Morphyne's Painkiller build tread

[Morphyne]

Please let us know whether it (eventually) fit. I'm still on the fence about the Moog springs, or whether to get some aftermarket lift springs (e.g., OME).

Ok so the drivers side rear spring popped on with a well placed c-clamp. The passenger rear spring wouldn't go as easy. But I kind of gave up because it my was half on and I figured eventually it would fall. Well after at least 500 miles and dozens of jumped curbs this is where we sit.

Rear shot


Front view


After I get my grill squared away I will give it another go.

 

[Morphyne]

Ok so stripped down the grill, disassembled it (like I should have to begin with) and used etching primer (like I should have to begin with).

Etching primer is green...


Body color is on and baking under the lights. Clear coats tomorrow follows by install.



Look, no wrinkles!

 

[markaidan]

You didn't like the satin (flat) black for the outside of the grill housing? I'm sure it'll look great in white, but the black grill over the black mesh looked super sweet!

And you could always let the paint thoroughy cure and wet-sand some shine back into the finish. I've always had great luck wet-sanding a nearly fresh clearcoat to bring back that new car shine.

Everything's looking good so far, too.

 

[Morphyne]

Like I said. I loved it and I hated it. I drive my 4runner for work (a lot) and the exterior needs to be super subtle. The black nose just didn't cut it.

 

[markaidan]

Like I said. I loved it and I hated it. I drive my 4runner for work (a lot) and the exterior needs to be super subtle. The black nose just didn't cut it.

Gotcha! I missed your previous assessment of the black on black look. You're right - it's not subtle but it does look sweet. I did my entire grill in black, but I have a silver Sport Edition and I was going for that very look. I also painted the silver "insert" in my lower bumper to make it all uniform (black).

 

[Morphyne]

So this happened today.



This took way too long. but its done.

Got the curve right though


Shot of the back. I got lucky and after cutting off the center post and the other junk the remaining two post snapped right into place.



closeup of how I attached. the white is two layers of business card


had to drill through the metal frame to get everything through.


Overall I am extremely satisfied and have learned a lot. This took many more hours than need be due to mistakes and bad choices.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

That Looks great ! God i wanna do this soo bad! I have to get a nice weekend to tackle this!!!

 

[Morphyne]

This was a lot mpre work than I had envisioned. But I am pretty picky. It was raining cats and dogs other wise I would have put it on.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Yeah i figure it will take me a day or two to not rush it, plus i've never done anything with fiber glass or bondo so i'm definitely going to give myself a good amount of time! I want to do the the satoshi where the mesh sits back flush with the inside of the grill.

 

[Morphyne]

Yeah i figure it will take me a day or two to not rush it, plus i've never done anything with fiber glass or bondo so i'm definitely going to give myself a good amount of time! I want to do the the satoshi where the mesh sits back flush with the inside of the grill.

Actually, aside from the bondo/fiberglass that should be the easier route.

 

[Morphyne]

Awesomesauce

So I FINALLY got the grill done.

Before:



After:



and then:



and then:



Overall I am extremely happy with the outcome and wanted to say thank you all for being first (or second) to iron out these cool mods and upgrades. this has made my runner new again for me.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Night and Day , That looks awesome!

 

[bojanglesSR5]

Wow that is one of the best grille mods I have seen. I have been following this thread closely because we have pretty much identical trucks and you are doing the exact mods I had in mind. Keep up the good work and thanks for keeping this updated!

 

[Morphyne]

Thanks! I really appreciate that. I LOVE looking at the front end of my truck. Sadly I see it the least. Big problem now is. I am beginning to not like my running boards. I would lve to get some sliders on there.

 

[Morphyne]

So I made a minor upgrade today:

Right: LED flashlight
Middle: USB Chaging cord for, well, everything.
Left: Back up battery for charging cell phone and blutooth.

the holder is a plastic piece I took off my daughter's razer scooter that goes around the middle post and is supposed to be a retainer for the fold down handles. Which never happens so I appropriated it.



Also forgot to show you my first and favorite upgrade. This little guy is the exact replica of my shifter knob from my first 4x4, which was a single cab 87 gmc s15.





Lastly I cleaned and organized. Left container has all my camping supplies, right container has my Bug out bag and work safety gear along with a carhart coat and other goodies. The back middle bag is all my field work gear if I need it and the front is my work laptop, which I always need.

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

Looks great, I really enjoyed reading through all ur mods. I love that grill mod.

 

[Morphyne]

Looks great, I really enjoyed reading through all ur mods. I love that grill mod.

Thanks. And I love your town. El Guero Canelo rocks.

 

[NOVA46]

Overall I am extremely happy with the outcome and wanted to say thank you all for being first (or second) to iron out these cool mods and upgrades. this has made my runner new again for me.

I'm diggin the emblem with the white body, do the lower grille too!

 

[olsen_karl]

Curious -- did you ever get that rear coil spring to seat?

 

[Morphyne]

Curious -- did you ever get that rear coil spring to seat?

You know what? I don't know. The rear end is level and it drives like a dream so I guess it did. I got tired of checking.

Also, it snowed here (finally). And I finally got to really use my 4wd. man this thing was the best vehicle out on the roads this morning. Love it!