Kowitz's 1999 Build Thread

[Kowitz]

Hey everyone,

I have been browsing for a few weeks, but finally made an account last week sometime and started my search for the right 3rd gen. Ideally, I wanted a 5-speed, but then decided I didn't really care that much, and found the right truck for me!

My other car(WRX swapped 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, with lots of stuff done) was becoming less and less daily driver friendly, and definitely not dog friendly, and I just got a German Shepherd pup a few months ago.

My freshman/sophomore years of Highschool, I had a 1996 Isuzu Trooper with a 2 or 3 inch lift and 32 or 33" tires, I don't remember exactly haha.

But here that vehicle is:

And my Subaru, which will be for sale soon(sad day when this car goes, I have had it for almost 9 years, also starting in Highschool

But, at this point in my life, I decided to make a more mature choice, and get something more DD friendly, and something more comfortable for my pup. I still plan on modifying it after the Subaru sells, well, because I can't leave vehicles stock for too long, or I start to go crazy.

Here it is, my black 1999 SR5 "Highlander", factory elocker, 174k miles.

The only mods I can see done to it so far:

-265/75/16 Kanati Trail Hogs
-Pioneer Headunit
-Whip Antenna Mod
-Painted license plate surround

To do list(as of now)

-Tranny oil Cooler
-LED interior light upgrade(dash/climate control/dome)
-Tint front windows to match
-Maybe paint wheels black or gunmetal

and down the road a little:

-3" Suspension lift
-285 tires
-New Wheels, haven't decided a style
-Metal front and rear bumpers(rear with swing out)
-RoofRack
-4x Innovation Sliders

I will update this more as I go.

Thanks everyone!

-Brenton

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Good looking truck!

If you're going to use it as a dog hauler, I recommend you get one of these. I have one and my dogs have never known anything different so they're fine with it.

Cheap peace of mind:

Top Paw® Universal Pet Barrier | Car Barriers | PetSmart

Either that or put a crate in the back.

 

[Twan]

There are times I wish mine came with those flares instead of the limited style. Also, you must be the first Brenton I've ever seen. People always add an R to my name even when I spell it out for them, so I've been called Brenton more times than I can remember.

 

[Kowitz]

Good looking truck!

If you're going to use it as a dog hauler, I recommend you get one of these. I have one and my dogs have never known anything different so they're fine with it.

Cheap peace of mind:

Top Paw® Universal Pet Barrier | Car Barriers | PetSmart

Either that or put a crate in the back.

Well, my pup has been amazing and he is super smart. I don't think I will need one of these, as he stays in the back and usually just lays down, or sniffs around if I drop the rear window for him!

There are times I wish mine came with those flares instead of the limited style. Also, you must be the first Brenton I've ever seen. People always add an R to my name even when I spell it out for them, so I've been called Brenton more times than I can remember.

Yeah, I think I might like the limited style flare better, but Im not 100% sure, this is damn good looking truck as-is in my opinion!

Hopefully I can keep the mods going, but these really are beautiful trucks.

And really? Thats strange, I have had my name mis spelled and mis pronounced numerous times, including Benton, but usually they just think "Brandon"

 

[JoeBand]

highlander fender mudguards

congrats on a really clean, good looking truck.

if you decide to get rid of your fender mudguards when you put sliders on... i'd take them.

 

[Kowitz]

congrats on a really clean, good looking truck.

if you decide to get rid of your fender mudguards when you put sliders on... i'd take them.

Thanks!

LED Dash/Climate control lights ordered. I went with red from superbrightleds, hopefully it turns out nice! If not, I'll order some white ones.

But I owned a b5 S4 for awhile, and I always loved the red dash lights, so we shall see how it goes on the 4Runner!

Transmission Cooler will be ordered soon as well.

 

[Fishwerks]

Damn that's a clean truck. I'd leave it as is if you want it to stay DD friendly! Haha.

And if you didn't know, those mud guards on the front aren't available anymore so you could sell them for a pretty penny on the classifieds here when you go to 285s.

 

[Beer.runner3]

how are you liking the Kanati Trail Hogs? I'm trying to find tires for mine but I don't want a big brand tire like Good Year of BFG.

 

[Kowitz]

Damn that's a clean truck. I'd leave it as is if you want it to stay DD friendly! Haha.

And if you didn't know, those mud guards on the front aren't available anymore so you could sell them for a pretty penny on the classifieds here when you go to 285s.

Thank you! And yeah, I've considered leaving it as-is, but I suck at leaving vehicles alone, I just can't help my self.

And good to know, thanks!

how are you liking the Kanati Trail Hogs? I'm trying to find tires for mine but I don't want a big brand tire like Good Year of BFG.

Well, I have only had the truck for a week, and haven't had them off-road yet. But they seem very nice. They ride well on the street and seem quiet(anything thing seems quite and comfortable right now, compared to my subaru though haha). And they were great in the snow we got yesterday. Hopefully, I'll be able to test them on some trails soon, but I am happy with them and they look great IMO.

 

[Kowitz]

I always loved the red interior lights on the Audi I had, and after I got the 4Runner, I hated the pale/dim green lights. So a few days ago I ordered red LEDs. Here is the results, hotspots don't look as bad in person, and the color looks amazing!

My clock showed some signs of life today, but its out again, I'll mess with it more soon. Also is there a way to get the A/C button to light up red? I also put white LEDs in the map lights and my license plate lights, they turned out great, but no pictures.

Also on order, should be coming this week, are some LED dome/cargo light panels. I ordered 2 sets, some red ones, and some white ones. If I hate the red for the domes, I'll just put the white ones in.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Man thats a clean subie.

Having owned a B5 and the 1st gen impreza coupe, which would you prefer? I recently sold my B5 and considering my options to fill the gap.

 

[Kowitz]

Man thats a clean subie.

Having owned a B5 and the 1st gen impreza coupe, which would you prefer? I recently sold my B5 and considering my options to fill the gap.

Thank you, I'm definitely going to miss it!

And for me, they were totally different animals. My B5 S4 was mostly stock so it was comfortable, quiet, and peppy. My Subaru, is loud, hot, bumpy, but loads of fun.

Many of my friends have had stage 3+ B5 S4s, and even then, the subaru was more fun to drive, it is just raw feeling.(and 330awhp, weighing only 2700lbs is pretty damn fun haha)

So, for a fun factor/canyon carver, I LOVE the Subaru. But the Audi is more of a highway monster compared to the Subaru when built, the Subaru is definitely not geared for the highway.

I hope one day, my 4Runner build will be as nice as my Subaru. Builds that are all around clean and "simple" usually are what stand out to me.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Thank you, I'm definitely going to miss it!

And for me, they were totally different animals. My B5 S4 was mostly stock so it was comfortable, quiet, and peppy. My Subaru, is loud, hot, bumpy, but loads of fun.

Many of my friends have had stage 3+ B5 S4s, and even then, the subaru was more fun to drive, it is just raw feeling.(and 330awhp, weighing only 2700lbs is pretty damn fun haha)

So, for a fun factor/canyon carver, I LOVE the Subaru. But the Audi is more of a highway monster compared to the Subaru when built, the Subaru is definitely not geared for the highway.

Good to hear! Mine was just stage 2, but like you said those things are made to tear up the highways. I took it on a few drives in the hills in Pennsylvania and Virginia, the steer characteristics and all that weight drove me nuts. Ive got an A4 wagon that is super comfy on the highway (my DD), so a fun car is just what I need.

The LED's look killer btw, nice job!

 

[Kowitz]

Good to hear! Mine was just stage 2, but like you said those things are made to tear up the highways. I took it on a few drives in the hills in Pennsylvania and Virginia, the steer characteristics and all that weight drove me nuts. Ive got an A4 wagon that is super comfy on the highway (my DD), so a fun car is just what I need.

The LED's look killer btw, nice job!

Yeah, the Subaru will still have some understeer characteristics, but you can definitely make it more neutral, or even have a little oversteer with the right suspension setup, and the car feels REALLY nimble and toss able, but totally under control.

The 4Runner will be my DD for awhile, until I can justify having a 2nd/3rd car again.

And thank you! I feel like it really updated the interior

 

[Kowitz]

Just a quick driveway shot of my Subaru and my 4Runner together, before the Subaru sells.

And some pictures of my red LED panels in the dome/cargo lights. I need to fix the rear hatch door open switch, the "door" function isn't working, so I took the pictures with the cargo switch set to "on". I also have two white LED panels, in case I get tired of the red, but for now, I love it!

 

[Kowitz]

Hey everyone, I have a quick question.

Does anyone have plans out there for front shackle mounts?

I have access(no cost) to a nice CNC machine, and would like to make my own, rather than purchase some. I'm sure I can do measurements and everything, but it would be nice to compare to some that are already tested.

 

[seank]

I am really liking the LEDs. I wasn't even considering them but maybe I should. And I'm also a former B5 S4 owner, starting to notice a trend. I sold mine in 2002 when I took delivery of my GTI 337, which I still have today in simple stage 1 form. Aaaaand you're in Golden, only like 30 minutes away from me! Strange small world.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

 

[Kowitz]

I am really liking the LEDs. I wasn't even considering them but maybe I should. And I'm also a former B5 S4 owner, starting to notice a trend. I sold mine in 2002 when I took delivery of my GTI 337, which I still have today in simple stage 1 form. Aaaaand you're in Golden, only like 30 minutes away from me! Strange small world.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

Yeah, the LEDs are awesome, I highly recommend them.

I miss the S4 for sure, that car was so nice to drive. I'm going to miss having the Subaru also.

But, it gives me plenty of time to save money and decide on the next "fast" car I want to own. In the mean time, the 4runner will be getting my mod money :hungry:

 

[Bandit Runner]

Hey everyone, I have a quick question.

Does anyone have plans out there for front shackle mounts?

I have access(no cost) to a nice CNC machine, and would like to make my own, rather than purchase some. I'm sure I can do measurements and everything, but it would be nice to compare to some that are already tested.

Check this thread out:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/26221-front-d-ring-mounts.html

 

[Kowitz]

Yeah, I saw that thread, but I didn't want to ask him for his dimensions and drawings, since he is still selling them. Didn't want to step on his toes or anything.

I like his design though, simple and effective.