SOcalTrail's 2011 Trail Edition Beast Build Thread

SOcalTRAIL said:
V-Leds Strip lights used for "rock" lights
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AHA! So, that's where you ran the LED strips!

I thought about installing mine there, but was afraid that I'd lose too much light, since they wouldn't be facing straight down. After seeing your spaceship lighting pics, I don't need to worry about light loss from that location.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Awesome ride, btw.
 
deejayshag said:
AHA! So, that's where you ran the LED strips!

I thought about installing mine there, but was afraid that I'd lose too much light, since they wouldn't be facing straight down. After seeing your spaceship lighting pics, I don't need to worry about light loss from that location.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Awesome ride, btw.
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Yup, thats where they go. Nice and safe spot for em. I've had quite a few questions about em through PM's. Here are some answers:

Do they get dirty?
Sure, but never too dirty to obstruct the light. run it through the car wash and they clean off. The pic taken shows how dirty they get after not washing my truck for a month and two decent 4x4 trips.

Where did you get the strip LEDS?
Got em from V-Leds.com

Wont the tape come loose?
Naw, I doubt it, its high quality 3M tape on the back of the strip, I cleaned the surface with acetone and they are on there pretty good.

How bright are they?
VERY VERY BRIGHT.... IE. SPACESHIP

How long are they?
Can't give an exact dimension now, I ordered 6' sections, you can cut them to any length you want.

How much current do they draw?
Havn't calculated it out, but very little.

Hope that helps out!
 
Note to self - stop driving truck through bushes....

Took almost 8 hours this weekend to wet sand and buff out the brush scratches. On the bright side, the paint looks absolutely beautiful now!!!!

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!!!!!:uzi::gun4:
 
Amazing work on your rig, everything looks so clean. I love all the LED's!

I am going to be doing some similar mods soon, thanks for the inspiration :reddance:

Nice job on that paint, can't even tell you had scratches there :)
 
HappyTrails said:
Amazing work on your rig, everything looks so clean. I love all the LED's!

I am going to be doing some similar mods soon, thanks for the inspiration :reddance:

Nice job on that paint, can't even tell you had scratches there :)
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Thank you sir. Good luck on your build, feel free to PM me with any questions!
 
I hate you right now! Your TE is everything (and some) that I want mine to be. Any plans for the bumper?
 
bQ! said:
I hate you right now! Your TE is everything (and some) that I want mine to be. Any plans for the bumper?
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Thanks!

I was planning on building my own bumper but after seeing MeBe4Running's HeftyFab rear bumper, I'm dammmm tempted to order one up. If I build one, it will use their design heavily as inspiration.

For front bumpers, there isnt much out there the tickles my twinky... I will probably end up building my own but go a more "baja" / "pre-run" style.
 
holy crap! you are my new hero. What is it that you do that you have access to a waterjet??!

oh, and how did you get the stratches out of the plastic fender flares?
 
mtbnole said:
holy crap! you are my new hero. What is it that you do that you have access to a waterjet??!

oh, and how did you get the stratches out of the plastic fender flares?
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Precision sheet metal fab, aerospace stuff. That water jet is our best friend. One of those machines is like having a half dozen highly skilled guys who can sit there and work for 10 hours a day straight through. That said, there is a fair bit of maintenance that comes with it but all in all, its a great machine and for doing little projects like building brackets, tabs, mounts, etc. for the truck... its a godsend.


For the scratches on the flares.... well.... I tried out Mother's Back to Black which worked out well and more or less masks the scratches. But I have found that just regular Mother's Protectant works great to hide em. After you coat them, wipe the excess off and from 5 feet away you can't really see the scratches anymore. I figure once I get em scratched up enough I will Line-X them. :thumb3:
 
awesome stuff.

did you keep the jigs/plans for all the custom made stuff? I bet you could sell a few of those products on here easily. It all looks amazing.
 
mtbnole said:
awesome stuff.

did you keep the jigs/plans for all the custom made stuff? I bet you could sell a few of those products on here easily. It all looks amazing.
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Thank you!

I do have a folder with all of the CNC / Waterjet 2-D Files for most of the parts but a lot of it was modified on the fly. If I had to, I could reproduce most of it. I've thought about offering some of it for sale but barely have time these days to make my own toys.... maybe someday:thumb3:
 
Fresh glamour shots after a full color sand / buff / 2 coats of Meguairs Ultimate Wax... Gotta love mag. grey!!!!

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Those BudBuilt Bump-Outs compliment that Gobi stealth perfectly. I think you just helped me make up my mind about which sliders I am going with.

Truck looks awesome!
 
mtbnole said:
wow, the paint looks amazing. I need to learn to wet sand.
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Thanks!

Start out with some 2k or 3k grit paper, a clean surface, clean water and a nice foam sanding block and go slow. Even though the sand paper is sooooo fine, you are still removing material and I noticed that this truck has a particularly thin clear coat compared to other vehicles I've done a "cut n' buff" on. By far you will get yourself into more trouble with the rotary buffer than anything, but as long as you go slow, use good foam buffing pads and good product, you should have a good result. Its a learning process!
 
:lightsaber:
SOcalTRAIL said:
Thanks!

Start out with some 2k or 3k grit paper, a clean surface, clean water and a nice foam sanding block and go slow. Even though the sand paper is sooooo fine, you are still removing material and I noticed that this truck has a particularly thin clear coat compared to other vehicles I've done a "cut n' buff" on. By far you will get yourself into more trouble with the rotary buffer than anything, but as long as you go slow, use good foam buffing pads and good product, you should have a good result. Its a learning process!
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Sounds great, but I am quite afraid to "learn" on the 4runner. Maybe on my wifes grandmothers 2001 Acura TL.. it's got the nice oxidized white paint job.
 
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