Ric's 99 Limited

[RichardLee]

Funny, my right side is out. Is it hard to replace?
My climate control is finicky when cold so I picked up a used replacement off ebay last year. Have no idea if it works yet, took a gamble at $150. Figured I was better to try used first since a new one is $1k. New bulbs would be nice for now.

Richardlee, you have a very nice 4runner, really like that color. Missed out on one similar before I found mine, was bummed!
What is the correct way to get the dash apart on a 99 limited to change climate control and cd player?

Saw some write ups on here, but my cupholder/shifter/dash configuration seems different than ones pictured in them. Does the cupholder/shifter part come up first? Tried to remove trim plate one time and stuff sounded like it was cracking so I left well enough alone.


Sorry to hijack by the way!!!

The factory stereo comes out pretty easy on these things. Just pry up the trim around the shifters (carefully) and then pull off the trim around the stereo, starting from the bottom. Then I think there's 4 or 6 screws holding it to a mounting frame. In my Limited, there was a factory amp behind the unit that I bypassed (my Pioneer pushes more than it did anyway and it was easier to wire that way) and also I got a pocket from Best Buy for like $15 to fill the gap left in the double-din sized opening. Good luck, and let me know if you run into any problems on the way.

Crazy about the bass players here! I have played electric bass in a rock bands before, but have always wanted to learn stand-up. I play classical piano and guitar, but haven't yet ventured into the fretless string world...

-Ric

 

[brian2sun]

This is crazy. Bass player here as well.....and I own no less than 3 WWII rifles. I wouldn't say I collect, but still. It seems like bass players have an affinity for 4runners.

I guess "great minds think alike"! The 3 things that I will never ever sell:

My 1969 Fender Jazz Bass (all original), 1912 Colt M1911 US Navy, and 1997 4Runner.

 

[RichardLee]

I guess "great minds think alike"! The 3 things that I will never ever sell:

My 1969 Fender Jazz Bass (all original), 1912 Colt M1911 US Navy, and 1997 4Runner.

Nice Man, nice. I have a guitar I'll never sell too, a Kris Barnett Western Red Cedar/ Madagascar Rosewood lattice braced classical, serial # 0017

If anyone wants to check it out or hear/see what I do, check out my website-
Ric Larsen on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

 

[brian2sun]

That's really cool Ric, you're a great classical player! I studied music for years in school, but I've always just wanted to rock out. That also might be because I still suck at classical. Props to you though!

It's nothing like your music, but here's my band:
Cardiac Black (is recording) on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

 

[RichardLee]

That's really cool Ric, you're a great classical player! I studied music for years in school, but I've always just wanted to rock out. That also might be because I still suck at classical. Props to you though!

It's nothing like your music, but here's my band:
Cardiac Black (is recording) on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

I dig it! You guys have a good groove. If you're ever in Hollywood, check out the Sweet Kill at the Viper Room. The drummer for my old band moved out there to go to M.I. and hooked up with this band that's doing really well and they have the same sort of energy as you guys.

Tonight I photoshopped my grille back to chrome, with the green emblem. I'm thinking of doing this tomorrow and leaving it like that until I paint the grille, or maybe I will just leave it. I can't decide. Thoughts anyone?

 

[ptam]

Funny, my right side is out. Is it hard to replace?
My climate control is finicky when cold so I picked up a used replacement off ebay last year. Have no idea if it works yet, took a gamble at $150. Figured I was better to try used first since a new one is $1k. New bulbs would be nice for now.

Richardlee, you have a very nice 4runner, really like that color. Missed out on one similar before I found mine, was bummed!
What is the correct way to get the dash apart on a 99 limited to change climate control and cd player?

Saw some write ups on here, but my cupholder/shifter/dash configuration seems different than ones pictured in them. Does the cupholder/shifter part come up first? Tried to remove trim plate one time and stuff sounded like it was cracking so I left well enough alone.


Sorry to hijack by the way!!!

Changing the backlight bulbs are pretty easy, here's a writeup on Yotatech.

99+ LTD Auto CC Light Replacement - YotaTech Forums

 

[RichardLee]

I just solved a squeaky noise problem with a free drive-train lube so to celebrate, I washed up the ride and took a picture. Inspired by some of the guys in this forum (Ivan...) I messed with Microsoft Photo Editor for a few minutes. I can see the fun in getting into that...

Also, I took the emblem off and gave it another few coats of Dark Jade Mica, and five layers of clear-coat to make it contrast the black grille a bit more. I still haven't decided what else to do there.

 

[rdgt4r]

Color match the grill.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Don't tell me you collect WWI/WWII guns too.

who doesnt? lol

I would love to get my hands on an M1 Garand tho...
pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, ping! hahaha

 

[brian2sun]

Yes, the Garand is probably my favorite rifle! Funny thing about them, I've read the Germans would wait for the "ping" to make their advances since it was obvious that the Americans were out of ammo/reloading. Sad to think how many of our guys lost their lives to that damn "ping". Still one of the best combat rifles of it's time.

 

[RichardLee]

Color match the grill.

Thanks rdgt4r.

Is this the common consensus?

...or are we all too busy discussing old guns?

 

[LINY4Runner]

Thanks rdgt4r.

Is this the common consensus?

...or are we all too busy discussing old guns?

I love the color matched look, but as 004Gunner said, you'll probably have problems with paint adhesion

 

[RichardLee]

I love the color matched look, but as 004Gunner said, you'll probably have problems with paint adhesion

lol... sorry, I didn't mean to hate on the gun talk :hunter:

I'm keeping the black grille for now, btw.
I like the look, I think the few subtle black accents look good against the green, even with the trim.


Regarding the squeaking noise- it's still there, but after searching on this forum I've found some other things to try. If I finally get rid of it once and for all, I'll post update.

 

[RichardLee]

Moving Day

I helped move my sister and her newly-wed husband from Glenview to their new apartment in Chicago today. The T4R was a champ! Driving with a very full load (couldn't believe how much stuff I got in there) in city traffic was no problem at all. It was in the 80's today and I had the windows down and the sunroof open all day (except when things were in danger of falling out) listening to a mix of Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and Joe Cocker. Seriously, I didn't know moving could be so much fun.

ps- current grille is stock chrome with IJM emblem I'm rocking while I work on a new one...

 

[twitchee2]

Awesome job moving your sis, Ive carry a bunch of my stuff to and from my parents and school. Ive had upwards of 700lbs in the back. it was PACKED. Heres before my lift and i was moving out of the dorms a couple years ago. oh and the shocks were shot all around made for a fun ride.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Def color match over keeping it chrome...

 

[RichardLee]

100k!

 

[RichardLee]

Awesome job moving your sis, Ive carry a bunch of my stuff to and from my parents and school. Ive had upwards of 700lbs in the back. it was PACKED. Heres before my lift and i was moving out of the dorms a couple years ago. oh and the shocks were shot all around made for a fun ride.

Ha! That looks like quite the load. I hope you have taken care of your shocks since then!

Skydiver, yeah I'm thinking the same thing. I'm in the process of doing that right now, it just takes a while to really make it look good. Working with spray paint is harder than I thought...

 

[RichardLee]

Color Keyed Grille

Today I finally finished painting the grille factory matching Imperial Jade Mica, with the emblem holder black and an IJM emblem.

I still need to buff it out a bit more, but this is basically the finished product. Tomorrow when the sun is out maybe I'll snap a better pic.