Lurch

I finally got around to removing all the badges from the rear of my 'Runner this weekend.

Thanks to the info in this forum, removal was a cinch. Fishing line worked better than dental floss.

However, the goo that remained was a real bear to remove! I used a "stripe eraser" to get most of it off, but the outlines remained visible. I tried "Goo Gone" (orange oil), tar remover and laquer thinner (worked the best.) I may try buffing out the remainder, but for now it's OK.

The holes from the Toyota badge were easy to plug. Not being in interested in body work and painting to fill the holes, I went to a hardware store and got two 1/4" black plastic plugs. They popped right in and are barely noticable.

So, if you've been wanting to remove that badge but didn't want the hassle of patching the holes, try the plugs.

Mad Chemist

Pics? Sounds cool man, I'd be interested in seeing a badgeless runner.

Lurch

Here you go ...

Vato Loco

That looks real good!

doink

looks like you have dual exhaust..is it functional?

Lurch

Yeah, the exhaust is functional. Not sure why everybody thinks that it can't be done.

I took it to a local muffler shop and 'splained to the guy what I wanted -- he pulled out a 14" Magnaflow one-in-two-out muffler and bent the pipes. They go back, up and over the axles, around the spare and straight back. No problems.

However, I soon tired of the loudness of the exhaust (hey, I'm old, OK?) I took it back to him and asked if he could yank off the 14" and replace it with a 24". He did and only charged me $40 for the labor! Unfortunately, they're not perfectly lined up now -- one sits a bit higher than the other. He volunteered to fix that, but I just haven't had the time.

Gadget

How much of a difference was there between the 14" and 24" muffler as far as tone and sound level? If you have heard it, how does it compare to the Borla made TRD exhaust?

Which badges needed the plugs?

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

Toyota Punk

Just the Toyota symbol needs the plugs. I left mine on for two reasons; 1. I didn't want to deal with the holes, and 2. because too many ignorant people tell me "Oooh that's a nice truck. What is that an Explorer?" I really want to just hit them, but if that badge saves me the trouble then that's great!

BTW that looks really good VF. I used dental floss because I didn't have any fishing line and I didn't want to spend any money. It broke an awful lot but it got the job done. Here's my after pic -

RidgeRunner

I took the gold badge off the front and am thinking I should take everything off the back except the badge because of the holes.

That back end looks a lot cleaner to me.

Mick

Toyota Punk

RidgeRunner, I'm really diggin the way you integrated the mesh in your TJM and painted the grille. Looks really sharp and a cool idea! Makes it look like it's one piece.

Lurch

Gadget --

HUGE difference between the 14" and 24". If I had a manual transmission, I'd have enjoyed the 14" rumble more. However, I'm not a fan of the sound of an automatic tranny and loud mufflers.

The 24" is nearly stock. Slight rumble at idle, stone silent at cruise. Works for me.

RidgeRunner

Thanks, Vince, glad you like it. My son helped with ideas and physical labor.

Mick