Hellamatic - Build Thread

[Hellamatic]

Holy Sheep Sh!t!!!

The guy from the body shop called me with the estimate last week - $13,000 and change:shocked:

Thank jebus for insurance! They even waived my deductible because they didn't want to deal with replacing my grill. They mentioned it was a 17-day repair, assuming parts weren't backordered; I assume they are all available, as they haven't called again. I expect I should have the truck back in the next week or so. ARB bumper will be coming shortly after that!

 

[c0astie31]

There is no way in hell 13k in damage there, they are drunk, but if that is was they are gonna give u, take that check and do the work yourself

 

[toyotatech84]

13k sounds about right. This was mine when I nailed a deer. No busted radiator or AC components. Strictly body work. And it took them about 3weeks to fix it. All in all total was $11,987. Glad to know you are alive and ok. Cars can be replaced and modded again no problem.

 

[zombieflavor]

Nice ride man! looks awesome. i love the zombie lights switch...obviously

 

[Hellamatic]

Like a phoenix rising from arizona...

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/photo10_zps989c74e1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/photo10_zps989c74e1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo10_zps989c74e1.jpg"/></a>
Got my ride back last Thursday! Total damage was $13,457 parts and labor - repaired door skin, new passenger fender, hood, core support, radiator, ac condenser, ac lines, horns, front fascia, brackets, clips, yadda yadda....

All told, I'm pretty happy with the body shop that repaired it - everything looks good and they did a great job doing an interior detail as well.

I spent today re-modding my fender liner to once again quell the rubbing, reinstalled my light bars and ditch lights (I pulled everything off before leaving it in the city,) and plasti-dipped my front emblem (grill is back to stock for now.) I need to rethink the mounting of my 20" Rigid bar with the amber filter - it doesn't fit where it used to be now that the factory grill is back in place; I'm thinking I'm just going to hold off on reinstalling it until I get a real bumper on the front.

I also installed two 4" light bars on the back of my rack (chinese ebay specials.) I put them on a switch, rather than tying them to my reverse lights. I tried out the bars and they are pretty comparable to Rigid as far as light output is concerned, so I ordered four more on ebay tonight for the sides of my rack. I'm yet undecided if I'm going to put two on each side of my rack (front and back,) but I'll make the decision when they arrive. If I only end up using one on each side I'll just stick the extra two on my F-350, so it's a win-win.

Now I just need to go on a nighttime excursion to finally aim my ditch lights.

 

[Hellamatic]

Nice ride man! looks awesome. i love the zombie lights switch...obviously

Thanks dude, I appreciate it!

 

[Hellamatic]

He's back!

Hey there boys and girls - after a lengthy absence from the forum and far too little time devoted to my 'Runner in the last 8 months, my favorite little Toyota is finally ready to get some more love in preparation for a trip to Alaska in early June. I'll share some pics of the project that sidetracked me in the next little while, for anyone who cares.... And if you don't care, that's ok too - it's MY build thread, and I'll hijack it if I want!!

I'll be posting a plethora of new stuff here in the coming weeks, but in the meantime I'll tease you all with a list of parts that are either sitting at my house.....or being built as we speak.....

ARB front bumper
CBI rear bumper/swingout
9k winch
Optima Yellowtop w/custom tray
IBS dual battery monitor/controller
Aeroforce Interceptor
Pile o' plywood...soon to be a set of drawers
Auxiliary gauge cluster
Grillcraft insert

Stay tuned, kids......

 

[jasonv]

swapping out the ultra custom grill for a grillcraft!

 

[Hellamatic]

swapping out the ultra custom grill for a grillcraft!

The custom one didn't survive the deer encounter I had last year, haha. The grillcraft was cheaper and it's going to be somewhat hidden behind the new bumper anyway, so I went quick and dirty

 

[Hellamatic]

A brief detour...

So, here's what had me sidetracked from working on the 4Runner for a little while. I started a new job at the end of August and had to very quickly buy a new truck and drop about $20k rigging it up (accessories, tools, and test gear), as I left my office job to take on a field job again. Again, I apologize for anyone who doesn't care to hear about it, but it's MY thread, dammit!!

I went with a 2015 F250, 6.2L Crew Cab longbox in Magnetic Gray. We had a fleet of these at my last job, and they seemed to hold up reasonably well. Some highlights are: Deezee front and rear headache racks, Thule roof bars, Weathertech tool boxes, a custom 12V onboard air system with in-cab gauges, firestone airbags with custom in-cab controls (OTRATTW switches,) 1.5" levelling spacer up front, 35x12.50 Toyo MTs, 8' set of storage drawers, slide out vise mount, grillcraft grille, projector headlights, Rigid duallys replacing the factory foglights, 6x 2x3 LED work lights, 52" curved lightbar, removed back seat, 1500W inverter, cab-mounted laserjet printer, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, Plastidipped emblems, yadda yadda

Delivery Day:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_2084_zpsvyh9mko5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2084_zpsvyh9mko5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2084_zpsvyh9mko5.jpg"/></a>

Vise and drawers:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/712a9d5d-afaf-49fc-baf0-09b6aed57efb_zpsh8eravu2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/712a9d5d-afaf-49fc-baf0-09b6aed57efb_zpsh8eravu2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 712a9d5d-afaf-49fc-baf0-09b6aed57efb_zpsh8eravu2.jpg"/></a>

Air gauge and controls:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3136_zpsvshru43y.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3136_zpsvshru43y.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3136_zpsvshru43y.jpg"/></a>

As it sits right now (saggy, as it was prior to adding the airbags):
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3013_zpsjapkfzkk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3013_zpsjapkfzkk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3013_zpsjapkfzkk.jpg"/></a>


Anyway, that's my detour. Sorry if I offended, haha. Now, back to the 4Runners!

 

[Hellamatic]

Storage Drawers

I'll keep this one short and sweet, as stripping the back carpet/sliding tray has been covered before and I'm not really doing anything groundbreaking here. I went with 2 drawers that butt up against the backside of the 'hidden storage' behind the seats. I dremelled the filler panel so the drawers sit up against the rubber gasket nice and snug. The unit is bolted through the bottom to a piece of aluminum Unistrut that I bolted down to the stock sliding tray mounting points.

I carpeted the outside for a nice finished look. The inside is just unfinished for now with a little piece of carpet inside each drawer. I may or may not paint them in the future.

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3152_zpshuz3exlb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3152_zpshuz3exlb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3152_zpshuz3exlb.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3151_zps3gpawgyf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3151_zps3gpawgyf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3151_zps3gpawgyf.jpg"/></a>

The tonneau cover doesn't go over my clubs anymore. Serious first world problems going on over here. I kept the hidden storage compartment in case I need to hide from a stormtrooper boarding party or something. You never know.
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3155_zpsknd94pck.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3155_zpsknd94pck.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3155_zpsknd94pck.jpg"/></a>

 

[Hellamatic]

Dual battery/isolator install

Lots going on with the ol' 'Runner lately. I've been doing a bit every weekend now in preparation for a trip up to Alaska in about 6 weeks. My ARB bumper and winch should be here next week, so I thought this was a good time to tackle my auxiliary battery install.

For mounting, I just went with an off the shelf stainless tray/hold down from my local racecar store. I bolted it down to the existing threaded holes in the flat spot on the passenger inner fenderwell. Moving the PS reservoir and AC line was a pretty straightforward affair - the battery tray I went with was quite a bit longer than the battery, so it also provided a secure mounting point for the relocations. The hold down required a little modification to clear the airbox - I just needed to get a little creative and slightly rammy. I was quite angry after I got the battery in last weekend and it drove me to drink, so I put off installing the isolator until today.

Installed tray/battery:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3279_zpsoktlmicw.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3279_zpsoktlmicw.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3279_zpsoktlmicw.jpg"/></a>

Final install:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg"/></a>

For the monitor, I decided to mount it inside the console lid - I thought it unnecessary to mount it on the dash for constant monitoring, but I wanted a more accessible location than the glovebox. I drilled a couple holes and pulled the wiring up through the console and through the firewall. The controller is just stuck in the lid with some 3M double sided tape. I'll clean up the wiring when I have a chance, but for now it is beer time once more.
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3281_zpsn30iwbji.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3281_zpsn30iwbji.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3281_zpsn30iwbji.jpg"/></a>

I also found a set of Maglite mounting brackets hanging around the house that I forgot I'd bought. I decided to just screw it down to the front of the seat - seems like a handy spot to have it when you need it:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3211_zpsydnkllhd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3211_zpsydnkllhd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3211_zpsydnkllhd.jpg"/></a>

 

[Hellamatic]

And one more post for the evening - here's the 'Runner parked next to Lake Abraham a couple months ago when I trekked out for an early-morning photo tour:
<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3378_zpsxlpih25r.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3378_zpsxlpih25r.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3378_zpsxlpih25r.jpg"/></a>

 

[Hellamatic]

Ditch lights

Got a decent pic of the Rigid hyperspot pattern in a bit of fog a few weeks ago. I'm very happy with this beam pattern for the ditch lights. The green covers are supposed to be good for picking out animal eyes - I'm still testing that theory out.

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/?action=view&current=IMG_2927_zpsknuoytm0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2927_zpsknuoytm0.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

[Hellamatic]

Teaser....

This is happening right now. Was hoping to finish tonight, but the installation instructions are among the shittiest I've ever dealt with. Might finish tomorrow.....

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/?action=view&current=6ade5375d616d99d9c67ab14ae306311_zpsj0e9bh3c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/6ade5375d616d99d9c67ab14ae306311_zpsj0e9bh3c.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

[Antman]

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3280_zpspntt9qrn.jpg"/></a>

Uh... hate to ask, BUT- did you fuse the main power wires for the batteries? I don't see any fuses, need one for each as close to the battery as possible.

Also- it's not good to route that battery positive cable over the battery and/or crossing over the negative cable. You are asking to start a fire here. You need to loom up and secure the smaller power wires coming off the battery too!

Not trying to be a jerk here at all, but what you have there + hard wheeling = dangerous stuff. You can PM me if you want some more info!

 

[Hellamatic]

Uh... hate to ask, BUT- did you fuse the main power wires for the batteries? I don't see any fuses, need one for each as close to the battery as possible.

Also- it's not good to route that battery positive cable over the battery and/or crossing over the negative cable. You are asking to start a fire here. You need to loom up and secure the smaller power wires coming off the battery too!

Not trying to be a jerk here at all, but what you have there + hard wheeling = dangerous stuff. You can PM me if you want some more info!

Haha, I got ahead of myself captioning this pic "finished product." Yes, I did add a main fuse and clean up all the wiring after this pic was taken - I was hoping nobody would have the eagle eyes to notice the preemptive pic and call me on my shit, haha. You win!

 

[Jhalko]

Got a decent pic of the Rigid hyperspot pattern in a bit of fog a few weeks ago. I'm very happy with this beam pattern for the ditch lights. The green covers are supposed to be good for picking out animal eyes - I'm still testing that theory out.

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/?action=view&current=IMG_2927_zpsknuoytm0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2927_zpsknuoytm0.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

Signaling UFO's eh?

 

[AirspeedX]

I'm loving your thread! I'm also gearing up for an Alaska trip but I'm heading out early July for 13 days. Which reminds me to order a copy of the Milepost magazine.

 

[Hellamatic]

I'm loving your thread! I'm also gearing up for an Alaska trip but I'm heading out early July for 13 days. Which reminds me to order a copy of the Milepost magazine.

Sweet dude, I've been up once before in '06 and The Milepost was indispensable. I highly recommend taking a detour through Dawson City and taking the top of the world highway up.

Last time I went, we made 8000km in 10 days. Went up through Dawson, hit Valdez, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. Way too much driving. This time we're going up thru Dawson again and sticking towards the south, hitting up Valdez, Kennecott/McCarthy, Anchorage, and spending some time bumming around the Kenai Penninsula. I'm really looking forward to getting the kayak out for some paddling! Loading up the 'Runner and going up with my dad - should be a good father/son time.