Newb checking in!

[InterGalactic]

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to everyone. Purchased my first Runner a few weeks ago, a Galactic Gray '06 SR5. This is a big change for me, as it's replacing my dearly departed '04 WRX. I'm looking forward to carrying over some of my knowledge from my previous vehicles, though.

A little about me, I'm currently a junior pursuing my BS in mechanical engineering. I'm into snowboarding and motorsports (V8 AWD = tow vehicle for next racer, w00t!) I also have a rotating internship with Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Princeton, IN.

With the WRX I was into clean, factory looking mods, especially lighting and navigation. If any of you are part of the NASIOC forums, I went by SanRemoRex on there. You can check out the Suby's cardomain page if you're interested.

In closing, I'm glad to be here, looks like I have a lot to learn and I thank you all for anything you can share with me. Hopefully I can contribute a bit myself.

~JD

 

[alpha]

Nice, clean Suby.

Welcome to the forums! I'm sure you'll enjoy the 4R.

 

[GatorGreg]

Welcome to the forum - nice to have another Toyota "insider" here

 

[pickerdd]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new 4Runner!

David

 

[TheBlueWave]

Wish I could have afforded a T4R in college. I work with lots of Mech-E's (I'm a Chem-E) and those guys (and gals) are excellent resources for cars and such. Great to have a future Mech-E on board, lots of advice coming from you in the future. Good luck with your career at Toyota Manufacturing. Stay LEAN and mean, will ya?

 

[Mark86]

Welcome to the board and good luck with the new 4Runner. What mods do you have in mind for th 4Runner?

 

[Falls]

Welcome and enjoy the new toy

 

[InterGalactic]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

In response to the question of mods, most of them will probably be pretty basic. I don't plan to off-road it much, I'm looking for an old pickup for that. Most of my stuff will be for a slightly sportier appearance and electronics/convenience items. Dual battery, nudge bar, some lighting, an in dash nav unit, and the new DEI responder alarm/remote starter will probably be the majority of it, with a few one-off mods for character.

Looking at some of the Westin products for the front. I really want to mount the pair of PIAAs I have left from the Subaru. I like the Ultimate Bull Bar, but not the skid plate that comes with it. Trying to decide if I can use it without, and maybe modify the FJ skidplate to fit.

I've also got a thread in the Polls section about a grill mod I'm planning, check it out if you get a chance.

I've been really big on lighting for a few years now, since I had 3 animal-caused accidents in the Subaru. In addition to the PIAAs, I'm talking to a guy about replacing my factory projectors with Acura TL bixenons, and adding Hella genIII ballasts (GX470 eat your heart out). I'll also have the Lexus yellow capsules retro'd into the factory fogs, and I'm working on some simple relay logic for regulating what lights turn on in what situations (i.e. a bypass switch to only use bixenon hi-beam and PIAA fogs on backcountry roads).

Beyond that, probably the K&N intake, an SE hood if I can find it, eventually the FJ's TRD 16"s (silver), and redoing all the chrome parts in satin silver should round it out.

Ambitious, I know. Gonna be a long time before it all gets done, but what's listed above is my ideal situation, for now :biggrin2:

Any thoughts are welcome.

~JD

 

[jharris2]

Welcome to the boards.

If your internship allows, you might point the Toyota executives here as a resource for knowledgeable customer input. We'd love to have the opportunity to do that!