darkfader's mild build and pic thread

I decided against the icon 3leaf AAL, and installed Firestone ride-rite airbags in order to eliminate my bro lean and take a little stress off the springs due to my full tool box. I got them slightly used from member MagneticTaco for a good price, thanks man! Install was simple and the truck looks so much better without the rear end sag. I picked up a bicycle foot pump for 10 bucks and it works perfectly and is small enough to hide away in my bed cubby.



Right now I only have one pic of the bags and Daystar cradles, but I'll take more once it's daylight and I've had a chance to clean up the truck. I ran the valves to two unused bolt holes on the bottom of the bumper. No pics yet but I'll get some when it's light outside.



I have all the materials on hand that I needed to install my auxiliary fuse box. I just need some more garage time to get that knocked out. Once the panel is in, I'll be adding some auxiliary lighting. Definitely some underhood lighting, some bed and toolbox lighting, and at least a 30" combo bar in the lower valence.

 

Over the last couple days, I have been working on my fuse panel mount. I got it cut out, drilled, and bent. I cleaned up the corners with my grinder and flap wheel, and put a few light coats of satin black on it. I mounted the blue sea box and bussman 100 amp breaker and then mounted it onto the fender. It fits well, but I want to take it out one more time to refine that bend just a little, as it doesn't sit exactly the way I want it to. No big deal for now. I just need some 4AWG wire to hook it up and then I will begin on my auxiliary lights. Here's a few pics.

Black diamond plate, 12"x24" from Lowe's



Marked for cutting





Bent, drilled, and paint



Fuse box and breaker mounted



And finally, mounted in the truck. I need to bend it down just a hair, but otherwise I like the fit.

 

Here's a shot of where I put my fills for the airbags. One on each side. Very discreet IMO.

 

My AVEC 30" combo beam light bar came in yesterday! Still waiting for mounts to get it installed but it looks to be pretty nice. I can't wait to see it lit up.



I also received my switch for my underhood lights and I hope to get that project done over the weekend.

 

Finished up my underhood lighting this evening. I used a switch made to fit on one of my hood props and a 36" flexible LED strip with 3M adhesive. It's nice and bright under there now.





I need to clean the engine bay but at least I can see in there at night.

 

New heavy duty recovery shackle for the front installed today.

 

Now I just need to figure out this wiring and fill that lower grill with my new light bar!

 

It was a busy day off! I managed to get the light bar mounted.



Hopefully I can get it all wired up over the next 48 hours, but I'll be on duty that whole time so there's no telling if I'll get to it or not.

I also swapped out my reverse bulbs with these and it looks like a noticeable improvement. They were less than 5$ each at lowes and took about 7 minutes to install.

 

In my excitement I forgot to post in here with my finished light bar. The wiring for the air on board switch had me intimidated at first, but I just followed the schematic exactly, and it works exactly how I had hoped. This light is super bright IMO, so if you're in the market, holler at mikevee from AVEC. You won't be disappointed. Some pics:





I used rigid mounts for the bar, it's a tight fit, but looks like it belongs there.



Got my new tires last Tuesday. Hercules Terra Trac AT2, 265/70-17. I've been running these on my past 4runners and I like how they act in snow and highway, plus I get a nice discount on them, so it was a no brainer on these.

 

Today, I finally trimmed my flaps. Not sure what I was waiting on, but I'm glad I did it. Looks so much better.

 

Those wheels are pretty nice! I was gonna put them on my truck after I saw them on the XSPX edition but decided to go with fuel in the end. If I could go back and do it again I might've gone with those instead. They'd look great on your truck!

 

Truck looks good man!

 

I am holding off on changing wheels for now. I'm too indecisive. I like these, and the ballistic jesters. But for now I'm just going to keep running the stockers. I like the stance that I have with the spidertrax.

Thank you sir!

 

Truck looks great, love the front grill and the light is a perfect fit! Looks like you got the switch figured out. Could you give some advice in the AOB switch? Did you use diagram 2? Also did you add the diode and did you hook into the headlight wire?

 

I did use diagram #2. I followed it exactly so I did install the 1 amp diode and tapped into the high beam trigger wire. This method allows you to use the light two different ways. If the AOB switch is on and your headlights are on, the light bar will illuminate only when you turn high beams on. If your headlights are off, you can use the AOB switch to also turn the light bar off and on.

 

hey thanks for that info, really like the zombie switch! What's the next mod?

 

I'm thinking about some heated leather!

 

Your truck looks beast by the way 2chains!

 

thanks for that, have you looked at SCS wheels? I have seen matte black and grey in person, the matte grey has a nice depth of color and is a match for Magnetic gray. The contrast would look good...the centre caps have to go though. .http://www.stealthcustomseries.com/products/wheels/stealth6/

Have you seen the fuel boost or revolvers? Boost would look sharp with the black and "chrome". Here are pics on 4runner silver with lots of black trim...

 

That 4Runner is sweet!