Fightman's Build Thread

[fightman80]

looks awesome fightman. I wonder if you can add a little hinge to the top of it and use it as a little door/flap to open up and keep things in the little cubby w/o them falling out.

Thanks for the compliment man! I really like it, but want to change all my dash lighting to LED's soon, so stay tuned for that little addition!

As far as adding a door, mine is going to stay that way, as I never found a decent use of the cubby. That being said, it wouldn't be difficult to do what you say.... You'd simply have to install a couple of hinges on the inside of the cubby, and add a small cupboard latch on the opposite side to stop it from opening. I wouldn't mind seeing someone else attempt this, so give it a try man!

 

[fightman80]

I forgot to post a daytime pic of the TRD screen:

 

[awdjunkies]

Am I missing something here? Or was post # 568 all about a sexy gal in her swimsuit and nothing else?? the rest were nothing but pictures of red "X" Or so I think :banana::biggrin2::hatsoff:

 

[fightman80]

Am I missing something here? Or was post # 568 all about a sexy gal in her swimsuit and nothing else?? the rest were nothing but pictures of red "X" Or so I think :banana::biggrin2::hatsoff:

Red "X" ????

 

[fightman80]

Alright, so as some of you know, I've been up to no good, and working on a new project for the 4Runner. The Satoshi Mod, well my take on it anyway.

Here's a starting point shot of my old grill setup:

First thing I did was remove my stock grill:

Here's a shot of the back:

Some supplies:

Masked off the grill to avoid scratching:

Removed the old rusty mesh:

First cut on the grill:

Second cut:

Holes!!:

Epoxy and mesh to fill the holes:

Bondo time:

I didn't like the plastic Gutter guard I bought, too flimsy, so I went on the hunt to find more of the same mesh I had installed on the old grill mod. After hitting up 5 different Home Improvement stores, I found the mesh! Also bought some Metal Gutter guard in case... but will be returning that stuff!

Plasti-dip and clear:

New mesh cut to size:

Mesh installed with Zip ties :

Plasti-dip and clear on the mesh and grill:

Emblems Installed:

It was a long process, but I'm very happy with the results!

 

[Rod]

Good job ..that looks great!

 

[fightman80]

Thanks Rod! Was gonna post this stuff too, but then the site got Hacked!

I Also, ordered up and then installed some LED's for my Dome lights:

A night shot.... no flash:

I'm still waiting on the map lights to get here....

After washing off all the winter funk from it the other day, I noticed all the plasti-dip I sprayed on the lower valance last year, was peeling or fading. I hadn't cleared over the plasti-dip, so it was pretty fragile stuff. This time, it should hold up a lot better..... I hope!

Here's a pic of the old stuff:

I then took some Paint Thinner, and washed all the old plasti-dip off. It simply melted it all away! After all was cleaned off, I masked off the truck and sprayed a few coats of plasti-dip:

Starting assembly:

All put back together with the new grill:

It was a long day today, got outside around 10am and finished around 8:30 - 9:00pm, but managed to get a ton of stuff done, and even flipped the Summer wheels and tires on!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Man must be a nice feeling to get all those winter remnants off the rig. I saw the other 4runners condition in comparison to yours, now I'm a believer of oil and wd-40 and what wonders they do. lol

So that's why you were looking for a Toyota emblem huh? Sweet job on the front end, everything came out cherry!:guitar2:

 

[Beach Runner]

Nice work Fightman. Thanks for all the detailed pictures, especially the satoshi mod. Was it difficult forming the gutter mesh to grill?

 

[fightman80]

Thanks guys! I'm pretty stoked about how it turned out! Blacktpgsr, I had asked for a front grill emblem, but ended up snagging the one I had glued onto the front of my shop fridge! It is slightly bigger than the 4Runner emblem, and flat on the back. I can't remember what vehicle it came from... I want to say a Yaris???

Beachrunner, I simply cut the mesh slightly bigger than the hole size, and then laid it on the back of the grill. Then I pushed the mesh into the bottom side of the hole, and made 90 degree bends on each side, so the mesh would sit in inside. A few drill holes, and some zip ties held it all in place.

The one thing to remember is to take your time, and tuck everything in nice and tight, so it looks good.

Again, thanks for the comments fellas!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

that looks fantastic man! your 4runner is so clean, and purty. good job!

 

[J-money$$$]

That truck is clean! nice job

 

[fightman80]

Thanks guys! It didn't stay clean very long... I took it for a spin to my dad's farm today. One trip on the dirt road, and it looked like I had gone mudding with it! lol!

Gonna clean it up again tomorrow, make it pretty for the wife's Birthday!

BTW, saw a 99 SR5 parked in the Local Canadian Tire parking lot today, so I parked next to it!

Take a close look at the bumpers..... More Swiss Cheese!!

I love WD40!


Also, took some pics while out today....

 

[BigFishAllDay]

It's always a good day when you put your summer setup back on. The truck looks so much better w/the summer wheel/tire combo installed.

RE that picture of yours vs. the stocker, the thing that jumped out to me in that picture is how well the back end of your 4Runner has come together. Between the shackles, the spoiler, the tire carrier, and the backup lights, it all ties together really well.

Nice job on the Satoshi too! It's amazing how much Mr. Fightman can get done when he's not fighting with a stinking fuel injector.

 

[fightman80]

Thanks buddy! It sure feels nice to WANT to work on it now.... and not HAVE to!

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'll play devil's advocate and go with the winter rims that give your truck a more streamline look. It blends the 4runner together, like a chameleon.

I always have to wonder how many people actually make use of a 2 5/16 ball on a vehicle as small as a 4runner (as seen on that 4runner next to you).

 

[fightman80]

I like my winter wheels too.... but they chip way too easy! My Procomp wheels, buff out really nice.... and are easier to maintain!

I'm not sure why people run those towing balls either.... but whatever... to each his own??!!

 

[fightman80]

It's not Black but.......

I can see myself in the paint!


Did a polish and wax job today..... broke my polisher midway through, so had to go buy another!

Here's some pics!

Pic of the reflection and my daughter playing by the road:

Here's an old pose:

Parting shot:

It was a long day, on a side note, I got all my bulbs and lights for my Dash L.E.D conversion in the mail today.... so hoping to get that done tomorrow!

 

[LittleCaesar]

There is nothing better than giving the 4runner a bath; right now I and other fellow US Southerners for the most part are in pollen hell, so waxing at least is out of the question.

Wasn't there a whole lot of snow up there not too long ago and now you are wearing short sleeves? I was buried in snow last winter in VA/DC; this year not so much.

 

[shadow247]

There is nothing better than giving the 4runner a bath; right now I and other fellow US Southerners for the most part are in pollen hell, so waxing at least is out of the question.

Wasn't there a whole lot of snow up there not too long ago and now you are wearing short sleeves? I was buried in snow last winter in VA/DC; this year not so much.

Yeah the pollen is a PITA! I washed my rig tonight and before I could even get to drying the roof it was covered in pollen again!