looking for opinions/insight...

M

Madhatter

New member
Hey everyone, long time reader first time poster...

After my '98 4runner threw a rod I went shopping for a new truck, as luck would have it I'm frugal and new vehicle prices sent me running back home to start resurrecting my Runner.

Long story short, I have reconditioned the interior from the tan color to black. Doing it properly took two weeks (with a few pieces still in the works) and Ive dropped off the seats to be completely recovered. I originally chose a wine color over black, but then today I changed my mind to black. Now i'm in limbo again - your thoughts?

At first I thought the wine color would give it a bit of a contrast to the overall black of the exterior and interior. Its getting a new paint job (piano black) and I blacked out the headlights.

Any thoughts/opinions are welcome (before anyone mentions it - I will post pics after I have it all together again).
 
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Black leather interior can be a b!tch in the summer depending on where you live. I would love to see wine colored seats. You would be the only one as far as I know.

Love the user name. That was my AIM screenname and email back in high school/college. Also still my CB handle.
 
I say all black. Im in the middle of converting my interior to black. Do you mind me asking how much you are paying to get your seats done?
 
Madhatter said:
as luck would have it I'm frugal
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I call BS. Does the thing work now? Did you at least fix it before you dumped money into changing the color of every freaking part on it?

I swear, if you claim you are frugal but are repainting, re-doing the interior, and swapping to digital climate control before you have even gotten it running, I am going to drive my WORKING 4runner through your front door and kick you in the ass.
 
josh...I think the wine colour is really nice, but is it too "luxury SUV" for a 4Runner? You see it in some Touaregs and X5's etc. I can't really say its original (maybe for a 4R)

zac...for the fronts/rear/headreasts it came out to $1100. I know its not cheap, but quality craftsmanship never is. Plus in return he gave me some business. I should mention the upholsterer is also changing out the foam to a more comfortable material that won't collapse as easily over time.
 
I purchased a used motor from engine land here in Toronto for $1000. It took me a day to rip out the old one and install the new one. Two if you coun't waiting a day for a six rib alternator belt to get delivered. It runs nice and smooth.
Well Nelson I budgeted $5k for it. so far I've spent $1k on motor, $1100 on seats, about $350 on paints/dyes. My father and I restore antiques (family hobby) so I just do the body work in his shop and then send it off for paint, and our guy is doing the paint for $900. So I think I'm on track. I'd say $5k is a lot cheaper than spending 40k+ on a new truck of this quality. I agree with you though, #1 was getting it running first...
 
Madhatter said:
I purchased a used motor from engine land here in Toronto for $1000. It took me a day to rip out the old one and install the new one. Two if you coun't waiting a day for a six rib alternator belt to get delivered. It runs nice and smooth.
Well Nelson I budgeted $5k for it. so far I've spent $1k on motor, $1100 on seats, about $350 on paints/dyes. My father and I restore antiques (family hobby) so I just do the body work in his shop and then send it off for paint, and our guy is doing the paint for $900. So I think I'm on track. I'd say $5k is a lot cheaper than spending 40k+ on a new truck of this quality. I agree with you though, #1 was getting it running first...
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Ok, that makes more sense. I had visions of beautiful paint and interior just sitting in the driveway without a working engine... Like an empty seat at the table, and in the corner, a little crutch with no owner...

Ok, a little overdramatic... Glad to hear that you have budgeted; the background gives necessary context.
 
Madhatter said:
zac...for the fronts/rear/headreasts it came out to $1100. I know its not cheap, but quality craftsmanship never is. Plus in return he gave me some business. I should mention the upholsterer is also changing out the foam to a more comfortable material that won't collapse as easily over time.
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1100, Is that for real leather? I got a quote for 900 for vinyl.
 
zacattack20 said:
1100, Is that for real leather? I got a quote for 900 for vinyl.
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I just asked for the same as factory. Leather on the seat/back and vinyl on the sides and rear. The only thing I changed was the ruffle look on the seat bottom...I actually like it, but I didn't want the material cracking like the current seats have.
 
zacattack20 said:
Also curious...what was your process for changing all the plastic pieces to black?
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It's a tedious process of heating up the plastic to get the release agent out then scrubbing it with alcohol. I did this about five times to each piece before the original colour was noticeably pale. Then heat it up again - while it was warm I rubbed in dye - let it cool (repeated three times). Then I painted it with two coats and let it sit for for a couple weeks to cure. The end result is it doesn't chip or peel. It doesnt scratch too easily. If it gets scratched I can lightly sand and paint to match. I did a trial of using rhinoliner on the rear cargo panels and it actually worked pretty good, but changed it to match everything else. I did sand every piece when I started, mostly because my interior was pretty bad - it's not necessary though. I didn't use any primer.
I'll post pics when it's all back together.
 
SCRunner12 said:
Got pics of the interior as it is now?
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I haven't taken any, but I can if you want. I figured since only the rear cargo, headliner, and upper pieces are installed it wouldn't be worth posting.
The only thing not done are the door panels in the front. I don't want to put the dash in yet because I'm still trying to source out the digital climate unit.
 
What about black with some lighter pinstripe color for contrast? Might give it a little too much classic car feel, but it's an idea.
 
I swear, if you claim you are frugal but are repainting, re-doing the interior, and swapping to digital climate control before you have even gotten it running, I am going to drive my WORKING 4runner through your front door and kick you in the ass
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Don't mess with Patrick Stewart!
 
Madhatter said:
It's a tedious process of heating up the plastic to get the release agent out then scrubbing it with alcohol. I did this about five times to each piece before the original colour was noticeably pale. Then heat it up again - while it was warm I rubbed in dye - let it cool (repeated three times). Then I painted it with two coats and let it sit for for a couple weeks to cure. The end result is it doesn't chip or peel. It doesnt scratch too easily. If it gets scratched I can lightly sand and paint to match. I did a trial of using rhinoliner on the rear cargo panels and it actually worked pretty good, but changed it to match everything else. I did sand every piece when I started, mostly because my interior was pretty bad - it's not necessary though. I didn't use any primer.
I'll post pics when it's all back together.
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Damn I hadn't read anything about doing it like that. Did you over heat and melt any pieces? What kind of dye did you use? I would really love to see some pictures of some of the plastic pieces.
 
zacattack20 said:
Damn I hadn't read anything about doing it like that. Did you over heat and melt any pieces? What kind of dye did you use? I would really love to see some pictures of some of the plastic pieces.[/

If you're not set up for this type of thing I've heard of guys using either a heat gun or torch to heat the plastic. You'll know it's working when it looks like the material is sweating. Then wipe it with alcohol, mineral spirits works too. Using a solvent based dye works well since it soaks into the existing plastic. Just don't expect it to be a perfect solid colour, it never will be.
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