CrimsonCountry's '06 SE Build...

[CrimsonCountry]

Great looking truck man! I remember when it was stock with the Dynapro ATM's on it in Nashville. You have done a great job on it. Next mods? Also that pic of you on the trails by the river/creek, where is that located?? They look like some fun easy trails. Let me know next time you are in Nashville.

Whats up man. Thanks...it has definately come a long way since then. I don't really have any major mods planned for it. I really need to install the headlights/projectors i've had for 6 months though. Other than that, MAYBE a roof rack.

The picture by the river was down here on Flint River, east of Huntsville around Hampton Cove. It has a decent area to play in with a few steep climbs but nothing too crazy. The trail does continue a little farther down along the river but it floods quickly and I'm not too fond of being that close to the water anway.

 

[dgwood12]

Speaking of blacked out headlights, I've had these, along with my 5k retro, waiting to be installed for months now. Going to be putting everything on pretty soon.

Wow man, those look amazing. Did you make them yourself? Have any pics installed? Also, details on the mod if you did make them yourself?

Thanks!

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Wow man, those look amazing. Did you make them yourself? Have any pics installed? Also, details on the mod if you did make them yourself?

Thanks!

Thanks. I did just paint them myself. I bought a used OEM set off Ebay and did the usual baking method to disassemble. And I have yet to actually install them or my retro HID kit. I'm considering selling them now but not sure yet.

 

[Asta]

Sweet looking 4Runner man i love the all black look!

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Sweet looking 4Runner man i love the all black look!

Thanks, i'm kind of partial to it myself. :bigok:

 

[c_mack9]

I like the truck man, good job. How is the ride with the Bilstein 5100/OME 884 combo? I know it's been a long time since you sold it but I like how simple it is and the lift it provides. Good choice on the OC ATII. I've had mine on my old 3rd gen for over a year and love them. I just bought a 4th gen recently and moved them over to it. Also, in your earlier pics I noticed the bike rack and wondered what you ride so thanks for posting the pic of the Epic. It looks like a 2011 instead of a 2001. Was that a typo? I'm a Specialized guy too, I have a Camber Evo, and a Tarmac. I love both. Nice truck and nice bike my friend, keep at it.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

I like the truck man, good job. How is the ride with the Bilstein 5100/OME 884 combo? I know it's been a long time since you sold it but I like how simple it is and the lift it provides. Good choice on the OC ATII. I've had mine on my old 3rd gen for over a year and love them. I just bought a 4th gen recently and moved them over to it. Also, in your earlier pics I noticed the bike rack and wondered what you ride so thanks for posting the pic of the Epic. It looks like a 2011 instead of a 2001. Was that a typo? I'm a Specialized guy too, I have a Camber Evo, and a Tarmac. I love both. Nice truck and nice bike my friend, keep at it.

Thanks man. I'm pretty happy with how it sits now but as always, I have a few other idea/wants for it. I really like the tires. At times, I do miss the MT look but love the way these ride on the road and help a little at the pump. Any plans for your new 4th gen?

===start MTB rant=====
And you're correct...it is a 2011 (my bad). It would be pretty advanced for a 2001. Ha. I love it but find myself wanting a little more travel. With 29ers, there is that sweet spot in travel b/c it feels like you already have another 10-20mm built in with the larger wheel size. The Camber EVO looks like an awesome compromise and would probably suite my riding style more than the EPIC as I like to take some smaller, 2-3ft drops every now and then and use up all the suspension. What year is you EVO?

My tire choice is more in line with AM style riding vs pure XC (gotta love all the labels for MTB) but we have some pretty knarly/sharp rocks on the Huntsville trails and I don't exactly take the easy lines so they soak everything up fairly well. Having said that, you can definately feel the extra resistance b/c I run the PSI down low, around 25-27 @ 215lbs w/ gear. I could bump up the PSI but I don't like the way the Ardents handle (tend to washout in hard corners) at 30+ PSI. So, i'm going down to a smaller tire 2.1-2.25 as my larger wheels, Stans Flow EX, already adds a little extra width.

And I know next to nothing on road biking but have heard good things on the Tarmac from friends. Its a great way to train too if you compete but I have yet to actually purchase a roadie.
====end MTB rant=====

 

[c_mack9]

No big plans for this one. I MIGHT do that lift after it's paid for but then I might just upgrade to an FJ instead of spending money on this one. It rides so nice I don't want to mess with it to much.

I had a Niner Jet9, which is an XC bike more like the Epic. XC bikes have their purpose but I don't race so all of the effeciency is kind of wasted. My EVO is the new 2014 one, I added the command post seat dropper, that's a combination that puts a smile on your face. I've only had it out a couple of times, I bought it the day before the snow hit and the trails have been a wreck since. It's a really fun bike, more travel, aggressive tires, slacker head tube angle, short stem, wide bars. It's not as much of a race bike, more focused on being fun and they've nailed it. It rolls out more like the Stumpy than an Epic. I was wondering if there was any cyclists on here, good to find you.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Thats smart. Honestly, I cant even remember what stock feels like. Ive had it lifted since 2011 so its just a distant memory. Ha. However, i do remember all the break dive and body rolling and dont miss that at all.

Nice, the Jet9 is legit...great race bike. But not as much fun as the Camber. As you can see from my mods, ive made it as much AM as it can be...tires, platforms, wide bars, stem, etc. Also, funny you mention the Command post. I just bought mine a few months back and i love it. I ride some steep stuff and was always stopping to raise/lower the seat post...never again!

If I ever find a good deal on one, the Camber may be my next bike. I much prefer a playful bike over hardcore efficiency any day.

No big plans for this one. I MIGHT do that lift after it's paid for but then I might just upgrade to an FJ instead of spending money on this one. It rides so nice I don't want to mess with it to much.

I had a Niner Jet9, which is an XC bike more like the Epic. XC bikes have their purpose but I don't race so all of the effeciency is kind of wasted. My EVO is the new 2014 one, I added the command post seat dropper, that's a combination that puts a smile on your face. I've only had it out a couple of times, I bought it the day before the snow hit and the trails have been a wreck since. It's a really fun bike, more travel, aggressive tires, slacker head tube angle, short stem, wide bars. It's not as much of a race bike, more focused on being fun and they've nailed it. It rolls out more like the Stumpy than an Epic. I was wondering if there was any cyclists on here, good to find you.

 

[c_mack9]

It's definitely more fun, and honestly the rear end is so stiff I can't imagine my Jet9 being more efficient pedalling. The Jet9 climbs better because of the head tube angle, not efficiency. On steep climbs in low gears sometimes the Camber wants to lift the front wheel. I just remember to keep some weight on my hands and it's fine. Downhill, there is no comparison.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

It's definitely more fun, and honestly the rear end is so stiff I can't imagine my Jet9 being more efficient pedalling. The Jet9 climbs better because of the head tube angle, not efficiency. On steep climbs in low gears sometimes the Camber wants to lift the front wheel. I just remember to keep some weight on my hands and it's fine. Downhill, there is no comparison.

Sounds like I need to make the swap then. I actually played around with various stem lengths on the Epic. I loved the way it handled downhill and in the air with the short stem but uphill was a PIA given the factory geometry. Like you said, the only real solution is to slacken the Headtube angle. Ahhh decisions decisions...

 

[CrimsonCountry]

So, i'm really close to pulling the trigger on a color-matched Limited grille (black of course). Its either that or get my current Satoshi painted to match as the plasti-dip look got old against the glossy paint. Its now back to chrome. I could be easily swayed either way at this point though.

Anybody know of any deals on a new/used black grille?...or access to dealer pricing? The cheapest I have so far for an actual OEM grille was around $185 shipped. I have had the aftermarket plastic ones and definately want to get an OEM this time around.

 

[c_mack9]

I'd be interested in buying your Satoshi grill if it's neat and tidy. Feel free to shoot me some pics to my inbox, and a price. I'd like to have one but I'm lacking the skills to hack up my grill and work with fiberglass. It would be great to buy one that is already done.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

I'd be interested in buying your Satoshi grill if it's neat and tidy. Feel free to shoot me some pics to my inbox, and a price. I'd like to have one but I'm lacking the skills to hack up my grill and work with fiberglass. It would be great to buy one that is already done.

Honestly, you probably wouldn't be interested in mine as it is still a WIP. Its not fiberglassed/finished as I wanted the mesh to be more flush with the exterior. I wasn't interested in a Satoshi in a true Satoshi sense (ie. fully recessed). However, now that i've lost interest in the project and have always wanted a black, OEM grille anyway, i'm kind of over it. Ha. Having said that, If I do find another grille, you may still be interested in mine as it is already cut.

 

[c_mack9]

I see. No thanks, I want one ready to roll.

 

[jsmith21]

I'd take the mesh part if you'd be interested in selling that. I doubt you would, but I'm just wary of my skills to make one that looks good haha.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

I see. No thanks, I want one ready to roll.

No worries. This one isn't for you if you didn't want to do any work and wanted the lip. :sorry: You might be suprised as how much you enjoy making it yourself if you could find a good deal on a used grille. Like I said, I just lost interest in it otherwise I would have went that route.

I'd take the mesh part if you'd be interested in selling that. I doubt you would, but I'm just wary of my skills to make one that looks good haha.

The mesh is actually just a large piece I bought at Lowes. The exact product link is a few pages back in my build. I simply made a plywood cutout by tracing the outline of the inside opening of the grille after it has been cut apart and cleared in the center. I then wrapped a piece of the mesh over it and gently formed the mesh's shape to that of the grille opening by bending it around the cutout. Pretty easy.

EDIT: HERE is the link to the mesh I used.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Small update: The truck remains essentially unchanged except for the grille. I got tired of the half-finished Satoshi setup so I sold it locally and swapped it out for a black Limited Ed. grille from Ebay. I wasn't going to get one but I couldn't pass up the deal I found on this one given the fact that it was brand new. I'm extremely happy with it and, to me, it looks more complete than the satoshi.

As for future mods, I may add some Clazzio seat covers and change up the audio, but nothing major. With that said, i'm always up for swapping out wheels/tires should I find a good deal.

 

[swapmeet]

Nice truck man!

Just finished reading the whole thread.

This is mine... very similar look. I have the level 8 MK6 (edit HOLY CRAP why is the pic so big???)

Headlight paint and a Limited Grille are on my radar. I've been hunting on ebay for the grille, but a local dealer has them for a pretty fair price, so I'll probably just buy new. I have 4x sliders and RCI skids on the way.

Do you take your truck offroad often?

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Thanks man! I've ran across pictures of your truck a few times as well and like yours too.

I almost bought sliders and actually had a set of LCA skids (BAMF) but ending up selling them and not buying sliders. Once I was really honest about me using them (I wouldn't), I decided to save money and use it elsewhere.

Which leads me to your next question, no. I rarely ever take my truck offroad anymore except for the occasional camping trip or on the farm. All my time spent offroad is on my mountain bike. The truck is now mainly for looks (...or was it always?? :laugh.