stiles97 maint/ mods build thread

[Stiles97]

Just a place to track my work and get opinions

So, here it goes.

1997 Toyota 4runner sr5 3.4L 4x4 5spd

170k

Over the last year or so this is what I have done:

Multiple oil changes
New belts ( drive ) due for timing belt in about 40k
New Spark plugs
New air filters
New Plug wires
New sway bar links and bushings front and rear
New trans/diffs/ t case oils
Just recently put blizzaks on for the winter ( looking for new rims to do the tundra brake upgrade) .
Coolant flush and refill.
New indash cd/bluetooth/ usb unit. Kenwood
New front 6 1/2" polk db component set.
40" combo led light bar in bumper wired to on or off with low beams or on and off with high beam stalk switch.
led interior lights ( map and dome )
streamlight stinger flashlight with piggy back charging station wired to key on power.
Optima yellow top battery.
New O2 senors.
new cup holder ( shitty design ) and console lid.

Just ordered a hi lift and some more eagle eye lights for the rear cargo area.

 

[Stiles97]

Scored these today.....
Now let the tire selection game begin.

 

[Stiles97]

And this showed up today
Now to figure out the mounting.

 

[78f150tx]

Nice T4R. I have a 97 SR5 as well. I really like the 40" combo led bar you mounted in the front bumper. really clean.

I've been trying to decide if I go with a bar or a set of round or square driving lights. Do you have any pics detailing the install?

 

[infamousRNR]

And this showed up today
Now to figure out the mounting.

48" or 60" ??????

 

[Stiles97]

48" or 60" ??????

48" extreme model. Was a couple bucks more than the others so I figured why not.

 

[Stiles97]

Nice T4R. I have a 97 SR5 as well. I really like the 40" combo led bar you mounted in the front bumper. really clean.

I've been trying to decide if I go with a bar or a set of round or square driving lights. Do you have any pics detailing the install?

I can take some pics of the installed bar. I removed the bumper and lower valance ( which was cracked anyway and needed replaced). I had to trim the bumper where bar fits in. I fab'd up an angle iron piece and some brackets between the two stock bumper mounts to mount bar to. I also trimmed the valance for bar to fit. The valance lost some structural stability with trimming so I drilled a couple small holes in it and corresponding frame pieces and used some self tapping bolts to secure it better. License plate had to be relocated also. Couple holes with some fender washers took care of that. If I was to do it again I would prob get a slightly smaller bar. I didn't have to remove to much from bumper but was a pita. Overall I'm happy with the outcome and so is the wife who drives it daily in the dark in the mountains. That was one of the reasons I mounted it low. Reduced reflections from both hood and precipitation. I wired it up so it can be used multiple ways also. Used a spdt switch( low/off/high) which took some searching to find a factory switch that would work. Ended up with a rear heater switch that fit perfectly in the dash. So the light can be on or off with low beams via said switch or switched to the high position and controlled with the stock high beam stalk switch.

 

[Stiles97]

Started install of tailgate lights.

 

[Stiles97]

Progress

 

[Stiles97]

Installed back on truck. One row angled into rear cargo area and one row angled towards ground.

 

[78f150tx]

Looking Good!

 

[Stiles97]

So I finally got the 'new' wheels and tires on. Think it looks pretty alright.

 

[Stiles97]

Big difference

 

[Run 4 Fun]

Installed back on truck. One row angled into rear cargo area and one row angled towards ground.

Do you have any pictures of the lights on at night?

 

[Stiles97]

I will get a couple this evening.

 

[kolelt]

Looks good man. Digging the tail gate lights.

What kinda lights did you use and from where?

Also where did you get the mounting system for the flash light.

What siZe hi lift jack is it

 

[Rwhockey29]

Got a link to the light you put in the lift gate? That's a genius idea!

 

[Stiles97]

From the rear

 

[Stiles97]

From the side. It not only lights up the rear cargo area really well but lights the ground behind the trick very well also.

 

[Stiles97]

Looks good man. Digging the tail gate lights.

What kinda lights did you use and from where?

Also where did you get the mounting system for the flash light.

What siZe hi lift jack is it

The flashlight is a stream light with their piggyback charging station. The light gets charged while mounted in cradle and the spare battery pack also is always charged. I wired it in to switched power so as not to drain vehicle battery. The hi lift is a 48" model which I am still working out the mount for.