My rebuilt engine. I didnt clean everything because I just wanted to get her running again:



Just a new poser shot

 

1990 4 runner

 

All this talk about dash light replacement... It can't really be that hard to do, right?

There are 3 bulbs in the instrument cluster in my Durango. Each bulb went out one at a time, several months apart, until finally (over a year ago) the last one went out. I spent an hour just looking at the dash trying to figure out how to get in there before I gave up. The dealer was going to charge like $3.00 a bulb, and $110 for an hour of labor to change them. I'm still driving at night wondering what my temp is, how fast I'm going, and how much gas I got left.

 

Looks good 907! What kind of paint did you use on your header?

Poser pics

temporary-107.jpg?t=1349653245

 

Well I guess everything isn't stock haha I hate a loose truck so I've replaced many joints and bushings over the last year. Rebuilt the steering box too. Running 1.5" BJ spacers up front and until I find some Chevy springs I have the zuk mod in back with 14" springs.

 

Thanks, man. I used VHT High-Temp Header paint for it. Its what they had at Oreilley's.

 

Headed up Mount Cheam again yesterday, perfect weather for both the drive up and the hike to the summit. Lady Peak is visible in the background of these photos taken about halfway up to the trailhead.

 

AZ, I gotcha! I wasn't being smartypantsish! lol... Just messin. I hear ya on the rear springs... BUT, I've decided to try a different approach. Most Alcan and other kits are 56"... And I found(thanks to Jason_TN) that Dakota Springs are 24/32, .... 56", and rated from 2550# down to 1100#... I thought I was getting the heavier rated ones.. But ended up with 1998 Dakota Springs rated at 1800#... Still better than ours and longer.. SO, they might just work but not be SOOOO long as to cause the axle wrap and forward angle problems that I've read from 63's... Plus, they should give a lil lift(more depending on shackle set up maybe?)... Got both pairs with hangers off an 89K mile rig for 28$! hehehe. Posted lots of info(starting info, not declarative or final by any means) in my build thread. Gonna start another thread just for Springs, LED lighting, and more, soon. Just trying to find time, YA KNOW? lol.

Best wishes no matter whatcha do, AZ

Awareness.... DAYUM, loving those pics! Nice rig, too!

 

PS> Badger....

I am NOT opposed to using LED's for the dash... BUT, I like the defined colors and such that you get with the OEM GREEN or maybe white(I've got lots of extras, so I'll try white and amber even for the dash/gauges, too...haven't tried them yet but I will just for S&G's )....

I didn't know this, but the dimmer, when bad, can effect the 'full illumination' factor of the lights... I could BARELY see "CRUISE" and the gauges were just not very bright at all... I couldn't see the buttons for window up down and such really either... NOW, after cleaning up the green coated bulbs, replacing the dimmer with a PERFECTLY working one from a member here.... I not only can dim, but they seem WAY brighter than I ever remember!

This is NOT what I see in person.. Not QUITE this bright... BUT, WAY brighter than I remember and even than many I've seen in other peoples rigs... So maybe there's something to the 'dimmer fading out toward the ''higher end'' ' factor? >>>>





I LOVE having the RED sections visible and the Yellow of the "KILOMETERS" portion of the Speedo... What I don't really like about the LEDs is they seem to lose that, unless you go with White. SO, sure, I might go white if I like it when I swap in the stock ones... BUT, for now, I can't spend 30$ on those inclinometer and dash lights from www.superbrighleds.com (<<< NOT a spam shout out! hahaha)... I WOULD LIKE to have the Blue, matching my stereo... BUT, again, the red and other details of the stock intention seems to be lost....

All the rest of my rig is LED now... BUT, the dash lights are only on when driving... so i'm not worried about losing battery function and such... Cuz while I might leave a dome or the map lights on.. I NEVER have left my headlights on or even marker lights.

PS> I read someone cleaned up the brushes or something on the dimmer and their lights got brighter... My dimmer was toast.. DID NOT dim at all.

 

Now that you mention it, Chef... I agree. I think I'd like white, to still be able to see the red/yellow. Food for thought. Thanks

 

OK I'll admit- I'm a sucker for awesome looking fire service vehicles... and the 4 door Hilux... so when I see them together, I can't help but share. This just goes to prove what we already know, our Toyota trucks are AWESOME.

1993 Hilux


1991 Hilux


1993 2 Door


HAHA I just noticed the seatbelt hanging out the door

1994

 

Man I so wish I could have one if those Hilux trucks. I've always liked the look of 4door ones.

 

I wish our post '85 trucks had solid front axles.

 

They should have at least offered it in some models as a choice of IFS or SFA huh.

 

i know this isnt a 90-95 runner but here is a picture of my plasti dipped rims

 

Damn nice almost makes me wish mine was blue i like that look.. but im happy with the REDrum colors lol

 

drool

 

Dang chef those are bright! Just from changing the dimmer? My dimmer works fine but my lights are no where near that bright. You say gave your bulbs a good cleaning...but mine are clear with a green sleeve over them ? Im going to gve my dimmer a good cleaning see if it DOES get brighter.

Some recent pics for the thread




-RONI-

 

Yeah, Assyrian... I cleaned the bulbs and INSIDE the cluster. The rubber film on my bulbs were CAKED with some kind of film/oily residue... I have CLEAR/White ones, too... I'll try them and take pics.(I just try to avoid tearing things apart as much as possible, especially on these, since SO MANY clips and such snap, ya know? ahhaa).......

I've also read that Autolumination.com and superbrightleds.com sell 'brighter' gauge lights, Platinum or something from Sylvania.... Even the 'Silverstar' versions are coming out for the 194's, ... I JUST MAY try them and put on the "SILICONE" sleeves that Superbrightleds.com sells, ya know? (I think they take up to 500*F?) ... I THINK, this way, the red and all that would still be visible...

Also, as I said(I think? lol)... "They are NOT as bright as the pic.... BUT, much brighter than they were and PLENTY bright for anyone that's not blind... I did a video too, but it was too dim cuz the camera kept adjusting"... I was gonna post the video, but then you'd have to 'GUESS' as to what they look like to the eye, ya know?

All I know is this; I AM POSITIVE that when I changed the dimmer... the whole shebang lit up like 2x's as bright... PERIOD! So I KNOW the dimmer was limiting things... BUT, NOT sure yours would be doing the same...

......... and the problem in this theory being applied to your rig? You have a TOTALLY different dimmer that is much less likely to fail(from what I've read).. I have a 2nd Gen Dimmer I got from a PYPart rig one of my trips... The plug is TOTALLY different and the entire apparatus is encapsulated. I'm not sure you could clean the contacts... BUT, it might be easily opened, I'm just not sure.

 

Ive done the plastidip wheels. My brother did it then i copied him, and now we see guys all around town here in Abq that are doing it haha