New to the Thundercloud family

[Throwing Matches]

Hello everyone!

I have been cruising the forum for a few months now and thought I'd say hi. I was really taken back at how civil and helpful everyone is to each other here! It's nice being able to ask an honest question without someone flaming you and throwing the link to a similar question (though I do understand the importance of searching before asking!). Anyways, I am a drummer in Sacramento and a new owner of an awesome 02 Sport Edition 2WD in Thundercloud Grey with 121K on it. This is my second 4runner, my '97 4 cyl blew a head gasket and I had to sell it. I absolutely love my new truck, though it is a little bit of a project to get it back into shape, I'm down for it! Plus, that's what the forums are for, right? I got it for $10K out the door, which I think was a fair price (?).
Anyways, here is how she looked when I bought her.
<a href="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/?action=view&current=2011-02-21143746-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/2011-02-21143746-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The first thing that had to go were those hideous wheels. That was almost a deal breaker for me, then I realized I could find someone who would trade me for their stock wheels or something better. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to GIVE someone a set a chrome wheels, but I ended up trading with a dude who had a Tundra and got some great 17" gunmetals put on. Here she is today:

<a href="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/?action=view&current=2011-04-02132550.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/2011-04-02132550.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/?action=view&current=2011-04-02165450.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/2011-04-02165450.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I added a few cosmetic touches, clay barred/detailed it to my standards, threw in some WeatherTech mats, and am waiting for my 5000K hi/lo HIDs to arrive from DDM (their shipping takes forever). There are still some issues I need to fix that I'm not quite sure how to approach such as replacing the antenna and taking care of the stereo wiring harness that the guy before me apparently cut and fitted a Clarion harness on:

<a href="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/?action=view&current=2011-04-02172640.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/2011-04-02172640.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/?action=view&current=2011-04-02173255.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e286/Claybuckets/2011-04-02173255.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The only thing I still can't shake is the feeling that I should have held out for a 4x4. Even though I know I'd likely never use it, I would like the option - plus I'm not sure what mods to do on a 2wd. We will see! I still love this thing to death!
So yeah, Hi. Haha :hello:

 

[Throwing Matches]

Small update: The HID's have come in and are installed, they look great! 5000K was a good color choice because I didn't want them to look too flashy - they are just there to serve a purpose and they do it well. I was quite surprised at the quality and sturdiness of the kit as well.

I also removed the tint on the front windows - I am working on going into law enforcement so getting pulled over for illegal tint wouldn't look so good in backgrounds!