Darkfader’s mod/shenanigans/BS thread

Nice I think the white lights look much better than the amber ones!

 

Yea I thought so too. I have much whiter bulbs ordered for high and low beams and the fogs so the front end will have all white except for turns and running lights.

 

3/12/19. Upgraded my front lighting today. It’s impossible to tell from my iPhone pics but this setup is roughly the same color temperature as the stock halogen but should out perform by quite a bit. Do yourself a favor and read the headlights sticky by crashnburn80. The guy has done a ton of work for us to learn from.

I would prefer a whiter temperature so I’ll run these for a while and eventually swap to KC LED fogs and an HID kit down the road.

For the price though, this should prove to be a nice upgrade for visibility.

 

Nice choice I got the H11 Vosla lights also. Huge improvement over stock & a tad better than the GE +130's. I got a set for my wife's Rav4 also since they're better but also cheaper than part store prices!

 

The clazzios finally arrived yesterday and I spent a couple hours today putting them in along with the heater pads. Fairly easy install, I definitely recommend removal of the front seats to complete the job. The headrests are a bit of a pain in the ass for sure. Hopefully a few days in the sun will ease any wrinkles from shipping. The red stitch matches the redline-goods boots perfectly. I haven’t done my shifter boot yet because I have a custom shift knob ordered that’s arriving soon so I’ll swap the boot when that goes in.

 

How difficult was it to access the location where you installed the seat heater switches? did you have to remove the center console?
Truck looks great!

 

Man those look awesome!!! I can't wait to get those too!

Did you get matching ebrake boot & armrest cover from them also?

 

Thanks! I ran all the seat heater wiring while I was upgrading the sound system so I only had to take it apart once. Basically, i pulled the center trim piece around the head unit that houses the vents. Then removed the head unit and AC control panel. Once all that was out of the way, i was able to reach behind the switch panel and pop out the blanks and cig lighter socket. I installed the Blue Seas dual USB quick charger in place of the cig lighter socket. I then moved the Qi charger button down a couple slots so the passenger heater switch would be in the far right switch spot. Then driver's heat switch far left, and light bar switch next to that. I then pulled just the top half of the center console and routed the harnesses for the heaters along the trans tunnel and snuck them under and out of the center console next to the seats. I hope that makes sense, I didn't take any pics during that phase of the process.

 

I ordered the shifter and E-brake boots from redlinegoods. They are nice quality leather, I recommend checking them out if you're in the market. they do a lot of colors and designs.

The armrest cover was included with the clazzios.

 

Ok thanks for the info & boot looks like it matches perfect! Congrats!!!

 

4/10/19. Installed the TRD skid plate I scored during the 40% sale extravaganza today. I need a lift now more than ever so I can see it better.

 

My custom made shift knob and collar arrived yesterday and I had a little time this afternoon so I swapped the new boot in and put the knob on. I couldn’t be happier with everything and I’m pretty sure the interior of this truck is finally finished.

Knob:



First pop the center console off:



Maybe a half dozen small phillips screws hold the shift boot retainer trim onto the console.



The factory boot is stapled to its own retainer ring. I just carefully pried all the staples out to remove the boot. Then used a block of wood to drive new staples into the new boot and retainer.



Then put everything back and screw the new knob on and viola! I’m loving the hints of red and black leather.

 

4/18/19. I did a couple small mods this evening. First off, the MESO ultimate turn signals arrived today. Fairly easy install, just pop the color keyed caps off the side view mirrors, then remove two Phillips screws from the signal retainer and gently wiggle the signal out and unplug. Then reinstall new signal in reverse and revel at the quality of the component.



Stock signal with the chrome



New signal is sooo bright



And no chrome!



Then I also received radio knobs to match the factory controls. Nice product here.



And to finish out the evening, I swapped these halostar bulbs into the reverse sockets.



Drivers side halostar, passenger side stock



And both sides installed and bright!

 

5/1/19. I hit 10k today. I drive roughly 25k/year, so looks like I’m on schedule. Anyway, did my 10k maintenance using Mobil 1 synth and added the aluminum filter housing and Fumoto valve to make future changes a little easier. Can’t lie, I hate the cartridge filter, but it is what it is. Also greased the front drive shaft zerks and took a good look at everything underneath. I should have the rest of my lift within the next few weeks and that’ll be the next big project.

 

I got my 10K coming up too. Gotta get it done before I drive out to Myrtle Beach! I was thinking about getting one of those metal cartridge housings also. Sad thing is i have Toyota care for 25K but i think I'm just gonna do it myself

 

I have Toyota care as well. Not a chance I’m willing to take with the quality of dealerships around me. Every bolt I touch is torqued to spec and then double checked. I just can’t guarantee I’d get the same level of service at the dealership. Plus I enjoy working on my vehicles.

 

4Runner Trail wheels have a 15mm offset which makes them stick out (.59”’s). Add to that the Spiders and your at 1.79”’s.

Looks good!