Finally got wheels for my runner... guess I can finally start a build thread

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My Icon Equipped 3rd gen on 33x12's and her story so far....


When Dirty -

Untitled by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


When Clean LOL

Updates to the 4Runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4Runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


So I actually purchased my 3rd gen last June. An amazing photo of Snowrunners project popped up on my Instagram while I was sitting in my car at a car show LOL. I told my wife, I'm buying one to build next weekend LOL...

And so off to LA I went as I found a single owner 1997 with 290k on her. I saw she had maintenance records and a clean VIN history. Her paint seemed completely done in the advertised photos, but I didnt care about that as one of my sponsors is a paint and body shop. The interior was mint in all the photos and all the drivetrain components worked as they should. Other then a dent in the front bumper and bald tires she was good to go.

And here is how she looked the day I brought her home -

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Get her home and my detailer comes by to take a look at it. Tells me that all 90's yotas have single stage paint. Try a quick test spot with compound and see how it flows. Bam fresh paint under all the oxidation. So I spent about a week in the summer of Vegas (FML) wet sanding with 1000 grit then compounding until I was happy. Polished her up and then sealed her paint. I couldnt save the mirrors as they were beyond PINK now. Here are my results from after the color correction was done.

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

My new 4runner project by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr
 
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So after the paint was handled I needed tires and suspension asap. The rear shocks were blown. I actually started with a Rough Country Kit and then later added a Toytec front Bilstein kit. Put her on some 285/75/16's while keeping the stock wheels. Miraculously the tires fit with minimal work LOL.

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Got the lift kit mounted by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


somewhere down the line I ripped off the chrome flares... awful ugly things.

Next up to tackle was my lighting. The 90's lighting was awful to say the least. I found a thread on here about a budget retrofit using NiLite mini h1's. So I ordered a set of housings and built my first retrofit.

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


The hid kit I used wasn't the best. I had ballast issues, the bulbs even though 5500k were still too blue for me. So on Black Friday I invested in a complete Morimoto Mini D2S 4.0 setup from The Retrofit Source. I didnt realize the size difference until I had to start test fitting the shrouds LOL. Well actually as soon as the projector delivered I was wowed.

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

this time I painted the housing black as I plan to black out my grill or order one from SRQ Fab.

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

The difference was drastic to say the least. I currently actually am now running the Osram Night breaker bulbs in my mini D2s and put the Morimoto XB 4500s in my s2000.

Retrofit on the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr
 
Mounted my Rago Fabrications Ditch Lights bracket and also added on their extension piece. It allowed me to run quad cubes. So I run a combination of Flood Lights for my ditch lights and outer ambient lighting and driving/spot lights in the center. They honestly barely overpower my hids. They mainly just add lighting where I dont have it yet.

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Sorry did not realize these were blurry last night... but here is a comparison of Hids only vs Hids and Cubes

Hids vs Hids and Pods by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Hids vs Hids and Pods by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr
 
Man.... that looks great! My 99 I just got needs the same paint correction treatment, but that's to come in couple weeks.

The wheel color is excellent choice!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
So after months of pondering what wheels I wanted I finally settled on Stealth Custom Series Wheels. The Ray 10's in bronze to be exact. And then I had to wait months for them to be in stock as well. But they were seriously worth the wait.

and here they are... been waiting since like November haha

Stealth Customs Series - Ray 10's by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Next up was new tires. I knew I didnt want MT's again as it had been raining a ton in Vegas and I didnt enjoy the wet grip of my MT's. I finally settled on the new Falken AT3w's and in a 305/70/16. I knew it was gong to be work to make it fit. And it still has work to go haha. I def need an air hammer or a big a$$ sledge. My baby sledge gets me by for now.


I love how aggressive the new Falken AT3w's are. And also most people do not realize that the wheels have a more aggressive side and a less aggressive side. My installer showed me and obviously we went with the more aggressive side out.


I also installed a set of 1.5" spacers. Although I may change them as they arent hubcentric and the steering wheel vibration at 45 mph kinda bugs me. Feels like luggy MT's.

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Work on the runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


Got her off the rack and man does she look good. Buuuuut I got cut stuff and beat stuff in now to safely drive her. And that Chrome has to go NOW! Ill be ordering an Addicted to Offroad bumper shortly, just hoping their lead times drop.


Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr
 
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So this weekend was a rainy one and a perfect day to just spend it in the garage and paint, cut and beat the EF out of my Runner.


Work on the runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr


I started by backing her in my garage. Using a drop cloth to mask half the car roughly. I then scuffed the chrome with 320 than 600 grit. Then used an etching adhesion promoter followed by a primer, then flat black paint. Im not a painter nor do I care for perfection on my trail rig lol. So I do have some runs here and there as I was rushing and the weather was not optimal. I even accidentally got WD40 on my front bumper while she was drying... big FAIL... but i mean who cares LOL. Its about to get dirty and chipped up.

I was also given a new front chrome bumper cover from a good friend of mine also a member here with a 5th Gen - DOProductions aka Anthony.

Work on the runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

New Bumper Cover blacked out by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr



and to show you guys where a crazy offset 16x8 with a 305 hits LOL -


Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr

Updates to the 4runner by Andrew Abalos, on Flickr
 
Those wheels look killer. I'm torn between about 5 different wheels for my truck and I didn't even consider those. Too bad they're out of stock on them again haha.
 
I thought I recognized this rig, I just saw it on 4runnermafia's instagram page. Thing looks awesome man, keep up the great work. Off road front and rear armored bumpers would look awesome on it
 
I'm always amazed at how the Cardinal Red can be brought back to life like that! Looks great with those SCS Ray 10's. I like the ones they offer in matte gunmetal or matte gray with black beadlock ring.
 
That looks really smart I like the black and it looks better without all the chrome crap. What offset are the wheels? I want to use 305's on my surf I recon they look quite a lot bigger than 285's or is thet because there are no flares. Is the lift 3"?
 
the boo crew said:
That looks really smart I like the black and it looks better without all the chrome crap. What offset are the wheels? I want to use 305's on my surf I recon they look quite a lot bigger than 285's or is thet because there are no flares. Is the lift 3"?
Click to expand...

They are the same height but my stance is real aggressive with my offset/backspace. Pics are above that show me on 285/75 and these 305/70. Takes a lot of work to make it all work, but totally worth it.
 
Dezert4Runner said:
I'm always amazed at how the Cardinal Red can be brought back to life like that! Looks great with those SCS Ray 10's. I like the ones they offer in matte gunmetal or matte gray with black beadlock ring.
Click to expand...

and Im honestly going to have someone add some extra coats of it again and in single stage just like oem. Makes for paint clean up easier when I feel like it after thrashing on her for an entire season lol
 
Well done sir. You have given that rig a second life. Hahaha. Looks fantastic with red contrasting with the black. The Ray's are tied with their 5-Stars for my favorite from SCS wheels. I almost went that route. You also put a good amount of meat around your new wheels with those 305s. Like you mentioned, I dig the aesthetics of an aggressive MT tire, but I would hate myself for getting them every time it rains here, which seems to be about every day.

Did you end up regearing?

Keep up the good work.
 
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Dayum that paint is poppin!!! Any tips?? My paint looks like shit...
7c2b4db1f1fb9fe0bde229efa6b36c73.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Take a terry towel with some meguiars 105 on it. Rub hard in a left to right motion in a really faded area. Then buff out the compound and see how it looks. If it looks
better you are in luck. If not then it has worn beyond repair.
 
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