MichaelM's Build Thread

[MichaelM]

Well I decided to just go ahead and make a build thread. All of my mods so far a very simple. In the past month my T4R has really began to change which is why i decided to make this thread. Not only for others to see but also so I can keep up with it. I have had my '04 SR5 for close to 3 years now. Although I just became a member, I have been reading on this forum for quite some time and I owe thanks to many of the members and their helpful threads. I wish I would have taken more photos throughout the build to help others but that is not the case. Day one was the bare essentials. Started off wiring up more power sources. My radar detector and most important mod of all, a way to play my jams!! :guitar3:

Radar detector will be hard wired as soon as the cord comes in. Ordered it yesterday. Finally after 3 years.

 

[MichaelM]

The day after the best purchase of my life (my T4R) I called for an appointment for window tint. I just told him to match the front windows with the back. It is 20% and I got a tint strip which is 10%. If I could do it again I would go a different route. 10% all the way around and 35% all the way down the windshield with 5% tint strip. My previous car had 5% all the way around and 20% on the windshield.

 

[MichaelM]

I then bought a kayak and needed a way to transport so I put two sets of J racks on her. (only problem is now there is no room for a roof basket) If I found a good deal on one I would jump on it though. Basket in the winter. J racks in the summer.

 

[MichaelM]

I then got a hitch mounted cargo carrier and modified it a little for my bike. Only paid 60 bucks for it and its aluminum and rated at 500 lbs! So now I can take more SH$$ on road trips :bigok:

 

[MichaelM]

Then came my fishing rod rack. I bought one of these before and it wasn't worth a damn so I took it back. Bought another one this summer and added my special touch to it and it works like a charm.

 

[MichaelM]

Gotta rep G Loomis and the forum. Look for my T4R sticker. I am always on the road traveling somewhere in the Southeast.

 

[4Runner8]

its looking good, i especially like the bike rack you made outta the hitch basket and the fishing rod holder. might steal that idea as i have seen that rod thing at wal mart. looks nice. also like your fj wheels

 

[MichaelM]

its looking good, i especially like the bike rack you made outta the hitch basket and the fishing rod holder. might steal that idea as i have seen that rod thing at wal mart. looks nice. also like your fj wheels

Go for it! It was easy, fast, and cheap! My favorite kind of mod.

 

[MichaelM]

My favorite mod for the money came next. Blacked out FJ wheels. Grand total for the set came to about 50 bucks! It was also time for a new set of tires too. So after reading and reading on the forum I went with 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers. Absolutely love them so far. We will see how long they last. Mud flaps gone!

 

[MichaelM]

And my most recent mod is Hella 500 driving lights. Built brackets so I didn't have to drill holes in my bumper. 3 holes is enough (popped out dent :lookout. I could not bring myself to spend the 75 bucks or whatever on a FJ foglight switch so did what I think was a fair job for what I was working with. This is temporary until I get a brushguard, bull bar, or light bar.

 

[MichaelM]

Next mods are brushguard, bull bar, or light bar. 2 more lights when that happens. Blacked out headlights and taillights. Would like to swap to FJ suspension and get rid of this rake but I am a little hesitant because I tow a trailer pretty regularly and the rake looks a lot better than a saggy ass end. We'll see. And if I find a roof basket for the right price it is on the list too.

This is as she sits now. All these photos were taken today by the way. She is very dirty because I did a little off roading and it has rained everyday here for the past week so no point in washing. I will be sure to post some photos when she gets cleaned up. (for those of you who like to keep your rig on the road) :cheers:

 

[4Runner8]

looks good, check out a rola rack if you want one for a good price, they are steals

 

[MichaelM]

looks good, check out a rola rack if you want one for a good price, they are steals

Wow that is a steal! This might have just jumped in line ahead of my brushguard. Do you know if they make brackets for mounting shovels/axes or high lift jacks? Or would I have to make my own?

 

[4Runner8]

they might, you can check other companies products, a lot will fit, check out baja racks. those are a lil more expensive but have tons of acessories including a full wiring harness for mounting 4 light on top of the rack.

also what kind of rain visors do you have? i am about to get some and i like yours

 

[techmen17]

Nice rig, did you powder coat or rattle can the rims??

 

[MichaelM]

I'll do some research. They are ventshade. The ones that mount to the outside of the door not in the channel.

 

[MichaelM]

Nice rig, did you powder coat or rattle can the rims??

Thanks! Rattle can. A lot of guys on here and on the FJ forum have had good luck with it so I gave it a try. Much much cheaper

 

[4Runner8]

thought you might be interested in this brush guard, good quality, my push bar is made by them but they discontinued it.

Toyota 4Runner 03-09 2004 2005 Grille Brush Guard B: eBay Motors (item 110563446663 end time Aug-01-10 12:34:30 PDT)

 

[Colemanfu]

I like the little duck on the dash mod can you give details hehe, the lights on the front look great.

Ever think about painting the back rack black to match the rig.

Your rig looks sharp.

Well played.

 

[MichaelM]

thought you might be interested in this brush guard, good quality, my push bar is made by them but they discontinued it.

Toyota 4Runner 03-09 2004 2005 Grille Brush Guard B: eBay Motors (item 110563446663 end time Aug-01-10 12:34:30 PDT)

I like that one better than the one I was looking at. Priced the same. Might have to do it.

I like the little duck on the dash mod can you give details hehe, the lights on the front look great.

Ever think about painting the back rack black to match the rig.

Your rig looks sharp.

Well played.

Preciate it. haha. Yes I actually considered this when I did my FJ wheels. Two reasons I didn't. I didn't want it to blend in with my truck to much and be hard to see at night because dumbasses would be more inclined to rear end me. Second reason is, it gets some pretty heavy use so if i do do it I am going to get it Line xed so I can still through the same stuff on it and not worry about it. I will do the same if i get a roof basket.