Update 10-6-13 (Pics #1)
Picture Time!
So I drove it the way it was after the last wave of mods for a few months, and I was really enjoying it. There wasn't really anything I absolutely needed as far as mods and maintenance, until this...
I pulled the codes P0301 P0302 P0304 and P0300. Cylinder 1, 2, and 4 misfire. Along with the Random/Multiple misfire code. I was thinking theres no way 3 cylinders would begin to miss at the same time. Went ahead and did plugs and wires, haven't seen a CEL since.
First Wheeling Trip
So for my first time wheeling somewhere that's more than a mud hole and some gravel, I went to Prentice Cooper State Park. It was AWESOME! I know it's pretty easy stuff. It was just cool to go somewhere where I could ride through trails without worrying about trespassing and cops throwing me out. Haha.
Anyway...
<embed width="440" height="420" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://v5.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=np2b0p&s=5"><br><font size="1"><a href="http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=np2b0p&s=5">Original Video</a> - More videos at <a href="http://tinypic.com">TinyPic</a></font>
<embed width="440" height="420" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://v5.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=2n035aa&s=5"><br><font size="1"><a href="http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=2n035aa&s=5">Original Video</a> - More videos at <a href="http://tinypic.com">TinyPic</a></font>
Sorry for the lack of pics and crappy cell phone videos.
Random Pics
Tried to flex on a sand mound behind my high school. Not sure if this could've caused my U-joints to go bad. But as soon as I left school that day, my driveshaft started chirping in reverse. Replaced the U-joints a few weeks later. I greased them first to see if they were salvageable, worked for about a week. Then the chirping was back and louder than ever.
And here's a random picture next to my Dad's 2002 4Runner. It's about to turn 200,000 miles in the next few days. And it drives and looks like it rolled off the lot yesterday. It's the main reason I got my 4Runner.
While my family was staying in a cabin near Fall Creek Falls for a few days, I got bored and went exploring. I came across some kind of National Forest. Can't remember the name. It was right up the road from the Fall Creek Falls main entrance. It was miles and miles of gravel and dirt roads, with a few trails here and there. My brother, his friend, and I were the only ones out there for the few hours I spent there. It was definitely a nice ride.
33's and Bumper Trimming
After seeing how @88CleveRunner trimmed his valance to run 33s, I thought it looked pretty cool. I like it a lot more than just trimming the sides. It makes the approach angles easier offroad too. So i grabbed a utility knife and went to work. I also re-plastidipped the front bumper. I've wasted a lot of plastidip on this bumper. Mostly because I don't take the time to do it right.
I did the trimming and plastidipping as I waited on my new Treadwright Guard Dogs to show up. Once they did, I was off to Firestone for mounting, balancing, and alignment. Firestone was the only shop in town who would mount 285s on a 7 inch wide rim. Good thing I was going there for an alignment anyway. (If you have a Firestone near you, invest in a lifetime alignment. Totally worth it.) Had to run 1/4 inch wheel spacers to clear the UCA. Once it was all said and done, I had reached my main goals for the Runner. It was finally lifted and sitting on 33's!
I love the stance of this thing! Looks mean.
First curb flex with the new rubber.
Plasti Dip Anthracite Grey Wheel Kit
I had previously Plastidipped my Split 3 spoke wheels when I first got my 4Runner. I liked how the Plastidip worked. (as you can tell by my abnormally heavy use of it) And I really wanted a dark grey or gunmetal color for my wheels. So as soon as DipYourCar.com released their Anthracite Gray True Metallic kit, I had to try it. And I absolutely love the results.
Up close.
Finished product.
Pinstripes Removed, Clay bar and Wax
After trying to remove the pinstripes myself (don't waste time doing this), and being too cheap to by a pinstripe removal wheel, I took it by my buddy's old baseball coach's body shop to ask about a first gen that had been sitting in the parking lot of the building next door. I asked how much he would charge to remove them. He told me to pull it in and he would do it for free. As we all know, free is always awesome.
After having the pinstripes removed, it left the paint looking pretty rough. Perfect excuse to spend some money on a wax and clay bar kit. Got it looking nice and shiny. But with my new mud terrains, I knew it wouldn't last long...
Right after wax and clay bar.
1 week later...
(this is another edit of a picture I took, I'm not very good w/ Gimp etc.). I'll try to do the same thing with a picture of the 4runner with the wheels on, to see how it would look.
49 in a 30... Any advice on how to handle this would be appreciated. Lol. Also, I ditched my doughnut looking 30x9.5 tires for a set of National Commando A/Ts 265/75r16s with 85% tread for only $200! And a set of wheels from my buddy who has a 2002 Sport Edition and put TRD Fjs on it with 285s and the Toytec Ultimate lift for only $100. $300 for a great set of tires and wheels. Sold my old tires and rims for a total of $650! Cornfed 2 inch lift and Bilstien HDs going on next week! I'll also probably be looking into a new skidplate (BudBuilt or SkidRow) with the extra money and my first tax return. Until then... Pics.
