Reata's Build Thread

Hey gagn,

Some pretty serious modding going on here in Dallas today.

Finally got all the gear to get the HAM radio installed. Dash is in about 25 pieces right now, but will be re-assembled tomorrow. I have the bracket from Panavise, a secret proto-type, and it is going to work perfectly. I ran #8 power direct from the battery, fused on both sides, down the door gutters.

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1682471176&k=BVXxpDn&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Here is the fabbed bracket I had made for the for the head unit. It is bolted to the two factory bolts that hold the plastic in the rear cargo area. See here:

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691538891&k=SPNkBWS&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Note that the power and antenna leads are here as well.
 
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Of everything including the dash removal, etc., the biggest PITA was running wires from the center console to the gutters beneath the doors. The airbag lines are all over that car tp the extent that I really loathe them. Here is the dash removal. Pretty easy, once you gather the courage to start pulling schtuff apart.

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691532331&k=WR7WFTx&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

My biggest worry was placing the controller in a place out of the way of EVERYTHING yet still being able to see it clearly (old eyes), and adjust the frequency easily. I settled on the little cubby directly in front of the 4X4 selector. Here is the controller just leaned up against the spot prior to the work beginning:

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1501720119&k=GvSmSHT&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

I already showed you the demolition, after I got into it I discovered that there really wasn't a good spot for the mount to be screwed to so I had to completely remove the little cubby. After I got it out, i decided I could use lock washers to mount to the inside of the cubby. *BONUS* although the space in the cubby isnt as easily accessed, it is still useable. Note the proposed placement of the bracket:
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691532058&k=PtBNx4Q&lb=1&s=A][/URL]
 
Here you see the bracket with the control head attached. After this I had the dreadful, time-consuming, task of running the wire. Ugh!! After that, I just had to put everything back together and power it up. Here are the last few shots of the re-assembly.
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691536145&k=VqJV4np&lb=1&s=A][/URL]
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691536836&k=jfFJxhJ&lb=1&s=A][/URL]
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691537422&k=J5jwqKc&lb=1&s=A][/URL]
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691538079&k=WbrhJBZ&lb=1&s=A][/URL]
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Cars/2010-Toyota-4-Runner/15650701_wLf8C7#!i=1691538574&k=TgtqPwx&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

SUCCESS!! Thanks to John Palmer at Panavise for letting me be the guinea pig on the prototype mount. It worked out perfectly for my application.
 
Good to see you finally found a place to mount that! Now you will be tearing that truck apart all the time. Obviously Fear is not a Factor for Reata....:)
 
My full underbody skids arrived today from Shrockworks!!! Off to powder coating tomorrow. Installing Saturday. Pics will be forthcoming along with write up. I will be curious to see what the added weight does to my lift. I may have to trade up to the heavy springs after all.

My bumper should be here pretty soon.
 
My full underbody skids arrived today from Shrockworks!!! Off to powder coating tomorrow. Installing Saturday. Pics will be forthcoming along with write up. I will be curious to see what the added weight does to my lift. I may have to trade up to the heavy springs after all.

My bumper should be here pretty soon.

Whaaa? I ordered mine like the second the deal went live and I haven't heard a thing from them!
 
Hey buddy! What was the outcome of that little bit of trail damage? Regarding ur sliders.....what finish did you go with? I'm about to pull the trigger and get those ordered next week.

Those mods are looking good!
 
Thanks for all the compliments. I am pumped. I ordered the powder coated finish and didn't select a specific finish that I recall on the sliders. The skids i got raw. I think they are a little pricey on their powder coat so i am getting it done locally The trail damage is still in place and I have come to grow a little fond of it for now. At some point I might peel everything off and get some new clips. OR WAIT FOR THE SHROCKWORKS REAR BUMPER!!!!!
 
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Skids Installed!! (well almost, gas tank going in next weekend)

OK Guys and Gals,

The skids are almost done. I got them all in with no trouble at all. This weekend was a ton more fun than last weekend. Found a lift which kept me off my back!! Here are the pics. The only notation I have at the moment is to be sure and follow the directions closely. I did, and I can see how it could really create a bunch of hassle if you don't. The short story is, just be sure that you don't tighten everything up first. I followed the directions, and everything worked perfectly. I must pride myself that I am truly the stick-nut wizard. That is one more thing, if you have a vice, put the bolt of the stick-nut in the vice and then drive the bolt back and forth through the stick nut to be sure that it is turning easily before you set it in position inside the frame rails.

Enjoy the pics:

Engine Skid with Shorkworks Advert:
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Email/22818996_fsHspg#!i=1831012282&k=PrM5Stn&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Crossmember:
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Email/22818996_fsHspg#!i=1831010570&k=kPLBFrG&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Transmission Skid:
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Email/22818996_fsHspg#!i=1831008576&k=swXWNkx&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Transfer Case Skid:
[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Email/22818996_fsHspg#!i=1831004349&k=KmnpmST&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

I will probably push the gas tank skid to next weekend.

OK, now you can start the envy posts. I LOVE SHROCKWORKS!!!!
 
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CB Install

Well I finally got the CB installed. I did it a little differently than most as far as the antenna is concerned. I mounted the antenna at the front passenger side of the Gobi Stealth.

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/22816121_wTz3kB#!i=1869307284&k=fNBpMWD&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Thanks to Okki, we came up with an alternative to run the cable (the tiny one) under the drip channel to the windshield. I had to cut a little notch in the short piece of the drip channel cover.

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/22816121_wTz3kB#!i=1869305579&k=PzrTjXD&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Then I ran the cable beneath the edge that covers the reveal of the glass where it is mounted to the body. This worked out well as it fit perfectly and I just weezeled it under there without having to remove anything.

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/22816121_wTz3kB#!i=1869304798&k=QgT2ZGw&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/22816121_wTz3kB#!i=1869304551&k=Jh9XKvX&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

Then I went through the firewall behind the glovebox and over to the center console where I positioned the "little box".

[url=http://jwbmgallery.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/22816121_wTz3kB#!i=1869303945&k=mKtc8k8&lb=1&s=A][/URL]

The rest is easy and I also got lazy and didn't take pictures. The center console, power, and ground is what the rest of the gang has done also.

Hopefully,the bumper will be the next post!!
 
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Since Antman is out for a couple of days, could I at least get a little acknowledgement of a job well done, or at least some ridicule? Come on guys, my feelings are hurt, and the tears are welling up. Big crocodile tears. PLEASE?
 

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