there is a guy who sells very nice CNC cut and bent steel mounts for them that can be adapted to go anywhere in your rig so you have a nice spot to put your radio.

 

[Fishwerks]

Thanks for sharing the Death Valley photos, looks like a good time!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Any update with your possible ground issue/CEL? I couldn't find the original thread so I thought I would ask here.

Thanks for asking. I will have to go back and update that thread.

The mechanic believes it is electrical since it is jumping across both sides of the engine and is random and occurs at low idle. Also there is the fact that I have new-ish OEM plugs, wires, and fuel filter.

He charged me 1.5 hrs labor and "added additional grounds to the engine and also inspected and the other grounds"

It has not come back yet but we'll see how it goes. :surfer:

 

[LittleCaesar]

Maybe just a bad ground somewhere.

Salt air kills exposed wires for grounds here on the ocean on the east coast, especially on boats. Marine heat shrink and solder are mandatory. I probably replace a good ten feet of wire each year due to corrosion.

Hopefully the CEL doesn't come back before your trip.

 

[NJCatalana]

hey man any tips on blacking out the corner lights? I have my tinted, but don't like the look, yours are much cleaner. I have a new set and want to do the same thing you did!

 

[BrianSD_42]

any tips on blacking out the corner lights?

sure thing. I sort of documented the process here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html

:lookout:


speaking of lights ... here is the first pic of my updated retrofit project. I worked most of Sunday on these lights. It took a surprising amount of work to take everything apart, do the wiring, test it, clean it, glue it, put it back together and seal it up.

Behold .... a dual (fwd & rev) Amber halo retrofit.

:bat:

 

[NJCatalana]

sure thing. I sort of documented the process here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html


:bat:

awesome thanks!
so basically same process-put in oven at 275 for 7 minutes?
I tried with both in there and it was impossible to come apart, i'll try again with just one

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think so. My corner lights are from EBAY but I believe they are they same as factory.

Unlike the glass headlights these take a bit more pulling and prying apart to get open. There are also small clips than you may have to bend back to get it apart.

I know it isn't easy to take the corners apart because I've gotten about 5 PMs on this topic since I made that thread.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

List of 2015 Truck Stuff To Do

* Diagnose and fix long intermittent misfire CEL at idle (only)

* Buy and mount full spare, slightly skinnier wheel

* Seal sunroof from leaks

* Install new front drivers seat (OEM) foam

* Install new front drivers seat leather

* Buy a legit compressor for Moab (I learned the hard way last time that they don't have air at gas stations in Utah)

* Buy an inverter

* Buy HAM radio

* Upgrade PIAA 520 lights to HID

* Install metal piece that goes under the passenger side headlight

* Buy and install Cadillac horns

Looks like a solid list. The death valley pics are captivating, and reflect an experience that few of us will ever be able to enjoy. There's a season for every trail and fortunately you live close enough to hit DV when the timing is just right.

Thanks for the trip report!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Pictured here is the next step on my Retrofit, now installed.


What has changed in this picture?


Two things:

1) put Amber led bulbs in the corner lights. These are 6 way LED bulbs but I blacked out the front facing bulb so it doesn't shine straight ahead.
http://www.vleds.com/6-a.html


2) In the retrofit I installed rear facing Amber halos to complement the front facing halos. Also I trimmed the shroud a bunch more so it would let out more orange light.


The only remaining step will be once I get my 12" Amber LED strips and mount them to the ARB at a slight angle to follow the lines of the bumper. Unfortunately even though I already ran the wiring, those won't ship until next week.
http://www.flyryde.com/collections/...d-1533l2-power-led-strip-1?variant=1021026272


:bat:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Packing up the truck for 4 days camping in Joshua Tree National Park.

It says highs of 89.

 

[JBurt]

Hey Brian I've got a stereo question for you. I'm looking at the Alpine 148BT or 149BT. They look pretty similar, except the 149 seems to have a better screen. Would you have any recommendation? Are you still happy with your 149?

The 149 also has the aux on the rear, which is nice, but not a deal breaker.

Nice job with the headlights btw.