Millerad's Build Thread - "GiGi"

[Millerad1651]

Finally taking the time to create my build thread. I've always liked the look of 3rd gen 4Runners, just never had the money to get one. I've had everything from sedans to full size trucks, sports cars and motorcycles. I decided I finally wanted a 4Runner, so I sold my truck and in October 2011 I purchased a 1998 Natural White SR5 4x4 with 156k on it. The guy I bought it from was into restoring classic cars, so he knew a thing or two. This was his wifes daily driver, which consisted of 5 minutes back and forth to work. It was in really great shape, and I snagged it for $5000.
It is now my DD, and I occasionally take it off-road, although nothing too crazy. My buddy asked why I wanted a grocery getter, hence "GiGi".
This is the day I bought it.

So far I've added:
TRD Tundra/LC lift
33" Falken Wildpeak AT3W
18" Vision Arc wheels
231 TBU brakes
Deckplate
New HU and sub
Auxillary back-up lights
Clear turns and corner lenses
Tint
B&M Tranny cooler
Satoshi Grill
AO sliders
Ultragauge
Scoop hood
Light bar
Air horn
First gen roll bar
Infant car seat (soon to be two)

Of course there is definitely more planned, but I'm taking my time and just modding when extra money pops up now and then.

As she sits now.

 

[Millerad1651]

One of the first mods was to tint the front windows to match, and add clear corners and lenses...by the way, I have a ton of poser shots!

Also added a new HU and a powered sub. I wanted a double din unit, and like this JVC. The sub is 8", and the enclosure just barely fits under the driver seat.

The sub came with a volume/level remote. I mounted it in an open spot on the console(its the black dial). Comes in handy since I listen to all kinds of music with different levels of bass.

 

[Millerad1651]

The back up lights on 4Runners leave a lot to be desired. I tried to come up with ideas to improve the amount of light. I originally wanted to mount some lights into the spoiler, but that didn't work out. So instead, I bought some cheap LED lights off Amazon, and installed them in the rear bumper.

They work pretty well. I plan to eventually put LED tails in, but for now, these will do. I made a write-up to go with these. Pretty simple, just wired them directly to stock reverse lights.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108588-added-some-new-lights.html

 

[tbst]

I dig the fender flares. Need to get myself some.

And the lift looks perfect. Ass end isn't way up in the air.

 

[Millerad1651]

The next mod was the Satoshi grill. I had bought the parts in November, but never got around to doing it. I took ideas from all the different builds, and made one I thought would hold up well, and that looked good.

Also made a write-up for this.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/111095-finally-did-my-satoshi-grill.html

About this time, I decided to finally take my running boards off. I still need to get some front mud flaps, but I liked the look afterwards.
Before

After

Plan on getting some sliders welded up sometime soon. That will probaby be the next mod I do.

 

[Millerad1651]

I dig the fender flares. Need to get myself some.

And the lift looks perfect. Ass end isn't way up in the air.

Thanks. Ya, I like the flares, something there, but not too wide. I chose the 906s for that reason...the LCs always seem so tall, and create a ton of rake. So far I'm pleased.

 

[Millerad1651]

The most recent mod was the lift. After months of deciding which one to do, I decided on the TRD/OME lift. I looked for a month or two and was able to score a set of TRD Tundra struts with just under 60K on them for $90 shipped.

Then I found a set of 906s with the 60028 shocks with only 254 miles on them (Thanks again Bootown). Those set me back $260, so total my lift ran $350.
Went a buddies house and we went to work. Took about 4.5 hours, and went pretty smooth. Only hiccups were a spring compressor breaking...heads up!...and the rear shock mounts being rusted solid (took a sawzall).
Definitely rides better than the stock 170K suspension. Love the stance, little aggressive, without being too much. Didn't want to get in to CV boot problems and all that. Ended up with about 2" all around.
Before

After (I also added some MTs I found on CL...decent tread, will get me through a year or so)...

Also added my Hula Girl...always wanted one!

So far this is where I am. Of course like everyone else, I'm always wanting more. I'll update as I go.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Looks awesome. I love the way it sits with the Tundra TRD/906's. Did you had any spacers or trim packers on top of the 906's?

Great work so far, looking forward to see whatelse you do down the road.

 

[jrm]

I have a JVC KW-R500

and was wondering, how you got power to your sub?

 

[Hepar]

Looks great! I like the install of the volume knob. Clean and a perfect location.

 

[Millerad1651]

Looks great! I like the install of the volume knob. Clean and a perfect location.

Thanks. Figured I may as well use the empty spot, and its right where my hand is while driving.

Looks awesome. I love the way it sits with the Tundra TRD/906's. Did you had any spacers or trim packers on top of the 906's?

Great work so far, looking forward to see whatelse you do down the road.

Thanks. I like how it turned out, and nope, no spacers or trim packers. I was anxious to see if I would need them or not, but so far I don't. We'll see what happens after things settle. I'm just like everyone else, have about $10,000 worth of ideas but only $100 to spend!

and was wondering, how you got power to your sub?

The sub is powered, so the amp is built into the enclosure. All I did was run a power line to the battery (with in-line fuse), and the RCAs and remote lead to the back of the HU. Here is a link to the sub.
Sound Ordnance™ B-8PT 120-watt compact powered subwoofer at Crutchfield.com
It works out great...just enough bass without being too much...can feel it in the car, but no one outside can...that way I don't annoy the neighbors.

 

[Qyota]

Very nice! I'm doing a similar lift. I need to replace the stock suspension anyway, but just want enough lift to not run into CV and trac bar issues. I'll be doing the TRD/5100 and 906/OME set up.

Then I might actually start my own "build" thread!

Cheers!

 

[Millerad1651]

Very nice! I'm doing a similar lift. I need to replace the stock suspension anyway, but just want enough lift to not run into CV and trac bar issues. I'll be doing the TRD/5100 and 906/OME set up.

Then I might actually start my own "build" thread!

Cheers!

Same here. Stock suspension had almost 170k on it. Didn't have any sag, but the shocks were toast. And I also didn't want to go too high, it's my DD, so I tried to keep it simple.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Nice name :cheers:

I my case, "GiGi" was my husband's Grandmother that passed away. She was her vehicle and had about 45k miles on her when we got her in '05. Now she has 100,200 miles. The truck's name is not really GiGi in our case, but we say "GiGi's".

Your GiGi looks great, love it!

 

[1985taylor1925]

Nice truck Millerad, and great decision on the suspension. Seems like the front Tundra set up keeps gaining popularity. Im also running it and really like it. Pretty crazy that one of your spring compressors broke! Ive taken 4 sets of coils apart that way, and always have that fear in the back of my mind.

I have a few questions for you:

-You mentioned you like the way the 906's ride. How stiff are they? Are they harsh at all? I ask because Im considering getting them to replace my lc coils.

-Also, did the black housing come with your rear back up lights? I ask because I recently custom fabricated fog lights into my 98 front valance, and Ive been looking a black surronding just like those to make a professional and complete look.

 

[Millerad1651]

Nice truck Millerad, and great decision on the suspension. Seems like the front Tundra set up keeps gaining popularity. Im also running it and really like it. Pretty crazy that one of your spring compressors broke! Ive taken 4 sets of coils apart that way, and always have that fear in the back of my mind.

I have a few questions for you:

-You mentioned you like the way the 906's ride. How stiff are they? Are they harsh at all? I ask because Im considering getting them to replace my lc coils.

-Also, did the black housing come with your rear back up lights? I ask because I recently custom fabricated fog lights into my 98 front valance, and Ive been looking a black surronding just like those to make a professional and complete look.

Ya the spring compressor was nuts...one of the hooks just snapped, and thae parts flew! we had the spring aimed away from us. The other compressor held it together. We got lucky there. Good thing he had a back up.

The 906s are nice. Its firm, but not jarring when I hit bumps in the road. I'm used to full size trucks, so anything I put on here would be better. Once they settle I'll get more of a feel, but so far so good. And I like the height they gave me.

As for the lights, they came with those grommets. I actually had to cut the edges down a bit to make them sit flush. I'm sure you could find some kind of grommet that those lights would fit in. i plan on doing something similar to the front, and will be looking into that. Here's an example of what I may use.
4" Flush Mount Rubber Grommet - Grommets & Pigtails

 

[Millerad1651]

I took some time after work to clean her up. Some more poser shots...

Close up of the new tires

 

[Millerad1651]

Took some measurements today to see how much was gained with the lift. I took hub to fender measurements just to be a little more accurate (since I have different tires on there).

Driver Front: Before - 20" After - 21 7/8"

Driver Rear: Before - 20" After - 22"

Pass. Front: Before - 20 1/8" After - 22"

Pass. Rear: Before - 20 1/4" After - 22 1/8"

So I got roughly 2" all around. Didn't know if I was going to need trim packers, but I'm happy with this, so as of now I'll leave it alone. We'll see how much it settles though. And the ride is great so far...handles everything so much more smoothly.

 

[rickashay]

Nice work so far on the truck, really coming along! I'm digging your sub under the seat....

 

[IanB]

I love the stance with the TRD Tundra/OME 906 lift, I was moving in this direction for my truck, but I'll encourage the new owner of my 906's to look into this for his truck as he needs all new struts anyways, and has more rake than he'd like.