2Runner

i just keep hunting. a set will pop up eventually.
now that i have a truck again i plan on making trips for parts. if im lucky one pops up within a state or 2 distance.
goals to have my taco close to running by the end of the year. seats would be nice!

 

You can buy chrome center caps for those wheels on eBay. I did that for my 370z wheels I had on my 96. I just painted them to match my wheels. I only ran caps on the backs. The fronts wouldn’t fit

 

LOVE your truck! Is that stock height, and/or do you plan to drop it at all? Looks damn good as is though! Your dark wheels blend the center hub so its hardly even noticeable the cap is not there.

I have seen some deals on the ebay for Yota caps, just been a bit busy and not exactly sure which ones to get just yet.. seems there's one or two sizes out there. Heck, I still need tires but been busy getting those S-Runner seats and other non Tacoma related life stuff too!

The wheel shop told me since I had a "newer model" the center caps will go right on. He mentioned "the older ones had a larger hub" as it seems you are confirming. This shop was super pro and I will go back for any future needs. Turns out center bores, offsets, and even bolt patterns can be changed depending of course on the wheels you are working with and what you are trying to accomplish.

He says they have an app that tells them what they can and cannot do safely, so you dont need to worry about things noobs may say on forums! I am sure not all shops are working at this level of expertise though. As I mentioned, this was a wheel specific only machine shop that even makes their owns wheels and custom built wheels to customer designs/specs if you prefer.

Hope this opens up a new world of options for others with the same questions I had only weeks ago!

 

Today I moved forward with the re-installation of my interior. Tried installing them S-Runner seats but realized the passenger side seat outside track is slightly bent and this is what is causing it from sliding back and forth. It is actually in the same position as my driver seat is which is cool, but I figured I would rather have it fully functional and also give it a good steam cleaning before installing those beauties.

I guess my 3rd gen 4Runner (Frieda) got jealous of my Tacoma (Trudy) affection and decided to let its alternator die on me for attention. So I needed to get the Tacoma ready to drive in the meantime, and decided to use my standard Tacoma buckets for a quicker install since I had cleaned those prior to finding the S-Runner seats.

Since everything was out I detailed the floor boards with some all purpose automotive cleaner.


Figured I may as well drill holes for the center console before installing the carpet so it would be ready to bolt in after the seats.


I had already drilled 2 rear inner holes (also above) for the seats as well since my regular cab had a stock full bench, but my carpet obviously did not have holes for the bolts to pass through. I came up with this nifty trick after laying out the carpet and pondering a moment from inside and underneath the truck.

First used a needle to find the holes, once it went through I knew I was in the right spot!


Then I used an rc car tool known as a body reamer to finish poking a hole from the needle location in the carpet large enough just for the screw to insert cleanly.


This worked out great, so I took a pic with the driver seat IN!!


I took a break for dinner with the wife and walked the dog. The went back out to finish installing the passenger seat and the rest of the interior, it got dark so no pics but went for a test drive and it felt like a new truck!!

 

The sun was shining this glorious morning while walking my dog, and my neighbor actually commented on how nice my truck was looking.. this prompted me to snap some pics to share the progress of all the detail cleaning and interior installations I have been working on lately while its nice and clean.

Good bye oddly shaped stock bench seat that didn't even center me behind the wheel.. now this is getting more like it. S-Runner headrests for high performance head resting!


The hard work and new cleaning products really paid off, it looks like 2002 in here now!


I also shined up the front grill and bumper parts while I had the plastics cleaners out already to return some black luster.


Trudy just keeps getting nicer all the time!

 

I went and ordered up the center console rubber cup holder flaps this morning, and will be rustling up them center caps soon for my "new" Lexus IS250 wheels. Thinking of hitting the dealer just to keep things moving quickly so I can get to the alternator on that 4Runner in the background. Called and they will price match ebay pricing on these, just got to go in and pay and they will have them tomorrow for me.

Also think I have my tire choice ready, and will be going with some Yokohama Advan Apex V601 in 245/45/17's. They sound like a shredding performance tire being compared to Michelin Pilot Sports without the extra high price tag. Plus I like Japanese goodies on my Tacoma of course!

 

I did indeed pick up the Toyota center caps today, went for a 2012 model to match up nicely with my 2012 IS250 wheels. Think they look perfect!

Side by side next to my Lexus caps.


And of course the test fit!



I also ordered the tires, but not the ones I expected. I called America's tires for the Yokohama's and got a price quote first, and they quoted basically their online price for $154 per tire and $760 mounted and balanced plus tax.

Then I called my new "tire hookup" and he could not get the Yokohama's for me so I asked for his price on the benchmark performance tire the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S thinking these were going to be too pricey but told him I would give him a shot.. well he pulled out all the stops for me and did them for $778 mounted, balanced, and tax out the door!!

I could not resist that price for these tires and went on down to his shop immediately to pay him and got the order going, and I should be seeing them in 3-4 days!

These will be in the aforementioned 245/45/17 size all around, wonder how many Tacoma's out there have these tires on em?!!

 

In not quite as exciting news,

I also got the center console rubber flaps in today..

And oh yeah, sent in an oem radio to get the aux input added to it as well!

 

Finally got around to installing my weather strip on the doors today, came out really nice!!



The obligatory "before" shot.. it was almost totally chromed!

Ol' Trudy just keeps getting nicer all the time!

 

Well the Michelin's finally came in yesterday and I took them to the shop for mounting to the IS250 wheels. I think it came out better than I expected even, and I am super happy with the outcome both aesthetically and how it drives and handles now!

Take a look at how Trudy is sitting today after a well deserved bath..


Check out the beefiness of the 245/45/17 Pilot Sport 4S tires on this little truck. They are not staggered, just an illusion here of the view angle.


She is sitting a bit high, so a drop is in the near future to fill some gaps and improve handling further.




Daisy, my dog, loves the ride too!


Elbow grease and premium car cleaning products really got my black stuff black. I even did the inner fenders while I was there.


I can't stop staring at her.. what a beauty!


The Michelin tire ad! I think the wheel offset and tire size fit the fender wells to perfection.


I can't wait to get out to the local canyon for a spirited run to really see the difference!!

 

Trucks looking awesome.
Were did you get the visors?
Let me know when your ready to sell your grill .

 

I got the visors at a Toyota only salvage yard, along with grill and many other parts. I lucked out that they got 3 silver Tacoma's with charcoal interiors within days of my visit!

Definitely will keep you in mind when/if I sell any of my front end parts.. they are all oem in mighty fine shape!

 

Nice build. I have a 2002, 2.4 manual with only 75K on it. Its basically mint and just getting broken in. I bought it a few year ago with only 29K miles on it for only $6400. Still had a new car smell.

Im running a K&N Filter, 4600 Bilstiens, and running 225/50/17 Yokohama Advan Sports on the chrome 17 inch rims. I swapped out a chrome grill, found an OEM re-chromed front bumper at a local chrome shop and swapped out the rear bumper with a high quality after market one. I have replaced the majority of exterior plastic parts with new OEM parts (mud flaps, window trim, window wind visors, door handles and all turn signal lights). I have Cal Tech Neoprene seat covers on the interior. I will be adding a Leer XR shell over the summer.

It looks and runs like a new car and I will drive it until the wheels fall off. Love this truck.

 

@Currygoat . You need the chrome door handles.

 

Believe it or Im not a super blingy guy. I was updating the old parts and decided to just make it the OEM SR5 package (which has a chrome grill and bumpers).

 

I get it.i went the other way. But when your door handles break. ( not if ) may I suggest going with the chrome ones. I've found them to be stronger/last longer and they'll match.

Nice looking truck btw!!

 

@Currygoat Thanks for the compliment, and gratz on such a nice truck you found and are enjoying out there!

How do you like the ride after you installed the Bilsteins? I am about to order the same shocks prior to adding a drop to gauge how it changes the handling.

I think I may have to get the bug deflector or whatever that part is, that was an oem offering wasnt it?

There's a bunch of paint chips on my front hood, and I am thinking to maybe get some touch up paint to prevent rust and cover it with that deflector piece!

 

@2Runner

The Bilsteins and K&N filter were installed by the previous owner (who sadly passed away). I bought the truck from his wife. So I cant tell you what the ride difference is. 1st gens come with stock Bilsteins but they are a thinner version shock then the 4600s. I am assuming there is a difference in ride quality and many people on here with 2WD have upgraded to 4600s.

The bug deflector / hood protector was an OEM stock offering. Not sure if was an actual Toyota part or was a third party part from AVS. Here is some info them:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bug-deflector.3807/

 

@Currygoat

Thanks for the info about the deflector, sounds like they cause more damage than they prevent reading these threads..

Maybe I will lay down some protective film, either with or without the deflector to preserve the lunar mist metallic!!

More projects for another day though, added to the list.

 

I just got a Borla ProXS muffler installed for old Trudy, found out my old Flowmaster had a major leak with the outlet tube weld over half way separated.

Really digging the new sounds inside and outside the truck now, no more interior drone and just enough sound to make it fun without being obnoxious! Check out the link to hear the sounds from inside (door open) and outside the truck.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ArGR2cRWlM_v9UkYSE9Cz23Ntz3tixPd

Enjoy!