North Shore 4runner build

[bmodo16]

Heres a little recap:

Sliders started, drivers side is built and painted, passenger side is tacked and just needs a final burn together. I still need to make plates to mount to the frame and gussets.

Got some more body work done on the passenger side. Almost done!

Finally I started on the wrap arounds for the rear bumper. Got the drivers side almost ready. Needs a few more pieces cut and welded on but its getting there. Heres some pictures for the updates.

 

[bmodo16]

Pictures of the drivers slider mounted and progress on the rear bumper. Its just about done but it needs a few small welds done on the back side. Ran out of gas for the MIG but finished it up with my backup little HF flux core. Nothing structural.

 

[bmodo16]

Well, got a lot done this week. Everything is painted, got the other slider on finally and rebuilt the strut I screwed up. Painted my wheels charcoal but I don't like them so I ordered a couple cans of graphite to redo them. I plan on sanding with 600 grit and painting over them.

Now for what's coming. Hopefully tomorrow I'm getting my tires on. Monday I should be getting it registered and maybe my alignment done. I also ordered 99+ headlights and everything for a projector retrofit. It's been a long road to get this far but I think I finally made it. Now it's time to have some fun!

 

[bmodo16]

Sat in line and got the runner registered today. Going in for alignment and getting the new tires on in the morning. Just need to drive it around a bit before inspection. Got my headlight buckets painted yesterday, HIDs came in saturday, waiting on my conversion harness today and I need to test them. Theres a rattle inside the box and I have a feeling Im going to need to contact the seller and get a new set... Just waiting for the projectors to come in so I can get everything back together. I hate waiting for packages...

 

[bmodo16]

I guess it's been a while so here's where things have gone. Got my projectors and HIDS done. One of the best mods I've done yet. The cutoff isn't as clean as I would have liked, but they work well. I got some cheapo seat covers for the front, just need to find one for the rear. Got my firestik installed but I need to install my CB and tune the antenna. I built a quick platform for the rear so I could add more tie downs for my toolbox and gear. Last but not least, I started a new roof basket last night. Roughly 7ft by 4 ft overall dimensions. I'm building it out of 3/4" conduit. Got a 3way ratchet so I could mount my tire up there for the time being. I might temporarily mount the rack to the factory cross bars until I make an actual mount. I'm still toying with the idea. I'm sure I've missed stuff and I needs to upload pictures but I think that will wait til this weekend. Hope everyone is enjoying reading updates as much as I enjoy seeing others builds.

 

[thegipper]

Did you ever get your radio working? If so, how does the stubby antenna work? I need to replace my antenna (already aftermarket but it sucks) because it hardly picks up any stations. Where did you get that antenna also? Thanks

 

[bmodo16]

Did you ever get your radio working? If so, how does the stubby antenna work? I need to replace my antenna (already aftermarket but it sucks) because it hardly picks up any stations. Where did you get that antenna also? Thanks

I guess I missed this post. Yea, the old deck was just cooked. When I put the new deck in everything worked fine. As for the stubby antenna, I got it on amazon. It had faded from black to a sort of bronze color, but I kind of like it. Reception? Well thats another story. It isnt that great. Ive been listening to my ipod lately though so I havnt noticed. It works, just could be better.


UPDATE: Things are moving very slowly. Started working a new job and havnt had much free time. Got a little bit of the rack done yesterday and im hoping to have it done by the end of the week. Ive got a mounting method finally decided on and will have pics up when its complete.

 

[bmodo16]

So apparently i've neglected a few updates here. Im back in school and working full time and saving for a trip to SC for my sister in laws wedding and saving for the police academy so things will most likely be very slow for a little bit. Here's what i've got done lately though.

-Roof rack complete, painted, mounted and spare mounted.
-Subwoofer wired and installed.
-Created new power steering leak.
-Caught myself on fire.

Heres some pics.

Got some more work to do soon, and some more smaller mods hopefully. Big stuff in the spring like a front bumper and hopefully a winch.

 

[bmodo16]

Been a little while since I've posted in the build thread and I assume I've forgotten a few things since the last post but not much. Been a busy few days with snow (plowing) and a mix of school and work. Anyway, new parts came in over the last week.

Got some CBI ditch light brackets and got those mounted today with some LED pods and covers. I still need to wire those in though.

Also started on the new front bumper today. I ordered a CBI Tacoma MOAB 1.0 kit with grill and headlight guards. I am pleased with the quality of the parts and customer service from CBI. As I was tacking everything together I've run into a few issues with fitment that will need to be addressed. Like the ARB, I had to cut the frame rails back about 3 inches. I bolted the included Tacoma brackets and one of the bolt holes doesn't line up on each side mount. Not a big deal as I chock this upto difference between the Taco and 4runner. After I got all of the brackets/winch mount tacked I tackled the bumper shell itself (attaches to the brackets by 3 bolts on either side). After a few fitment issues, I have a lot to work on.

Pile of parts:

Progress:

Ignore the mess in my shop. So the issues I'm running into, the alignment holes for the bumper dont allow enough play to get the bumper flat, its angled up. Also I need to bring it forward a tiny bit and then I need to trim back the tops of the wings to clear the body. Right now everything is tacked minus the hoops. Got more snow coming so I wont get back to it for a few days but I'll be doing a final burn and painting hopefully this week and making the tweaks necessary.

In hindsight, I could have gotten 4runner brackets from CBI for $60 and I should have, but I still would have had to make tweaks to get everything to work right.

 

[bmodo16]

Main post updated

Got the bumper mounted today with turn signals wired in. Still need to go back and do the headlight hoops but had to rush to get it on. Those will come soon-ish. Heres some pictures!

Ditch lights and light bar need to be wired in and I need to figure out what Im going to do with my LEDs I was using for fogs I had on the old bumper. Besides that, next up is a complete brake overhaul followed by winch and skids. Considering going to disc rears with the mustang calipers for use of the e-brake.

 

[bmodo16]

It's been a long time coming and after tons of planning and research and shopping around my tire carrier is complete-ish. I just need to mount it back up, get my tire on and relocate my license plate. Then mount my new aux reverse lights.

I've also done the TBU and added spacers since the last post here. I've been slacking with updating this. I've been super busy with work and school. I am pretty much done with mods for a while, need to start saving some money. I will be changing all of my diff and t-case fluid this week though.

 

[ElBrio]

Look forward to see pictures of the rear bumper/tire carrier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bmodo16]

Well, heres the finished product. Realized I have a headlight out so ordered new HIDs last night. Just need to figure out placement for my reverse lights now. Sorry for the large pics, switched image hosting sites.

 

[bmodo16]

Got my grill mounted finally! Also, i ordered a winch, compressor and new hella horns today. That should be it for a while. Moving the beginning of next month and starting a new job.

 

[bmodo16]

Winch installed today. I went with the Smittybilt 9500 with synthetic line. Hella horns went in two days ago but I have an issue with only one working. I need to redo some wires, but thats on the backburner. I also got the Smittybilt compressor that puts out 5.65 CFM or whatever it is. I need to swap fittings, but thats easy. Pics to follow in the next few days if I dont get too busy packing.

Whose down in South Carolina?

 

[bmodo16]

Its been a long time since ive posted on here. Spent the weekend doing maintenance, LBJs, plugs, wires, coil packs, passenger outer TRE, PCV, and a snorkel. This is almost where I want the truck for the time being.

Next project, im picking up a 1st gen tacoma rear axle and leafs for my upcoming offroad trailer build. Not sure if im going to go fully enclosed or open top with rack.