xJRich5's 1996 Tacoma LX Build Up

How she sits today. (5/23/12)


How she sits today. (12/1/11)


So this is my 1996 Toyota Tacoma 3.4L V6 that I picked up on February 7, 2011. It was originally purchased to be a commuter to and from the mill I work at, but I fell in love with the darn thing and now I plan to slowly build her up.

There isn't much done to it yet, but I plan on putting a lot of time and money into her.

This is the first day i got it, after a fresh bath.



Messin around, throwing my '04 Banshee in the back.


I drove her like that for a week until my K&N Cold Air Intake came in, then I threw it on there one night after work. I love the sound of it, and you can tell it added some horsepower.


After that I purchased some clear corners, fender lights, tail lights and new headlights.


I got sick of the chrome trim around the fender wells so i ripped that off.


I've been toying with the idea ever since I got it of getting black wheels on it. Well if I were to do that, those ugly ass chrome strips had to go.


That was nothing but a pain, but came out pretty good I think.

Now that I had those off I got bored one night and took off my emblems so I could paint 'em black.

I love the look of them now!

I decided it was time for my grille to go, I am not a huge chrome fan, I'm all about the black. So I ordered a new grille and installed it, then I had to paint my Corner light frames, I love the look!



So I got sick of my decals on the tailgate, so i peeled those off.


Then I decided it was time to continue the process of dechroming the Yota.


Painted it all black and put it back on.
It turned out like crap, and now I'm really stepping up the process of finding a nice front bumper.


Same with the rear.


I ended up finding a pair of stock wheels from a '97 4Runner, so I purchased them for $80 and sent them in for powder coat. Should get them back any day now.
I want to purchase new wheels, but that will have to wait until after I lift it, so this should tide me over for now.

Future Upgrades:
Bedline the bed
Wet Okole Seat Covers
Airaid Throttle Body Spacer
Old Man Emu 882's up front
All-Pro Expo 3" Rear Leaf Springs w/ Bilstien 7100 short body rears
1" Body Lift
Pro Comp Xtreme Mud Terrain 33x12.5x15
Pro Comp Series 98 Black Wheels 15x8
4x Innovations Rock Sliders w/ kickout
Shrockworks Front Bumper with PreRunner Bar
Shave my rear quarters
Custom rear bumper
Headers
Full Exhaust
If I'm missing anything, let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas!
Thanks for checking it out, hope you like it.

 

i have those same chrome strips on the bottom of the body.
how hard was it to take those off?


and why did you go with a 5lug grille? not hatin, just curious..

 

The strips weren't too bad, just use a heat gun, don't be scared to heat them up, once they are warm, just peel them back. I only heated up about 6 inches at a time, you can't pull it all off at once.
Once you pull it all off, that damn sticky stuff is gonna be there, use your heat your heat gun again, and I used a little plastic scraper to get it all off. A nice heavy duty one from NAPA. Worked great and didn't ruin my paint.

To be a 100% honest, it was a mistake. Lol. But I think it worked out just fine.

 

I don't want a body lift, and the only reason I would purchase it is if my tires rub and I just need that extra inch. The TB spacer doesn't do much? I figured it's cheap, why not?

 

Your truck is comin out very nice. Was wondering if you could point me in the direction of where you got all your white clear or "white" lights tails corners and bumper. How much did they come out too?

 

eBay, they have plenty to choose from. Just search for clear corner lights and then select the year and make of your Yota. I got mine in a package with the clear corners, turn signals, and taillights. I think my total was $105. But just the corners and turn signals comes out to like $45 I think.

 

Got the wheels back, took 'em to my local tire and shop and had them put on and balanced.


I think they came out great!

 

why didn't you black out the 1st grille you had it on instead of the one you have on now. the chrome is a 4wd and the black grille is 2wd.

edit: btw, nice truck.

 

Looks good man...

 

Thanks man I've been looking for clear corners and all that stuff. The wheels look bitchen man I had chrome wheels and went to black looks better IMO

 

Buying one was just simple and easy.

Thanks for the compliments, I just can't wait to lift this thing!!

 

nice truck man!! coming along good. are you going to lift it?

 

So I haven't done much cosmetically to my truck as of late, but I did just replace the oil in my rear and front diff and transfer case with AMSOIL Severe Gear 75w90. simple to do, and gives you some peace of mind. Next weekend I'll be doing the tranny, got 3 quarts of Redline MT90 waiting, heard it's the best.
Next up is greasing the driveshaft. Should have my sliders on in the near future, will post pics soon.
Thanks everyone.

 

Looks sick bud!

 

So I thought I would post a couple updates of my baby.
Went riding last weekend, had to take a pic.


Plasti-dipped my toolbox cuz I was sick of the chrome!


I think it came out nice!

Got me some new tires and wheels!


Just some basic cheapo Pro Comp steelies.

Went with 32x11.5 R15 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlars cuz I think they look sick as all hell.


Last but not least, ORDERED MY LIFT!

Decided to with Billy 5100's front and rear, a toytec AAL, diff drop and new front shock bushings!

Junk should be here Thursday, I get off a graveyard that following Monday morning, but should have it on by the time I go back to work on that Friday!

 

subbed...

Its going to look sick with the lift and that wheel/tire combo

 

i love how you blacked out everything. thats what I want to do. you need to get some pics up with the lift and new tires

 

Nice truck! Love the black out!

 

nice truck pics with the lift soon

 

So I finally installed my lift!

Rear was easy as pie, had a nightmare gettin the damn billies on the front.
I ended up putting my lower bolt in backwards, is this okay? Hope so.

Here is my setup.


Rear is complete!

Debated leavin it like this, looks mean. lol

Front done and lift is complete!

I think it looks like a totally different truck!

I love the look, but i have a minor vibration when braking. I haven't installed a bracket to move my BPV yet, that will be done tomorrow. Hopefully that will cure my vibrations. Gonna drive it a few miles then get it aligned.

More pics tomorrow when there is daylight!