Mini mods!

[Jeffrey.sherry7]

Show us some of you sweet mods done for under $50

 

[A.Wilson013]

I vote we try to keep the, "Well I did my Supercharger for less than $50 because I found one in my back yard" stories out of here.

Mods that are always, or almost always, under $50.

Of the top of my head I can only think of a few that I did for under $50...

Deckplate Mod
ISR Mod
Front Window Tint Match
LED License Plate Light and Dome lights
Plasti Dip Emblems
The "Locker in any mode" mod that I cannot think of the name of.
Wing Nuts on the rear seat bolts. Take them out without a wrench.


And for maintenance under $50 I have done...
Synthtic Oil Changes
All belts
Seafoam Treatment
Many many many polishes/waxes

 

[Singtoe]

Sweet mod - under $50. Dous's Cutting brakes.

 

[Singtoe]

My hidden winch cost me $60.

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

All of my mods are under $50 haha

One that was kinda cool and simple...and $20... was this one.

 

[spenedwrds]

All of my mods are under $50 haha

One that was kinda cool and simple...and $20... was this one.

U got a write up on how you did this? Dad and I both hate not having lights down there

Pm me or send me a link if u did a write up. Don't want to get the thread to off topic

 

[TRDteen]

u got a write up on how you did this? Dad and i both hate not having lights down there

pm me or send me a link if u did a write up. Don't want to get the thread to off topic

+1!!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Challenge accepted ....

Here are 6 mods for < $50 a piece.


1. Painting Rear Brake Drums Silver
Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...al-build-maintenance-thread-4.html#post843947

************************************************
Brake Drum Painting (From rust to silver)
************************************************

Hope everyone's Sunday is going well. I decided today would be a good day to refinish the rear brake drums. They look pretty sh$tty right now since they are covered in rust and I want to paint them before I have my new 5-star wheels mounted on Monday.

Here are some pics of the job.



Before





Removal ~ be sure to release the eBrake or it won't come off :redbrick:





After Sanding it Down with 3M Tough Grit Sanding Sponge






First Coat of Primer





Second Coat





SEM XRP Silver, 2nd Coat






Mounted on the truck





FINAL COMPARISON SHOTS




:bat:
.

2. Modified Storage Compartment mini-mod

Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...compartment-mod-removed-box-added-carpet.html









3. Trimmed Front ARB Bumper
Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-build-maintenance-thread-17.html#post1131243

***** Trimmed the ARB Bumper (thanks Brian2Sun and JMoney$) *****


1.




2.





3.




4.

arty:

 

[BrianSD_42]

3. Solar Battery Charger $30

Link ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-build-maintenance-thread-16.html#post1129824

Solar Panel - I recently purchased a 14.4V solar panel trickle charger off of Amazon for about $35. The goal is to keep the battery charged when I don't drive the car for several days or weeks. Since installing it about a month ago, I haven't had any battery issues. My yellow top optima is about a year old but it had been draining. I have a lot of electronics on the truck so it is difficult to really trace out the problem. This was the simplest solution.


Schumacher 2.4 Watt SP-200 Solar Battery Maintainer
Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer : Amazon.com : Patio, Lawn & Garden



I also decided to sand down some parts of my undercarriage. 1st up was the gas tank skid plate which looked terrible an hadn't been touched in 15 years.


Solar Charger








5. Repainting rusted Gas Tank Skid


Gas Tank Skid Plate - Sanded





Gas Tank Skid Plate - Painted SEM Gunmetal Grey




:biggrin2:

6. Sand rusted rear undercarriage and repaint | $15 Paint

Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-build-maintenance-thread-16.html#post1129834

****** Repainted rear undercarriage in anticipation of new bumper *****



I also recently decided that after 15 years (10 of which I've had the truck), it was finally time to repaint the rear undercarriage of my truck.

I removed each rear tire and sanded down everything shown with a power sander and 80 grit sandpaper. This actually took much longer than I thought it would but I think it was worth the effort since the rust is now gone.

I really wanted to do this because with the low profile tube bumper on the rear, you can see a lot more of the rear end and it wasn't pretty.




Pictures


1.




2.




3.




4.




5.




6.





7.





:guitar2:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Haha here's one more:

Update - Big Three Upgrade Part I (with pics)


This past Saturday I started working on the Big Three upgrade as well installing a new fuse box for all the electronics I've accumulated over the years.

As you can see from the first picture, the area around my battery was a total mess of wires. I still cringe just looking at the pictures.

Installing the fuse box made a huge difference in cable management plus safety.






Next is the Big-Three upgrade. I first heard about the Big-3 from BigFishAllDay's thread back in 2012. Since then I have been stalking his rig and planning to do this mod.

Quick Source:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...wiring-ugrade-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-how.html


Pictures!


Before:




Setup & Tools (see link above):







My workbench is my living room (side affect of living near downtown)




Prepping the first cable. Not shown: crimping the connector and holding tip over the gas stove for 45 to melt the lead.








First 4-gauge wire completed:











// So ends part 1. I will install the final 2 cables tomorrow and post pics. //

Finished up the Big Three Upgrade today.

All I had left was connecting the 4g wires however I needed to change out a few of my end terminals. I had originally bought 5/16 and needed 3/8. A quick trip to West Marine and I had everything I needed.



Picture: New connections on the alternator







Picture 2: overview of the engine bay featuring my new fuse block, new audio fuse, and new wires.

:ballchain:

 

[2002tii]

I just put Highland (brand, not reference to Highlander package/model) mudflaps on my 02 Sport w/o running boards. Pretty happy with them. I found them for under $30 shipped on eBay - I think they are discontinued.

Deets here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ner-sport-edition-4wd-thread.html#post1357543

 

[mccamp82]

I just put Highland (brand, not reference to Highlander package/model) mudflaps on my 02 Sport w/o running boards. Pretty happy with them. I found them for under $30 shipped on eBay - I think they are discontinued.

Deets here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ner-sport-edition-4wd-thread.html#post1357543

I have the same flaps.......got them here: Highland Floor Protection Contura Splash Guards 11051 - Highland Floor Protection Parts & Accessories and followed the directions on this site: Project SportRunner
Well worth the $25 (with shipping).

Also, the LED dash lights mod is definitely a great mod for under $50. I think spend total about $30 for everything from superbrightleds.com. Planning to do the install this weekend so I'll post some pics when I'm done.

 

[criera]

One of my faves, the honda passport armrest mod: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/54787-armrest-mod.html

 

[hrt4me]

it should cost less than $50 to install a switch for the powered antenna, right?

 

[1985taylor1925]

For me, my home made cup holder is easily my favorite mod for under 50. I use it almost EVERY day, and it has worked flawlessly. My commute to work is 40 miles, so I spend a lot of time in my 4runner. Linked on this page


Edit to add pictures:



















http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73462-few-pictures-my-runner-14.html

 

[BrianSD_42]

For me, my home made cup holder is easily my favorite mod for under 50.

Picture?

This mod is already on my list. I'm installing it this weekend.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Picture?

This mod is already on my list. I'm installing it this weekend.

Check out the link in my previous post. Pictures are on that page

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'd prefer not to have to go looking at other threads to see pics of what we are discussing in this thread. But that is just me.

For anyone else with the lazyness gene here is the cup hold mod. Nice job BTW.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/73462-few-pictures-my-runner-14.html

>>> continued from previous post >>>

Here's what it lookes like with eveything back into place.


View attachment 71540

View attachment 71541

View attachment 71542


And with a large cup in place.


View attachment 71543

View attachment 71544

View attachment 71545



MY CONCLUSIONS:

This little cup holder is sweet! It works perfectly and holds any size cup you throw in it. The mounting is rigid and strong, while the foam allows some cushion. I think it looks pretty cool empty. Its not too big or gaudy. The tension from the cord is perfect. It holds just tight enough, but not so tightly that its a pain pulling the cup out and putting it back into place. No more dealing with the cup sliding all over every time I hit a bump. And the location is perfect. No more blocking the ac/heater and clock. It does'nt interfere with the steering wheel or wiper lever at all, and is at a perfect distance for my short arm to reach. For all of you 96 to 98 guys out there, I think you would really enjoy this little mod. For 3 to 4 hours of work, and $15, it's well worth it!

 

[BrianSD_42]

The quote failed because he used direct attached pictures.

I suggest everyone use free sites like imageshack because:
1) quoting with pics will work &
2) it reduces the load on T4Rs servers.

If more people used outside sources for pic hosting this site would definitely run faster.

 

[chuck norris]

it should cost less than $50 to install a switch for the powered antenna, right?

A switch is $5, wire connectors are ~$3, and wire crimpers cost $10 if you don't already have them. So yes.