UT Hack (slow) build thread/ intro

[UT Hack]

Hey all.

Just joined the forum, I've been a lurker around here for about the last 9 months or so.

Proud owner of a 98 SR5 5-speed, 199k on the clock, 4wd, power everything, etc...

CURRENT PHOTO


Suspension:
Front: OME 881 / Nitrocharger 90004 shocks
Rear: OME 890 / Nitrocharger 60027 shocks
New poly rack bushings

Wheels/Tires:
16x8 Toyota OEM FJ Cruiser wheels (with 5th wheel for spare)
Michelin LTX AT2 - 265/70/16 (looking at either DT's or KO's for next set. going to go with 285/75's)

Exterior
OEM Spoiler
Rola Roof rack w/ 18" Extension
99+ Clear headlight fixtures w/ Silverstar Ultra bulbs
LED Tail fixtures

Interior
LED dash conversion
Pioneer AVH-p2400bt
Ultragauge
12" Kenwood Sub w/ ported box + amp

Armor
Custom Sliders - see slider build in my sig
Soon to come - Custom rear bumper with tire/jerry can swing out, as well as most likely going with the Savage Offroad front skid.



Bought the truck back in May of 2012 from a small dealer in Sandy, UT. Dealer wanted 5500 for it, I talked him down to 5k to compensate for the timing belt and water pump needing replaced. Drove it from the dealer to Toyota to have them do that, and then drove it home.

Day it arrived at home:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8211894335/" title="DSC00018 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8211894335_ae970ffd28_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="DSC00018"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212983102/" title="DSC00017 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8212983102_3cde299559_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="DSC00017"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212983430/" title="DSC00016 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8212983430_f95078770f_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="DSC00016"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8211895277/" title="DSC00015 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8211895277_463e3f522d_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="DSC00015"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8211895659/" title="DSC00014 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8211895659_e2d03c0b46_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="DSC00014"></a>

Over the first couple months that I owned the truck I did some small things. Pulled the running boards, put on a pair of 99+ clear headlights to clean up the front end. Bought an ultra gauge to keep an eye on my gas mileage.

First wheeling trip:
Took the truck up to Forest Lake in American Fork Canyon- about a half hour drive to the mouth of the canyon from my house. There were a couple times on the trail that I needed to take the safe route through a small rock garden because I don't have any armor, but the truck handled the trail spectacularly and we didn't have any problems. I only have a couple pics from that because on the way up we went up in the middle of the night, and on the way back we were kind of in a time crunch to get back down the hill. (my buddy had sacrament meeting at 1. :ybrick

Night of arrival. Got some good ol' rocky mountain pinstripes on the bottom of my door from a deep rut that the trail takes you through, you can barely see it though so no big deal.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212982364/" title="IMG_0326 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8212982364_a187fe88da_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0326"></a>

Next morning
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212981186/" title="IMG_0327 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8212981186_2443ae450d_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0327"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212979528/" title="IMG_0328 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8212979528_77fd71bb4e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0328"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212975458/" title="IMG_0332 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8212975458_3c66160537_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0332"></a>

also in this pic is my buddy's 82 (?) mini truck- chromalie axles, 5.29 gears, dual T-cases, 33" BFG a/t's. His truck is sweet.



When I got home from school for the summer I did a couple small things to the outside of the truck.

Added the rear spoiler ($85)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212947070/" title="IMG_0455 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8212947070_8c96647951_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0455"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212946310/" title="IMG_0456 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8212946310_dfbdb2f1b7_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0456"></a>

and the Rola roof rack w/ extension- picked that up for a little under 300 bucks (courtesy of my parents) shipped.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212945464/" title="IMG_0461 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8212945464_01efc4623f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0461"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8211856199/" title="IMG_0462 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8211856199_49ba6ddcbf_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0462"></a>

Right about now the mods are at a stand still because I'm at school in North Dakota, and I'm not going to be working again until I go home for Christmas next Thursday. I'm checking up on everything with the truck because I'm driving home- 1000 miles each way, so hopefully the weather holds off for me for a couple days until I get home!

Random Pic from Starvation Reservoir just for fun
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8212952850/" title="IMG_0380 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8212952850_8e29256cff_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_0380"></a>

Possible mods this winter:

CB and Whip mount on rear corner
custom sliders (I have access and the know-how to use a mig welder through my job- and all the scrap materials I could ever ask for. Thinking of using square tube.)
I also want to paint my wheels because the finish on mine are starting to get pitted and not look so great up close. I'm more than open to any suggestions for color.

 

[mikebontoft]

welcome to the site man. Yeah you're out there for school. I'm in state at least. finals week!

On your sliders, just make sure There's no sharp edges. it makes sense to not get caught on them

You're in the same position I was with wheels. Nice, but kinda hurt. try plastidip on them.

I hate you because you have my ideal 3rd gen. v6?

 

[UT Hack]

welcome to the site man. Yeah you're out there for school. I'm in state at least. finals week!

On your sliders, just make sure There's no sharp edges. it makes sense to not get caught on them

You're in the same position I was with wheels. Nice, but kinda hurt. try plastidip on them.

I hate you because you have my ideal 3rd gen. v6?

yessir on the V6. I've already got a design in mind for the sliders, they'll be really well done. I've been welding since I was about 13 years old (21 now) it shouldn't be any trouble to get them the way I want them.

I've heard plasti-dip tends to be really hard to keep clean, but then again I suppose I could clear coat over it to keep the crud off the actual plasti-dip?

 

[mikebontoft]

yessir on the V6. I've already got a design in mind for the sliders, they'll be really well done. I've been welding since I was about 13 years old (21 now) it shouldn't be any trouble to get them the way I want them.

I've heard plasti-dip tends to be really hard to keep clean, but then again I suppose I could clear coat over it to keep the crud off the actual plasti-dip?

you started welding at the same age as my grandpa. cool. that was his lifetime career. loved it. Ill be done with my welding cert in may along with my auto degree.

I wouldn't clear the dip. I did many light coats. I went wheeling and let it dry to test it out. Power washed it about four inches away with no trouble. If it ever looks crappy just recoat it.

 

[squabeggz]

Nice, another UT. I'm out in Magna. Nice runner, BTW. I'm in the same boat as you...My wheels are horribly pitted. I'm either gonna try and score some LC80s or fill, sand and paint the existing ones....maybe both. If I ever get my sliders, maybe I can bribe you to weld them up for me.

Look forward to seeing more.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

dang guys we seriously need to get another UT meet together!

Anyway nice find man! I've always wondered where that trail was in AF Canyon. It's literally down the street from me. I've only found half trails up in Cedar Hills ANy way welcome to the forum!

 

[UT Hack]

Yeah I'd be down. GottaBeTRD I saw the way you did your gauges... Those look AWESOME man I'd love to do mine that way but to be honest I'm a little timid about pulling my dash apart.. I ripped into it to do my stereo no problem but I have no idea how to do anything around the gauges.

 

[UT Hack]

Come to think of it I completely forgot to add my stereo swap in the first post- I did that in August as well.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hacksays/8211880103/" title="IMG_0337 by HackSays, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8211880103_cee4c95efa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0337"></a>

Pioneer 2400DVD? I'm not positive on the model number off the top of my head. It's not a Navi- I figure I have a smartphone in my pocket with all that extra crap so I didn't see any point in spending the extra 400 bucks on one with navigation. This one still does Pandora when I plug my phone into the USB, bluetooth, hands-free calling, touch screen, the whole bit. I'm very satisfied with it so far and it definitely improved the sound of the stock speakers. I also have a 12" kenwood sub in the back, but everyone knows what they look like so I won't post a pic.

 

[mikebontoft]

I'd love to have one of those in mine. Eventually anyway.

 

[UT Hack]

Picked it up on amazon I think for about 265. Wiring harness was 5 bucks. I bought soldering iron so that added a little to the total cost but I'll use that in later projects... I'll call it a tax write off for now. haha.

 

[mikebontoft]

can't go wrong with those. I think I have two soldering irons and one or two soldering pencils.

 

[shootmymime]

im kinda like you, going across the country for school (byu, ID) and live in missouri,

how do you like your head unit? i have the older model. if you look just under you usb port it has the model number for the unit.
for under $300? thats pretty good! was it used? also there is a cable you can use ($50ish) that you can play apps (other than pandora) on it. like motion X GPS for a navi. and youtube videos. great stuff.
ive been looking at switching to a newer head unit. we will c.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Yeah I'd be down. GottaBeTRD I saw the way you did your gauges... Those look AWESOME man I'd love to do mine that way but to be honest I'm a little timid about pulling my dash apart.. I ripped into it to do my stereo no problem but I have no idea how to do anything around the gauges.

thanks man, let me know when your in the area and you have the bulbs, I can help you get it done. It's not hard to do. I too get nervous with just about every project i do on my rig. I see it as a starting point; there's one for everything and once you get started the going never stops lol

 

[UT Hack]

im kinda like you, going across the country for school (byu, ID) and live in missouri,

how do you like your head unit? i have the older model. if you look just under you usb port it has the model number for the unit.
for under $300? thats pretty good! was it used? also there is a cable you can use ($50ish) that you can play apps (other than pandora) on it. like motion X GPS for a navi. and youtube videos. great stuff.
ive been looking at switching to a newer head unit. we will c.

I'm really pleased with my headunit. The only complaint that I have is that it reads info off of my iPhone slower than it would my iPod, like track names, switching songs, etc. I'm not sure why that's what happens but it's such a small problem I don't even think I'd call it a complaint. It's really just one small thing that could be better, haha.

thanks man, let me know when your in the area and you have the bulbs, I can help you get it done. It's not hard to do. I too get nervous with just about every project i do on my rig. I see it as a starting point; there's one for everything and once you get started the going never stops lol

Thanks man I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on that, but it might not be for a long time... other than a couple weeks for Christmas I might not be home for a year- I'm a baseball player so I play all summer and this year I'm staying up north most likely to play for my current coach's summer team. I might just stay up there and find a job. I might as well, growin up and all that.

 

[UT Hack]

I'm definitely with you on the addiction to modding thing.. I've barely even started with my "to-do" list and I'd always have a project going if I wasn't in school full time with no job.

 

[T4R_MTL]

That is one clean truck! :guitar2:

 

[UT Hack]

That is one clean truck! :guitar2:

Thanks boss. Definitely got lucky finding one so clean with the 5-speed.

 

[puppetz007]

dang guys we seriously need to get another UT meet together!

Anyway nice find man! I've always wondered where that trail was in AF Canyon. It's literally down the street from me. I've only found half trails up in Cedar Hills ANy way welcome to the forum!

Check this out: Utah DesertRunners T4R
A couple of us local guys from here and RME4X4 started our on little forum. We try to get together once a month for wrenching parties or wheeling trips.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

I'm really pleased with my headunit. The only complaint that I have is that it reads info off of my iPhone slower than it would my iPod, like track names, switching songs, etc. I'm not sure why that's what happens but it's such a small problem I don't even think I'd call it a complaint. It's really just one small thing that could be better, haha.




Thanks man I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on that, but it might not be for a long time... other than a couple weeks for Christmas I might not be home for a year- I'm a baseball player so I play all summer and this year I'm staying up north most likely to play for my current coach's summer team. I might just stay up there and find a job. I might as well, growin up and all that.

I think we've talked about this before, the gears are moving in my head lol! anyway sound good man!

Check this out: Utah DesertRunners T4R
A couple of us local guys from here and RME4X4 started our on little forum. We try to get together once a month for wrenching parties or wheeling trips.

cool man i just joined, I guess i cant post yet cause I'm too new??

 

[puppetz007]

cool man i just joined, I guess i cant post yet cause I'm too new??

Saw your new thread about your rig. Welcome.

(Sorry UT Hack about hi-jacking the thread for a minute)