What mods to make while interior is gutted?

[4Runner4Leon]

As the title says, I'm planning to gut the interior to replace the headliner, carpet, and rear cargo trim panels.

I plan to run wires to the rear of the console for the ashtray to power outlet conversion, as well as to the back right rear corner of the cargo for the new power outlet that comes with the '99 trim panels.

What else I can do while I have it apart do avoid tearing things apart twice?

 

[Falonious]

If it were me, I'd be looking at adding some real noise abatement. Would love to have mine quieter on the road. Perfect time to add some soundproofing.

 

[Tiktiki]

I expect to gut the whole inside soonish too.

I have a 800W power inverter I plan on installing the the back, so running power cables and adding a fuse box is in order on mine too.

The rest all depends on what you want/need.
Other than replacing speaker wires/adding more sound components, there is not much else you really need...

 

[Unner]

Sound deadening for sure, prewiring for future mods, air compressor, cb antenna cable, etc.

Deep cleaning.

That's about all I've got. If you take the door panels off too consider replacing the speakers and doing sound deadening as well.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Clean out the the water gutter drains to prevent futures leaks and If was to mod anything it would to make a trap door for accessing the fuel pump..

 

[4Reak Show]

I know a lot of 3rd genners like the door unlock switch in the rear cargo area for camping. Or the rear window roll down switch back there too. That's a cool mod if it's something you're into.

In my 2nd gen I ran all my roof rack lights thru the 3rd brake light housing with a fuse box back there. That's another thing to think about for long term stuff. You could just have like 10 wires all ran ready to go if you wanted to tackle it in the future and only have a couple panels to remove instead of an entire interior.

 

[ltsr]

If you are interested in adding a backup camera and haven't done so. Run the wiring now. It was a PITA to do it on mine. I know there is wireless technology available now so this might not be an issue for you.

 

[Ghostrider]

If you are adding a rear antenna for a CB then running the cable to the unit is much easier without carpet.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Sound deadening, especially in the cargo bay. Doesn't matter if you're putting in a sound system or not, you'll appreciate not hearing the road noise from the back.

 

[carp73]

I agree with everyone else. Run wires for any mods you can think of doing in the future, or maybe a wire chase from front to back that you could fish through in the future, maybe above the headliner? Not sure how much room there is though. Also deep clean and sound deadening. Oh, and if you are removing the dash too maybe think about upgrading dash lights to LED. I haven't done it but from pics looks to be a good mod.

Oh, and one last thing check to make sure the tube that runs from the engine bay to the rear window washer is sealed everywhere. I apparently had a leak under my passenger side floor mat. Washer wasn't very strong and I was pulling the carpet to do something else and the whole thing was sopping wet with blue liquid!

 

[OneOffStroker]

I did the 99+ rear panels in mine as well. (well, just the passenger side for the larger cargo pocket)

I just want to warn you now if you don't already know, IT IS NOT A STRAIGHT BOLT-IN!! There is a significant amount of cutting involved. There are some support webs in the rear walls that need to be cut away to make room for the larger cargo space. So fit the panels before you start with sound deadening and carpet, so that you don't get metal shaving in all of that.

Otherwise, yeah...do all the cool things that everyone else said. :becky:

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

I'm going to divide the gutting into stages, as this is my daily driver - headliner; cabin carpet; rear cargo side panels and carpet/floor.

I swapped the headliner last weekend, as I was worried about it getting damaged while sitting around. Fortunately I didn't see many suggestions to do anything above the headliner, so I didn't miss anything (I did clear out the drain tubes, thanks for the suggestion!)

Next is the cabin carpet. I read a few articles on sound deadening, but it seems like the most bang for the back is from putting this material in doors, quarter panels, and cargo floor. I didn't see much discussion of putting it on the cabin floor. Do you guys agree, or should I plan to put some on the floor while I have the carpet out? I'm leaning towards one of the RAAMaudio packages (Package # 2 -------- 30 Sheets of RAAMmat BXT II (56.25 sq ft) and 4 1/2 yards of Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick Foam (62.43 sq ft) - RAAMaudio Inc.), does that seem to be a common recommendation?

I don't think I'll run any wires under the carpet other than to the power outlets. I think that whatever I run now will end up being either too short, or the wrong gauge, by the time I actually decide to do something with it. Besides, it's not the end of the world to yank the seats out and lift the carpet later, if I really have to.

Then I'll move to the cargo area. I'll definitely do some soundproofing there, so a confirmation on the RAAMaudio approach would be great. I am also aware that some trimming would be required to get the '99 panels into a '97, thanks for the reminder! I plan to go the route of "storage compartment mod" by removing the plastic insert.

Any other ideas/thoughts?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

I'm going to divide the gutting into stages, as this is my daily driver - headliner; cabin carpet; rear cargo side panels and carpet/floor.

I swapped the headliner last weekend, as I was worried about it getting damaged while sitting around. Fortunately I didn't see many suggestions to do anything above the headliner, so I didn't miss anything (I did clear out the drain tubes, thanks for the suggestion!)

Next is the cabin carpet. I read a few articles on sound deadening, but it seems like the most bang for the back is from putting this material in doors, quarter panels, and cargo floor. I didn't see much discussion of putting it on the cabin floor. Do you guys agree, or should I plan to put some on the floor while I have the carpet out? I'm leaning towards one of the RAAMaudio packages (Package # 2 -------- 30 Sheets of RAAMmat BXT II (56.25 sq ft) and 4 1/2 yards of Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick Foam (62.43 sq ft) - RAAMaudio Inc.), does that seem to be a common recommendation?

I don't think I'll run any wires under the carpet other than to the power outlets. I think that whatever I run now will end up being either too short, or the wrong gauge, by the time I actually decide to do something with it. Besides, it's not the end of the world to yank the seats out and lift the carpet later, if I really have to.

Then I'll move to the cargo area. I'll definitely do some soundproofing there, so a confirmation on the RAAMaudio approach would be great. I am also aware that some trimming would be required to get the '99 panels into a '97, thanks for the reminder! I plan to go the route of "storage compartment mod" by removing the plastic insert.

Any other ideas/thoughts?

I put RAAMmat in my vehicle, it's high quality stuff without a huge price tag. Check out my build thread on where I put it and how much. You will want a layer of mat in the rear cargo, then ensolite foam, then a second layer of mat and then a second layer of ensolite. It's SUPER loud from the rear cargo area. Almost all of the road noise you hear is from that back area, very little noise from the floor/doors in comparison. Of course though, if you only do the rear cargo area and nothing else then your doors will sound noisy LOL. I love how quiet my 4Runner is, although once you get the deadening in you'll notice the windows are noisy but nothing can be done there.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I put RAAMmat in my vehicle, it's high quality stuff without a huge price tag. Check out my build thread on where I put it and how much. You will want a layer of mat in the rear cargo, then ensolite foam, then a second layer of mat and then a second layer of ensolite. It's SUPER loud from the rear cargo area. Almost all of the road noise you hear is from that back area, very little noise from the floor/doors in comparison. Of course though, if you only do the rear cargo area and nothing else then your doors will sound noisy LOL. I love how quiet my 4Runner is, although once you get the deadening in you'll notice the windows are noisy but nothing can be done there.

Thanks Jerod, I did see your posts in some of the threads, that's what turned me on to RAAMmat. So am I hearing you say that it's not all that valuable on the main cabin floor, just the cargo area and doors?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks Jerod, I did see your posts in some of the threads, that's what turned me on to RAAMmat. So am I hearing you say that it's not all that valuable on the main cabin floor, just the cargo area and doors?

Yes, that'd be third on the list. I stopped after rear cargo and doors but most of the sound I head now is through the firewall/floor and the windows but way less than what it was before. If you want to go all out you'll need to pull some stuff from the dash to get to the firewall so not sure if it's even worth it at that point. Roof deadening is not needed but I think you already figured that one out.

Finally found the link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...nd-deadening-tutroial-body-panel-removal.html. That's a thread with comments from the Owner of RAAM Audio, Rick and how he did the sound deadening on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I follow this pretty much to a t except for the flooring and it turned out amazing.

EDIT x2: I forgot you have a 97. Remove the black storage box from the rear cargo storage hatch and put carpeting down over the expanse and triple your storage in the back. Easy do with the rear panels already removed.

 

[phattyduck]

Finally found the link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...nd-deadening-tutroial-body-panel-removal.html. That's a thread with comments from the Owner of RAAM Audio, Rick and how he did the sound deadening on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I follow this pretty much to a t except for the flooring and it turned out amazing.

I met Rick back in '03 or '04 - great guy. He help my roommate at the time install a fully stereo in his Matrix XRS (Rick had a turbo Matrix at the time). Got to see his Tacoma too - that thing was well built for audio! 1996 Toyota Tacoma

Looks like Rick is mostly retired but still involved somewhat in the business.

-Charlie

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Yes, that'd be third on the list. I stopped after rear cargo and doors but most of the sound I head now is through the firewall/floor and the windows but way less than what it was before. If you want to go all out you'll need to pull some stuff from the dash to get to the firewall so not sure if it's even worth it at that point. Roof deadening is not needed but I think you already figured that one out.

Finally found the link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...nd-deadening-tutroial-body-panel-removal.html. That's a thread with comments from the Owner of RAAM Audio, Rick and how he did the sound deadening on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I follow this pretty much to a t except for the flooring and it turned out amazing.

EDIT x2: I forgot you have a 97. Remove the black storage box from the rear cargo storage hatch and put carpeting down over the expanse and triple your storage in the back. Easy do with the rear panels already removed.

Thanks! And I'm upgrading my '97 to the '99 cargo panels, but also plan to remove the plastic insert to increase the storage compartment volume, thanks!

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Moving right along, I got the carpet installed today. I ended up not using any sound proofing on the floor - it seems to be already covered with all sorts of damping and insulation materials:

 

[Kanoe]

This suggestion is a personal preference.

I got rid of the rear heater fan and heater core assembly all together. The lines to the engine bay had been out for years. Now instead of a useless hunk of crap under the passenger seat, there is now a big cavity space which the wife has turned into a traveling library. She can pack a lot of books in there now! I have kept all the parts in a box so the rear heat could be re-installed if wanted. We never used it anyway.

 

[Mark_BC]

We never used it anyway.

And you are in the Yukon so that's saying something!!! Thanks for the suggestion.