Ok, I'm finally making my Build Thread

[NickF]

I've had my Runner since '08, and I've given it very little attention, other than tires and brakes. It came from a good home and was generally well maintained.
A picture from when i got her:

This fall, I did my first REAL upgrade to my 4runner, one I don't think many other have done. I put a Y pipe coming out of my cat, resulting in DUALS
I finally got it all done. Brought it to a local Meineke, generally happy with the results, but the guys def messed up on one side. I'm going to go back on Monday to see if they can fix it.
As for the muffler itself, it sounds great. It purrs like a kitten and then around 4000 RPM its got that nice powerful drone to it that I was looking for. P.S. Paid $250 at Meineke, other place wanted $300. I supplied the pipe and the muffler.

The results:



The car





Before:

 

[NickF]

Around the same time, I installed a new radio, an Alpine iDA-X303. I find it to be decent, but I expected more for a $200 single din radio..

I also installed a Sub,

Which I later upgraded:

Now I just need a new amp and box...

 

[NickF]

After being inspired by a few other members here, including COB who's runner looks dead sexy, I finally got around to cleaning up my trim with an amazing product called PLASTIDIP! Hope it doesn't peel :banana:

 

[fightman80]

Nice work man!:art:

 

[NickF]

Not long after, I fixed up my rear rusty bumper with the black primer on it. I scuffed it up with some medium grit sand paper and hit it with plastidip.

I find it looks so good, that I am going to hit the front bumper when it warms up a bit (it's 12*F and there is another snow storm coming).


Now my next update is going to be a big one! It is January, and I just received my W2. I'm waiting on my school to send me their tax form and hopefully within a month or so I'll be racking in some money :bigok:


Here's what I have planned for the next couple months:

-OME 881/906 Lift, SpiderTrax Spacers
-Wheelers offroad Antisway kit and steering rack bushings
-New Radiator, T-Stat, and Tranny cooler
-4xInnovation Sliders

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Great thing is you'll never ever run out of things to do!

haha looks good man, can't wait to look back in a year and see how far it's come along.

 

[01KY4R]

definitely a college student.... we love excel!!!

I'm not sure about the chrome exhaust tips, but the rest looks great.

 

[NickF]

definitely a college student.... we love excel!!!

I'm not sure about the chrome exhaust tips, but the rest looks great.

I love excel, it makes my head hurt less

I've been thinking about buying new tips for it for a while, but I'm just going to wait for it all to rot and then have it come out the sides of the trail hitch with some big 3"+ magnaflow tips, rather than the way I have it now.

 

[thorridder]

the dual exhaust is cool but yes the tips are a little off

 

[NickF]

Yeah, idiots at Mienekee.
Wish I could weld :rant:

 

[durrell]

Haha, glad I'm not the only one with an Excel spreadsheet dedicated to my 4Runner. Looks like a good start. Also looks like we're taking similar upgrade paths.

 

[Hepar]

Great start! You definitely got some good things planned.

 

[NickF]

Small update. Installed my CB radio, antenna and mount (which was crafted VERY well by drifter33), and picked up one of momo's t4r.org decals. More pics to come after I clean her up :bluejump:
Today, with decal. I had to move out of the driveway and thought this looked kinda cool.

The otehr day at home depot, next to a 4th gen and a giant snow pile

After the ice storm earlier this week:

Ordered a couple more vinyls today, and one of those TRD grill logos that everyone is rockin' (which I ordered like a month ago from hong kong, and I'm still waiting :-\)

 

[NickF]

GOt bored today, had some time this afternoon that I dedicated to the runner. Shoulda cleaned out all the garbage in it, but decided on something else.

Anyway, took literally 2 hours of fighting with rust, even with air tools which I brought out after a while. I had to drill a few bolts out with masonary bits and a hammer drill because they wouldn't budge. I hate the north east
Better pictures to come

 

[NickF]

Better pics of yesterdays update

 

[driffter33]

Nice work! The runner is looking good, rock-n- that cb antenna mount

 

[NickF]

Yes sir, any handwork of your will gladly have a home on my runner :bigok:
Heard you are working on a new project as well?

 

[driffter33]

Yes indeed but it will be a few weeks at best.
Thank you for all your kind words

 

[NickF]

So there is another small update.
First things first, I finally got my PA system setup. I'm using a Wolo Power Play Model 346, I had seen it on amazon one day and then James (COB) had installed it in his rig and said it was loud, so I bought it. Thing is def loud, and its def kinda fun to mess with!
I wedged it in the top of the engine bay next to the brake master cylander, there is a magnetic foot that is being held to teh side of the chasis. I should probably mount it, but I'm happy with it, it can't move the way its in there.

Next thing is I finally ordered some 99+ headlights. I picked up some aftermarket Depo branded ones from go-part when I ordered my radiator (still haven't installed). They have a MUCH better light pattern than the stock 97 lights IMO. I need to get matching corners though, I didn't realize how crappy they'd look.
New vs Old

Cell phone takes ****ty pics in low light, sorry

I also got a new vinyl for the back window, I like it but I want to put something in the middle?????

I also got my Alpine KTP-445 "powerpack" amplifier hooked up, with stock speakers it cleans up the sound quite a bit at normal-loud listening volumes (like 12ish on my X303) and it allows me to listen to music up into the low 20s, which I never could do before. I can't wait till I get my Alpine Type S 600C components and Type S 500 coaxials installed tomorrow. Then amp and cap along with new sub box will go in on Thursday. Will def update this weekend.

 

[fightman80]

I'm not sure exactly what you don't like about your corners.....but if it's just the fact that they are not as glossy as the new lights, just use a polisher with some Mothers Polish on the corners....works like a dream!

They looked like this, after a quick buff....I used a Simonize Multi directional Polisher ($29.99). I use the polisher on my paint when I wax.......