My 02 SR5 4WD Build - "T. Belle"

10/25/13

Gave the motor a Sea Foam treatment today. I used 1/2 a bottle through the vacuum line for the infamous smoke show. I hope the neighbors had their windows closed, oops.



The other half I poured into the crankcase, which I plan to change after 100 more miles to synthetic. The oil looked pretty clean still for ~3K miles, so it'll be interesting to see if there's any effect.

Drove around for a few miles until the smoke cleared up. She seems to run better now but, it's too soon to tell. I'll have a better assessment after a few more days.

 

10/21/13

Swapped out the OEM horn with a pair of Sickspeed 118dB horns (Hella SuperTone knock-offs at half the price). Though not as loud as an air horn, these are definitely an upgrade from the single factory one.



Custom wiring harness to connect new horns directly to OEM wiring.



Simple installation of horns (using existing hood latch mounting holes).



Due to the grill and latch design, this is as straight and even as they'll get (without drilling new mounting holes). In hindsight, I should've gotten them in black instead.



Belle needed more MOLLE storage, so I ordered another Blueridge Overland Gear MOLLE seat panel and various MOLLE pouches for the passenger seat.

 

11/01/13

After 3+ wks, my Ironman4x4 LED finally came in a few days ago. If I hadn't inquired about my order, it'd still be sitting in the warehouse (someone f'd up the drop ship!)

Specs:

• 12 x 5W Cree LED (60W Spot beam)
• Color = 6000k
• IP67 waterproof
• 5400 Lumens

40A relay for Ironman4x4 LED



Ironman4x4 LED installed on the front bumper.







OEM rocker switches installed.

L - Acro 55W lights
R - Ironman4x4 LED





Ironman4x4 LED on.



Lights are all done (for now)!

 

Wow and to think if I could have used my money I spent for repairs on other things your truck is sick man

 

Thanks, somethinboutayota! And sorry about your repairs! Hopefully, they're all taken care of now.

 

11/01/13

My skid arrived yesterday - 40lbs of 1/8" steel.





Sanded with 150 grit sandpaper and WD-40, then cleaned and de-greased afterward.



Hopefully, primed and painted by the end of the wkend.

 

Any pics of T. Belle in action?

 

Wow you have done some amazing stuff to your truck! I especially love the look of the bronze konigs on the silver. Keep up the great work!

 

Absolutely gorgeous! I love that most of your mods are so well thought out and functional! Makes me wanna go mod mine!

 

Not yet...hopefully soon, though. All these driveway photos make her look like a mall crawler!

Thanks, PhdNPrerunners! Bronze is a nice change of scenery (vs black).

Thanks, Tribull! She was a fun build!

 

11/05/13

Skid plate is still unpainted. Priming is taking longer than anticipated.

After getting high on fumes from trying to spray can it outside...



I decided to switch to a brush instead. Just one side primed so far.



The other side should be done tomorrow.

Meanwhile, my Ellis Precision Hi-Lift mounts finally came in from Canada.



With Hi-Lift - to prevent theft, cable (not shown) and lock will be used to secure it to the bumper hoop.

 

Dude i just want to say what a sick ass truck u have. everything u have done up to this point is awesome an is the perfect build dude. thats how i always wanted to do the inside how u have your switches installed. i wish i had the fabbin skills u have man cause it would have saved me a lot of money up to this point.my next project u caould say is getting a rear swing out tire carrier. u have any opinions about the type and which one to go with. been lookin an doing a lot of reserch on the type i like. im thinkin CBI but IDK.

 

Thanks, 02 TRD Tacoma!

I hadn't given much thought into rear swing-outs, only because I didn't want to make my truck any longer than it already it is. I have one on my FJ though and I love it. Like with anything, it has its pros and cons.

From the Tacoma swing-outs I've seen, they're all basically the same. It just comes to down to aesthetics and what you want as far as options/features go. Personally, I'd want my swing-out to carry a Hi-Lift and spare Jerry cans (as well as the spare tire).

I don't think you can go wrong with any reputable fab shop, but I'd go local, if possible. Shipping cost will be an issue, since swing-outs are heavy.

Pricey, but a swing-out should have at least a Synergy hinge and latch IMO.

Synergy Tire Carrier Hinge

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Synergy-Tire-Carrier-Hinge-p-2461.html

Synergy Universal Swing Out Latch Assembly

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop...-Out-Latch-Assembly-p-19993.html#.UnmpWhAjVGM

 

Thanks for the advice Darren!! appreciate it dude. thats me on what i would like the swing out to have. having the high lift the jerry cans and of course the tire carrier.

 

I want your bumper!

 

Dude them links were real helpful. Thanks for them. I think I may go with CBI just have to save up some $$$ for b day this month an for Christmas. I ask Adam at the moment he's not Makin anymore but he said he may in the future. I would let the guy I know fab up one for me but idk if he's Up for it or not.
An since my truck is a daily driver the only times is when he an I had time so he could fit it to the truck. Haha looks like though I will be saving up though. Really wish Adam was still makin. He was a lot cheaper than CBI after all the bells an whistles.

 

Adam = Box Rocket? That is too bad; he's got some skills and I dig his Tacoma a lot!

If I had time and the tools (and someone who could help me), I'd try to make one myself. A lot of great ideas out there - I like the drop-down table on this one:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/demello-offroad/159035-custom-rear-bumper.html

 

11/10/13

After four days of more paint fumes (five, if you include the last day of priming), the skid plate is finally painted. Instead of the usual boring black skid plate, I opted for silver this time (actually, aluminum).

Two coats of Rust-Oleum metal primer and two coats of Rust-Oleum enamel paint, with some sanding with 000/0000 steel wool between each coat.



After switching over to a brush (from spray can), I then switched again to a foam roller...which I then realized was much faster and with better results.



No more roller marks, once I figured out the right ratio of thinner to paint.







A coat of latex clear coat will also be rolled on, once paint is completely done drying. If all goes as planned, I should be able to install by the end of the wk.

Meanwhile during a break from painting a few days ago, I changed the oil. Not even 3K miles yet since I got her (~2650 miles), but definitely time to change after adding Sea Foam to the crankcase (~120 miles ago).

Drained and filled with 5.5 qts Mobil1 Extended Performance 5W-30 synthetic and an OEM filter. Also, drain plug was replaced with a

$33 Fumoto F-103 with LC-10 Included F-Series Engine Oil Drain Valve, 1 Pack

Fumoto F-103 oil drain valve.

 

how is that Fumoto working? i just ordered one

 

So far, so good. I like it. Just ordered the same one for my FJ.

Drainage will be slower (vs. drain plug), but much easier (with less mess) to change oil.

All I need now is a 5/8" hose clip to lock the lever down.



ETA: 5/8" was too small, I went with an 11/16" hose clip instead.