LiftedOn35s' '04 "Build" Thread (not actual 35s)

Just wanted to start this as a good way to document mods, repairs, etc. with my truck for my own future reference, and for others that may be interested in things I've done.

I completely refuse to do irreversible modifications - drilling, cutting, fabricating stuff that would permanently change the truck, so the the basis of my modifications is everything can be easily put back to stock. Also trying to do any maintenance and work as DIY-friendly as possible.

I have unique taste, so not everything I do will appeal to everyone, but for those that it does, enjoy!

Current mods
Exterior:
1" puck level
16x8" American Racing wheels with 32" Trail Grapplers
muffler delete
Raptor lined bed
rear airbags
32" hidden light bar
shorty antenna
LED tail lights

Interior:
full Kicker sound system
Sony head unit (WX900BT)
RGB interior lights
weighted shift knob
weathertech floormats

 

Starts with how the truck came, then to what I've done.

Everything it came with: 1" puck level on 32" Trail Grapplers and 16" American Racing wheels, muffler delete, full Kicker sound system, Raptor lined bed, Sony head unit, rear airbags
I would've ended up doing all of that at some point anyways, so it saved me a lot of time and money.

So far I've replaced the trailer 4-flat with a new one, old one was faulty and causing a lot of problems.

I got this truck to daily for many years to save me from a car payment throughout high school, college, and into my early adult life. For now it needs more maintenance than mods, 180k miles on original timing belt, belt squeak on cold start, cruise control doesn't work, little knick-knack type things, and seeing as I'm in high school money isn't exactly readily available, so I'm going to slowly work at it. I love little details and I do have SOME money so I got a few cheaper things to liven up the interior and exterior just a bit so I'll post that here once it arrives.

 

Clean truck!

 

Thank you . Paid.. a lot.. for it but this thing is worth it in every way. My parents and I have always been Toyota people so that's what I knew I had to get if I wanted it to get me down the road for a while, and needless to say it does not disappoint!

 

Got the 1st mod. New shorty antenna (conveniently with a nice little TRD logo). Was $10 so nothing fancy but works well, looks good, and doesn't bash the garage door like my old one so I like it!

 

Looks like a nice truck for sure! How does the exhaust sound with the muffler delete?

 

Personally I think it's a good sound but it does have a ton of drone.
https://streamable.com/ec0e29
https://streamable.com/sbf0rk
https://streamable.com/35p6mb
I never got it over 3k rpms or so in any of the videos, but it really opens up at 3.5k+.

 

1/4-1/2 throttle 1st gear pull up to the limiter @Koolyota like you were curious about.
https://streamable.com/ervs92

 

Got the cruise control fixed. One of the "bumper" pieces was missing from clutch pedal, so when fully disengaged, the truck wasn't recognizing that, and not allowing cruise control to engage. Replaced with a little screw, washer, and nut on the back and it's good as new!

 

Installed these RGB interior lights. Really livens it up a bit inside.
(brightness adjustable as well, they're not always that bright)

Nice $30 and 30 minute install investment.

 

2 months later I have another mod and love it already! LED lightbar off of Amazon and under $100 total, I think it was a really good value. It also mounted to factory holes in the front bumper support by simply bending the brackets it comes with. (

$66 Rigidhorse 32" LED Light Bar Single Row Flood & SpotBeam Combo 30000LM Off Road LED Light Bar Driving Light for Pickup SUV ATV UTV Truck Roof Bumper

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MCNYXFT?_encoding=UTF8)

It was a pretty easy install, got a wiring harness off of Amazon with it, and an OEM Toyota rocker switch as well that fits into the blank on the lower dash.
Not the brightest thing but it's fun for what it is.

 

Tried out a pick-a-part yard today. Found and replaced my blend door actuator (solved my lack of heat), and stumbled upon an almost perfect condition tailgate cover on the same truck. $35 out the door and felt like a good deal!

 

Clicked on ”Lifted on 35s build thread” expecting a sick rig on 35s. Instead its got 32s, a 1” leveling kit, and abunch of broke ass high school kid style bolt on lights and accessories.



Never gonna fit 35s with this attitude!

 

The goal isn't 35s, never has been, never will be . It's an old username I got from a song many many years ago so it confuses everyone lol. And not having a job does make for broke stuff, just how it goes haha. Working on suspension later this year though.

 

okay that’s pretty funny

 

Finally resolved the cold start screech/squeal noise the truck had been making.
After it got colder outside, I noticed it was getting worse so I started messing with different things. I eventually tied it to a power draw (using the blower for the HVAC, rolling the windows up or down, turning lights on, etc.) would make it continue the noise when it was cold, and make it louder at times. I realized it must be something with the alternator accessory belt so I checked it out and found a lot of free play.
Tightened it up (super easy - 12 and 14mm sockets), and the noise is no more!

 

But it got purple MOOD LIGHT mod

 

It does actually change colors as well

 

Replaced spark plugs with the correct double electrode ones, made quite the difference over the single-electrode plugs that were in it (they were over 65,000 miles old as well). Overall easy process.

 

Ordered the Marlin Crawler shifter seat and socket. Mine isn't as bad as some I've seen, but hopefully it makes it shift nicer!