gaterose build thread

[gaterose]

Gaterose: love the satoshi grill especially on white, which is the color of mine. Curious: What makes it a satoshi? The satoshi link makes it looks like a home depot DIY project. I would love to put that look on mine; is it strictly a DIY project or can you buy the grill pre made and ready for install?
Thanks for any insight!!

Thanks, I like it a lot as well.

It's just called a Satoshi because it's named after the Japanese guy who first made a similar grille on a 4runner. If you google satoshi grille, you'll find a lot more info.

If you have an '06-09 it is a very simple DIY project, but if you have '03-05 it gets a little tricky. You basically just take all the insides of the grille out, make it smooth, cut a grille to fit inside, then add an emblem if you want one. For either one you will have to do a little work (lot if '03-05) with fiberglass & bondo to get everything smooth. It was my first time working with fiberglass & bondo; it's not difficult just tedious.

I would recommend buying a used grille from eBay for $20-$80 to work on instead of removing the one you have and hacking it up.

You can find A LOT more info if you search for satoshi on the forum.

If you want to buy one, search for "aura grille," they are around $500-700 pre made. I know burtman industries sells them.

 

[Dkon82]

Thanks for breakdown. Mine is an 04, so I will probably experiment on a used one from eBay (good call). I'll do a bit more searching around to find some good step by step instructions. I'd like to first give it a go myself if it means saving a few $$$.
Thanks again and keep up the good work; your ride is sick!!

 

[gaterose]

Got some more stuff put on today...

OME 885 front springs & Specialty Products Company Upper Control Arms

As far as I can tell the SPCs are the same as the Light Racing UCAs, from what I've read LRs are made by SPC and these were $400 shipped on Amazon while the LRs are $450+shipping everywhere I looked. I didn't want the hassle or extra expense of a uni-ball and the carmburg ball joint UCAs were out of stock so I got these to get the alignment & steering back.

It took all day because my buddy wanted to put these on his truck before we worked on mine (wish I had the coin) and apparently we're not as smart as the guys at Iron Bull so it took us a while.

Finally got the UCAs and OMEs but, par for the course today, we installed the ball joints backwards as you can see in the photo.

I drove about a mile before I realized somethings was terribly wrong and went back and flipped them.

These are going on next week as I found someone who wanted to buy my BFGs.
(275/70R17 Goodyear Silent Armor)

FedEx screwed up and only brought 3, that last one should be here Monday or Tuesday.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Thanks for sharing with us! Didn't know SPC had their own UCAs, I'll definitely look into that when I replace mine. Good to note since it's the same company with essentially the same product, only cheaper. Funny that FedEx missed the 4th tire.....who would order 3 tires....hmmmm, haha.

Your buddies Ford looks pretty sick and I love those bumpers! I rode in a 2011 Ford F250 last weekend and it was awesome! We were pulling 4wheelers out to some property in Florida to do some shotgun shooting & riding. Great stuff!

 

[Ultramontanist]

Matt,

Glad to see that you got the springs installed and that they will be put to good use. Hope you enjoy them.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[deedst4r]

I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[CXS]

Looking good Matt, you'll like the GYSA'S!

 

[Casper421]

You'll love the 885's. Are you eventually going with a front bumper? I'm interested in those uca's, keep us posted on your thoughts. Keep up the good work!

 

[TheTuckerTaxi]

Dude, I want that "tripod" mount. I was just reorganizing my cargo area and two could be very useful. :bluejump:

Do you mind if I 'borrow' that idea and any advice for someone trying to do it? :cheers:

 

[gaterose]

Didn't know SPC had their own UCAs, I'll definitely look into that when I replace mine. Good to note since it's the same company with essentially the same product, only cheaper.
....
Your buddies Ford looks pretty sick and I love those bumpers!

Yeah from what I've read, SPC makes them for LR. And yeah his 250 is B.A. I don't think I would wanna deal with the size but it is a very nice truck.

Glad to see that you got the springs installed and that they will be put to good use. Hope you enjoy them.

Definitely good use, thanks again!

I can't wait to see the finished product!

Me too

Looking good Matt, you'll like the GYSA'S!

Thanks Chris, I hope so... Your GYSAs are one of the things that pushed me over the line on them. Btw I will definitely let you know as soon as I'm able to get out that way again.

You'll love the 885's. Are you eventually going with a front bumper? I'm interested in those uca's, keep us posted on your thoughts. Keep up the good work!

Yeah I like them so far, hopefully a little extra weight up front will lower the front a bit as it sits front high a bit now. No bumper until I figure out what's going on with getting into a PhD program and if I'm staying local or spending an butt load of time on the road. If no bumper I'm gonna try to figure out how to put a winch in the stock bumper, maybe cut & weld or bolt on a universal winch plate like Tradera did.

Dude, I want that "tripod" mount. I was just reorganizing my cargo area and two could be very useful. :bluejump:

Do you mind if I 'borrow' that idea and any advice for someone trying to do it? :cheers:

Of course I mind, that is trademarked and patent pending. No one else can mount a tripod like me... ...

No of course you can use it PM me if you need any help. The only thing I'll recommend is be careful with you bends, make them intentional because it is hard to straighten once bent.

I went to take some photos this afternoon and snapped one of the 4runner while I had the camera. Here it is with OME 885 front coils, SAW 1.5" rear coils, & 265/70R17s.

 

[mysticz]

Nice build, it's looking great. :bigok:

 

[wrestler157]

i love your truck hoping one day mine will look just as good! keep up the good work and great photos

 

[zstampe]

Matt! Looks good man! Are you going to lift the rear anymore or anything? Or just add weight to the front? Hopefully you can make it back through Kansas at some point this next year so we can catch up again.

 

[TheTuckerTaxi]

No of course you can use it PM me if you need any help. The only thing I'll recommend is be careful with you bends, make them intentional because it is hard to straighten once bent.

PM Sent.

Nice pics! Why did you go with the Saw rear verse OME?

 

[gaterose]

Thanks a lot guys.

Zach, hopefully I can just add a little weight to the front, and yes also hopefully I can make it back through KS (on the way to CO ) soon.

TTT, I went with the saws because the OME are supposedly too stiff. I would've gotten toytec super flex coils but a member here was selling these brand new so I took the deal.

 

[8086bruce]

Looks great Matt! :thanks: for the pic!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks again Bruce!

Got the GYSA's put on this afternoon. No they don't look quite as good as the BFGs but they do roll more smoothly and quieter

I have some tweaking to do as every corner is a different height by 1/4-3/4" but it'll do for a bit....

 

[momo.75]

They look awesome! Hope to catch up with you a little soon.....:hungry:

 

[sonerick]

Lookin good dude

 

[Doozi]

Looking good Matt! I think that you'll be happy with those Silent Armors... every once in a while I wish that I had something a little more aggressive, but they've proven to be a great all-around tire!!