Fightman's Build Thread

[t4r4life]

He's not really any of those things......the metal welding part, he's done a few times...but not really a pro by any means. About the only truck building he's done, is pretty much all the stuff I conned him into doing with me. A badass.....not really, just another dude who worked hard for a living, and yes...is affraid of spiders.

Most people are affraid of something....we can't all be fearless :boxer:

lol actually im kind afraid of bugs too anything with more than 4 legs freaks me out

 

[Viking97SR5]

the whole thread

Just read yer whole build thread. - nice job so far. ? on the new head lights... are they direct fit replacement? Where did you grab the trd grill emblem? Thanks

 

[fightman80]

Just read yer whole build thread. - nice job so far. ? on the new head lights... are they direct fit replacement? Where did you grab the trd grill emblem? Thanks

Thanks for the compliment man! The headlights were direct replacement and cost about $130.00 (I think??). The TRD Grill emblem was a bolt on from E-bay......cost for the emblem was about $10.00.

 

[SoCal]

What a great picture. I don't think that I have seen a driveway picture that has looked that good.

 

[Viking97SR5]

Thanks

Thanks for the compliment man! The headlights were direct replacement and cost about $130.00 (I think??). The TRD Grill emblem was a bolt on from E-bay......cost for the emblem was about $10.00.

Thanks for info

 

[fightman80]

What a great picture. I don't think that I have seen a driveway picture that has looked that good.

Thanks man! Not sure which one you're speaking of though......if it's the one in my Avatar.....GotaBeTRD modified it....if it's any of the others....those are Fightman80 originals! HA HA!

 

[SoCal]

I meant the one in your avatar. The others look good too, but I was talking about the shot from the rear.

 

[fightman80]

I meant the one in your avatar. The others look good too, but I was talking about the shot from the rear.

Thanks dude! I took the original, but GotaBeTRD modified it.....I like his version better!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks for the recognition man! I like it too!

 

[DFonz]

Your 4runner looks mean. I like it. Those are almost the same plans i have for my 4runner.

Just wondering how do you post a new thread. I am new to this site and not sure how it works. any tips? anyone?

 

[fightman80]

Thanks for the compliment man! She's my baby! BTW, in order to post a new thread, just go to the 3rd Gen section, and 3/4 of the way up the page, you'll see "New Thread", click on that and input your info and post it!

BTW, small update....not really a mod for the Runner, but will help with doing alot of the work on it!

It's a 5hp 20 Gallon Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor which outputs something like 5.8 SCFM at 90psi. Should do the trick for switching my wheels over, and doing some other light duty stuff.....I picked it up USED for $300.00, it came with a 1/2" Impact and Air Ratchet both made by Campbell Hausfeld. I also got 2 air hoses with it and a water trap! Now I just need to buy a air chuck and maybe a air blowing attachment......:reddance:

 

[fightman80]

Rear axle seal replacement

So, a couple of months ago I came across the dreaded rear axle seal leak. My 3rd in fact! My diff breather had been extended, but too late I guess! I had hoped the breather had clogged, but only let a little diff fluid out, and not mess up my inner seal, but I wasn't so lucky. After a few checks, I finally faced reality, and decided to replace the rear seal. A buddy of mine off my local off-road club forum gave me a hand to do it....well actually, he did it! HA HA! I was too nervous to tackle the seal myself, but after watching him to it....I'm pretty confident I could have done it without any problems! I ended up buying all the parts and extra tools needed, and then gave him the tools as payment for doing the job for me.

First sign to look for when looking for a leaky inner seal:

There's the little culprit:

Got her taken apart:

The blown seal:

My buddy from the local forum:

We later put new brake shoes on, and had to change out a brake line, but all was good! Took her for a test drive, and she seems to have been put back together properly!

Now I gotta get the darn muffler replaced....good thing it's under warranty! (pics to follow)

 

[blcktpgsr]

Glad to hear you're back on the road.....It's always nice to have a friend who can give a hand and at the same time really learn how to do things from....

 

[fightman80]

Thanks man! I am very happy he came over to help out, as although the seal was an easy job....the drum brakes gave us so much trouble! HE HE HE! I did the disc brakes on my Chevy Impala last week with little or no problems, but drums with all the little springs and stuff......crap! The springs were super tight, and the Haynes manual was little help.......he he he! Got her done though, and she rides good now!

 

[gwlgis]

Just read your build cover to cover (so to speak). It was interesting reading through all 11 pages.
Well done.
I've got a 99.9% stock 97 and am thinking about some additions/mods.
Great to see your work!
Greg

 

[fightman80]

Thanks for the compliment man! She is my baby....had her for 7 years now, and love the truck more and more every day! I just got another muffler installed on the truck yesterday, so going to post a pic of that soon!

 

[fightman80]

Muffler Replacement

Well, after 3 years, my muffler rotted out! I had the stock one on til 2008, but then replaced it with a Lifetime warranty muffler at a local shop here.

The muffler he installed then, cost me just over $400.00, and this one would have cost me around $375.00! Thankfully, I still had my original receipt, and the new one cost me only $50.00!

I was thinking about upgrading, but couldn't find anything I liked, and with New Winter Rubber in the near future, I didn't want to spend any more money than I had to.

Let's just hope this one lasts another 3 years????

 

[fightman80]

New Alternator

Well, figures! I let the wife drive the Runner back home from camp, and she barely makes it home! Luckily, all it was, was a faulty Alternator! $250.00 later.....but she runs great again!

Now if I could stop spending so much on maintenance items....and get my winter rubber purchased......

 

[fightman80]

Well, got my winter rubber purchased! Well, at least some of it.....2 out of 4 are worn pretty bad, as the guy was running them without a proper alignment on his Cherokee...so...looks like I might search around for another 2, and see what I can get before the snow fly's!

They are Procomp Mud Tires in the 265/75/16 flavour. I decided to run slightly smaller rubber in the winter, this way I can still run my mudflaps without any clearance issues.

Oh, yeah....while in town to get the Tires, I decided to take the wife shopping for a new Swimsuit for our Vacation.......

Not sure what ya'll are thinking.....but mother of 2...and still has a body like that......I'm in HEAVEN! HE HE HE!

 

[jsmarine]

Looks great! Nice find! I think you will make it through the winter just fine with that purchase!

...now the tire purchase on the other hand, I'm not so sure about that. LOL :cheers: