neurotictim
New member
Hey all, first thread, woot. I decided to skip posting an introductory thread because generally speaking I feel like they're kind of pointless. Instead I'm going to start a build thread, because those are fun. Some of you have some pretty incredible builds and have inspired me; hopefully I can inspire others in turn.
Long story short, I sold my Cadillac STS-V because I have 3 herniated discs in my back, and it was getting pretty hard to get in and out of it on bad days. Good days outweigh the bad, but I was over it. So I did a bunch of research, here and in other places, and decided to pass on my initial choice - 4WD Trailblazer SS - and buy a 4Runner. Couldn't be happier in the year or so since I bought it. Relatively inexpensive, reliable, and super moddable - something my V definitely was NOT.
2008 SR5 4WD V6 was what I ended up buying. Looked at a TON of 4Rs over the course of a couple of months, and jumped when I got a good deal. I've done a few things, but I consider it basically stock. This is as it sits now, more or less:
I've painted the wheels - they were pretty corroded, though the frame looks good - and door handle covers, plasti-dipped the grille, badges, and back trim piece. Anzo headlight housings were a Christmas gift, and I really like the look. Otherwise the exterior is stock, but I've got plans.
Inside, I've swapped out the radio for a Pioneer AVIC-6100NEX, ran my HDMI and USB/aux to the console, and added a Super Nintendo Classic for down time.
That'll get swapped out in favor of the PSOne Classic when it releases.
Of perhaps the most interest to this group, I've upgraded the HVAC lighting to RGB. The very next thing I post will be a write-up on this, don't worry. It's blue here but really it can be any color.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4jes6QEKQE0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I also tied in under dash lights to the RGB HVAC, but I put them on a switch. I don't have a picture of that handy.
I did the "Big 3" upgrade with 0 gauge OFC and installed a Digital Designs M1b in the passenger side cubby in the back, which drives a pair of Skar VXF12s in a custom box that I designed and built myself.
I hardwired a voltmeter to replace the 12V outlet, relocated the DAC button, installed a 3.1amp USB charger, and located the bass knob in the middle cutout. (Need to clean up that voltmeter, it's bugging me.)
Finally, I've done RGB leds under the hood and in the headlights.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Now, I know lights errywhere aren't to most people's taste on here. But I also have a side gig doing car audio and electronics, and I decided to go a little crazy on the 4Runner for the sake of showing customers what is possible. That being said, I've got a lot on the "to-do" list. I have a TON of parts in the garage right now, I"m collecting them until I'm at a point where I can get a group of guys together to do a big install.
So I've got the 5100/OME 3" kit from Yotamafia, JBA UCAs, dual battery tray from Off-Grid, 5th gen calipers and rotors, 4" LED fogs, sequential turn signal LEDs, RGB rock lights, bolt-on hood scoop (with LEDs, of course), and I'm in work on a Satoshi grille, which will also be a little different from the norm. This is all stuff that's chilling in my garage.
In a couple of weeks I'll be ordering a 1" body lift, a set of XD 820 Grenade wheels (18", -12 offset) and K02s (275/70/18) tires - 5 of them - and I've got a guy designing and building a swing-away tire carrier, hopefully to be finished before Xmas. Hopefully. I'm planning on spending the winter fabbing up a roof rack that I like. Headrest monitors and mirror replacement dashcam are on the list as well.
Sooooo. Big plans. I'll update this as these things move along, thanks for looking!
Long story short, I sold my Cadillac STS-V because I have 3 herniated discs in my back, and it was getting pretty hard to get in and out of it on bad days. Good days outweigh the bad, but I was over it. So I did a bunch of research, here and in other places, and decided to pass on my initial choice - 4WD Trailblazer SS - and buy a 4Runner. Couldn't be happier in the year or so since I bought it. Relatively inexpensive, reliable, and super moddable - something my V definitely was NOT.
2008 SR5 4WD V6 was what I ended up buying. Looked at a TON of 4Rs over the course of a couple of months, and jumped when I got a good deal. I've done a few things, but I consider it basically stock. This is as it sits now, more or less:
I've painted the wheels - they were pretty corroded, though the frame looks good - and door handle covers, plasti-dipped the grille, badges, and back trim piece. Anzo headlight housings were a Christmas gift, and I really like the look. Otherwise the exterior is stock, but I've got plans.
Inside, I've swapped out the radio for a Pioneer AVIC-6100NEX, ran my HDMI and USB/aux to the console, and added a Super Nintendo Classic for down time.
That'll get swapped out in favor of the PSOne Classic when it releases.
Of perhaps the most interest to this group, I've upgraded the HVAC lighting to RGB. The very next thing I post will be a write-up on this, don't worry. It's blue here but really it can be any color.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4jes6QEKQE0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I also tied in under dash lights to the RGB HVAC, but I put them on a switch. I don't have a picture of that handy.
I did the "Big 3" upgrade with 0 gauge OFC and installed a Digital Designs M1b in the passenger side cubby in the back, which drives a pair of Skar VXF12s in a custom box that I designed and built myself.
I hardwired a voltmeter to replace the 12V outlet, relocated the DAC button, installed a 3.1amp USB charger, and located the bass knob in the middle cutout. (Need to clean up that voltmeter, it's bugging me.)
Finally, I've done RGB leds under the hood and in the headlights.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Now, I know lights errywhere aren't to most people's taste on here. But I also have a side gig doing car audio and electronics, and I decided to go a little crazy on the 4Runner for the sake of showing customers what is possible. That being said, I've got a lot on the "to-do" list. I have a TON of parts in the garage right now, I"m collecting them until I'm at a point where I can get a group of guys together to do a big install.
So I've got the 5100/OME 3" kit from Yotamafia, JBA UCAs, dual battery tray from Off-Grid, 5th gen calipers and rotors, 4" LED fogs, sequential turn signal LEDs, RGB rock lights, bolt-on hood scoop (with LEDs, of course), and I'm in work on a Satoshi grille, which will also be a little different from the norm. This is all stuff that's chilling in my garage.
In a couple of weeks I'll be ordering a 1" body lift, a set of XD 820 Grenade wheels (18", -12 offset) and K02s (275/70/18) tires - 5 of them - and I've got a guy designing and building a swing-away tire carrier, hopefully to be finished before Xmas. Hopefully. I'm planning on spending the winter fabbing up a roof rack that I like. Headrest monitors and mirror replacement dashcam are on the list as well.
Sooooo. Big plans. I'll update this as these things move along, thanks for looking!
