SCRunner's Build Thread

[JWaldz]

Well I started prepping the LC rims when I found a set of LX450 rims for $120. I'm going to get the LX rims and sell the LC rims since they are a little beat up. The LX rims are in Portland so I'll either have them shipped here or if I can have someone bring them down. This means I will have to hold off on getting my new tires mounted and wait for the LX rims to arrive. I'm pretty pumped right now about it.

copy cat

looking forward to seeing them mounted up! You paid a lot less for them than I did, nice find.. haha

 

[SCRunner12]

LX>LC anyways. Good choice.

Thanks, only down side is I have to wait for my LX rims to get in before putting my new tires on. Going to be a long week or so.

Nice build.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to your next build.

copy cat

looking forward to seeing them mounted up! You paid a lot less for them than I did, nice find.. haha

Well imitation is the greatest form of flattery. :hatsoff: I couldn't pass up the deal and they are in awesome shape. Only bummer is the shipping adds another $100.

 

[SCRunner12]

12/15/2011
Walked into my office this morning to see these beauties. There is so much chrome, it hurts my eyes. I'm going to work on them this weekend and hopefully I can get them mounted sometime this week.

I also picked up some trim packers (thanks Wrexhamm) for my drivers side lean. I'm trying to decide if I want to use both or just one as I have ~.75" difference than the passenger side.

Lastly I got some shackle mounts from Tineman. I realized the other week when I was wheeling that I only had the stock recovery point and it wasn't going to be enough. Going to be getting some shackles for Christmas and will get them mounted once it stops raining.

 

[Zachpins34]

Nice, Its gonna look so good with the rims de-chromed and put on!

 

[SCRunner12]

12/28/2011
I finally was a able to work on the LX rims this weekend. After further inspection of the rims I found out they were chrome plated and in rough shape. A lot of the chrome was flaking or bubbling unfortunately. I looked into sand blasting them or dipping them, but those options were too expensive for what I wanted to do with them. I decided to just clean them up as much as I could and paint them. I got them more for the function and I'm not super picky anyways. Plus I was trying to go the cheap route. I got the tires mounted before painting because the place I was taking them to get mounted isn't the highest quality shop and don't care about your finish, but I got all 4 tires and rims mounted and balanced for $40, so I can't complain.

I scuffed them up with some 400 grit sandpaper and a red scotch pad. after that I took some 100 grit sandpaper and smoothed out some of the more rough spots. I didn't get all the spots, but most. I also had a little help wiping the rims down. My 14 month daughter loved wiping the rims and was going back and forth for a while. She got pretty mad at me when I took her away, but it was time to paint.

I started with plasti-dip because I wasn't sure if I wanted an easy way to reverse the paint if I end up repainting. Also it sticks better than primer on the chrome.

1st coat

3rd coat

Since I work all day and get home at night, plus I have to wait till my daughter is asleep, so I have to work in the dark. Not my favorite thing to do, but I'll take what I can get. All 4 rims are plasti-derped with 3 coats and ready for the paint. I had a tough time deciding what paint to use as I intended to use satin black. I liked the color on my 2nd gen and figured it would work well, but after seeing the bubbles and imperfections I decided to try Rustoleum Hammered Finish Black. I figured it would hide some of the imperfections better.

Ready for the Hammer time!

I finally finished after putting 2 coats on. I will check them in the morning, but they look covered.

I will be putting them on before work and will get some mounted pictures as well. Unfortunately I was loosening my lugs nuts tonight and my stupid locking lug nut decided to strip. So now I have to head to a shop and get the lug of. I will never run locking lugs again. They have been nothing but a pain.

 

[SCRunner12]

12/28/2011 Cont.
I received some new items for the 4runner for Christmas as well. I was hoping to get some maintenance items done on the 4runner now that my wheels and tires were out of the way. I ended up receiving a steering rack bushing set from Wheelers from my brother and his family. Hopefully this will firm up the loose steering I've been experiencing. I also got a set of spark plug wires so I can finally change them out. I hope I gain a couple MPG from changing those out.

I also got a pair of Smittybuilt D rings for my new mounts. I'll be painting those with the hammered black as well. :banana:

My favorite gift for my 4runner was from my fiance. She got me a Clarion CZ501 stereo. :jump: It comes with bluetooth built in and Sirius and HD radion compatible. I drive a fair amount for work and can't stand the stock radio. I really excited about the bluetooth capabilities as I hate using the headphones or ear phones when I'm driving.

Other than that just some clothes, money and lots of good times with the family. I will be posting pics once the radio and D rings are installed.

 

[blcktpgsr]

:hungry: Come on man...there better be lots of pics of those sweet LX rims installed...One thing I like, that hammered black finish will surely compliment the thundercloud cladding well. Good job in that department.

Can't wait for the pics!

 

[Hepar]

Man. I don't know which wheels I like better. The LC's or these. Can't wait to see them on!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I like what I see. However, if I'm reading your post correctly, you said that you plasti-dipped first and then painted over it? I'm curious to see if that holds up over time. BTW, the steering rack bushings are much easier to install than the write-ups make them out to be.

It's always good to see the kids out there helping you guys out. You and Fightman are gonna have some mini gearheads on your hands someday.

 

[Zachpins34]

Cant wait to see pics!

 

[fightman80]

I like what I see. However, if I'm reading your post correctly, you said that you plasti-dipped first and then painted over it? I'm curious to see if that holds up over time. BTW, the steering rack bushings are much easier to install than the write-ups make them out to be.

It's always good to see the kids out there helping you guys out. You and Fightman are gonna have some mini gearheads on your hands someday.

Thanks Bigfish! I like having her out there, it's our time together! Lately though, with all the welding and stuff, she's been mainly just playing outside while I'm in the shop....no welding flash for her!

SCRunner, those wheels will look great! However, I've got a feeling they will peal pretty easily from Rock chips and the like. My bumper valance has already started.... If you should chose to repaint, I would take a wire wheels to the chrome and ruff them up. I did that to my aluminum, and then used some Yellow Zinc Chromate Primer, base coat, and then clear coat.

After all of this, I still got some chipping. However, the Zinc Chromate has not, and still covers the wheel. I think my fault was not sanding between coats. I think that if I had done that, the base coat would have stuck to the primer, and everthing else would have stuck better too.

P.S: My paint hasn't peeled from stones and road debris. They mainly chipped where the monkeys from the tire shop hit them with the impact gun.

Anyway, I can't wait to see what they look like on your rig, and props to you for letting your little girl hang with her daddy while he plays with his truck!

 

[SCRunner12]

:hungry: Come on man...there better be lots of pics of those sweet LX rims installed...One thing I like, that hammered black finish will surely compliment the thundercloud cladding well. Good job in that department.

Can't wait for the pics!

I will take plenty of pics, don't worry. I was a little nervous about the hammered look, but I think it came out awesome. It's almost a very dark gray instead of black. Unfortunately I have Topaz Metallic cladding, not thundercloud. I wish I had thundercloud, but that didn't come out till 02. Thanks for the compliments.

Man. I don't know which wheels I like better. The LC's or these. Can't wait to see them on!

Since I have both in my garage right now, I have to say I like the LX better. The dip in the middle of the spoke just gives it a little more complexity and doesn't make the spokes look as wide. You really can't go wrong with either though.

I like what I see. However, if I'm reading your post correctly, you said that you plasti-dipped first and then painted over it? I'm curious to see if that holds up over time. BTW, the steering rack bushings are much easier to install than the write-ups make them out to be.

It's always good to see the kids out there helping you guys out. You and Fightman are gonna have some mini gearheads on your hands someday.

Thanks! I chose to plasti-dip because I saw how Zachpins34 were holding up so well. I wasn't sure what color or type of paint I wanted to so I figured plasti-dip would be an easy solution if I chose to go a different route. Also I was hoping the thickness of the plastidip would cover up some of the imperfections a little better. It did for some, but others were bound to stay.

I'm hoping to get the steering rack bushings in this weekend as well as the rest of the items I got. Your mini write up will help with the install. I love when my daughter helps out. She is usually trying to destroy instead of help, but this time she had it down. I would take her wheeling, but she is a bit young and she hates the car seat so I'll wait a little longer.

Cant wait to see pics!

Thanks, they should be up today.

Thanks Bigfish! I like having her out there, it's our time together! Lately though, with all the welding and stuff, she's been mainly just playing outside while I'm in the shop....no welding flash for her!

SCRunner, those wheels will look great! However, I've got a feeling they will peal pretty easily from Rock chips and the like. My bumper valance has already started.... If you should chose to repaint, I would take a wire wheels to the chrome and ruff them up. I did that to my aluminum, and then used some Yellow Zinc Chromate Primer, base coat, and then clear coat.

After all of this, I still got some chipping. However, the Zinc Chromate has not, and still covers the wheel. I think my fault was not sanding between coats. I think that if I had done that, the base coat would have stuck to the primer, and everthing else would have stuck better too.

P.S: My paint hasn't peeled from stones and road debris. They mainly chipped where the monkeys from the tire shop hit them with the impact gun.

Anyway, I can't wait to see what they look like on your rig, and props to you for letting your little girl hang with her daddy while he plays with his truck!

Yeah as I explained before the plasti-dip was a semi permanent thing. I think it will hold up just fine considering 99% of my driving is on the streets besides when I can make it wheeling or up to my parents cabin. If they peel then I'll just repaint them and prep them a little better. I'd be out a few bucks and an afternoon. Thanks for the compliments and I love having my daughter with me.

 

[Hepar]

Since I have both in my garage right now, I have to say I like the LX better. The dip in the middle of the spoke just gives it a little more complexity and doesn't make the spokes look as wide. You really can't go wrong with either though.

Um, what? Give them to me!!!

 

[Dagobah]

Since I have both in my garage right now, I have to say I like the LX better. The dip in the middle of the spoke just gives it a little more complexity and doesn't make the spokes look as wide. You really can't go wrong with either though.

Yeah, you've convinced me to be on the lookout for LX wheels over LC wheels which is what I wanted originally.

 

[SCRunner12]

Um, what? Give them to me!!!

Haha, they are really beat up. I got them originally and the guy understated the condition of them. They will hold a bead, but the lips are really beat and some of the spokes are scratched. I may just keep one as a full spare and sell the other three. I wouldn't let you put them on your 4runner because it would ruin the very clean look you have.

Yeah, you've convinced me to be on the lookout for LX wheels over LC wheels which is what I wanted originally.

I've honestly never been a big fan of the LX or LC rims, but they were cheap and are 16x8 with 4.5 BS which is what I wanted. Now that they are on I REALLY like them. The LX are hard to find, but worth it. :hungry:


Well now what all of you have been waiting for. I was going to wake up early and put them on, but my daughter decided 6:30 am is a great time to wake up. :ybrick: I ended up just putting them on before I left for work. Unfortunately the last locking lug decided to strip so I couldn't get that wheel off. :gun5: I really hate those locking lugs and this is the second time one of them broke. So during my lunch I'm going to stop by a shop and get the last wheel put on.

Now to the pictures...I will get some better ones later when all of the tires on.

A close up of the texture.

Overall I'm very happy with how they turned out. The hammered finish worked really well to hide some of the imperfections and it looks good as well. The black ended up being a very dark gray in the sun, but black in the dark. I like the effect and think it looks better than an all black wheel. The ride with the BFG's load D is a million times better than my STT's. They are smooth, QUIET and aren't as harsh as the load E STT's. I'm also trying to locate a 4th center cap. Once I find the last one I will paint them with the hammered finish and possibly a Sunfire Red Toyota symbol. I didn't get any LX center caps, but had 3 Toyota from my LC rims. I'd rather have the Toyota ones anyways since my 4runner is a Toyota, not a Lexus.

 

[fightman80]

Looks good! Just a little warning though...those BFG's may want to hydroplane in deep puddles, so be careful on rainy days. Also, (not an issue for you) but in the snow...not so good. Another little thing, they are stone throwers. When driving on gravel roads, I'd hear "ting, tang, ting" all the way down the road. I also ended up throwing a stone at my wife's windshield on the Monte Carlo a few years ago, when she was following me on the highway.

Overall, they ARE a nice looking tire, ride pretty nice, and are decently quiet. I just found the performance left much to be desired.

I still think your rig rocks man, and I'm glad you're happy with the finish on the wheels!

 

[SCRunner12]

Looks good! Just a little warning though...those BFG's may want to hydroplane in deep puddles, so be careful on rainy days. Also, (not an issue for you) but in the snow...not so good. Another little thing, they are stone throwers. When driving on gravel roads, I'd hear "ting, tang, ting" all the way down the road. I also ended up throwing a stone at my wife's windshield on the Monte Carlo a few years ago, when she was following me on the highway.

Overall, they ARE a nice looking tire, ride pretty nice, and are decently quiet. I just found the performance left much to be desired.

I still think your rig rocks man, and I'm glad you're happy with the finish on the wheels!

Thanks! I've had BFG's before with my 1st gen and liked them. I've read a lot of reveiws about them hydroplaning and being so-so in the snow. I took that into consideration, but I also have AWD. If I feel the rain is too much I will just put it into AWD and I should be fine. Plus it doesn't rain all that much here and I see the snow 5-8 times a year. Also my tires are ~.5" or so from the edge of the flare. I think if I had 33's they would be closer to the edge. I may pick up some 1/4 spacers to push them out a bit further. I won't be buying the BFG's again unless it's from Treadwright, but I think the next tire will be Duratracs in 285/75/16. I appreciate the advice though.

I'm also getting my stereo installed tomorrow for free from a friend. Hopefully I can get the other items installed this long weekend as well.

 

[jrm]

KYB-Tundra combo ride quality?

oh and were the KYBs valved for a 4runner or a tundra? May have to wait to purchase the 5100s so i may need to use the OE HD struts for a while and was speculating what the ride might be like. Thanks HNY

 

[SCRunner12]

The KYB's were for a Tundra. They were with the coils when I bought them. They rode great with my P rated tires, which was only for a couple days. After that I put my STT's on and the ride wasn't as great, but that was because of the Load E and being a mud terrain. I've read before that the KYB's are bit more stiff than stock shocks, but I can't compare personally. Back3me bought my old KYB's and will be putting them on with his Tundra coils.

You should be fine with just the stock Bilsteins. Tons of people run them and they say it's fine. Fightman has them and he's commented they work well. They will ride better for you since you won't be putting top plate spacers on as well.


Figured I would post this pic just for fun. I still need to stop by a shop to get the locking lug off and I've had to drive with my old and new wheels on the driver's side.

 

[TacticalSR5]

12/28/2011 Cont.
She got me a Clarion CZ501 stereo.

CZ501? I had a CZ500 in my truck that I put in right at a year ago.

Glad you like it, I would love to see how it looks in the 4Runner dash. Ive been awfully curious. :hatsoff:


Thumbs Up on the truck, and sorry if this is posted but what tire size are you running now?