Ducmonsta's Build Thread-very pic heavy!

[TOYSTRY]

I was thinking more like the "ThunderTank". For those of you that are old enough.

:lol:

I couldn't do the ThunderCats to mine, but if you like it that's all that matters (great cartoon btw, watched it myself as a kid along with Voltron). I like the red angel eyes though, looks sick. All you need now is a Trail Hood Scoop and a scanning red light in the scoop and it will look like Night Rider!

 

[Ducmonsta]

:lol:

I couldn't do the ThunderCats to mine, but if you like it that's all that matters (great cartoon btw, watched it myself as a kid along with Voltron). I like the red angel eyes though, looks sick. All you need now is a Trail Hood Scoop and a scanning red light in the scoop and it will look like Night Rider!

I know, I know. I won't be leaving it on. I'm currently painting the fj40 emblem red again to do away with the pink. This time, I'm going with the salsa red.
I am, however, looking to get the GIJoe "Cobra" emblem custom made also. These things are really just for "fun".
hmmm....Voltron....

 

[Batang.Gapo]

So of course one of the first things to do is lift her. I decided to go with Bilsteins all the way around with toytec coils in the rear. I've had coil overs before and although, they are fantastic for off road, I hated they way they looked after a couple of years. They always got corroded and realistically, you're never going to adjust them after they're installed. Unless you get a bumper or winch.

The xreas was a great thing, I'm guessing, but I really didn't notice a
difference. Then again, I had it for 200 miles before I lifted her.

I decided to go with KMC's Skitch wheel in a 18x8. They did not have it in a 9 inch wide. So I had to use Spidertrax wheel spacers. I fell in love with the wheel and was determined to use this wheel.

You'll notice there is a red pinstriping on the wheel. This did not come that way. It was the only way I could get some of the soul of my Ducati in my ride. I have a thing for black and red, as you'll see soon.

You will also see that I've tried the red on the chrome trim for testing. That didn't work out so well, I'll explain later.View attachment 51831

View attachment 51832

View attachment 51833

Awesome looking ride!!!

 

[RiDE]

Good lookin' truck!

How do you like the trail grapplers for driving on freeways? How is the road noise? I'm stuck in between the trail and the terra grapplers. I like the look of the trails but honestly my truck may not be seeing too many trails as I live in a more urban area. What's your honest opinion on the trails?

 

[marcgybr]

Great ride bro. :thumb3: on the hilux surf

 

[JayBe]

I was thinking more like the "ThunderTank". For those of you that are old enough.

I'd be terrified seeing that behind me! Hahaha

 

[Ducmonsta]

Good lookin' truck!

How do you like the trail grapplers for driving on freeways? How is the road noise? I'm stuck in between the trail and the terra grapplers. I like the look of the trails but honestly my truck may not be seeing too many trails as I live in a more urban area. What's your honest opinion on the trails?

Trails are definitely loud. But not super swamper loud. I did it mainly for the look. But I've had great experiences with the Terra's as well.

 

[jangoforhire]

Fantastic truck. I love all your mods. I'm not too far from VA I might have to stop into your shop sometime! Just a few quick questions if you don't mind.

1. What did you do with the LTD rocker panels. I'm struggling with how to tackle this, TE parts are expensive and look like a pain to install as you have to do all the fender flares as well, but I don't like how the LTD parts hang lower that the SR5 or TE.

2. LOVE the grill mod. That will be the first thing I will tackle. But I can't seem to find the logo you used anywhere. Could you point me to it or tell me how you found it?

Thanks!

 

[Okki]

1. What did you do with the LTD rocker panels. I'm struggling with how to tackle this, TE parts are expensive and look like a pain to install as you have to do all the fender flares as well, but I don't like how the LTD parts hang lower that the SR5 or TE.

Thanks!

I replaced my LE rockers and fender flares.. not a hard job to do, but expensive in terms of the TE parts and getting them painted to match the body color of the truck. There's a write-up in my mods thread (see link in my signature)

Okki

 

[jangoforhire]

I replaced my LE rockers and fender flares.. not a hard job to do, but expensive in terms of the TE parts and getting them painted to match the body color of the truck. There's a write-up in my mods thread (see link in my signature)

Okki

Ah nice thanks for the tip. Looks like a good write up! My 4Runner is BP and I think I am going to start going towards the black on white look so I may not have to get them painted? I love this look here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here-29.html#post791329

And it looks like he has put on the fender flares, rocker panels, and front bumper from the TE? I can't find any info about his rig I might send him a PM later.

Thanks for the link to your build If I go that route I will definitely use that.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Fantastic truck. I love all your mods. I'm not too far from VA I might have to stop into your shop sometime! Just a few quick questions if you don't mind.

1. What did you do with the LTD rocker panels. I'm struggling with how to tackle this, TE parts are expensive and look like a pain to install as you have to do all the fender flares as well, but I don't like how the LTD parts hang lower that the SR5 or TE.

2. LOVE the grill mod. That will be the first thing I will tackle. But I can't seem to find the logo you used anywhere. Could you point me to it or tell me how you found it?

Thanks!

1. Nothing. I just used Di-noc on the chrome pieces
2. Are you talking about the "toyota" logo or the "thundercats"?

And you should def stop by. I think Antman is in your neck of the woods.

 

[jangoforhire]

1. Nothing. I just used Di-noc on the chrome pieces
2. Are you talking about the "toyota" logo or the "thundercats"?

And you should def stop by. I think Antman is in your neck of the woods.

Interesting, that is certainly the cheaper route. And it still looks fantastic.
I was referring to the old FJ40 style TOYOTA logo.

If I'm in the area I will make sure I do. Yes I am surprisingly close to both Antman and Sp8ball. Which seems pretty good for me as those two run the show with some pretty cool mods!

 

[Ducmonsta]

Interesting, that is certainly the cheaper route. And it still looks fantastic.
I was referring to the old FJ40 style TOYOTA logo.

If I'm in the area I will make sure I do. Yes I am surprisingly close to both Antman and Sp8ball. Which seems pretty good for me as those two run the show with some pretty cool mods!

It's still readily available from Toyota. I actually ordered it from my local dealer.
PN 75321-90301

 

[Ducmonsta]

Some updates...
Had to send the lights back to Oracle for some minor repairs (3 leds on driver's amber strips went out). Glad to see they stand behind the product. But still had to remove them again. Man, I'm getting good at removing these things. Didn't even remove the grill.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Of course, the AFE cold air intake system. Not expecting better fuel economy or increase in power, but just to enjoy the sound! I know, everyone's seen it. No biggie.
I will say, fit and finish is impressive.

 

[Ducmonsta]

And to continue with sound. I decided to go with a Magnaflow 12556 (I think). 18" body, offset center 2.5". Yes, there is some drone. Bothersome? I don't think so.
Thought I'd go with some beefier hangers than the spindly ones the factory fatass muffler came with. I wanted a more solid mount. You'll see the welded plates on the "new" pipes coming from the muffler.

Kept the factory flanges and clamped the ends on. Just in case it gets too loud for me.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Started finalizing the wiring for the 40"SR under the Gobi. Here's a close up of the mount and limits to height if you want to mount one up.

There's about a 3/8" gap between the light and center of the roof.

Gotta give props where it's due. GotMo37 helped tremendously with the electronics set up. He's got all the experience with the audio and electrical stuff.

My shop will probably be installing a 40" E Series to the underneath of joneseyyy's Baja rack. Of course, this is after I do a write up for his Shrockworks bumper and Warn winch thats sitting at my shop!

 

[Ducmonsta]

In regards to the back up lights...I originally was going to use 10SRs. I held them up there and it looked to be too much. The lights would cross-over the vertical bars in the rear and just didn't "seem" right. So, on went the 6"SRs. I used the aluminum clamp kits that Rigid sells, and boy, these things are PRECISE! Really top notch!

 

[Ducmonsta]

These mounts allow all kinds of adjustments. It really allows you to move the lights as far outward, away from the spoiler to get as much light to the ground as possible.

These are mounted so that the lift gate comes within 1/2" of hitting the lights with it open.

Although, I didn't think to get a picture of it open, DUH!:redbrick:

Where's the wiring you ask???? Stay tuned...

 

[Ducmonsta]

So, I've seen the wiring most of everyone has done here. Nothing wrong with going in through the factory location in the lift gate. It's actually a great idea (already has grommets, fairly water tight, etc...).

But, I knew I would be using the rear lift gate multiple times a day. I wasn't overly comfortable with the wire chaffing my paint over time.

Sidenote-check under your spoilers guys, there is probably paint starting to come off right where the spoiler touches the gate on either side of the windows.

Back on topic-

I got rid of the factory head unit (went with Pioneer). I no longer needed the stupid antenna inside our shark fins. So, I/we (GotMo37) gutted the interior, ran the wiring through, installed a grommet, used the same ground for the original xm antenna and ran the wiring through the fin. Clean!