Before summer of '09 I managed to get myself an Uniden PC78 Elite CB radio and a Wilson 4 ft. atenna with 18 ft. of coax cable. I've looked on TTORA, through the threads of a good spot to put it, but I only liked one spot and that was right next to me in the center console. So, instead of cutting apart the stock console, I tried making one out of wood. That didn't go so well.
Then I tried looking around for one that would fit in between the seats. I looked at several, but they were either too big, or too expensive for my tastes.
Then I remembered seeing that Wal-Mart started selling a center console ment for a van. I took some measurements of the maximum space I wanted it to be in between the seats and read the measurements on the back of the box at Wal-Mart and it came close enough. Best thing about it, if it broke or cracked over time, it was only $30 out of my pocket :usa:
So I took out the seats and everything that'd be in the way. Ran the wiring for the CB under the carpet.
Drilled holes where the stock mounting holes were. Cut out slots so the seat belt buckles can move a bit. I painted the grey part the same color as the interior, but I should've done more prep work on it. It only took one movement of the passenger seat to scratch and tear up the paint.
Oh well, someday later I'll make a new one out of steel perhaps. :noidea:
Bolted the CB to the black part of it and screwed it down on the gray part of it. It still needs more scews to secure it properly, but surprisingly it's been pretty solid so far. I guess the seats really keep it snug in there.
Even went as far as cutting out holes for the stock rear window controls
Sometime later and right before the 2009 TTORA Take Over down in Hot Springs, AR. I painted my front grille black and finally got a full size spare tire. I also managed to get my hands on a pretty good used blue tailgate to replace the rusty messed up one that was originally on the 4Runner, put in extended differential breathers for both axles, and put in a LED overhead light.
Sometime after the 2009 TTORA Take Over, I decided to get a bigger and better storage box for all my tools and junk, and also have a better mounting spot for my Hi Lift look alike farm jack.
For the storage box I originally had a $50 Rubbermaid truck box from Wal-Mart. It was ok for a while, but I got tired of digging for my tools and junk out of it. So, I thought about getting a big drawer type of box, but the steel metal type you usually see in expedition type trucks are really expensive for my tastes. I also thought about making one out of wood, but I didn't know how long it would last or how well it would handle the weight of all my junk.
So, I started looking around on the internet for some sort of drawer type of storage box and found a reasonably priced plastic storage box called the "SUV Cargo Caddy". Comes in different sizes and 3 colors. Apparently law enforement uses it, but then again that could be just a advertising type of thing. I believe it was just under $300 when taxes and shipping was added, but don't quote me on that.
Here's the website-
http://www.suvcargocaddy.com/index.html
So far it's been working out pretty well. Holds a lot of weight inside and out. I'm over 230 lbs. and I can sit on it without it cracking or anything. It JUST fits in there between the wheel wells and I can still use the factory tie downs in the back to hold on to my spare tire.
It's a little heavy to pull out, but I got all my junk packed in there
I forget when I installed this next thing, but I would say it was either summer or fall 2009 was when I decided to get an on-board air compressor. I had won a cheap tire repair kit that came with a cruddy air compressor from TTORA Take Over raffle...but it couldn't do what an ARB high output could. So, that's what I bought. The high output (CKMA12) ARB compressor kit.
Here it is installed afterwards...
I know the wiring job looks pretty low rate.
Back in winter 2010, Glen of TTORA Arkansas chapter told me the idea of upgrading the brakes on my 4Runner. So I looked into it and found what I needed.
I bought a used dual diaphram brake booster from a '92 V6 4Runner off eBay, bought a new Aisin brake master cylinder ment for a FJ80 Landcruiser off eBay, and bought new calipers, rotors and pads all ment for a '93 V6 4Runner.
Since it was still freezing cold outside and my 4Runner can't fit in the low ceiling of my garage, I had my buddy, who owns his own shop, do all the work.
Then a couple of months after THAT job, I also had him install a Marlin Crawler 1200 ft. lb. clutch kit and replace the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder...which they needed to be replaced anyway.
The 4Runner stops pretty good now. As for the clutch, I don't notice any difference compared to the old one, which needed to be replaced cause my flywheel was in bad shape and the clutch disk's springs were loose. In my opinion, all this money spent on just these two upgrades, is well worth it.
Near the beginning of March 2010, I thought it was time to FINALLY get a rear locker and new gears for this rig. My plan is to buy a complete third member from Marlin Crawler.
I'll eventually either get an ARB air locker for the front or a Detroit TrueTrac LSD for it.
As for the rear, I bought a '89 V6 pickup rear axle with the axle shafts for $100, cause my buddy at the shop told me the V6 rear end was stronger. It was only till recently I learned that it wasn't the housing that was stronger, it was the V6 third member that's stronger than the 4 cyl. version. Oh well, I got spare axle shafts if I need them and it'll be easier to work on the axle when I install the new third member.
Since I'm going to be spending $1600 on a third member from Marlin Crawler, I figured spending a little more on some armor would be good insurance to protect the new parts for the rear.
I had a co-worker weld it on to the new rear axle for me in exchange for powdercoating some of his parts for him.
Around April of 2010, I got a soft top from SoftTopper.com. I install it every other year or so...
August 2010 - The new front axle with 4.88 gearing is in the truck and now currently broken in and ready for fun.
Unfortunetly, it remains to be an open axle...it's a long story :/
(8-19-10) I finally took the truck in to get its new and improved rear axle, 4.88 gearing and third member with locker installed. However, I'm not letting my buddy hook up the air line, switch, etc. I'd rather do that myself.
The new axle
