The SURF RUNNER Build: 2001 Stellar Blue Limited 4WD

[SURF RUNNER]

Mini Cooper Horizon Blue, Salvage Find Engine Parts and More

I've been busy lately with lots of 4Runner stuff. This past weekend I finished boxing and shipping a Sport hood to California for [MENTION=81106]Cytronus[/MENTION].

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/188609-tutorial-shipping-sport-hood-greyhound-texas-california.html

The weekend prior to that I was in Dallas picking up a custom box for the Sport hood and rummaging through about 100 3rd Gen 4Runners.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/189148-3rd-gen-4runner-salvage-yard-tips-photos-stories-spotted-strategies-finds-%25-etc.html

Tomorrow I am meeting [MENTION=116195]weekendclimber[/MENTION] somewhere in College Station to deliver his Sport hood. I'm excited for him because he has waited a long time to see it in person and it is going to look great on his 4Runner.

UPDATED

So earlier this afternoon I met [MENTION=116195]weekendclimber[/MENTION] on Texas Ave. in College Station to give him his OEM Sport hood. He was on his way to Austin and I'm sure has a long day ahead unpacking. I'm happy for Scott and can't wait to see this all buffed out and installed on his 4Runner.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/187699-someone-going-buy-green-sport-hood-if-i-get-one-tomorrow-central-texas.html

I've been searching for a new option for the paint color for my ARB front bumper, Shrockworks rear bumper/tire carrier/jerry can holder, Limited cladding and fender flares. I plan to paint all of the bars or tubes Millennium Silver, but I think I may have finally found the perfect color for the bumpers and trim. The color is called Horizon Blue and it was produced from 2009 to 2011 on Mini Coopers.

This color is a little darker than some of the previous colors I have considered, which is a good thing in my opinion since Stellar Blue is such a dark color. Mini Cooper Horizon Blue is a sophisticated blend of blue and gray with a little bit of purple - it is a very complex color. I called Tasco in Houston about mixing up a spray can for me to pick up this Saturday. They said that this color was exceptional because of the amount of pearl powder in it. I test colors on Monster cans and set them side by side in different lighting conditions to get a feel for how they look adjacent to one another. I prime the cans first then spray several coats of color. Finally I clear coat them to add the final touch. At some point I will have to post a pic of my painted can collection.

Here are some photos of Mini Cooper Horizon Blue...

When I was in Dallas I saw a fresh 2001 with a super clean engine. The top intake parts that are all powdercoated silver (I assume) looked so much better than mine. I'm not sure if these are the right terms, but I am referring to the MAF, the upper runner, and the lower runner. I have had some ideas about getting these three parts electropolished to match my polished aluminum Injen air intake, so I was intrigued about this find. When I see a part on a 3rd Gen that looks so much better than everything else I see it grabs my attention - especially when it is from a 2001-2002. I left it there that night but came back before closing the next evening to buy all 3 parts for $140. Here is a photo of this particular engine. In person the parts I am referencing look even better than in this photo. When wiped down with a damp cloth it almost looks like it probably did back in 2000-2001 at the dealership.

Here it is in some bad lighting in my apartment. All I did was wipe it down with a damp cloth for a minute. I think it would look sharp to get this electropolished - it would match up well with my Injen air intake. I would buy some valve covers and get them electropolished as well. Any thoughts on this?

 

[RussToy]

I think the intake system would look awesome electroplated!! Never seen one of our 4Runners to have anything on the engine electroplated...hmmmmm. Like I said, I think this would look awesome...go for it!!! Your going to have some serious bling!!

Now the valve covers...I myself think the valve covers might be too much??? There'll be so much bling...everything will just blend together. Have you ever thought about powder coating your valve covers?? You could powder a nice blue that will match your trucks....or....you could powder them your accent color! Either way, I believe that would be sick looking!!! Go for it buddy...you got my vote...

-Russel

 

[Unner]

I think it would look good polished, but it will be a pretty good bit of work since all those metal pieces have a pretty rough texture to them.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

I think the intake system would look awesome electroplated!!

I agree with both of you. I think that it would look sharp, especially with the polished Injen air intake. I was thinking of electropolishing. Is that the same thing as electroplating? I'm sure that it would take some time to get the smooth, polished look. I'm interested in getting an estimate. I'll probably research Houston to see who does projects like this.

As far as the valve covers they are not all that visible underneath the coil packs and with everything else going on there. I was planning to get them polished to match the intake components.

As far as Stellar Blue I was thinking about getting the plastic timing belt cover painted that color. How would that look? I am already planning to get this blue silicone radiator hose set. With the timing belt cover painted Stellar Blue I might have too much blue in that area with the spark plug wires and the radiator hose. I'll get a better idea once the radiator hose is installed. I might just leave the timing belt cover black.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

Emergency Brake Repair | Auto Zone | Black Sport Hood | Stellar Blue Sport Hood

03/02/2015 Service
177,900 Miles

Rebuilt Driver-Side Caliper (Auto Zone) $79 plus $27 core charge
Brake pads (Auto Zone) $18
Valvoline Dot 3 & 4 Brake Fluid (Auto Zone) $8

Installed rebuilt caliper and pads - Driver side only

$48 total/all labor


So when I was down in Houston and Galveston this past weekend I started hearing some metal on metal noises Saturday afternoon. I couldn't find a rebuilt caliper in time to get it fixed Saturday so I just beared with the noise and decided to deal with it Monday. It sounded terrible, but I could still stop as needed.

At first I couldn't come up with a plan because I want to upgrade to the Tundra Brakes and really didn't want to spend the money on another 4Runner caliper (and maybe a rotor). I want to grind the Tundra calipers smooth like Speedys Garage did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF0skQC8WyE and paint them with G2 caliper paint. G2 makes caliper paint in Corvette Electron Blue, which happens to be my accent color! After I did some research I found out that it takes about 10 days to get the caliper paint delivered plus who knows how much time to grind them smooth and paint, so doing the Tundra Brake upgrade in a rush was out of the question. I was going to have to spend money on a new caliper that I wouldn't be using for long.

The good news is that my mechanic was able to make everything work without a new rotor - he didn't even turn the rotor because I asked him not to if I would be good for 6 months with just the caliper and brake pad and he said yes. I think that AutoZone is the way to go for rebuilt calipers. Their price is $10 less than NAPA plus their core charge is $50 less. I ordered the rebuilt caliper Sunday evening after dinner and it was in the store the next morning before 11:00am. I have to give major props to AutoZone on every aspect of this emergency repair.

So I spent $150, but now I have plenty of time to get my Tundra calipers prepared for installation the way I want them to look.

In Galveston late Saturday afternoon with noisy brakes

Rebuilt caliper and brake fluid

Cheap brake pads

Garage where I get most of my work done. This used to be a Sinclair's Gas Station (the one with the green dinosaur) back in the 1930s.

Returned the bad caliper to Auto Zone and received my core charge refund

Saturday afternoon I bought a Black OEM Sport hood on Airline in Houston. It sold the next day, but how I sold it is sort of an interesting story so I thought I would post it here...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/190449-fs-3rd-gen-oem-black-001-sport-hood-w-scoop-central-tx.html

So I had some work to do at my real job Sunday (I usually don't work on Sunday at my real job, but this was an exception). Anyway, I was supposed to be at work at 12:00 Noon, but I went 30 minutes early to post the official for sale thread for this hood. I am 2 blocks from where I work and I see this Black 3rd Gen headed in the opposite direction. It has a bunch of mods including some red TRD badges. I'm thinking that this guy definitely needs a Sport hood if he doesn't already have one (I wasn't sure, maybe he had one - I may have missed it).

Anyway, at the risk of looking like a lunatic stalker I do a 180 and follow him. He pulls into a nice student apartment property and is waiting for the automatic gate. I start talking to him and he is very interested. I tell him that I have a Black Sport hood at my apartment and show him the photos. This guy, Jared, says that he has been looking for a Sport hood for 2 years, but can't find one. He can't believe that I found him and we exchange numbers.

So I head to work and post the for sale thread linked above just in case Jared decides not to buy it and to give fellow forum members a fair shot at buying it. About 4 hours after I post the thread he buys the hood. Here is a photo of his Runner. As you can see he has done a real nice job with it. He said that he goes by "Ginger" something on here, but he gave me permission to post these photos. I told him that he should paint the scoop insert red... what do you think?

This is the guy who bought the Sport hood. His name is Jared and he lives one block away from where I work.

Please see this thread if you live in the Ohio area want a deeply discounted OEM Sport hood.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/190712-fs-deeply-discounted-3rd-gen-oem-blue-001-sport-hood-w-scoop-cincinnati-ohio-area.html

 

[SURF RUNNER]

Sport Grille | Planning

I bought a Stellar Blue Sport Grille from a salvage yard in Ohio. I got really lucky because it was in great condition. These grilles are somewhat delicate - especially the narrow vertical "ribs" on the back. I really like how the TOYOTA logo stands out on this grille. If you scroll up to the last photo in my post above you will see how the logo blends in with the chrome grille - completely different look in my opinion.

Lots of rain here lately...

Below is a link where I was trying to find out more info on the license plate holder from 1990-1995 4Runners (with rear tire carrier). I found out that they are very heavy-duty, plastic on top and mostly metal everywhere else (or so I've been told). There are two lights to illuminate the license plate and wiring out the back to connect with the existing 3rd gen wiring. This is a small detail, but all of these things have to be purchased and worked out before my bumpers are painted.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/194280-3rd-gen-questions-about-2nd-gen-license-plate-holder-swing-out-tire-carrier.html

I called Toyota of Dallas with the part number (75102-89119) and they had it listed for $51, but the sales rep said that there were none in stock nationally at dealerships. He said that there might be some NOS holders at random part outlets across the country. I know that I can find one at a salvage yard, but if I can find a new one for $50 or less I think that it would be better to buy new.

This one looks ripe for the picking...

They look like they hold up fairly well.

My license plate holder will look similar to the photo below except that it will be painted Millennium Silver and mounted on the jerry can holder.

Obviously I am doing this because I don't like the location in the center of the spare tire.

Messing around with where the license plate holder would go. In this photo you can see a can painted Millennium Silver where the jerry can holder and tire holder will be painted silver, and a can painted Mini Cooper Horizon Blue where the bumper will be painted steel blue... Yes, there will be a bottle opener installed on my rear bumper - the one on the photo is just taped on, but that is probably where it will go. These are the types of things that one does when one is broke!

Every few months I go to Tasco in Houston to buy a spray can of paint for whatever color I might want to test. I used to get them from PaintScratch.com, but Tasco does a better job of getting the color right and the nozzle sprays out metallics better. They have these books there that have the paint samples and next to them is a rectangular hole that you can lay against your vehicle's paint. This is a great way to get a better idea of how two colors will look side by side. The taller rectangle on the left is the hole where you can see the Stellar Blue paint on my fender and how it looks next to Horizon Blue.

Recently I pulled into the drying/vacuum stall at my local car wash and right next to me this girl was cleaning the interior of her 2010 Mini Cooper painted Horizon Blue.

Being the car nerd that I am I just happened to have my Horizon Blue painted monster can in my 4Runner! I showed it to her and she started laughing at the coincidence. It also proved to this coed that I was not a stalker and was just interested in her paint job. You can see how the painted can matches the darker shadows in the paint reflections on the Mini Cooper. If the can was clear coated the match would look spot on in my opinion. The matte finish of the can was not catching the light like the glossy finish of the Mini Cooper.

The Hoirizon Blue on the Mini Cooper will be the color I'm painting my front and rear bumpers, the fender flares, and Limited cladding.

It is a really complex steel blue color. It isn't too light or too dark in my opinion to complement the Stellar Blue paint on my 4Runner.

 

[SIN-Japan]

Like the way your going with it.
I think the blue hoses will look good in your engine bay, I got the red ones from HPS and like them very much.

 

[SIN-Japan]

The rear tire carrier is the way to go, just don't know why Toyota did not make those stock on the 4 Runner, like they did on the Surfs.

Keep up the good work.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Being the car nerd that I am I just happened to have my Horizon Blue painted monster can in my 4Runner! I showed it to her and she started laughing at the coincidence. It also proved to this coed that I was not a stalker and was just interested in her paint job.

Honesty time. A good number of your posts leave me thinking, "wow, this guy is cut from a different mold..." but this post put me over the edge. You're hilarious.

Remind you of Phil, [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION]?

 

[GSPRunner]

Honesty time. A good number of your posts leave me thinking, "wow, this guy is cut from a different mold..." but this post put me over the edge. You're hilarious.

Remind you of Phil, [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION]?

Yes. That will always be one of the more memorable quotes from camping. If Phil was a car nerd, he would be this guy.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

TRD FJ Wheels | Makita Tools | Partout 001

Back in July fellow forum member Ray bought SILVER 003 from me for $385 before I even picked it up from the salvage yard. I found this Sport hood the same day that I was picking up my first partout 4Runner. I put a deposit on it over the phone, but had to make a repeat trip to the Dallas area to pick it up. We finally met up in College Station. As you can see this is a happy customer.

I don't know if I am more pumped about my TRD wheels or my Makita tools, but I'll start the update on those two subjects and then circle back to acquiring my first partout vehicle and the related adventures towing as a newbie (plus some other stuff).

This past weekend I bought 4 slightly used TRD wheels from this guy in Houston for $350. I sold my 5-Stars for $185 and got them mounted, balanced and installed for $60. Total cost for me was $225!

Here is the thread I posted the afternoon I had these wheels mounted... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/202807-great-trd-find-craigslist.html

Yeah... I need to get JDM clear corners on the front. They are on the list.

Eventually I am probably going to get OMF to install beadlock rings on my TRD wheels similar to the example below, but they would be Corvette Electron Blue and narrower - they would just cover the extreme outside rim and none/very little of the spoke part. If I can find a quality aftermarket ring and the install is straight forward I may go that route. Obviously it wouldn't be a true beadlock, but it would protect my wheels and look sharp. It would be similar in design and purpose to the TRD FJ fake beadlock wheel.

So I needed to buy some power tools for my partout. I did a lot of research and decided on the Makita Cordless 18V LXT line, brushless when available. I know that some people like to buy different brand tools to suit their needs, but with the expense of batteries these days it makes sense to go with one brand if possible and buy bare tools to work with batteries you already have. I started with a dual port rapid charger and two 5.0 batteries. The 5.0 (1850) Lithium-Ion batteries aren't in stores in the U.S yet, so you will have to buy them on eBay or another internet site. After that you can just buy bare tools to suit your needs as long as they have the Star symbol on them. So far I bought the top of the line 1/2" brushless power wrench and the best 1/4" die grinder. My next purchase will be the XPH07 hammer/drill/driver. The first major project with the grinder will be grinding my Tundra calipers smooth before I paint them Corvette Electron Blue.

Next purchase...

Señorita Makita is holding the next tool I will purchase. I would let her hold my tool if she wanted to.

I finally found a 2nd Gen license plate holder... more on this later.

I acquired my first partout 4Runner exactly a month ago on the July 4th weekend. More on that and my first experience towing later...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/200328-fs-partout-001-1999-4wd-sr5-silver-4runner-central-tx-will-ship-smaller-items.html

More photos of a Horizon Blue Mini Cooper next to my 4Runner... as I have mentioned previously in my build this will be the color of my aftermarket bumpers and limited trim. This has been an extended "color study", but I don't have the money to get everything painted yet, and when I do have the funds I want to be sure I have picked the best color. Right now I am about as close to 100% as I can be on this design decision.

THIS 4RUNNER HAS BEEN SOLD. PLEASE DON'T REPLY TO THIS THREAD. HERE IS THE LINK TO THE SURF RUNNER 2.0 BUILD THREAD: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/212070-surf-runner-2-0-build-maintenance-modification-2001-stellar-blue-limited-4wd.html

 

[Kyle Reese]

Check out my 4Runner I made an account today and I texted you about the hood for sale today to