Cytronus Build Thread (pic heavy)

[Cytronus]

Pitbull, I came to the realization that I am indeed a lunatic with my 4Runner after adding up all the expenses the past 12 months. It's about $8500. The Tundra break conversion and suspension replacement was about $5300 of that. Yikes. For what I paid for the truck plus the upgrades and mods, I could've got a 2002 Sport with less miles. Still though, I love my 4Runner. I hope to keep it for years to come and someday, when it's viewed at as a classic, give it a frame off repaint, full restoration and a new engine.

 

[rideexileex]

Wait.... woah! How did you get up to 5300 on brake and suspension???

 

[Cytronus]

give the leather a few months to tighten up in the loose places, it'll look 100% better than new.

edit: I forgot to mention that it looks GREAT. One weird question though, how does the truck smell now? New? Weird? Old?

Thanks BlackCat. The car definitely smelled like a new car after the carpet and new leather seats went in. Now, the new car smell is more subdued but still there.

 

[Cytronus]

Wait.... woah! How did you get up to 5300 on brake and suspension???

I know, I was just as shocked when I got the bill from my mechanic. While the car was up on the jacks getting the suspension work done, the new tires put on and balanced, I looked at the front brakes and noticed they were pretty worn down. The pads were done and rotors were out of spec too. So since I needed new rotors and pads up front, I told my mechanic to order up genuine Toyota parts and do the Tundra conversion. Normally, I order parts online myself and bring them to my mechanic but this time, he ordered them up. I was blown away with the parts cost - something like $2300 for the Tundra brakes. I figured it was just my mechanic or his supplier making a buck. The rest of the job was fair priced.

All in all, the price included the labor and parts (new tires, suspension parts, billstein shocks, Tundra OEM brake parts, alignment and balancing).

I also have noticed we Californians pay a LOT more for parts and labor due to the higher cost of living here. It sucks.

 

[Skidmarcx]

Wow you are not messing around... nicely done so far

 

[downpour11]

I was blown away with the parts cost - something like $2300 for the Tundra brakes. I figured it was just my mechanic or his supplier making a buck. The rest of the job was fair priced.

WHAAAAAATT!!!!?!??????? that is INSANE! Your mechanic or supplier must have made an easy $2000 bucks right there.

On another note, the truck looks great! The new leather and full cleaning makes it look brand new

 

[Singtoe]

$8500 WoW. I would have done the Tundra UZ mod instead of the brake mod.

 

[fightman80]

THat's an insane price tag for that work.... I would and have done it myself! Aside from the Tundra upgrade, I've swapped all the same parts, including new rotors, pads, calipers, and shoes for the rear. I've also done Ball joints, tie rods, bushings, etc.... and can honestly say, I've spent roughly half of what you paid.

Your truck does look pretty clean now though... Always been a fan of the Silver Limited. I like the sport Edition skid too.... got me one for my 98 SR5 too.... made my own brackets though...

 

[Wstrelevitz]

Replaced the dim OEM bulbs with green super bright LEDs from superbrightleds.com.

this is really helpful! cant wait to order my LEDs. which ones from superbrightleds.com did you get? thanks for the help. love the new seats and carpet. looks really clean!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Backup camera license plate frame with Advent rear view mirror with integrated LCD picture. The cool thing about the mirror is that it's autodimming and has a slightly wider field of view than the OEM but still clears the sun visors. It has 2 video inputs so eventually, I'll add a camera to the front. Nothing like parallel parking in tight spaces with 2 cameras!

Nice build! I really like your backup camera system and mirror. Do you have any more information on it? Did it all come as a kit, or did you have to piece it together? Any links to the kit/components? Was it difficult to install?

Thanks.

 

[rideexileex]

dang... I am jealous of those seats tho. Those look prime

 

[Cytronus]

Bandit Runner, the backup camera equipment is listed below. The mirror installation requires headliner pop down in front with wiring coming down the A or B pillar to the floor under the carpet on the drivers side. For the camera, you have to remove the rear gate interior panel to wire it up. I went to the left (driver side), to the reverse light wiring tie-in and up to the headliner. You have to be careful the wiring doesn't get in the way of the window track. When you take the rear gate panel off, have someone roll the rear window up and down so you can see where it goes. The track is not as obvious as you'd think. The real trick is fixing the rear view mirror to the windshield. Pull your sun visors down, position the mirror by hand in the right spot and angle and then place 4 strips of tape in a square around the mount area to mark the spot. Glass must be uber clean and a special type of glue is required. Your timing must be perfect on this or the glue won't hold or firm properly, leaving your mirror wiggling around. Check YouTube for videos on this.

Go to Advent's website to see the installation manual and wiring diagrams.

Camera:
PAC VCI-SRVCB Black Full-Frame Rearview CCD Color License Plate Camera

Pac Vci-Srvcb Full-Frame Rearview Ccd Color License Plate Camera (Black)
380 TVL horizontal resolution
Low-lux performance / 0.3 Lux at F2.0
Waterproof
Standard composite video output

I highly recommend this camera for 2 reasons: 1 - it's center mounted so your field of view is even and 2, it's adjustable up and down via 2 small allen key screws. I set mine so that the tow hitch is just visible at the bottom of the screen. It's also inconspicuous to thieves.

Mirror:
Advent Model: LCDM40A
4.0” LCD Rear Vision Mirror Monitor

 

[Cytronus]

When the power train wears out, I will definitely consider the UZ mod but for now, I'm happy with the brakes. They work really well. The OEMs were just so underpowered, especially for wheeling on steep hills.

$8500 WoW. I would have done the Tundra UZ mod instead of the brake mod.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Bandit Runner, the backup camera equipment is listed below. The mirror installation requires headliner pop down in front with wiring coming down the A or B pillar to the floor under the carpet on the drivers side. For the camera, you have to remove the rear gate interior panel to wire it up. I went to the left (driver side), to the reverse light wiring tie-in and up to the headliner. You have to be careful the wiring doesn't get in the way of the window track. When you take the rear gate panel off, have someone roll the rear window up and down so you can see where it goes. The track is not as obvious as you'd think. The real trick is fixing the rear view mirror to the windshield. Pull your sun visors down, position the mirror by hand in the right spot and angle and then place 4 strips of tape in a square around the mount area to mark the spot. Glass must be uber clean and a special type of glue is required. Your timing must be perfect on this or the glue won't hold or firm properly, leaving your mirror wiggling around. Check YouTube for videos on this.

Go to Advent's website to see the installation manual and wiring diagrams.

Camera:
PAC VCI-SRVCB Black Full-Frame Rearview CCD Color License Plate Camera

Pac Vci-Srvcb Full-Frame Rearview Ccd Color License Plate Camera (Black)
380 TVL horizontal resolution
Low-lux performance / 0.3 Lux at F2.0
Waterproof
Standard composite video output

I highly recommend this camera for 2 reasons: 1 - it's center mounted so your field of view is even and 2, it's adjustable up and down via 2 small allen key screws. I set mine so that the tow hitch is just visible at the bottom of the screen. It's also inconspicuous to thieves.

Mirror:
Advent Model: LCDM40A
4.0” LCD Rear Vision Mirror Monitor

Thanks so much for the detailed information. I'm saving this in my future mods file for sure.

 

[LINY4Runner]

I know, I was just as shocked when I got the bill from my mechanic. While the car was up on the jacks getting the suspension work done, the new tires put on and balanced, I looked at the front brakes and noticed they were pretty worn down. The pads were done and rotors were out of spec too. So since I needed new rotors and pads up front, I told my mechanic to order up genuine Toyota parts and do the Tundra conversion. Normally, I order parts online myself and bring them to my mechanic but this time, he ordered them up. I was blown away with the parts cost - something like $2300 for the Tundra brakes. I figured it was just my mechanic or his supplier making a buck. The rest of the job was fair priced.

All in all, the price included the labor and parts (new tires, suspension parts, billstein shocks, Tundra OEM brake parts, alignment and balancing).

I also have noticed we Californians pay a LOT more for parts and labor due to the higher cost of living here. It sucks.

you could have done the Tundra brakes on your own for under $300. NEVER go back to that mechanic again.

 

[Cytronus]

Oh without a doubt I will be doing most of my own work on the Runner. That bill floored me. I was super busy with work and Holidays so I didn't have the time. Usually, I'm all over it.

 

[TCMach]

Whoa. This thing is pretty much brand new now. Excellent job on everything. I'm definitely going to check out that backup camera. My rear view mirror currently vibrates 24/7 to the point where I cant see behind me. A new rear view mirror plus backup camera seems like a good mod to me. Only thing is I'll have to place mine somewhere else, I have a spare tire in the way...

 

[Bbryan1220]

Love the runner, gotta say though my favorite is the seats, they're amazing!!! I was thinking about doing them on my own truck cus the leather is just so run down but all in all your truck looks amazing, great job! Keep us posted on further upgrades

 

[Cytronus]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. Soon I'll be working on the CB radio ash tray mod with Drifter antenna mount. Stay tuned!

 

[89s rule]

You spent more on brakes and tires than I did on our entire 4runner before mods. If a mechanic would have come back with that price with me he would have been pulling parts back off. No way I could have payed it. If I do not do the work then it is a friend or connection who I know isn't going to try and take me to the cleaners.

Clean 4runner, looks like ours when we first bought it. The 2002 grill has been on my to do list I think it makes a huge difference on the appearance. I bet the leather made it fell like a new car, especially smell wise. Mine had the usual tear but I wanted canvas seat covers anyway. Bilsteins wont wear out anything any faster than the slightly larger tires you put on. Keep the build coming, just watch your wallet.