240K? Hot damn! Looking good as always, man!

 

Thanks man. Hopfully the next spot will be far more secluded.


Yeah this trucks done the Phoenix-Chicago trip quite a few times. This last time it will be delivered not driven!


-RONI-

 

Very cool Runner

 

Thank you Johny.

-RONI-

 

Had time to get a few things done today. Fixed the gas door again....The heat beats every epoxy I use. This time I'm Using LocTite brand so we will see how long that one works. I also routed my cell phone charger wire behind the dash. It was a pain but worth it to me because that wire was just in the way WAY too much!(and I won't be getting rid of my phone anytime soon I love it!) Installed the new shift knob that came in today. Looks good I like it. Kind of out of the blue but...I also painted my calipers! I was looking for some red spray paint for a tool box project I'm working on and I came across a kit to paint brake calipers. It was 20$ and came with ceramic paint, brake cleaner, paint brush, a role of tape and stir stick.

To paint that calipers I brushed it off dry with a stiff bristled brush then brushed it again after spraying brake cleaner. Masked off what I didn't want painted and threw on 3 medium coats of the red paint using the brush provided. Taking them off was recommended but I figured I'd leave them on and just be careful. 1 day I will do v6 brake swap anyway
For 20$ bucks you can't beat it! If I was to do it again I would use a different brush cause the one provided started falling apart towards the end. Other then that paint looks great in my opinion.

PICS

Oh yeah I forgot to mention I also did a tire rotation.




My TRD dash mount!


The brake dust was killing me so used a bandana and safety glasses ...so I looked pretty gangster.

Masked off a few bolts.












-RONI-

 

I'm loving how similar our builds are.

What is your next plan? I'm going to start stripping down my 2nd Gen parts truck to get at the frame and restore it for a body swap and better suspension. I want that Blazeland long travel especially due to it's money for value. I can't justify getting a Total Chaos kit. With that kind of money I could do a coil over SAS!


I'm going to copy your caliper paint job for sure.

Do you still have your ADD axle tube? I had to ditch mine, the cold messes with the vacuume system too much up here.

 

Very similar! Your build just moves along much faster!lol

Next plan....Oh idk...I have a long list of plans I just can't afford them right now. Once I get settled in Chicago things should start picking up for my rig. I have not looked at brands and prices but I am def. going to be IFS on this rig.(I'm sure you'll have your setup on far before mine so I will be watching your thread) As far as mods to be done "soon" well, I do need a new transmission. Been looking at the pricey HD Marlin rebuilt W56E....Freegin expensive but I WANT!! hahahaaa I'm going to do the battery/intake location swap along with v6 brake swap as well. I'm not sure but I think not having a rear bumper in Chicago will get me a ticket so I've been looking at the 4xInovations bumper. I really really really like that bumper so I'm thinkin about makin that purchase pretty soon here. Maybe in the future I could have someone weld on a swing out tire carrier on top of the bumper ....that would be sweet. I have yet to see a lighting setup Like the one I want...at least not on a yota. I want something like THIS to be mounted close to the windshield. It seems to me that most people using the Yakima rack just buy the mounts for it and throw the lights on top of the rack. That just seems to high for me....

So those are a few of the "plans"....most likely to happen first is rear bumper, intake swap, and TRANSMISSION but with all the other misc. things I have on my plate who knows! I still have to do the damn head gaskets and steering rack on the Suby!

The caliper paint looks great IMHO...I might do it again after v6 brake swap. Yes I do still have the dang ADD tube....can't wait to get rid of it to....

Those pics in your thread are great man, I need to head over there and do a trail run with you fo sho haha!


I gave the rig a GOOD wash this weekend....I think next weekend I'll throw on a coat of wax cause she needs it bad.

-RONI-

 

It's really too bad that I live so far away. I'd give you one of my spare trannies.

I've got three spares. One automatic from a second gen 22re, one from a 1st Gen 3.0 and another 1st Gen from a 22RE we found at the dump along with its matching gear driven transfer case. I plan on regearing it and throwing into my rig at some future date.
Chicago is awesome, I love that town. I hope you enjoy your time there.


The build has gone quick because I work at a diamond mine. My roster is two weeks on two off. You can get a lot done with a two week break. The money is pretty good too. I'd recommend trying to get into mining. It does take awhile to get the first job but once you're in you're in. I also don't have a cool car like a Subaru to spend money on. What one do you have?

It also helps to have an awesome friend who knows what he's doing. He's really taught me a lot, everything really. He's the dude in many of the work photo's who eats less.

My build will slow down now. My missus has reached her limit on the spending spree. If I push her much more I'll be cut off and on the couch.

If you have the space in Chicago look around for wrecks, I've bought two so far for dirt cheap. $150 for the 1st Gen, $75 between me and my mate. Got more than my money's worth. The axle tube swap might be a good idea seeing as you are about to get some real winters. Those vacuume lines can freeze up.

My next trip will be the East Coast of Canada. Not for awhile yet but when it happens if you are still out there we should meet up for camping and wheeling. At least a beer in Chicago. Like I said, great town love it there.

 

I WISH I had the room for a parts rig! Living in Chicago I won't even have room for my truck!

I know what you mean about having a knowledgeable friend man...most of what I've learned in the world of autos I learned from my cousin D. It's great to have someone willing to wrench and teach at the same time.

The Subaru was a recent purchase for the GF. It's going to be the daily AWD It is a 1998 Legacy GT Limited. Bought for 1000$ with bent valves and has come a long way since then.
Here she is the day I bought her. Had to tow it to Phoenix from Tuscon.

Here is where it sits now...awaiting head gaskets and STI steering rack.

I have a build thread link in my Sig.

I'm always down to meet fellow yotatechers...especially for some wheelin. Don't know how much of that there will be around Chicago though. My truck is going to be awkward in the city haha

-RONI-
:banger

 

Roni, it's hard to see how that mounts to the cab. Probably straight into the body after drilling holes in it? Idk, but if that's something you're okay with doing, I could make it up in fairly short order and for less than what they're asking. Thinking maybe $85 - $95? If you're interested let me know...oh yeah and type of lites you'd run could have an impact on how high it sits as well.

 

Canada is close to Chicago. Loads of bush just North of your new home! 2nd biggest country on the planet and only 33 million people. Lots of wilderness to explore.

Enjoy

 

Yea I assume drilling right through the body...I was actually planning on bringing his small project to you when I had the lights in hand Ted so I'm glad your chiming in I apreciate it! Now I wanna do this sooner then later....I'm gonna start lookin at some lights lol

-RONI-

 

So I pretty much decided if I'm gonna do lights they are going to be the PIAA ATP 520s. Their expeeennssiiivveee though! ...We'll see what happens.


Went to the stealership today and got a Toyota air filter. After a lot of reading up on the subject I decided that the K&N filter is just not going to cut it. More air = less filtration. Oil doesn't evaporate so where does it go right?...I have used my K&N for a couple years now with no problems but with all the dust and crap in the air while off roading(especially AZ)???? No thanks I'll take a Toyota paper filter pleeaazzz Looking at both filters you can see how much thicker the Toyota filter is. Also for the record my K&N has always been properly maintained. I'll keep it and throw it in the future 22re 2wd pick up after selling the Corolla. I feel it would work ok without a problem in a DD. However, after reading a claim about the oil going from the filter into the motor I did open up my throttle body and found a nice layer of greasy dirt!

Pics




Maybe one day I'll have a nice Pavement pounding 2WD PU to throw this in...

Everything is nice and clean clean clean!

The new Firestick II






-RONI-

 

No pun intended....WOW! You got a huge one....er..ummm...antenna that is. That's what you call it right?!?

No rush on the roof lite bar...I'm just curious as to why they have the bar right behind it?

Airfilter- When I bought the 97' the PO (who I'm realising wasn't very smart when it comes to vehicles) had a K&N...problem: bone dry! No oil at all and yes I did bring to his attention and that was part of my negotiating which prompted more questions about his maintenance of it. Long story really short (for those that know me, I'm usually long winded), it's replacement was an AirHog by Fram. Works great but kinda pricey. More airflow than paper and almost as good as paper for filtration...

 

Hey, real quick...instead of spending $200.00 in a pair of lights like that, drop it on some HELLA 500 driving/ pencil beams and do a HID conversion to H3's. That's what I had on my 90' and they worked so much better than many of the other lights I'd put up against...either KC, PIAA..etc.. You can pick up the conversion kit (single beam) off eBay for like $50.00 each set. I'd tried the 55w, 65w, 100w replacement halogen bulbs, and they taxed the charging system. Went to the HID kit and fell in love with em all over again. Of course now, they have correct kits for the replacement bulb type needed. Oh, another thing...Kelvin: 4300. From all the different light colors I've experimented with as well, be it 5000, 6000, etc...the 4300 gave the whitest light with out any color hue to blue. In my truck, I run 5000 cause I wanted a (very) slight tinge of blue...either way your choice.

 

Yep. 4' same as the last one. This one is noticeably better quality

You know I'm not sure exactly what purpose the bar serves but mounting my lights in that spot alone would look a little weird to me. I feel the little light cage helps the look of the mounted lights flow with the truck more seeing as they will be no where near my roof rack.

Not oiling and over oiling are both not good and unfortunately common. I know a few guys running the AirHog filters with no complaints.

As for the lights, I'm pretty set on the PIAA lights...I just love the way they look I'll be thinking about this and researching for a while before I make any purchases though. I took a look at the Hella 500 and I like how thin they are. Idk y but I can't stand the way KC's look so that's not gonna happen. I don't know if I want to deal with converting to HID either.

------------------------------------------


When I washed the truck the other day I included door jams and under carriage!...and of coarse IT RAINED TODAY!

I greased up drive shafts, ball joints, and pitman arm as well.


PICS
BEFORE

AFTER

I also removed the spare tire stuff seeing as I don't use it anymore.
BEFORE

AFTER

I'll keep it around though ...maybe I'll use it on a diff. project or maybe someone else will?

A lot of hidden mud came out when I power washed under carriage.



-RONI-

 

I bet my spare tire stuff is rusted to the frame.

Are your sway bar links bent? Mine bent with the lift when my panhard bar was at that angle.


What did you do to make your engine bay so clean? Mine is FILTHY!

I'm worried about getting things wet that I shouldn't. Nice work. I should clean mine like that before winter sets in.


I also just noticed your door speakers! How do they sound without a box? I really want a nice sound system. Mine is just two little 4" speakers up front. Its terribad. I want to be able to hear the lyrics with my windows down on my next road trip.

 

If you really want it off PB Blaster works like magic.

Nah my links are fine in the rear and my front sway bar is off (for now).

First I spray Simple Green Lemon degreaser on everything. I find this brand works well without leaving a white residue on everything. I then use the power washer to rinse followed by a light coat of Black Magic shine over everything. After all that I close the hood and wash the rest of the rig. Once everything is done I open the hood back up and wipe everything down to spread the shine rather then just letting it sit on top. The way I see it you can't go wheeling in something that you are afraid to get wet! I do spray WD-40 (water displacement) on electronics and things that I don't want to soak in water but for the most part everything gets wet. It's a good way to not only get familiar with your motor but also make sure its ready for any water crossings you may come across on the trail IMHO. BTW I've been doing this since I got the truck without any problems. If it's really dirty I'll even get in there with the big foam brush!

My speakers are...not bad...They use to be great but I broke the adjustable tweeters
Now that I upgraded to the alpine deck with built in amp my old JBL amp keeps turning off if I go to loud. LAME! I'm O.K with my speakers....I love my deck...but my amp HAS TO GO! I hate it....it cuts off just ass I'm singing my favorite part...with all my windows down for everyone to hear just me hahahaha I do love my install though... huge monster cable all the way around using stock speaker locations and labeled wires going to the amp under the passenger seat. The 6x9s in the rear give out enough bass for me(metal head) to not have a sub. I wouldn't mind having a small sub....but I don't wanna deal with having a random box taking up room in my rig.

-RONI-

 

I hear you on the box taking up room issue. I might modify the little cargo boxes either side to hold something. Depends what I do to my cargo bay.

Id like to create something cool back there with drawers.

 

Hey Roni- We're moving into our new location this week and should be up and running be weeks end. After that, pending orders need to be filled as we get back the momentum with work and all. I don't see it taking more than 2 weeks or so if that's a time frame that your comfortable with. I know those lights are hella expensive but IIRC we may have a set of PIAA's we use to mock up during fab projects. I'll ask Brandon and check specs against the ones you linked to. Anyhow, can't wait to get started on my lagging partial cage project now that the weathers finally cooling down.

BTW, I read up on your Suby project...I was wondering where all your money was going? It's nice though..even caused me to search CL for a possible project to. But alas, no money= no project. Damn!