Finally getting back to it- 03 build 2.0

[Jimbo03T4R]

I bought my 4runner limited in 2011 after returning from Afghanistan the first time and had worked on her a little (LED swap, plasti dipped some of the plastics, new radio, headlight conversion, and Volant CAI). Well for 3 years that's not much work that I've put into her, so after returning from AF the second time (last year), I made a decision that I was finally going to work on 4runner. Ha, after some health issues and dealing with VA medical stuff early this year, I contemplated getting rid of my 03 4runner and getting either an FJ or newer 4runner. After thinking about it for a month, I decided that I love my 03 and will keep her. Here I am again deciding what mods I'm going to do on her and given the fact that I have time (while recovering), I've come up with an immediate list, which includes:

Lift
Tires
Satoshi mod
Gun rack
Brakes
WMW roof rack
Sport hood

As I go through these, I'll get some pictures posted, so I guess I can call this my build 2.0. The first picture is completely stock and the second picture was after the headlight retrofit. I'm starting the satoshi mod today and will take my time with it since it's such a pain for 03 4runners.

 

[NuclearN8]

Thanks for your service. Looking forward to watching your vision take shape for your 4R.

 

[Mike W]

Thanks for your service for our country! What lift are you thinking about choosing?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Gun rack

Only in the south :rofl:

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

No problem, I love what I do when I'm able to do it. As for my lift, I'm still not 100% sure yet. I've been chatting with ARK, who's been helping me out by giving me some pointers and things to think about. I live near pretty flat lands (NE GA and spend a lot of time in FL and AL) so I'm not doing much off roading right now (unless I drive to the mountains), with that in mind, I'm considering 5100s all around and OME coils all around but I still haven't made a final decision. As far as my gun rack, hahahah, it's a must down south!!! When I lived in DC, I had to keep my guns in FL so I'm just glad I live in a state, where I can actually have them around, ha.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

I got a little work done on the 4runner today. My nerf bars came in today, so I was able to get them on. I'm still waiting on the various parts for the lift but they are slowly coming in. I should have everything in by next week, now the decision is, whether I'll try to attempt the lift myself or pay a shop to it. In the meantime, I'll be adding front window tints to upcoming mods.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

Looks like I'm just waiting on my super flex's and I should be ready to get this lift on.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

I figured I'd update my progress...I finally got everything for the lift so I'm hoping to get it done this weekend. I'm hoping to get some tires in the next week or two. I also got my Rola rack installed and deleted the "ROLA" from the wind screen, so I'll be looking at putting something else on it. I opted for the Rola because price, use, and looks. I don't plan on using it too much (mainly to put extra luggage and stuff for long drives, so I couldn't really justify spending too much), although I'll gauge my usage for the year and if I end up using it more, than I'll probably go with WMW rack in the future. I've also got a 3/4 done satoshi mod lying around, that I really need to get back to (what a pain). I'm also planning on spraying the undercarriage with rustolium (some parts are looking a little rough down there), I also sprayed the rack since I know they are susceptible to rusting fairly quick.

 

[t-man]

Looks like I'm just waiting on my super flex's and I should be ready to get this lift on.

Where'd you get the new rubber cones that go in the coils?

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

Conicelli Parts Center

rear suspension, suspension components, spring seat W/COIL SPRING SUSPENSION Right
ear suspension, suspension components, spring seat W/COIL SPRING SUSPENSION Left

They were 61.52 a piece.

 

[t-man]

Conicelli Parts Center

rear suspension, suspension components, spring seat W/COIL SPRING SUSPENSION Right
ear suspension, suspension components, spring seat W/COIL SPRING SUSPENSION Left

They were 61.52 a piece.

Sweet! Thanks

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Love the retro man

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

Thanks. The retrofit is still one of my favorite mods. So today I finally got my satoshi done. What a PITA!!!! Now I just need to find some TOYOTA letters to go on although it doesn't look to bad plain. I also added my T4R.ORG sticker (thanks momo). I also, have to fix my headlights (the side marker fell off, haha).

 

[T101]

The 06+ grill fit's onto the 2003? looks like you had to cut the corners by the headlights, anything else required just to get the fitment right?

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

It'll fit with some trimming. You have to trim the actual grille and the metal interior bracket. Right now I don't have the secondary hood release but I plan on putting in back on. I also had to trim the black piece (when you open the hood, it's the piece against the bumper and between the lights), so that I could close the hood completely. It's not a perfect fit (I have minor gaps from where I cut to avoid the headlights) but it's good enough for me. Haha. Anyway, I followed the guide below, which helped a ton.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...t-satoshi-grille-writeup-picture-heavy-7.html

There's also some pictures that emelianenkov posted that show's what he did to fit his grille onto his 05 headlights, that helped out as well.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

I finally finished my lift. I removed the xreas and ras and installed 5100s all around, 885s in the front, and super flex's in the rear. I have to go get an alignment but it's not too bad right now (pulls slightly to the left). I drove around the neighborhood and it's definitely much better than stock so far. Now I'm just waiting for my tires to come in and i'll be set.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

I received the daystar spacer from clark_12 today and got it installed. My runner is now mostly level. I have an empty tank and the rear is completely level and the front passenger is less than 1/4 in higher but it's not really noticeable. The company I ordered my tires from sent the wrong size, so it looks like I'll have them next week now. I'll post some pictures once I get them installed.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

Finally got my tires installed and my alignment as well. I'm finally completely finished with the lift/tires portion of my build. I also added some more sticker to my roof rack. Next I will be working on plasti dipping my wheels black, adding an emblem to my grille, and working on a few minor interior fixes. I have to admit, I love the way my runner rides now. The 275/70/17 size are perfect and I love the way the Cooper ST Maxx's look.

 

[Jimbo03T4R]

I haven't done too much since my lift and tires but I did add this little gem to my truck.