My 1987 build..."Achillies"

[joeynational]

Finally got it back on the ground after complete front end rebuild and back from alignment and brake system flush. I'm really happy how this thing rides! So smooth!!

Next up;

Repair some leaks
Interior rebuild

 

[GeoRoss]

Looking great Joey. What wheels are those?

 

[joeynational]

Looking great Joey. What wheels are those?

Thanks Ross! They are Trail Edition 4runner wheels. Not sure what year maybe 2012 they also came on the FJ but were more of a gunmetal color

 

[joeynational]

Haven’t posted in a while because haven’t done anything to my truck....until now, just started an HID retrofit. Probably be done by end of the week, clean and simple! Cleanest retro I’ve done yet thanks to having a 3d printer!

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[Chuckles89]

What housings did you use?

 

[OzSurf]

That's a nice looking truck! I really like the job you did on the calipers. I'm with Chuckles, could we get some more info on the HID retrofit? Maybe even the 3D file? I've never done one but housing are cheap enough for this truck I'd like to give it a shot.

 

[joeynational]

What housings did you use?

I used these, makes it easy because housings are plastic as well as the lens. I have used glass lens before. But i had to break the glass and make my own clear lens i can put that build up so you can see also these are on sale right now at amazon for $20 i bought an extra set because they are hard to find

That's a nice looking truck! I really like the job you did on the calipers. I'm with Chuckles, could we get some more info on the HID retrofit? Maybe even the 3D file? I've never done one but housing are cheap enough for this truck I'd like to give it a shot.

Thank you sir!!

Well as i said above im using the plastic Pilot housings. Sure i can share the .stl file. If you dont have a 3d printer this can also be done with a pipe flange from home depot ill try and find a link to what someone else did with the flange.

Definitely do it! Its worth every penny and it will be done right vs dropping in a “kit” and having the most annoying lights on the road!

This method is also very easy, the only cut you have to make is to remove the center of the bulb housing area. My adapter fits right over that as you will see in the pics i used a pneumatic body saw. Let me know if you have further questions id be happy to help!

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[joeynational]

Here is the flange method. The 3d printed adapter is a little cleaner and stronger IMO
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/7x6-mini-h1-7-0-retrofit-easy-no-cutting-jbweld.456456/


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[Pick_T4R]

Nice looking 4Runner and great work!! Looking forward to seeing more on this...

 

[broad.named.maude]

That's a nice runner!

 

[joeynational]

My 1987 build..."Achillies"

I ended up restoring my turn signals and corner lights since i was going to have new headlights i wanted the front end to look good

I sanded the turn signals and corner lights. Then sprayed them with some clear coat. Huge difference! I also added some chrome vinyl in the turn signal housings. Also bought some new LED bulbs all around. What a difference!! Im working on the tails now

Retrofit is all done, i haven’t had a chance to take it out and adjust them or get some output shots but here it is so far

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[joeynational]

Been busy with my truck lately and it feels good to be making progress.

I started to blackout the machined area of the Taco rims. Looks way better IMO cant wait to see it outside all done!

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[Chuckles89]

Looks great!

 

[joeynational]

Finished restoring one tail light, looks brand new!

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[Cali 4runner]

Great looking cutoff pattern with those headlights!
Makes it look like a modern vehicle. The one thing I like about the halogen style lights is that they get hot and melt snow/ice if covered (but you're in arizona right?) haha.

How did you restore the lenses? They look great!

Would love to see some pics of the rig outside!

 

[joeynational]

Great looking cutoff pattern with those headlights!
Makes it look like a modern vehicle. The one thing I like about the halogen style lights is that they get hot and melt snow/ice if covered (but you're in arizona right?) haha.

How did you restore the lenses? They look great!

Would love to see some pics of the rig outside!

Thank you! You really can't beat a true projector retrofit for performance, it really directs all the light where you need it, on the road! And you get that cool modern light look too!

Yup, Phoenix...what is snow!? lol

I sanded them down in four sandpaper grits 600-800-1200-2000. Then the red portion of the lights was faded bad so i used some of this VHT nightshades red. If you are going to use the VHT red make sure you spray both lenses at the same time so they are the same shade of red. I made the mistake of doing them individually now the other tail lens is darker. I will have to sand it all off and try to re-shoot to match the other. After the VHT I sprayed the whole thing with clear. I also used the same chrome vinyl in the housing to get maximum light reflection like the front turn signals. I have used chrome tape before too for the same effect.

Will get outside shots soon!

 

[Cali 4runner]

Thanks for the reply! Good info

 

[joeynational]

Truck broke down last weekend on 300 mile trip. Thank god my buddy was with me because he towed me home.

So now the dilemma, rebuild the 22re or swap it. I've been trying to find a good donor truck for a swap for the last two years! I'm getting impatient and now that my truck is down it's making me contemplate rebuilding this 22re more and more.

So i started to tear it down to see what happened. I suspected head gasket because my truck leaked out all the coolant during the trip. Couple things i found, the previous owner or whoever rebuilt this thing last did a shit job. Note the RTV on the coolant passages. Also I have some serious build up/corrosion in my cooling system. Can this even be cleaned out? I don't think i can get these lines brand new anymore? I have missing bolts all over, mix match bolts and some that were way loose.

I prefer to swap this thing with the 5vz but like i said i need the truck sooner rather than later. Don't have the luxury to let it sit to wait for a good donor truck.

Guess if i rebuild it im gonna need a new camshaft!! lol

 

[joeynational]

 

[joeynational]

And so it begins.........