2000 4wd ex-cab

Bumper project is coming along. Working on hoops now.

 

Bumper and sliders getting sand blasted and primed tomorrow.

I've began plasti dipping chrome. Pretty happy with results. I'm new to this but am seeing why so many folks like it. Emblems, door handles and rear bumper all chrome.... now becoming black.

In progress now:



I did this on Sat:

 

I purchased a

$103 Viair 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)

Viair 88P that will be here on Friday. I came across some folks putting hood struts on and deemed that an "important" mod. I ordered a Redline kit for $86 delivered that will be here Thursday. I pretty excited about the strut kit. No prop rod when airing up.

This weekend should be full of installing goodies that I've been working on for nearly a month now. I hope to pick up the primed sliders and bumper NLT Thursday. I still have to "truck bed" them and topcoat them.

 

Big day today. Picked up bumper and sliders from getting sand blasted and painted. Here's first pic of bumper on truck

Just got through spraying truck bed on the bumper. Next is some semi-gloss.

 

I'm real happy with the paint. Two coats of truck bed, then lightly sand to knock off the grit, then two coats of semi-gloss. Textured look but will hopefully be easy to clean.

 

I installed the Redline hood strut kit this morning. I can see why folks say this is one of their favorite mods. Pretty easy to do but with great rewards. I went with my own dimensions(have seen others do similar) when installing the hood bracket to provide a higher hood open position. The directions say 14 5/8" from the end of the hood hinge to the edge of the bracket. I went 13-1/8" which doesn't "max out" the hinge angle. This dimension places the bracket in a position that causes some of the rivets to go through an area of the hood that isn't flat. I used the bracket as a guide when I drilled and it went well. I used the USA made pop rivet gun I have had for at least 25 years.

 

Back on. Paint came out nice. I'll post better and up to date pic when I clean truck and get sliders on.

 

When are we going to get to see that new bumper in person looks great?

 

Thanks Jeff. Sliders are done too, I hope to bolt them on tomorrow. Where's everyone going next weekend?

 

Not sure

 

3/4" wrench and socket and sliders are going on. Here's driver side ready to go.


Here's passenger side.

 

Got her washed up and a few pics.

 

4 runner sport seats are inbound via TW express. There is a tear in the driver side back that I'll have to repair but they look pretty nice otherwise.

 

Toy will have removed the bottom rails from the Tacoma seats and installed them onto the 4Runner seats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=189&v=1RPC4dKmKGs&feature=emb_logo

 

Awesome looking truck man! Super clean and love what you've done with it so far. Reminds me of mine, but way nicer.

Also love how you took advantage of the machine shop for doing the bumper mods.

 

Thanks Jeff. I've read about that method but haven't seen a vid. I've also read about using the 4runner seat brackets but swap the outer/front foot and then slot the outer/rear foot.

Thank you. I've enjoyed working on it. I'm super happy with how the bumper came out but I'm actually considering an ARB instead. Like I tell my wife.... I have issues.

 

Personally I think the 4x bumper looks better on the 98-00 trucks rather than the ARB, but that's just me. Plus don't know too many 98-00 with your bumper setup. The only one that i've seen.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Prior to adding the front bumper I added a leaf to the rear and went from bottom notch to 2nd notch on the 5100's and the truck sat perfect for my liking(37" front/38" rear fender to ground). 2 weeks after I added the 105 lb front bumper I have noticed that the front has settled 3/4". Measurements are now 36.25 front/38" rear. Looks like I need to go to the 3rd notch on the 5100's or get some new coils(mine are stock). I like a little rake but not quite this much.

 

Might be time for some OME 882, or some Eibachs up front.