Build Thread: Mothra, the (blown) budget camping rig
- Thread starter Renegade_Medic
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Renegade_Medic
New member
Thanks, I almost couldn't imagine doing it in any other color.
Renegade_Medic
New member
Resz Fab links finally arrive
I finally got my RESZ Fab links. I ordered them about 11 weeks ago.... with a 1-2 week turnaround.... Anyway, they look great, quality is superb. Fit is good? I think. One link is a shade longer than the other. Don't think it's supposed to be like that, but my old bushings are destroyed, so on they go.
Initial thoughts:
I think the ride has improved. It seems to stay straight on the highway better, for sure. It feels more planted while driving.
One end of the link is offset, I'm assuming that it is supposed to go to the rear to help rocks and stuff slide down and over the end. The leading end has to be unbolted to add grease. They also come ungreased apparently, so I'll be pulling them off soon to grease them up real good.
I finally got my RESZ Fab links. I ordered them about 11 weeks ago.... with a 1-2 week turnaround.... Anyway, they look great, quality is superb. Fit is good? I think. One link is a shade longer than the other. Don't think it's supposed to be like that, but my old bushings are destroyed, so on they go.
Initial thoughts:
I think the ride has improved. It seems to stay straight on the highway better, for sure. It feels more planted while driving.
One end of the link is offset, I'm assuming that it is supposed to go to the rear to help rocks and stuff slide down and over the end. The leading end has to be unbolted to add grease. They also come ungreased apparently, so I'll be pulling them off soon to grease them up real good.
huski
New member
That's a huge difference right there between the 5VZ and Ford's DISI MZR L3-VDT. The reputation they've earned is why I'm a huge Toyota fan now.
I hope it didn't come across the wrong way, I wasn't trying to be negative. I think you've got the right idea with your tuning.
Funny you mention the L3-VDT, i had a speed3 before my runner and was constantly worried about Zoom Zoom Boom.
Renegade_Medic
New member
Couple small things
So first off, I brought home another 3rd gen. It's also tan and black (I have a type, I know), but it's a little different....
So I've done a couple small things to the Tacoma, but at the time I really don't plan on doing a ton to it, since I get great gas mileage and don't want to screw that up.
With a trip to Moab coming up in a couple months, there are a few things I need to get done on the 4Runner. One of the things was new/better seats. I opted to do some light upholstery work after pricing it out. I ordered new seat foam for the driver seat, which you can still get from Toyota (it's expensive though). I also opted to get a new leather for the bottom of the seat, since mine was getting rough. I should have gotten a back as well. I also got an upholstery steamer and steamed the old foam to rejuvenate it, and that actually works pretty well. The whole job was pretty easy and took probably 3-4 hours of labor and I let the foam dry for 2 days to get the water out.
Before:
New Leather piece, color is close enough for me.
Finishing them up
And Done!
Kind of hard to see it in the pictures, but they look much better now, and more importantly, they feel much much better. Very pleased with the results.
So first off, I brought home another 3rd gen. It's also tan and black (I have a type, I know), but it's a little different....
So I've done a couple small things to the Tacoma, but at the time I really don't plan on doing a ton to it, since I get great gas mileage and don't want to screw that up.
With a trip to Moab coming up in a couple months, there are a few things I need to get done on the 4Runner. One of the things was new/better seats. I opted to do some light upholstery work after pricing it out. I ordered new seat foam for the driver seat, which you can still get from Toyota (it's expensive though). I also opted to get a new leather for the bottom of the seat, since mine was getting rough. I should have gotten a back as well. I also got an upholstery steamer and steamed the old foam to rejuvenate it, and that actually works pretty well. The whole job was pretty easy and took probably 3-4 hours of labor and I let the foam dry for 2 days to get the water out.
Before:
New Leather piece, color is close enough for me.
Finishing them up
And Done!
Kind of hard to see it in the pictures, but they look much better now, and more importantly, they feel much much better. Very pleased with the results.
Renegade_Medic
New member
My gas gauge just randomly stopped working the other day. When you start the vehicle and it's not moving, it was fine, but when you would move, the gauge read empty and the low fuel light was flashing. Very odd. I pulled the fuel sending unit, again, and replaced with another new one from Toyota. No change. I pulled the instrument cluster and found a burned out part of the board.
I ordered a used cluster of unknown mileage from eBay and swapped the boards and it works as it should now. The only problem is that my mileage has gone do to 200k, which is disappointing. At this point my mileage is a bragging right.
I also didn't like that I put the bedliner coats on a little too thin, which caused some chipping around the doors. I added some more coats to the sides and it looks much better. I had tried to use some spray paint which was supposed to be the same color, but it didn't match and looked terrible.
I have a pretty short list of things left to do before I set off to Moab in March. Bracing up the rear bumper is about the only thing I can think of.
I ordered a used cluster of unknown mileage from eBay and swapped the boards and it works as it should now. The only problem is that my mileage has gone do to 200k, which is disappointing. At this point my mileage is a bragging right.
I also didn't like that I put the bedliner coats on a little too thin, which caused some chipping around the doors. I added some more coats to the sides and it looks much better. I had tried to use some spray paint which was supposed to be the same color, but it didn't match and looked terrible.
I have a pretty short list of things left to do before I set off to Moab in March. Bracing up the rear bumper is about the only thing I can think of.
owyheerat
New member
Renegade,
Glad to see you still have the 4runner and continue to upgrade it. Nice job on the seats. I replaced my driver side seat bottom cushion (with OEM) a year ago and am glad I did...well my butt is glad I did. ha
Mine are cloth, and still in good shape, so I didn't have to replace the covers.
Nice Tacoma. Do you still have your Tundra?
Cheers
Durwin
Glad to see you still have the 4runner and continue to upgrade it. Nice job on the seats. I replaced my driver side seat bottom cushion (with OEM) a year ago and am glad I did...well my butt is glad I did. ha
Mine are cloth, and still in good shape, so I didn't have to replace the covers.
Nice Tacoma. Do you still have your Tundra?
Cheers
Durwin
Renegade_Medic
New member
Thanks, yes they have been a great improvement.
I really like the Taco. No, I sold the Tundra. I liked it, but I just wasn't in love with it. As my commute to work has grown exponentially, it was costing me a lot in gas. I should be saving around $1000 a year on fuel with this Tacoma. Plus, it's 4x4, which is a plus. It gets really great gas mileage, so I'm pretty hesitant to put bigger tires and a lift under it.
Renegade_Medic
New member
Satoshi Grille
Finally finished my months-long project with my "Satoshi Grille." It looks great. I got the mesh from Custom Car grilles and it looks great and it is nice and heavy. Really makes the front end of the truck "pop" now.
Some of the body work is not perfect, but you can't tell after it's on.
Finally finished my months-long project with my "Satoshi Grille." It looks great. I got the mesh from Custom Car grilles and it looks great and it is nice and heavy. Really makes the front end of the truck "pop" now.
Some of the body work is not perfect, but you can't tell after it's on.
Renegade_Medic
New member
New Rear Body Mounts
I have had the annoying symptom of the rear bumper constantly hitting the side of the body, even when its braced. I learned of the Sonoran Steel Body Mount upgrade and figured I'd give it a shot, and it works! I didn't notice any knocking on a very bumpy road which usually makes it sound like a pinball machine bumper going nuts in the back. Very happy with the purchase, install was alright, but getting the old mounts out was a total pain. Have a second person handy and a long 2x4 or metal 2xX" tube to help separate the body from the frame so you can get the mounts out and back in.
The old rubber ones were completely shot. I notice the body does move around a lot and I wonder if getting polyurethane bushings for all the mounts would be beneficial.
Body was slightly lifted from how it was sitting, so theres a bit more of a gap, but that's ok with me.
My dad also gave me a Curt roof rack, which I'm thinking about adding a couple extensions to and putting on the roof and taking my rack off.
I have had the annoying symptom of the rear bumper constantly hitting the side of the body, even when its braced. I learned of the Sonoran Steel Body Mount upgrade and figured I'd give it a shot, and it works! I didn't notice any knocking on a very bumpy road which usually makes it sound like a pinball machine bumper going nuts in the back. Very happy with the purchase, install was alright, but getting the old mounts out was a total pain. Have a second person handy and a long 2x4 or metal 2xX" tube to help separate the body from the frame so you can get the mounts out and back in.
The old rubber ones were completely shot. I notice the body does move around a lot and I wonder if getting polyurethane bushings for all the mounts would be beneficial.
Body was slightly lifted from how it was sitting, so theres a bit more of a gap, but that's ok with me.
My dad also gave me a Curt roof rack, which I'm thinking about adding a couple extensions to and putting on the roof and taking my rack off.
Renegade_Medic
New member
Finally got around to doing some things that I have been putting off.
First, I brace the rear bumper. It's much better now, very rigid bumper.
Also raised the parking brake bracket. Cost me like 30 cents, I ain't paying 20 bucks for a painted one...
Then I figured out my bad luck with tires continues. I believe I have either an out of round tire, or it is losing a belt. I have had some pretty good vibrations lately and they have been getting worse, even with a balance. Put the tires up in the air, in drive. I have a pretty good bounce to one of my tires. I am going back to discount and hopefully they will cut me a break on it.
First, I brace the rear bumper. It's much better now, very rigid bumper.
Also raised the parking brake bracket. Cost me like 30 cents, I ain't paying 20 bucks for a painted one...
Then I figured out my bad luck with tires continues. I believe I have either an out of round tire, or it is losing a belt. I have had some pretty good vibrations lately and they have been getting worse, even with a balance. Put the tires up in the air, in drive. I have a pretty good bounce to one of my tires. I am going back to discount and hopefully they will cut me a break on it.
owyheerat
New member
[MENTION=147235]Renegade_Medic[/MENTION], are you still happy with your sonoran steel body mounts? I think that is something I should do.
Also, nice job on extending the e-brake bracket. I did the same thing. Made my own and saved the $20...well spent it on something else that I probably didn't really need...
Also, I like the 'new grill'!
Also, nice job on extending the e-brake bracket. I did the same thing. Made my own and saved the $20...well spent it on something else that I probably didn't really need...
Also, I like the 'new grill'!
Renegade_Medic
New member
Thanks, yes the body mounts are fantastic. They have really helped with the bumper banging into the back and making a super loud clunking noise. Definitely recommend
Renegade_Medic
New member
A few last minute things before Moab
Less than a week out from my trip to Moab, so I just buttoned up some of the last things on my list.
Ordered a Trasharoo, seems pretty cool. Changed the oil and checked the fluids. All is well. Cleaned up the light bar on the roof, made a way to secure my cooler in the back, and put some foam down in my drawers to minimize rattling.
I also picked up a cheap, small CB to install in the dash. I will do that later this week.
Less than a week out from my trip to Moab, so I just buttoned up some of the last things on my list.
Ordered a Trasharoo, seems pretty cool. Changed the oil and checked the fluids. All is well. Cleaned up the light bar on the roof, made a way to secure my cooler in the back, and put some foam down in my drawers to minimize rattling.
I also picked up a cheap, small CB to install in the dash. I will do that later this week.
Renegade_Medic
New member
CB Install
I picked up the highly revered, and most importantly: cheap, CB radio I could find. I got a Cobra 19 DX III at Wal-mart for a whopping $38. I ordered an antenna and wiring from a website and it has yet to arrive. I leave for Moab in 3 days and I'm really hoping it arrives before I leave.
The DX 19 will fit perfectly in the ashtray, almost like it was designed for it. It requires minimal cutting, and I actually ended up cutting out more than I should have. Install was super simple and I hooked the power up to the cigarette lighter plug. Install looks great in my opinion.
Back showing the cut:
I decided to Rivet the top of the radio, to keep it secured:
Fits like a glove:
I should have cut a little less.
Here's how much I should have left intact:
Got it installed and looks almost factory:
All I have left at this point is to install the antenna when it hopefully arrived before we leave. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do, maybe go to a truck stop and find something and send the other stuff back.
I picked up the highly revered, and most importantly: cheap, CB radio I could find. I got a Cobra 19 DX III at Wal-mart for a whopping $38. I ordered an antenna and wiring from a website and it has yet to arrive. I leave for Moab in 3 days and I'm really hoping it arrives before I leave.
The DX 19 will fit perfectly in the ashtray, almost like it was designed for it. It requires minimal cutting, and I actually ended up cutting out more than I should have. Install was super simple and I hooked the power up to the cigarette lighter plug. Install looks great in my opinion.
Back showing the cut:
I decided to Rivet the top of the radio, to keep it secured:
Fits like a glove:
I should have cut a little less.
Here's how much I should have left intact:
Got it installed and looks almost factory:
All I have left at this point is to install the antenna when it hopefully arrived before we leave. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do, maybe go to a truck stop and find something and send the other stuff back.
Renegade_Medic
New member
Thanks, I can't wait to see it
Renegade_Medic
New member
CB Antenna Install and some decals
I got the CB antenna installed. It was kind of a pain, but it's done. Also used some random vinyl to do the Ivan Stewart stripes on the spoiler, which I think looks great. I also added a couple high mileage stickers. This thing is ready for Moab! Leaving in 2 days.
And I've got these on deck, ready to go. Truck has 288k right now, it won't be long until it's over 300.
I got the CB antenna installed. It was kind of a pain, but it's done. Also used some random vinyl to do the Ivan Stewart stripes on the spoiler, which I think looks great. I also added a couple high mileage stickers. This thing is ready for Moab! Leaving in 2 days.
And I've got these on deck, ready to go. Truck has 288k right now, it won't be long until it's over 300.
VernySanders
New member
I just got done reading this entire build thread from start to finish throughout today and much to my surprise I look at the date of last post and its today at 3:45pm... That was amazing, especially when I'm on the verge of starting my own build thread on here come this spring. I live in Michigan and purchased a 2000 black SR5 from California about 10 months ago. 250k miles. I have a grand worth of engine components all OEM sitting in the garage waiting for warm weather. Interestingly enough though I have contemplated purchasing an engine with only 120k miles on it for 600 dollars and putting all my new parts on it instead and this thread reinforces that theory to me. BTF long travel kit and King Coilovers to come this spring as well in order to get ready for the dunes we have out here in Michigan! Great build and I love the bought not built concept! Do you remember where you got the headers? I'm looking for the right ones I dont want to purchase something that wont work. Its slim pickings for headers on our engines.
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Renegade_Medic
New member
Thanks for checking it out. I used JBA Tacoma headers, since they dont make them for ours. It's possible thats why I had some of the fitment issues, but a lot were just poor design. I think the TRD ones that are floating around are about the best bet honestly. Further, if I could do this again, I would not have gone to headers, probably not enough of a gain to deal with it.
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