So I suppose it is time to start a build thread even though I have already done most of what I want
I picked up this little gem after selling my 05 Subaru Legacy GT (amazing car but it died at 100k) probably a little too heavy on the skinny.
it is a 1999 Black 4Runner with Factory 5 speed and had 189k on the clock when I picked it up. Power everything and it all works! just lacks the E-locker. The major downfall.... rust! the car spent the first few years of its life in New Jersey and has decided to make my life a living hell every time i try to work on it. As everyone knows do not buy a car if it came from somewhere that salts roads!!! I have broken countless bolts and laughed maniacally far too often.
My main goals for the build was to keep it cheap as I have student loans and am looking to buy a house.
As I bought it.
First on my list was a new radio which was installed maybe a week after I bought the rig.
Then came bumpers and this was a very interesting process. I found Urban Assaults 99 build and really liked the simple lines of the bumpers he had. The only catch was they were the dreaded Tactical Armor Group bumpers. I did plenty of research into the company and knew what many of you do. The company should not even be in business!!! They are horrible but I called them anyway and convinced myself that I could deal with them in a professional manner and get a quality product for a much much cheaper price than the competitors. I pulled the trigger on a standard front and rear bumper set for $1050.
Some of you folks may look down your noses at theses bumpers and my choice but after dealing with the company all I can say is that I spent the same amount on two bumpers as many of you did on a front. The fact is they are pretty good quality too and I had zero fitment issues. The only thing I can say about the process is I was quoted 8 weeks from time of purchase. I made it 10 weeks and called my credit card provider to cancel the charges because I was not getting anywhere with TAG. After doing that Kyle of TAG sent my bumpers out the next week. Guess what....! he sent me a swing-out tire carrier for free (~$400 option). I didn't even want this but free is an amazing price!
I would recommend their product to anyone in the market that is on a budget but you need to realize that they are very sketchy and often rude once the order has been placed.
Here is are a couple pictures after the bumpers were installed.
Then came the lift to fit some bigger meats under it. I went dirt cheap and found a Revtek spacer lift on Craigslist for $250.
This is when I realised how bad the rust situation was as most of it is in the bolts..... Everything broke putting this on and it took 3 full days and may trips to the autozone. This is mostly because i decided to do a full ball joint service. Between a rounded off lower ball join bolt and serious PITA upper ball joints i finally got it done with the help of my good buddy, dad, and brother in law. Yes it took that many people to get the situation under control.
Here are a few crappy pics after lift.
Thats all I have time for right now and I will Update the look and feel of this post with more info once I get a bit more time.
Comments and Criticisms welcome!
I picked up this little gem after selling my 05 Subaru Legacy GT (amazing car but it died at 100k) probably a little too heavy on the skinny.
it is a 1999 Black 4Runner with Factory 5 speed and had 189k on the clock when I picked it up. Power everything and it all works! just lacks the E-locker. The major downfall.... rust! the car spent the first few years of its life in New Jersey and has decided to make my life a living hell every time i try to work on it. As everyone knows do not buy a car if it came from somewhere that salts roads!!! I have broken countless bolts and laughed maniacally far too often.
My main goals for the build was to keep it cheap as I have student loans and am looking to buy a house.
As I bought it.
First on my list was a new radio which was installed maybe a week after I bought the rig.
Then came bumpers and this was a very interesting process. I found Urban Assaults 99 build and really liked the simple lines of the bumpers he had. The only catch was they were the dreaded Tactical Armor Group bumpers. I did plenty of research into the company and knew what many of you do. The company should not even be in business!!! They are horrible but I called them anyway and convinced myself that I could deal with them in a professional manner and get a quality product for a much much cheaper price than the competitors. I pulled the trigger on a standard front and rear bumper set for $1050.
Some of you folks may look down your noses at theses bumpers and my choice but after dealing with the company all I can say is that I spent the same amount on two bumpers as many of you did on a front. The fact is they are pretty good quality too and I had zero fitment issues. The only thing I can say about the process is I was quoted 8 weeks from time of purchase. I made it 10 weeks and called my credit card provider to cancel the charges because I was not getting anywhere with TAG. After doing that Kyle of TAG sent my bumpers out the next week. Guess what....! he sent me a swing-out tire carrier for free (~$400 option). I didn't even want this but free is an amazing price!
I would recommend their product to anyone in the market that is on a budget but you need to realize that they are very sketchy and often rude once the order has been placed.
Here is are a couple pictures after the bumpers were installed.
Then came the lift to fit some bigger meats under it. I went dirt cheap and found a Revtek spacer lift on Craigslist for $250.
This is when I realised how bad the rust situation was as most of it is in the bolts..... Everything broke putting this on and it took 3 full days and may trips to the autozone. This is mostly because i decided to do a full ball joint service. Between a rounded off lower ball join bolt and serious PITA upper ball joints i finally got it done with the help of my good buddy, dad, and brother in law. Yes it took that many people to get the situation under control.
Here are a few crappy pics after lift.
Thats all I have time for right now and I will Update the look and feel of this post with more info once I get a bit more time.
Comments and Criticisms welcome!
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