jsmith21's broke college kid build thread

[jsmith21]

Alright so I know my rig is no where near as cool as some of y'all's but I figured I'd put all my stuff in one place so I can keep up with everything I've done.

So the reason I got a 4Runner in the first place is because I had a Jeep Wrangler that I loved but it just wasn't practical and I drive on the interstate a lot and it just didn't feel safe. It was a 02 6cyl 5 speed manual in immaculate condition and had 54k miles when I sold it.

Here's a picture of it

After I sold the Jeep I started looking for a 4th gen. Came real close to buying a 04 v6 2wd but decided not to because I knew I really wanted 4wd. Waited a few months and found a 08 v6 4wd for a great price, went and looked at it, fell in love and bought it.

Here it is the day I got it

First thing I did was get a spoiler for the back since it didn't have one, I went with espoiler or something like that. It was like 100 bucks

After that I got the windows tinted, 18% all around and 5% sun strip.

Then I decided I wanted a lift and new tires.
Found a set of 255/75r17 Goodyear mtr's on Craigslist for 500 bucks with only 1/32" of tread used, and the 5th gen sr5 wheels were like 225 for all 4.

Wheels and tires

I ran the 255's for a while with no lift, only had minimal rubbing at full lock in reverse. Really filled out the wheel wells better than the stock ones.

Then I bought a cb radio as an impulse buy, tried to mount it pretty cleanly

Next I ordered my first lift. Originally I ordered a daystar 2.5/1.5 and got halfway through installing it before I changed my mind, returned it, and saved up for a better lift setup. For my next lift I bought Toytec superflex rear coils, tacoma pre runner (non trd) spring up front, and Bilstein 5100's all around. Got the lift and had to stare at it sitting in a corner of my room for about a month before I could install it. Finally got around to installing it with the help of a buddy, with no experience on lifting a vehicle, it took me and a friend about 5 hours. 4 of those were on the front. But I got everything done and this is how it looked, I was so pumped!

I'll get wheel spacers some day( or new wheels)

After the lift I was content for a while, then realized my 4Runner was one of very few that came without a trailer hitch from the factory, and I need one so I can tow our boat at times. So I got extremely lucky and a fellow t4r member gave me his oem hitch for free, even shipping. So I broke out a dremel and tried to cut a hole in the bumper like the 4runners that come with a hitch have, and wound up with this. Not perfect but it's good enough for me. You can't tell unless you're like a foot or two away from it.

The next thing I did was something I had wanted to do for a while but was too afraid of screwing something up, the BHLM. Except instead of painting mine black I decided to be different and painted mine a dark metallic gunmetal grey. I'm pleased with how they turned out for it being my first time.

Next I broke out the plasti dip yet again to see how my wheels looked black, I like it.

And that pretty much brings it to where it's at now. I know it's not near as fancy as some of y'all's but I really enjoy doing stuff to my runner. I'll keep this thread updated as I continue to mod in the future, hope to add lighting, armor, maybe more lift, and then eventually bumpers and a roof rack in the future. Thanks guys and if you have any questions feel free to ask

 

[wheese88]

Not bad for a college kid! I'm actually kind of jealous. I just graduated and I've had my truck for a little over a year and unfortunately the little lady (5'0") takes it everyday and i'm stuck driving her 04 Ion :help:. So I haven't been able to paint the rims black because its "too manly" or lift it because she's short. So keep living the dream brother keep living the dream.

The only good part is that next year when we get a new vehicle i'll be able to get another runner since she loves the one we have now, so I have that going for me which is nice. :thumb3:

 

[telum01]

Looking great!

Those headlights came out awesome! How's the black spray holding up over time? Any difference in light projection?

EDIT: I went back to a pic of mine and now I hate the normal bright finish inside my headlights and have to do this lol

 

[Red]

Looking great!

Those headlights came out awesome! How's the black spray holding up over time? Any difference in light projection?

EDIT: I went back to a pic of mine and now I hate the normal bright finish inside my headlights and have to do this lol

The black paint wont affect the light projection at all, projector headlights don't rely on a reflective housing. I did mine, its a bit of work but it makes a huge difference in appearance in my opinion, much better.

if you decide to do the black headlight mod I'd recommend upgrading your projector lenses at the same time, that also makes a big difference. I went with black series lenses from The Retrofit Source

 

[telum01]

The black paint wont affect the light projection at all, projector headlights don't rely on a reflective housing. I did mine, its a bit of work but it makes a huge difference in appearance in my opinion, much better.

if you decide to do the black headlight mod I'd recommend upgrading your projector lenses at the same time, that also makes a big difference. I went with black series lenses from The Retrofit Source

I'll look into those, thanks!

I did the headlights on my '05 Subaru STi (didn't spray anything, just opened up the housings to remove the orange reflector lenses - same process as this, though). Just want to make sure the spray can handle the heat. The product data sheet for the Rustoleum used by jsmith says to avoid temps over 120F (~50C). Everything I'm seeing for housing temps is all over the place so I'm not sure if the heat will be an issue or not.

 

[jsmith21]

I'll look into those, thanks!

I did the headlights on my '05 Subaru STi (didn't spray anything, just opened up the housings to remove the orange reflector lenses - same process as this, though). Just want to make sure the spray can handle the heat. The product data sheet for the Rustoleum used by jsmith says to avoid temps over 120F (~50C). Everything I'm seeing for housing temps is all over the place so I'm not sure if the heat will be an issue or not.

Thanks, they still look great, no flaking or bubbling or peeling or anything of that nature. I kinda wish I had done black but the grey looks good too. Funny you had a 05 sti, I was looking for one when I bought the runner but they're not very common cars around here so I couldn't find one that was worth buying. I'm pleased with the runner though.

 

[telum01]

Thanks, they still look great, no flaking or bubbling or peeling or anything of that nature. I kinda wish I had done black but the grey looks good too. Funny you had a 05 sti, I was looking for one when I bought the runner but they're not very common cars around here so I couldn't find one that was worth buying. I'm pleased with the runner though.

I still miss my STi! I absolutely loved that car. Love the 4Runner, too. But that Subie was just a whole ton of fun, and absurdly reliable despite how much I abused it.

Anyway, loving the build, and I'll be getting started on my headlights as soon as the stuff I ordered today from The Retrofit Source gets here!

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Looking good bro:thumb3: I could of swore you already had a build thread?Everybody should have a build thread to document building up the best trucks ever! :bigok:

I drove a jeep wrangler once when we were on vacation in Hawaii. I felt like i was driving a go cart! Putting the top down was pretty cool for about 20 minutes until it started raining the i was the dumb ass on the side of the road fighting the top to get it closed:rain: :redbrick: That's my jeep story and the last and only time i drove a jeep haha

 

[J053619]

For a broke college kid you are doing some solid mods. My broke college mods included plastidip on the wheels and plastidip only

 

[jsmith21]

Not bad for a college kid! I'm actually kind of jealous. I just graduated and I've had my truck for a little over a year and unfortunately the little lady (5'0") takes it everyday and i'm stuck driving her 04 Ion :help:. So I haven't been able to paint the rims black because its "too manly" or lift it because she's short. So keep living the dream brother keep living the dream.



The only good part is that next year when we get a new vehicle i'll be able to get another runner since she loves the one we have now, so I have that going for me which is nice. :thumb3:

Thanks! And I'd say just do it and surprise her. It's a lot easier to beg for forgiveness that ask for permission

I still miss my STi! I absolutely loved that car. Love the 4Runner, too. But that Subie was just a whole ton of fun, and absurdly reliable despite how much I abused it.

Anyway, loving the build, and I'll be getting started on my headlights as soon as the stuff I ordered today from The Retrofit Source gets here!

I know my buddy had a wrx that had all kinds of stuff done to it and it was so much fun. The awd launches are sweet as I'm sure you know haha. But thanks yours is coming along nicely too, can't wait to see how it turns out :thumb:

Looking good bro:thumb3: I could of swore you already had a build thread?Everybody should have a build thread to document building up the best trucks ever! :bigok:



I drove a jeep wrangler once when we were on vacation in Hawaii. I felt like i was driving a go cart! Putting the top down was pretty cool for about 20 minutes until it started raining the i was the dumb ass on the side of the road fighting the top to get it closed:rain: :redbrick: That's my jeep story and the last and only time i drove a jeep haha

Thanks man! I've been meaning to but just never got around to making one haha. But I've actually used your build as inspiration for mine, yours is sweet. I hope one day mines that badass.

And yeah jeeps are cool when it's sunny and between 65 and 85 degrees. Other than that they suck. Or at least soft top ones do. I found myself in pop up storms more than once with no top since Id actually leave it at my house. I may get another one some day but it won't be my primary car that's for sure haha.

For a broke college kid you are doing some solid mods. My broke college mods included plastidip on the wheels and plastidip only

Haha thanks! Plasti dip is my go to. I have at least five cans just ready to go right now haha. But I'm kind of stuck now though as far as cheap mods go, now I want bumpers, armor, more lift, lighting....the list never ends

 

[jsmith21]

So I installed some hid's the other day. Been meaning to do this for a while but they're 5k Kensun's. I didn't want a real blue light, just a bright white with maybe a hint of blue. I'm really pleased with how they turned out, they look like the oem hid's that come in the Acura's, Lexus's, etc. here's a few pics.

Before

After

 

[jsmith21]

This isn't about my 4Runner but me and my dad have taken on another project, excited to see how it comes out. We plan on doing a complete frame off restoration. Hopefully I can talk him into a fj40 next.

 

[jsmith21]

Alright so I went led crazy and installed a bunch of LEDs and stuff.

First was some led back up lights. They're wired separately from the reverse circuit, so that when the key is in acc mode, I can turn the lights on if I need to. I used a Oem Toyota switch that I bought on Amazon and the lights are from Amazon too. If there's one thing I've learned from this, it's that next time I'm just making my own harness and soldering everything rather than buying a pre made harness, and having to still customize everything about it. The only reason I bought a pre made harness is cause I didn't know how to hook up a relay but through this experience I've learned and I'll make my harnesses from now on.

So on to the install, first off I had to take off the bumper to run the wires how I wanted to. Once you get the bumper off there's a cemt type thing on the side that you can fish wires through. It's kinda difficult cause it's a tight are but it worked out nicely.

Next was mounting the lights and wiring them up. The connectors on the preside harness I bought wound up breaking off and wires bending so I put on new ones and used a bunch of heat shrink to make sure no moisture or dirt found its way into the connections.

Then I put some protective plastic conduit around the wires just for a little abrasion resistance and zip tied everything in place.

One thing to note, leave a little slack in the line so you can take the light off the mount to re mount the bumper. Once that's done put the bumper back on and mount the lights. I mounted mine where the oem bumper attaches to the mount or whatever, like this.

Next I installed the relay and the ground, I did it here

Then you run all the wires down the side of truck and under the door kick panels. I used an add a circuit for power; only pulls like 3 or 4 amps, but I plan on installing a blue sea fuse box sometime in the future.

Then you wire up the switch, here's the one I used

And there you go, you have back up lights. They're pretty freakin bright. No excuses for backing into stuff now.

 

[jsmith21]

Oh I also installed interior LEDs too. Another 15 dollar Amazon impulse purchase. Super easy. Not many halogen bulbs left on this truck

 

[montijo505]

Then you wire up the switch, here's the one I used

Where did you get that switch? Link?

 

[jsmith21]

Where did you get that switch? Link?

There's no picture but its this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KTKFBG4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[montijo505]

There's no picture but its this one.

Amazon.com: Toyota 00550-35976 Fog Light Switch: Automotive

Thanks!

 

[Chuckles89]

Hey Jonathan nice build! I'm excited to be going to TTU next year! I finally got a 4Runner of my own ('98 in my sig.). Are there any trails around Cookeville?

-Chuckles

 

[jsmith21]

Hey Jonathan nice build! I'm excited to be going to TTU next year! I finally got a 4Runner of my own ('98 in my sig.). Are there any trails around Cookeville?

-Chuckles

Thats awesome! I love it up here. Theres a few backwoods trails and areas that people go but I'm not sure on the legality...as far as I'm concerned it's only illegal if you get caught. haha. But theres also a off road park like 20 mins away called golden mountain. I've only been on a few of the trails out there but it looks fun. Some of them are really extreme though. Me and some friends are planning a trip out there in the spring so I'll be able to tell you more about it then.

 

[Chuckles89]

Thats awesome! I love it up here. Theres a few backwoods trails and areas that people go but I'm not sure on the legality...as far as I'm concerned it's only illegal if you get caught. haha. But theres also a off road park like 20 mins away called golden mountain. I've only been on a few of the trails out there but it looks fun. Some of them are really extreme though. Me and some friends are planning a trip out there in the spring so I'll be able to tell you more about it then.

Well, I don't need to get into any more trouble with my truck so I wouldn't go anewhere that's fishy haha (did some offroading in the school parking lot and got caught). That Golden Mtn place looks cool, but goes from really easy sounding to hardcore stuff with no inbetween. I only have 32's, stock lift springs (same ground clearance as my dad's OME lift on the 4th gen), open diffs, and no armor. Hopefully I can get some rock sliders over the summer and beef up my factory skid plates with our freebie welder.

Did you buy an SWR meter when you got your CB? If yes, could I borrow it for when I get mine?