Cheap and Classy... my '96 Build Thread

[Soy]

B/S Duellers look nice on that ride, Nice car as well, I had a 99 protege as well, really nice car

Thanks man. The tires came with the truck; I'm still contemplating what to get for the next set when these eventually wear out.

Love my little MSP. Been driving the wheels off it for 4 years now. I'm pretty partial to keeping my rides as clean as possible, keeping mods in check and not going down the evil path of rice. :O

What size are those Bridgestones? They look bigger than 265/70's.

Nope - they're 265/70 r16s. Guess they just look meaty? I think they're at about 50% tread too. Here's hoping they last a little while longer.

 

[AZ4FNER]

Soy, you should put a photo of your shocks/bushings on your thread. Those are scary!!!

Dang man, no wonder they were tops on your list. Anything you bolted on would have improved your ride...

Glad to hear your enjoying the new ride.

 

[Soy]

Soy, you should put a photo of your shocks/bushings on your thread. Those are scary!!!

Dang man, no wonder they were tops on your list. Anything you bolted on would have improved your ride...

Glad to hear your enjoying the new ride.

Good call. Here are how the lower mounts/bushings looked on the old front shocks:

As you can see, the bushings were done. I could feel movement under braking and acceleration, and bumps or dips would scare me half to death.

So glad to have new parts in, if only for safety's sake.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Dude, I run up Saddleback all the time! Let me know if you want to make a run up there, we can get a few gents together.

Nice truck.

 

[GladeRunner]

The combo of the SS 3.0 and taking off the RB really makes a big difference. A very good difference. Great mods.

 

[Soy]

Dude, I run up Saddleback all the time! Let me know if you want to make a run up there, we can get a few gents together.

Nice truck.

You got it man. I'd love to get a group together to check out Beek's place. Never been up that side, and I hear it's a pretty cool spot to have lunch and take some pictures. I'm free only on weekends though... being a corporate slave has its drawbacks.

The combo of the SS 3.0 and taking off the RB really makes a big difference. A very good difference. Great mods.

Thanks! I've fallen in love with the truck all over again since Friday. New suspension and a more rugged look make all the difference.

So the next plan is to fab up some sliders. I'm already missing the convenience of the running boards, but definitely want something stronger and beefier. I've got a few friends who work with steel, and I'd love to put the old welding mask back on and give it a go myself. Been looking at a bunch of different designs; trying to come up with something I like more than what's available on the market. :nerd:

 

[blcktpgsr]

Been looking at a bunch of different designs; trying to come up with something I like more than what's available on the market. :nerd:

I like that idea and state of mind. Can't wait to see what you come up with..By the way it's never too late to compliment and admire how your rig came out to be, is it? Well done man :thumb3:

 

[BrianSD_42]

You got it man. I'd love to get a group together to check out Beek's place. Never been up that side, and I hear it's a pretty cool spot to have lunch and take some pictures. I'm free only on weekends though... being a corporate slave has its drawbacks.

Yes but being a corp serf pays for our truck upgrades and rent.

I'm down for a run next month.

 

[Soy]

What size are those Bridgestones? They look bigger than 265/70's.

Just double-checked the tires... I lied. They're 265/75 r16. So just slightly bigger.

 

[AZ4FNER]

Just double-checked the tires... I lied. They're 265/75 r16. So just slightly bigger.

Perfect!

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Soy....Thanks for the wealth of information on the SS 3.0 system. Your Runner is very nice. I am getting the SS 3.0 installed by Steve sometime next week. So excited. Plus, Steve is going to put airbags on GiGi...after hearing my concerns on sagging when loaded down or possiblity of towing a trailer. What a nice guy.

 

[Soy]

Soy....Thanks for the wealth of information on the SS 3.0 system. Your Runner is very nice. I am getting the SS 3.0 installed by Steve sometime next week. So excited. Plus, Steve is going to put airbags on GiGi...after hearing my concerns on sagging when loaded down or possiblity of towing a trailer. What a nice guy.

Nice! Tell Steve that James in California is a happy camper.

You'll definitely enjoy the upgrade to new components. The combination of 99 talls and trek masters is spot on.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Nice! Tell Steve that James in California is a happy camper.

Will do

 

[Soy]

Over the weekend I took her out for her maiden voyage since the suspension install and alignment.

It snowed 18" up at Big Bear on Friday, so the siren call of spring skiing lured me up.

330 and 18 had chain or 4wd requirements. No problem. She handled the twisty roads, ice, snow, slush, etc. without breaking a sweat. Gotta say, it's nice owning such a capable truck.

Conditions were great on Saturday, aside from almost no visibility at the summit.

Still, an awesome day for me and the truck.

On Sunday I tackled the taco whip mod. Driving to and from Bear without the normal radio was annoying. No pics, but really... Who needs to see another fixed mast on a 3rd gen?

Next up this weekend is a fuel filter and possibly get started with the sliders. Though, given the cost of raw steel right now it might be worth my time to simply order some from 4xinnovations or Stubbs.

 

[GladeRunner]

I'm jealous....skiing in April! Thats awesome.

Glad your T4R handled well with all the new mods. How off was your alignment after SS 3.0 install?

If I can figure out the subscribing thing, I'll do it to watch how your sliders come out.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

Great thread! I love budget builds

 

[AZ4FNER]

Nice, I haven't driven mine in snow yet. Guess I have to wait until next year. Oh well.

More pics of your rig in snow please...

 

[Soy]

I'm jealous....skiing in April! Thats awesome.

Glad your T4R handled well with all the new mods. How off was your alignment after SS 3.0 install?

If I can figure out the subscribing thing, I'll do it to watch how your sliders come out.

The alignment was pretty off. I've got the printout at home, but the guys at the shop said it took some work. She's back into factory specs now though, and rides straight and true.

Great thread! I love budget builds

Thanks man! The budget is pretty much spent at this point unless I find some seriously screaming deals. Gotta save up for the eventual tire replacement.

Nice, I haven't driven mine in snow yet. Guess I have to wait until next year. Oh well.

More pics of your rig in snow please...

Wish I had more pics of her in snow... that's really about it. By the time I left on Saturday afternoon the roads were clear. Since then they've had weather in the 60's... so I'm pretty sure the season is super done.

For now, I guess we'll have to settle for dirt, forest, and sand. :surfer: