Captain Texas build thread

[Captain Texas]

Finally coming around to creating my own build thread. I've been posting to the "What did you do with your 4Runner today?" thread and decided I wanted a thread just for my runner.

This build is a Father/Son project (I'm 16) and because my Dad bought the car, he has say in what this build will turn out to be. (Damn)

My truck is a 2004 4Runner SR5 (V6, 2WD), wish it was 4WD but I guess this will have to do.

We bought it in the summer of 2013 from the valley area in Texas from a woman who really did not take care of it at all. It had 73,000 miles, alignment was off, she put ONE new tire that was a different size than the other worn out three, transmission fluid never changed, I think the engine oil had been changed ONCE and the air filter was bad.

Fast forward to today and it is running like new.

EXTERIOR:
LED tail lights
Plasti-dipped bumper accents
Bumper stickers
De-badged
GOBI hatch ladder
Baja Rack + lightcage

INTERIOR:
Pro-clip iPhone 6 mount
Upgraded Toyota '06 headunit
Custom FJ shift knob

COMMS SETUP:
Firestik 3'
Midland 1001LWX CB radio
Stock mic

ENGINE:
HCF delete

LIGHTING:
4 Light Force 170 on roof
LED interior lights

9/6/14



11/1/14 (Current)

 

[bantis556]

I really hope for your sake that the oil was changed more than once.:wow:

Looking forward to seeing more posts.

 

[Captain Texas]

Was rushed out of the house so I wasn't able to fully finish. As it sits now, suspension is to stock, engine is stock (exception of HCF delete), LED interior lighting, custom FJ shift knob by [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] , wheatear tech mats (life saver), and a few small things.

I am currently looking into a CB radio for giggles and also because my friend is willing to get one in his Jeep if I do.

If anyone can recommend CB radio receivers or CB radio setups that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Captain Texas]

I really hope for your sake that the oil was changed more than once.:wow:

Looking forward to seeing more posts.

I might have exaggerated but it was in pretty bad shape when we got it. The toyota dealer in Austin though really brought it back up to speed.

 

[Captain Texas]

Last night my dad and I attempted to replace the tail lights with LED tail lights and well... it didn't turn out the way as planned.

First off it took us a good while to get the top nut loosened and off so that we could remove the old tail light. When we hooked the new LED tail light (NOT OEM may I add), everything worked fine... except the reverse light. We made sure the wiring was correct, the light fixture had a good connection, and a few more things and we figured the reverse lights were out.

This was on the left light we tried. We hooked up the LED right tail light using the lefts cable and same result. Everything worked fine except the reverse lights.

We finally decided that the best bet was to put the old tail light back in so that I could drive it to school legally today, well... the brake light on the original tail light went out. We have no clue how, but the bulb was burnt on the inside.

I am trying to get a hold of goparts.com to see if I can return them, I'm predicting that won't turn out very well.

Moral of the story:

ALWAYS BUY OEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

 

[txclimber]

You have to twist the coupler into place to get the reverse lights to work.

I see you're in Austin, I'm not too far from you. If you guys ever get into a jam, look me up. I have a 1st and 4th gen, and done quite a bit of work to both. Happy to help you out or share my experiences.

 

[Captain Texas]

You have to twist the coupler into place to get the reverse lights to work.

I see you're in Austin, I'm not too far from you. If you guys ever get into a jam, look me up. I have a 1st and 4th gen, and done quite a bit of work to both. Happy to help you out or share my experiences.

We tried the coupler and that also didn't work. We are figuring out what to do, probably have a plan of action by the weekend. I'm hoping we can try it again but if they don't work, they don't work.

Thanks for the offer man, it's greatly appreciated.

-Alex

 

[Captain Texas]

Got these babies in today. I am going to try to find some posts on how to install over the gas cap door.

Also, when I put my bag into my trunk, the back window was rolled down and it caught into the rear wiper. Not knowing this, I rolled up the window. I heard a thud but though nothing of it. This is what happened.

I ordered a replacement, should be here by Tuesday.

 

[Captain Texas]

Worked on it for about 4 hours this morning and well, I kinda feel like and idiot, but at the same time great.

First I plasti-dipped the front and rear bumpers that are silver accented. The silver was driving me crazy! I love the look of the black bumpers instead of the out of place silver.

Also I worked to see if I could get my aftermarket 06-09 LED tail lights I got a week ago. I discovered that the bracket for the reverse lights (which were the lights giving me trouble) would not connect to the power if I turned them all the way to the right and locked them. I had to fudge it a bit and sure enough I got them to work.

The other problem was that I didn't have a deep socket 10mm wrench nut to get to the top bolt to take off the old tails. After about 45 minutes of failed attempts by making make-shift wrenches, I went out to Home Depot and bought one for $1.98. UGH

I also installed TRD off-road decals yesterday and they came out pretty well.

 

[Captain Texas]

Did some off-roading on the ranch. Wished it rain so I could go around in mud.

 

[Captain Texas]

When I went off-roading on Saturday I picked up a nail on the back right tire on the inner sidewall.

Sunday morning and my tire was lowish and the flat tire warning was on. Discount tire wasn't open so I just filled it up with air. Monday morning and when I get out of the drive way to go to school, the flat tire warning shows up again. I went to the nearest gas station, filled it up and headed off to school.

As soon as school got out I went to discount tire to get my tire replaced, they did not have Michelin Latitude tires so they had to order it. Should be there tomorrow. They put the spare on and all is good.

I was not aware that 4runners came with full-size tire spares, I was pretty happy about that. Not happy that the spare was from 2003 (damn you previous owner) and so I had to buy a new tire for that.

Besides my tire crisis, I got all the gear I need for a CB radio. I went with the Midland 1001LWX with whether band since the 4runner does not have one in the radio.

Parts should get here from the 10th-12th. Hopefully I will be able to work on it this weekend.

 

[Captain Texas]

Not much progress made this week although my right tire was replaced and new spare so thats fixed. I also got my pro clip iPhone 5 mount installed and I love it. I hope they get one for the iPhone 6 made quick.

As for the CB radio setup... not going as planned at ALL.

This is seriously turning out to be not one of my brighter ideas because I am having issues mount the antenna to the Comet RS-720, the mounting stud doesn't fit, I can't get the electrical to work, what a mess.

I might be able to get the electrical sorted out but I'm not the best with that kinda stuff so theres no telling how thats going to work out.

My dad did say though that he is looking at 10-12 4Runners because his Lexus is being a PITA so that is exciting. Trying to get him to look at the trail edition because it has 4X4 and he might pass it on to me when he finally gets a SUV he likes, or pickup.

Other wise from that, not a very eventful week. hwell:

 

[Captain Texas]

Finally found some time to update the build.

De-badged the runner this past weekend and it turned out great, took about 45 minutes to do all the badges and being careful about it.

Ordered up some T4R.org decals yesterday from [MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION] and ordered Molon Labe decals as well.

I am going place an order for a Gobi Ladder sometime this week so that I can get the wheels going for the bigger things like the Baja roof rack, lift, etc.

I came around to buy nylon washer to see if that would get the antenna to mount right on the RS-720 NMO that I accidentally bought, it fit but it wasn't stable. Bought the 5/8th" diameter mount (correct mount) and should be here sometime this week.

The electrical part is still tripping me up. If anyone knows any good places for a ground for the CB and how to connect the red wire to a fuse tap that would be greatly appreciated.

I never came around to posting a pic of the ProClip mount I got in my 4runner, I will definitely post it. It is a great product! I have the iPhone 6 mount on pre-order so any day now.

 

[jsmith21]

I grounded it up under the dash and did the add a fuse here.

 

[preacher35]

Howdy from another Texan! So, why does your personalized plate say "BECKETT"? Are you like a huge Tom Berenger fan or something?

 

[Captain Texas]

Howdy from another Texan! So, why does your personalized plate say "BECKETT"? Are you like a huge Tom Berenger fan or something?

It's my last name actually.

 

[Captain Texas]

Just ordered up a Gobi Ladder. Really easy and the lady I was talking to was nice. She said that the ladder will ship some time this week so I should be expecting it in the next week or so.

 

[Buckles]

Just ordered up a Gobi Ladder. Really easy and the lady I was talking to was nice. She said that the ladder will ship some time this week so I should be expecting it in the next week or so.

Hopefully you get yours sooner than I did. Took over a month for mine to arrive.

When you install, it really helps to have a second person. Measure twice. It's pretty hard to unstick that 3M tape.

 

[Captain Texas]

Hopefully you get yours sooner than I did. Took over a month for mine to arrive.

When you install, it really helps to have a second person. Measure twice. It's pretty hard to unstick that 3M tape.

I hope so too! Trust me, I'm already worrying about alignment of the ladder.

 

[Captain Texas]

I FINALLY got the CB setup all settled and working and I couldn't be happier!

Got the right RS-720 mount from American Radio Supply today and I'm really happy with their customer service!

The CB itself is mounted to the side of my center console by velcro. Used a fuse tap for power and grounded it by loosening the bolt that holds down the drivers seat, putting it underneath, and tightened it down again.

The Midland 1001WLX sounds good for a built in speaker and the weather band is going to come in so handy when I can't look at my phone for weather updates when I drive.

I will probably do a write up on the entire install, just got to put the car back together.