I need a project, modernization ideas?

[TheSaturnV]

My leather is getting a bit long in tooth, and planned some Katskinz at some point and was gonna do it then but maybe I'll jump on that now.

Here's the set I went with, to me they look almost 100% OEM. I've been comparing them to my old covers and they really nailed the color, stitching and patterns. Same outfit also sold me both foam seat bottoms which is very important because they can really get beaten down and your new leather will just look kinda dumpy.

Poor photo, but you can see the comparison new vs old. The old fronts have faded and changed color, but my back seats are almost like new and the replacement leathers really are close. I haven't even put the heat gun to them yet and they already fit really nice.

Tops/Bottoms for 1996-2002 Toyota 4runner Drover & Passenger Seat Covers Tan | usautoseatcover

 

[APhelps]

I didn't think it was that easy to swap to another model steering wheel due to differences in cruise control, etc. Maybe I need to research that a bit more. I was figuring about $250 to have the original wheel refurb'd.

I swapped one from a Sienna. Removed the cruise control and swapped the original back trim on it. Took like 30 mins to an 1 hour to do.

From what I've seen people are routinely paying 300 or so to re-wrap a steering wheel.

 

[heat]

Hood strut kit, get rid of that prop rod.

 

[Speedy]

Here's the set I went with, to me they look almost 100% OEM. I've been comparing them to my old covers and they really nailed the color, stitching and patterns. Same outfit also sold me both foam seat bottoms which is very important because they can really get beaten down and your new leather will just look kinda dumpy.

Poor photo, but you can see the comparison new vs old. The old fronts have faded and changed color, but my back seats are almost like new and the replacement leathers really are close. I haven't even put the heat gun to them yet and they already fit really nice.

Tops/Bottoms for 1996-2002 Toyota 4runner Drover & Passenger Seat Covers Tan | usautoseatcover

Those look really nice. I may put black in the centers and leave the tan on the sides for something different when I do mine.

I swapped one from a Sienna. Removed the cruise control and swapped the original back trim on it. Took like 30 mins to an 1 hour to do.

From what I've seen people are routinely paying 300 or so to re-wrap a steering wheel.

What year Sienna?

 

[APhelps]

Those look really nice. I may put black in the centers and leave the tan on the sides for something different when I do mine.



What year Sienna?

I think it was a 2001 or so, probably paid like $20 for it. It's not leather which is a bit of a negative but the california sun really seems to do a number on leather wheels anyways. Every 4Runner steering wheel I found in a junkyard was destroyed.

 

[G_Raw]

Tacoma rearview camera and rear view mirror screen coming soon to my 4runner

 

[Big-Boy]

Check out 98trd4r on instagram.

The dude has done insane stuff to his 3rd gen. It all looks super clean and factory.

From push button start to climate control upgrades and way beyond. He's made his 1998 seem like a 2019, and I'm super jealous.

 

[adam99sr5]

Hood gas struts. So easy if you have a pop rivet tool 15 minute install and never have to use the kick stand again plus they open the hood 6 inches higher.

'96-02 4Runner Hood Strut Kit - Spiker Engineering

Totally worth it imo

 

[BoomerBob]

And found this USB port that looked interesting. I'll have to get surgical with my Dremel to make a cutout for it.

https://amzn.to/37r3djq

Would it fit in one of these slots? Note; the little gauge is a temp gauge with the sensor in the door well. Not as accurate as I'd like but an easy mod.

 

[Brian.]

Check out 98trd4r on instagram.

The dude has done insane stuff to his 3rd gen. It all looks super clean and factory.

From push button start to climate control upgrades and way beyond. He's made his 1998 seem like a 2019, and I'm super jealous.

Or just see his threads here instead of going somewhere else (personally, I've never had and never will have an instgram account). Sadly, looks like another victim of photobucket.

zacattack20's Matte Blue ‘98 to '02 Sport Edition - Not the normal build thread

 

[Cree]

Two words:

LCD Dash.

 

[Greaser]

3 - Heated seats - I went with the Besond kit available on Amazon with 5 heat settings. Very well made. Amazon.com: Besond car seat heater carbon fiber heater element two seats fit Toyota: Automotive

Did you add these to leather seats or cloth? Wondering how the install went.

 

[Speedy]

Two words:

LCD Dash.

Tell me more.

 

[Brian.]

Tell me more.

Piqued my interest too... it'd take some work, but pick up something like this:

12.3" 1920x720 Automotive Display Car Dashboard IPS Stretched Bar Screen HDMI VGA LVDS Controller Board C123HAN01.1-in Mobile Phone LCD Screens from Cellphones & Telecommunications on AliExpress

to fit where the OEM gauges are. The fun part is translating mechanical inputs (speedo is still analog, right?) to digital and the vast amount of programming to customize the look. But it would be 100% custom, fully modern, the sky is the limit in regards to information available to be displayed.

This would be a long term project just for the fun of it (to me), and would hinge on my desire to learn programming.... something I've put off (other than occasional dabbling) for 30 years now.

 

[Speedy]

That's way more than I want to get in to in a 20 year old SUV lol.

 

[gamefreakgc]

There's nothing more modern than going faster. 4.88 gears in the rear? I know you already have the Hellcat but everyone knows it's fast. Nobody expects a 20 year old Toyota SUV to go fast lol.

I looked at those Durangos for a while to, that and the new Jeeps that put out insane power as well. I decided against it since 1. they are huge and 2. I'll bet they don't take to mileage all that well.

 

[Speedy]

4.88s might be a bit much for my 265/75 tires, but I did consider 4.56 if those are available. The problem there is the cost vs what you get.

With the 2.1 pulley on the blower and meth injection the 4Runner is pretty damn fast for what it is. I've surprised several of the kids in turbo civics around here LOL.

 

[Brian.]

That's way more than I want to get in to in a 20 year old SUV lol.

Well, you asked for more info. Doing a little more digging because I like electronics, there are a couple car-dashboard projects out there already. One running on RaspberryPi, another on Arduino. You could probably be all-in parts costs for under $300 (including a donor gauge cluster), so not exactly a costly project.

It's Computer time though, not Wrenching time. Having split my life between those 2 they offer completely different joys. If you're aching to Wrench, this isn't the project. It'd be a VERY different and unexpected mod... I don't think Anyone still thinks LED lighting is cool anymore, do they?

 

[WeakSauz]

4.88s might be a bit much for my 265/75 tires, but I did consider 4.56 if those are available. The problem there is the cost vs what you get.

With the 2.1 pulley on the blower and meth injection the 4Runner is pretty damn fast for what it is. I've surprised several of the kids in turbo civics around here LOL.

You can always snag 4.56 gears from a 1st Gen Tacoma (4cyl 5speed, usually).
Door code will read: B04A

The front and rear diffs will bolt right into a 3rd gen, and you can have 4.56's for pennies on the dollar vs a rebuilt set.

 

[Speedy]

Thanks for the info on the 4.56s and thanks for the ideas from everyone.

I think I'm gonna start with some simple light upgrades, look at the heated seats, and maybe push button keyless entry if I get motivated.