Titanium Tammy - Hige Mileage Budget Build. Gonna Need Your Help.

[Lownskater52]

Hey guys,

So I'm officially picking up my long awaited 2004 Titanium T4R V6 2WD Limited Wednesday and I figure I start the build thread up. The truck is high mileage, only 2WD, and will be sharing DD duties with my 2016 Corvette Z51 so it won't be a hardcore offroad rig. I'm going to budget about $500-$1000 to fix/replace any mechanical issues and maybe another $1000-$1250 for aesthetics/sound upgrades. The 3 keys for me are to 1) get the truck in proper mechanical shape to get to 300k miles 2) give the truck some flare/attitude in it's appearance and sound 3) maintain the comfortability for daily driving duties. I'm not super handy or crafty so I'll definitely need you guy's help. I'll be active on this thread updating as frequently as I can. To recap from my prior posts:

- The truck has 209k miles and 1 owner (my parents)
- I bought it for $2500 and dinner with my parents at Ruth Chris' Steakhouse.
- It's been very well cared for. The truck had the head gasket replaced at 90k miles when it went bad, has had very regular maintenance, and I have all major service records (even some cool stuff like the original magazine/brochure that came with the car). I'll do my best to post the service records on this thread.

My initial ideas for aesthetics/sound is to:

- Gloss Black Plasti-Dip the wheels, rear view mirrors, grille, and roof racks
- Lift it 1.5 inches and add slightly larger, knobbier tires
- Swap in a new touchscreen head unit with Android Auto
- Add a back up camera

I'm very open to ideas so feel free to make recommendations. All help is very much appreciated and I'll be doing my best to keep everybody updated. Thanks in advance!

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[Lownskater52]

First is the service records.

- Engine Control Module and O2 sensor replaced at 73k in April 2012
- Head Gasket/Spark Plugs replaced at 87k in July 2013
- Recalled Cracked Dash replaced at 105k in May 2014
- Drive Belt and tensioner replaced at 106k in May 2014
- Rebuilt/Resurfaced Front Brake Calipers and new pads at 205k in April 2018

This is with all of the standard maintenance and significant mile check ups being completed. I'm currently looking around for a reputable auto shop to do a full inspection, replace the water pump and serpentine belt, and flush the rear diff fluid. The car just had an oil change and the fluids checked and they were good. This should get me up to proper mechanical function and hopefully clear the way to get me to 300k which is my goal.

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[Lownskater52]

So this morning I'm going ahead and getting ready to order some initial stuff and I'm hoping to get your help. I'd like to order from Amazon if possible for convienice purposes but if I need to go somewhere else I will.

- Headlights: The headlights on there now are completely yellow and borderline dangerous. I'm assuming I need a new housing set and bulbs? Any Amazon recommendations? I was thinking OEM style but open to aftermarket suggestions.

- Headunit: I've scoured this forum and the pages about head unit upgrades and the information was just too overwhelming for me. I'm hoping to get guidance. I dont need anything too awful fancy/expensive. My basic requirements would be a touchscreen, android auto, and capability to be compatible with a back up camera. The T4R has the JBL sound system so it has to be compatible with that.

- Backup Camera: Again, nothing too crazy. Just something that'll connect to the new head unit so I dont run over any kids.


I'm going to be going out on a limb andattempting to install these all myself so wish me luck. Thanks in advance fellas

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[5vzT4R]

Aftermarket headlights will not be as good of quality as OEM (leaking/condensation). I would just get the cheapest ones and run silicone around the lens and housing. Not too sure on bulbs, I just buy whatever is available for a good price, but a little Google research and you can get some better then stock.

For the radio I use Crutchfield.com, everything is model specific and gives you many options for your radio to choose from plus reviews.

Backup camera, no idea. The license plate mount style ones would be the most easiest to install, look on Amazon for one that uses the same plug as the radio you get. Read reviews and look for good picture quality. That's about all I got as far as help lol.

 

[Lownskater52]

Aftermarket headlights will not be as good of quality as OEM (leaking/condensation). I would just get the cheapest ones and run silicone around the lens and housing. Not too sure on bulbs, I just buy whatever is available for a good price, but a little Google research and you can get some better then stock.

For the radio I use Crutchfield.com, everything is model specific and gives you many options for your radio to choose from plus reviews.

Backup camera, no idea. The license plate mount style ones would be the most easiest to install, look on Amazon for one that uses the same plug as the radio you get. Read reviews and look for good picture quality. That's about all I got as far as help lol.

Thanks boss! I'll look on Amazon for a Crutchfield Headunit. Now I read on this forum something about a special adaptor/piece when you have the JBL system. Is that true or am I off?

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[5vzT4R]

Not sure if you understood right or not, but it's www.crutchfield.com basically a audio store for homes, cars, boats ect. So not a Crutchfield headunit like a brand. And yes you will need a adapter for the jbl. It's easy all plug and play, if you buy from Crutchfield it gives you the option to buy all the adapters before you checkout on the website. That way you don't have to source them out.

 

[joefbtg28]

- I really like my pioneer 4200nex, it has android auto and apple car play. Just run usb extensions for each to the center console or glove box. Then run short cables for the connection to your phone. That way, if you switch from micro usb to usb-c, you can just switch the end section. You may want to research if wireless AA will be coming to all devices, or just new ones. Wireless AA is getting rolled out with android P, but not sure if head units will get updates to support this or not.
- Get a cheap backup camera off amazon/ebay, the pioneer branded ones aren't worth the additional cost
- If you use the glossifier on the plasti dip, you won't be able to touch it up. I like to use the dipyourcar fix it kit to smooth any tears, and put a couple coats on top. That way you don't have to start from scratch every year. You cannot "touch up" on top of the glossifier.

 

[Lownskater52]

- I really like my pioneer 4200nex, it has android auto and apple car play. Just run usb extensions for each to the center console or glove box. Then run short cables for the connection to your phone. That way, if you switch from micro usb to usb-c, you can just switch the end section. You may want to research if wireless AA will be coming to all devices, or just new ones. Wireless AA is getting rolled out with android P, but not sure if head units will get updates to support this or not.
- Get a cheap backup camera off amazon/ebay, the pioneer branded ones aren't worth the additional cost
- If you use the glossifier on the plasti dip, you won't be able to touch it up. I like to use the dipyourcar fix it kit to smooth any tears, and put a couple coats on top. That way you don't have to start from scratch every year. You cannot "touch up" on top of the glossifier.

- Awesome dude thanks! Did you have the JBL system in your car? If so did you need a converter for the pioneer 4200nex? And what does RDS stand for after Pioneer?

- Cool. Cheap Amazon back up camera incoming

- Wish I woulda waited because I just bought 70 bucks worth of plastidip and glossifier for the wheels, side view mirrors, and grille.

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[Lownskater52]

Picking up the car tomorrow. Parents had it cleaned. Pretty stoked. I'll be posting initial pics tomorrow. Pic below of my new silver (dad's former) T4R and my dads new blue T4R V8 Limited. Dont let the picture fool you. The paint on my silver runner isnt in good shape. More pics tomorrow.

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