Satoshi Mod Origin?
- Thread starter RedSand87
- Start date
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a member with that name/username first introduced that to us, either here or on YT, so he obviously gets credit for it
similar to the Zuk Mod for 1st Gen 4Runner suspension...
Millerad1651
New member
There was a guy in Japan named Satoshi who did the mod. Then someone that knew him posted about it on a Toyota site. I'm trying to find the link, I'll post it when I do. Also, it's not a Satoshi unless the TOYOTA emblem is used.
Best place I've seen to get one is a Toyota dealer. Ones for FJ Cruisers work well, and they're around $30...
75311 90k00
Or one from early LCs...
http://www.jtoutfitters.com/grille-...p-1656.html?osCsid=k12tt9k2v8pivv4ivnjp6oc5j5
Best place I've seen to get one is a Toyota dealer. Ones for FJ Cruisers work well, and they're around $30...
75311 90k00
Or one from early LCs...
http://www.jtoutfitters.com/grille-...p-1656.html?osCsid=k12tt9k2v8pivv4ivnjp6oc5j5
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JustSomeName
New member
Here's the info on Satoshi and its history.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/144034-satoshi.html
Additionally, the link for the above toyota emblem is off an fj60.
another alternative emblem is one off of an fj40
personally, I think the FJ40 emblem looks better on the 3rd gen since the emblem is smaller looks better on the smaller 3rd gen grill.
the fj60 emblem is much bigger and looks better on a 4th gen, but that's just my 2cents.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/144034-satoshi.html
Additionally, the link for the above toyota emblem is off an fj60.
another alternative emblem is one off of an fj40
personally, I think the FJ40 emblem looks better on the 3rd gen since the emblem is smaller looks better on the smaller 3rd gen grill.
the fj60 emblem is much bigger and looks better on a 4th gen, but that's just my 2cents.
Millerad1651
New member
Look at the second link I posted. IT has the same layout as his, but may be a different color. I can't tell if his is white or silver/chrome...you can always paint the letters.
RedSand87, et al:
I know this is an ooooold post, but so am I and there appears to be a lot of interest in the history of this mod. Given that this mod is so popular that I figured I'd give the official story.
So first post here on T4R.org I'm a former moderator at Yotatech and now at Ultimateyota.com. I guess you could say I'm an OG in the 3rd gen world. I had this website called 4Runners.org that I kept going for probably 14 years or so before I pulled the plug about 2 years ago (life got busier and my knowledge quite frankly has been eclipsed by forums). Not to mention, cost!
Been awhile since I've been actively working and modding my 4runner (some cars in between lol) and someone sent me an email asking if I know about the Satoshi mod which led me to this thread.
To answer your question, here's the full history:
- When I was a mod at YT, there was this guy named Butnut from HI who saw Satoshi's (Satoshi Miura) mod on his geocities page here: Satoshi's Home (just even reading geocities makes me feel old)
- Butnut posted some pics on YT and I knew I had to do it too. So I took a chance and emailed Satoshi himself and his wife emailed me back (her English was better than his). We corresponded very awkwardly for a few weeks and then he sent me photos of the magazine where he got the idea.
- I took his photos and the started to mod mine a little bit differently. The biggest changes I made was cutting, fiberglassing, and bondo'ing the 96-98 grill (mine is a 98) to make the grill cleaner in appearance. Since this was all new to me, it took a lot of time to get it right.
- I posted my write up I believe in 2004 and the rest is history. I still have all my website files and I plan to post the entire 4runners.org writeup library on Ultimateyota.com...one of these days.
Since that time, I've visited Japan twice and Satoshi and his wife have visited me twice when I lived down in LA (last time was in 2013). They live in a town called Chiba. I've had the pleasure of driving his Surf twice when I was there and it is as high as it looks in the pics. Some cool differences included a nav module where we have our sunglass holder. As you can imagine, they are WONDERFUL people. They have always treated me so well when I visit and have come to really appreciate the Japanese culture, especially when it comes to politeness, courtesy, and above all else, graciousness.
We still correspond from time to time, but not as much. He eventually sold his Surf and bought a big ass red Tundra he imported from Iowa of all places. I told him what a big mistake that was lol and we had a good chuckle online.
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Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Hepar
New member
We all know one from someplace.
CdaleR4000si
New member
That was a great site! I was sorry to see it go.
It is also very cool that you have such a direct connection to the origin of what I imagine is one of the most popular mods (at least for the 3rd gens).