TheDarkKnight's Build Thread

[TheDarkKnight]

Alright, bought my new digs. Its a 2001 Toyota 4Runner Sport 2WD. 138,000 Miles. My previous interim vehicle was a 1998 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Pre-runner. Before that my 2004 Subaru WRX - Stage 2.

I wanted 4WD, but lets face it - black sports with 4wd are at a premium and I couldn't find any near SoCal.

As for now the speakers in the rear are blown, so that comes first. Got some plans for this one.

As of December, 2011:
<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1063edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1063edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And here she was, brand new (to me):

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=NewFront-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/NewFront-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=NewBack-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/NewBack-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Saved.

 

[Duhockey]

Welcome and great looking runner! cant wait to see how things turn out! Im sure you can get lots of help from the guys down there in Socal, just hung with them a few weeks ago and they are great!

 

[fightman80]

Very Nice man!

 

[atokin]

nice looking runner :cowboy:

 

[Hepar]

Welcome. You got one clean looking ride there!

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Thanks guys. Off to find some speakers to install tomorrow, also - upgrading headlight bulbs. :hungry:

 

[Singtoe]

I just replaced the springs in a 2002 2wd 4runner with springs and struts from a 1999 4wd 4runner and the difference was night and day.

99 on the right, 02 on the left

99 on the top, 02 on the bottom


It raised the 4runner from (ground to bottom of flare) 33 1/2" to 35 1/2". I keep the oem ride and got rid of the high speed bottoming when driving over bridges and small bumps on the highway. The nice thing is that it looks OEM.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind!

Fixed the speaker problem, so no need to upgrade, although I might in the future. Also, light bulbs replaced.

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=lightsfoggy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/lightsfoggy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Alright, finally got to add a few more things:

20% Tint all around (over stock) :fro:
K&N Air Filter
Lamin-X Gunsmoke Tint over blinkers: top and bottom

Still getting used to the Lamin-X, sometimes I love it and sometimes I want to pull it off. We'll see what I end up doing. Here she is as of today:

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=tintfront.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/tintfront.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=tintrear.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/tintrear.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Put on the wind guards, repainted and put on the WAAG brush guard, tail light guards and emblems.

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1051.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1051.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And then installed the Procomp wheels.

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1063.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=IMG_1053.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/IMG_1053.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Still getting used to the Procomps. Thinking about painting them a gloss black instead of the flat, thoughts?

 

[bak3rme]

nice looking rig! it looks exactly like gottabeTRD's rig

 

[Hepar]

Looks good! I like the flat black. Gives it a nice subtle contrast to all of the glossy black.

 

[tylerbaird]

The wheels look good man. Same ones I ordered for mine, just waiting for the tires to come in. And I definitely prefer the flat black look compared to the gloss

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Still getting used to the Procomps. Thinking about painting them a gloss black instead of the flat, thoughts?

What about gunmetal? Maybe you could photoshop that color and see if it looks good?

If you're set oon black, I'd do either a Satin black or flat black. Actually, black rims on YOURS is excessive; especially with the blacked out stuff on the lights. A little contrast wouldn't hurt. You could even leave the lugnuts chrome because IMO it helps with the contrast.

 

[cj80cruiser]

What light bulbs did you go with?

 

[TheDarkKnight]

nice looking rig! it looks exactly like gottabeTRD's rig

Thanks, I used his for some of my inspiration, and in fact he's been helping with some questions I had. I even stole the wheels.

My main inspiration for the scheme is the Expedition in I AM LEGEND. I remember wanting that truck when I first saw it. If you remember:

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=expeditionial.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/expeditionial.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/?action=view&current=expeditionial2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/JMattAtkinson/expeditionial2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

As for the wheels I think I'll drive on them for a bit and if I need a change I still have a good bit of the gloss black I used to paint the brush guard with, maybe put some silver accents on the lip - who knows. I'll be thinking about it.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

What light bulbs did you go with?

I am using some SilverStar Ultra's by Sylvania. Great bulbs.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

hey! it's me, but different! haha. looking great man, i vote keep the lamen-x! how'd that work out for you, was it pretty tough for you to get it on there?

thought i'd sub though, just in case you get an idea that i can steal haha

I gotta get on this money making business and get some more mods done. I'm getting kinda bored of the look of mine.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

I gotta get on this money making business and get some more mods done. I'm getting kinda bored of the look of mine.

Hah, :iagree: the roof rack I want is well over a G...I need to get on this money making business as well. I also want a front winch on the brush guard, but wth am I going to do with it? - I can't do much offroading, sadly (pointless)