Coolman's Build Thread

[Coolman]

I purchased my 1997 4runner SR5 3.4L Auto 2WD Last september and been browsing T4R.org ever since to get ideas of what I wanted to do to my 4runner. I thought it would be great to make my own build thread now since I have some upgrades/mods coming up in the near future. My background with Toyota is with my moms sequoia, my grandparents camry, my dads 4th gen 4runner (sold), and my other grandparents fj cruiser. anywayssssss............................................................
:worthless
the craigslist ad

Her first fill up and when i brought her home

Removed the running boards and Wheeled it with my friend and his cherokee

cherokee got stuck in a ditch and had to be pulled out by a passing tractor

First mod, Satoshi Grill

Blacked out fender flares

Problems that need to be addressed in the furture
Faded, stained, and peeling hood. (there is a certifit in tampa, a 1 hour drive from me that carrys sport hoods for cheap)

Dented front Bumper

Mismatched rims and tiny tires

faded roof

dented rear bumper

Picked up some factory rims on eBay for cheap and some primer, paint, and clear to clean them up a bit, there gonna need a lot of sanding.

My friend also got me some LED lights for my birthday

 

[Hepar]

Nice rig. I've always liked that color.

 

[Coolman]

Update

Finally got my Rims painted up this past weekend, pretty happy with the results except one of them that was trashed to start with.

had my buddy help out to make the process go a little quicker

now i need a new set of lugs. Im pretty sure the size is 12mm x 1.5 if im not mistaken. correct me if im wrong.
and i need to get them mounted up. anyone suggest a good place to go? I have a tires plus and a tire kingdom near me.

Also installed my pioneer head unit

finally no more radio music... got slightly stoopid playing via bluetooth. Me and a few friends took the 4runner to St.Petersburg to go see them along with dirty heads and stick figure. 4runner did really good on the interstate and only went through half of a tank going there and back.

Just got my emblem in the mail today!!

love the way it looks. at first I thought it was too big but it seems perfect now

 

[CentralFL4Runner]

Something to try on the paint, to help see if you can get a little more shine out of it is a good compound and polish. I just did it on mine and it did fantastic for taking out the oxidation and some smaller micro-maring.

Check out Meguiars m105 and m205. M105 is a cutting compound and m205 is a lighter compound, technically a polish. Theres a ton of information on how to use it online, but here's the gist. Wash and clay the vehicle. If you have a DA buffer, grab yourself an orange or yellow cutting pad for the m105, prime the pad and do a 2x2 section following the speed and pressure directions on the bottle. Wipe the section clean and repeat until satisfied. Then you come back with a blue or black (I think it's black?) pad and use the m205 same way. Follow up with a good sealant and wax, and you'll be surprised the shine you can bring from oxidized paint. It won't take out any chips or deep scratches, but can help narrow down which sections you need to touch up and bring some life back.

The build seems to be coming along nicely, excited to see what direction you go with her! I agree, I like the way the Toyota looks...Not too big at all!

Also, check out ebay for the chrome piece of the bumper. Under 200 bucks if i remember correctly. I backed up into a trailer hitch (Dang trailer was sitting higher then my hitch) and put a nice sized dent square in the middle. I'm still debating taking it off and trying to hammer it out or buy a cheap one.

 

[Coolman]

Thanks for the info on the restoring the paint
I've been looking at a certain bumper on ebay thats pretty cheap. here it is
deciding if i want to go with that or trying to hammer it out too and painting it black to hide any warping or any minor dents

 

[CentralFL4Runner]

Thanks for the info on the restoring the paint
I've been looking at a certain bumper on ebay thats pretty cheap. here it is
deciding if i want to go with that or trying to hammer it out too and painting it black to hide any warping or any minor dents

If you ever plan to go with a custom rear, i'd recommend just hammering it out simply because its free and thats 100 bucks you can put towards the future purchase of one.

 

[Coolman]

Update

Just got my rims mounted on today. i think they look pretty nice

Heres the receipt I got back including their recommended services. Almost $900?!?!? yeah no thanks

I also got this in the mail today. Really useful for navigation and I don't have to look down at my phone

 

[Coolman]

Update

So I got an OBD-II wifi port in the mail today from amazon. Here it is and a couple of screenshots.

Heres where it goes into

Screenshots of the dash command app

Looks like I need to replace my Oxygen sensor

 

[Coolman]

Maintenance Update


Got a new air filter for $7 on amazon
The Comparison between the new and old

 

[CentralFL4Runner]

So I got an OBD-II wifi port in the mail today from amazon. Here it is and a couple of screenshots.

Heres where it goes into

Screenshots of the dash command app

Looks like I need to replace my Oxygen sensor

How do you like it? I've been debating a scangauage. How does this compare in your opinion? If you don't mind, what did you pay for it?

 

[I'mStock]

Cool man.

 

[Coolman]

How do you like it? I've been debating a scangauage. How does this compare in your opinion? If you don't mind, what did you pay for it?

It was like $17 on amazon. its a little bit annoying to connect to it and open the app while trying to get going in the car but the the layout is much easier to understand than a scangauage or ultragauage.

 

[Coolman]

Cool man.

thanks:hello:

 

[Coolman]

Update

Plasti-dipped this thingy and also my spoiler. They were looking hella faded.

Next up, the cowl, roof rack, and bottom front bumper.

 

[Coolman]

Update


Washed her up and put some clear corners and clear turn signals on. Now i really want that front bumper black. And i really need to restore that paint. Hopefully I will get to that this weekend before school starts next week. I also got a new job today so hopefully more money will be thrown at the 4Runner.

I really want the paint to be looking like this

 

[Coolman]

Update

Replaced my Drivers side bulb today. It was a pain in the ass to get that wire retainer out. I also plasti-dipped my Toyota emblem gray.

 

[Coolman]

Update

CLAY DAY! so i clay barred my car today and got some new trd stickers. they came in the mail folded and crinkled so they came out a little weird. The washing and claying process took about 2.5 hours.

 

[Coolman]

Transformation

Can we all just admire this transformation

 

[habanero]

Nice transformation so far. The dark Toyota emblem is perfect with the Anthracite and black surrounding it.

That wire bit's not so bad once you've got the hang of it, is it? At least so long as it's not sitting in front of a dual battery box!

To get the bulb out push down on the complicated looking side of the wire retainer and move it off the hook that hold it.

It swings out of the way...

And the bulb comes right out.

 

[Coolman]

Nice transformation so far. The dark Toyota emblem is perfect with the Anthracite and black surrounding it.

That wire bit's not so bad once you've got the hang of it, is it? At least so long as it's not sitting in front of a dual battery box!

To get the bulb out push down on the complicated looking side of the wire retainer and move it off the hook that hold it.

And the bulb comes right out.

Thanks for the info!:thumb3: