fletcher0780

Utah4Runner86

iTrader: (1)

Holy cow, you do good work! I wish my truck looked half that good!

fletcher0780

fletcher0780

Got the truck bolted back together, all the little trim pieces on , etc. Installed my new radio, and it works great. Need to find some new rear speakers though, the truck boxes I have don't really fit behind the seat very well. I'm still waiting on the fuel filler pot, so I have the filler neck ghetto rigged in the gaping hole on the bedside. We've had ˟˟˟˟ty weather the last couple days, so I haven't had a chance to take any decent pictures yet. I still need to prep and paint the cap and mount the plow.

Here's a pic of my beautiful filler neck:

Toyotally

i wish i knew how to do body work like that, and a place to do it. looks good man

fletcher0780

It's a learning process. I've got a friend who has been doing body work for 20+ years, he's been very gracious to teach me and assist along the way. I haven't sprayed anything myself yet, but may start with the cap.

fletcher0780

fletcher0780

So I'm still waiting on my fuel filler pot, getting ready to ask for a refund and just make one myself. I bought a set of sport bucket seats out of a 90 4runner, as well as, a center console. The seats are in good shape, except for a hole in the center of the drivers seat cushion, and they are tan. I'm going to clean and spray dye the plastic parts to match the gray interior of my truck. I also bought a set of unused original factory gray seat covers and a seat heater kit to install under the covers. I need to build a bracket to install the center console too. This weekend I'd like to get the plow wired and mounted, install the hitch and wiring harness, begin prepping cap for paint, and pull old covers off of the bucket seats. The seats look like they will be way more comfortable than the crappy worn out bench, especially with the heaters for those long rides and for snow plowing. I'll post up some before pictures of the seats tomorrow.

fletcher0780

Pulled the covers and trim off the new sr5 seats, cleaned up plastic and dyed it gray. My extended cab cap won't work on my truck, so I need to sell it and find a standard cab cap.

Also I still need a fuel filler pot, that one from show-cars in Canada is a no-show. If you have one in decent shape, I'd be happy to buy it from you. I know there are guys pulling their beds off so there must be a few around.

fletcher0780

I saved the brown/tan seat covers from my new sr5 seats. the passenger is just about perfect, and the back section of the drivers is very nice. The seat on the drivers has that nasty hole in the picture, but the bolsters are pretty good. I'd be willing to give them to anyone in need, or ship for postage.

I ordered a pair of hog ring pliers and 250 rings to attach the new covers to the seats, I'll post pictures when I get to that point. I also checked out a plow frame on a 94 so I have an idea of how to build my brackets. Overall, I'm happy with my progress so far, I get lots of offers to buy the truck at gas stations. Once I have comfy seats, I'll be even better! I still have a vibration at stop lights and various RPM's, and think it may be the motor mounts, so I'll order a set. The truck is coming along so well, that I hink I'll start collecting parts to install AC, as I hate the heat. My first milage check on a full tank show 20 MPG, which makes me happy! Hopefully I'll have some more updated pictures soon.

One thing I don't have is the bracket to mount my center console (it came from a 4runner with rear heat) can anyone help out with this?

fletcher0780

Still waiting on my seat heater kit and those factory gray seat covers, my bench seat will not be missed! That seat is the single most miserably uncomfortable POS I have ever sat on.

The truck is continuing to run well and drive smooth. I've started to fab the brackets for my plow frame, so far I made two 9" long 3x3 L brackets that bolt to the bottom of the frame. I'll modify my old TJ jeep frame to mount to those brackets.

I was unable to locate a good fuel filler pot, so I sandblasted mine, which left little metal behind, and applied several layers of fiberglass mat to rebuild it. It feels solid and fits OK now, and I finally have a gas door on my truck.

fletcher0780

I've got my plow frame brackets built and tacked, just need to bolt them to the frame for a final test fit and figure out where to cut and weld the plow mount. Once that is complete, I need to wire in light harness and power to plow motor, control is all RF.

My new/old seat covers arrived and look great. The only down side is they came off non-sr5 seats, so the head rest cover doesn't fit and there are no holes for the lumbar and other knob on drivers seat. I covered both seat bases without much issue, although to accommodate for the really large (18"x9") seat heater pads, I had to leave that center wire that gets hog ringed to the base out. The covers still appear tight, so I'm not too worried. I'm hoping I don't run into any issues installing the seat back covers, I can't tell if the sr5 has larger bolsters or not. I will need to cut holes for the drivers side knobs. The new covers are vinyl/pleather where the knobs are located, so I think just a round hole cut with a razor will be fine. Below is a picture of the heater element stuck to the seat foam and the new cover going on, I'll take more pictures as progress is made.

fletcher0780

got the plow frame roughed up, just need to verify fitment, then finish welding and paint:







Also got more work done on the seats. I need to find matching headrests, and wire up heaters:

HighLux

Like the way you work. Nice truck.

MUD-LIGHT

That thing is gonna look like it came right off the lot!

fletcher0780

fletcher0780

Well, the truck plowed the wet heavy snow well the other day. It was a bit light in the rear, so I added 300lbs of tube sand. Looking out my window, I have about 10" of fresh snow waiting to be plowed in the morning. Hopefully she'll push through with no issues.

fletcher0780

So, I cant leave well enough alone. I'm considering a 7MGE or 7MGTE engine swap, depending on what I can find for a donor. I see a handful of running Cressida's with the non turbo engine going for under $1000. Based on the research I've done, the Cressida oil pan clears the IFS, since it's from an auto, it will bolt directly to my auto trans, and the motor mounts from the 22RE line right up. I think the most difficult part will be wiring (easier if I get an entire donor car) and the cooling system. Anyone think I'm way off here? I've read a lot, but most people go with the manual trans. The 80HP jump should make highway travel much nicer, and I don't think I'll see much of a drop, if any, in MPG's.