03 DC Ghostrider build with 4x4 conversion

My build is a tribute to my Air Force brethren out there, my hats off to you and the rest of our armed forces. My build has nothing on the mod that I am currently doing for all of you but I figured I would share it with everyone.

How she sits 6/17/13.



What she looked like when I bought her in 1/2004



Engine and Drive Train
3.4L V6 TRD (new long block now with 37k)
TRD E-locker Rear
K&N CAI


Suspension
Fabtech C/O
3" Spacer in the rear


Wheels and Tires
American Racing ATX Series Black Teflon coated 16"x 9"
Toyo Open Country M/T 285/70R16

Exterior
Repainted Gloss Black (4/2013)
5% Window Tint all around
Spyder Smoked Headlights & Taillights
Blackout 3rd Brake light
Grill Craft Mesh Grill
De-badged
Pinch Weld Mod
Demello Front Plate Bumper (custom made)
Demello Round Bolt-on Sliders
Demello Rear Tube/Plate Bumper

Interior
Wet Okole Seat Covers (front and rear)
KENWOOD DDX470 head unit
Re-upholstered door Inserts
Blue LED Dash Lights

Future Mods
Hella 500 Black Magic's (Behind Grill)
Total Chaos UCA
FOX 2.5 Factory Series Coil-Over Reservoir Shocks
FOX Factory Series 2.0 0-1"
OME Dakar Leaf Springs
OME D6XL AAL
OME Rear Greasable Shackles
OME 5mm Trim Packer (drivers side for taco lean)
Smittybilt XRC8 Comp Series Winch w/ Synthetic Rope
Rear Diff Breather Mod
Gibson Headers
Borla CatBack Exhaust
[FONT=&quot]4x4 Conversion[/FONT]



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[FONT=&quot]Hmmmm I wounder what this is all for?[/FONT]

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[FONT=&quot]All of my future mods I plan on doing all at once (except for armor). Currently I am acquiring all of the parts for each one. I picked up my of my 4x4 conversion parts from a local junkyard. I got a steal on these, and with the money I saved I am going to have the front chunk, transfer case, and transmission all gone through by a local transmission shop.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am also in the process of buying all my new suspension and performance parts. [/FONT]

 

So I am in the process of preparing all my 4x4 conversion parts and I am curious if anyone thinks it is worthy of rebuilding my front spindles. My plan was to clean them all up, replace the wheel bearings and ball joints; however, it appears that the wheel bearing and hub are pressed in. The bearings seems to be OK, so would I be better off leaving them alone. I wanted to replace the brake shroud (don't know what its called) because its all bent to shit, but it is sandwiched in the middle.

 

Man already interested, I'd remove the steps though. They would get torn up pretty quick.

 

So this might be a dumb question but what are the "steps"

 

toob steps...

 

Its like Christmas today. After two long months my Demello Offroad Sliders and bumpers will be here. The only problem is I have to wait until after work. Maybe I'll catch a cold at lunch.

 

The brake shroud is called a dust shield I believe (I'm not sure of the part number) but most of the things I've read about them just say to bend it back so I'm not 100% sure if its really replaceable or not. Nice truck by the way. It's going to look great with the Demello stuff on it.

 

Well I didn't get out of work as early as I hoped, but when I got home this is what was waiting for me.



My girlfriend messed with me about putting a big old bow on it. all of it was really easy to install, and with the help of a friend it only took two hours.

Sliders:


Front Plate Bumper: I really need to go in and paint the cab behind


Rear Bumper: I took the top plates off because they were bare. need to have them painted or powder coated.



Before:


After:


Hats off to Demello Offroad, they made some outstanding products and had now issues with bolting everything up.

 

Their website doesn't have any first gen front bumpers, just the rear...

 

i like your one peice head lights!

 

I lucked out when I placed my order. They had an 2003 Tacoma in the shop and they were able to custom make me one. Give them a call maybe they kept the dimensions.

 

Thanks brother its a work in progress. So many mods left to do. My next is a 4x4 conversion. I am currently piecing all the parts together.

I actually found both the headlights and taillights on ebay. They are smoked and the headlights are one peice so you have to modify your front grill, but very easy to do. I think they look a lot cleaner than stock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-04-TACOMA...d63e72&vxp=mtr

 

very nice build. I cant wait to see the conversion. where did you get the led tail lights from?

 

Thanks, its a work in progress. I know the conversion is going to be a pain so I am taking the time to track down all the little nut, bolts, and parts that I am going to need. I am also trying to rebuild/refurb everything before I install it.

I got the taillights and headlights off of ebay. There is a link two post up. I am very happy with them.

 

Picked up another part for the conversion.

 

Does anyone know if the Borla Cat-Back Exhaust 14945 will fit on a double cab? Everything I read says it is for a 2dr ext cab. I real want to go with Borla Exhaust and it looks like this is the only one they make for first gens

 

Awesome truck man! Subbed to see what unfolds next and also that 4x4 swap

 

I have the same truck and am also doing a 4x4 conversion as soon as I get my tax refund. I love your bumper. I am going to do a 4-6" lift and go mid travel. Pleases list your parts from your doner (4runner , other taco, etc..) I can wait to get 4x4. Do you have a rear locker?

 

I cant believe it has been a year and a half since the last time I was on here. It is amazing how time flies by.

So a quick update on my 2003 DC. Unfortunately I still have not completed my 4x4 conversion do to life, work, and responsibilities; however, with recent mechanical issue looks like I will now have the opportunity.

So two weeks ago out of nowhere my truck starts running real rough and throwing a misfire code. Being that this was not the first time this has happened I instantly assumed it was a bad coil pack. Well that was not the case, my local shop performed a compression check, only to find out that my #3 cylinder only had 52psi. They recommend I have my motor rebuilt. Well they weren't aware that I just put a rebuilt long block in my truck back in 2010, and that engine only had 56k on it. So figuring how sever their diagnosis was, I decided to take my truck to Toyota and see if they could pin point the problem a little better. Well their diagnosis was the same; however they had the #3 at 30psi. They were also able to rule out the possibility of bad valves and narrowed it down to piston, ring, or cylinder wall. Their recommendation was the same and rebuild the motor.

Well after several days of contemplating rebuilding, long block, or a JDM used motor I finally decided on the JDM. The first two options were going to cost me a lot more in labor right out the gate, and with going with the JDM motor I don't have to turn my current motor in as a core. So that gives me the option of having that motor rebuilt one day if I decided and having a spare if/when the JDM motor goes out, or having a plenty of spare parts on hand if needed. It just seemed like the smartest choice at this time and I was as able to find a used 3.4l 5VZ-FE motor with 34k. Motor shipped yesterday and I should have it by next Friday.

So in the mean time I am going to start prepping my motor for removal, and while it is out I will be doing my 4x4 conversion. I think I will also get a see of headers and new exhaust while I am at it. I will post pics and updates as I go.

Wish me luck

 

Well only took 5 hours, but I got the engine out, drive shaft, and transmission dropped. I was surprised it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I would of had it done sooner, but I probably spent an hour trying to pull the motor from the transmission with the starter still bolted on. Whoops. Now time to get everything prepped for the 4x4 conversion