Facelift 2005 Transformation

I decided to do a freshening up of my DD and parts & material Runner, as I plan to keep the truck for a while longer despite the close to 200K miles on the odo. I've always wanted a Sport hood and sourced a used Sport hood that happened to be the same silver color, but decided it needed to be resprayed due to discoloration of the fiberglass scoop insert and a few nasty stains. That gave me the drive to take apart the scoop, repaint the scoop grill, and make a first attempt to do a Satoshi grill. I bought the grill from HomerTaco and Dozer provided the water jet cut lettering old school Landcruiser style. I had the lettering tack-welded to the grill, and initially was going to powdercoat them, but decided I could not take the risk of not being able to match the powdered grill with the grill surround which I was going to paint myself. I had some marine grade Awlgrip Black urethane top coat and Primer left from work, as well as the flattening agent to give it a semi-gloss coat. As it turns out, it came out quite well after a few resprays on the surround plastic. I can probably write a manual on how to do the Satoshi mod now, as I had read most of what was posted by others, but learned as I went along to reinforce the grill mounts with qty 5 x 1.5" L-brackets 'glassed in and bolting in a cross bar at the top to help stabilize the grill. There are no unwanted gaps and everything is tight as can be. The following are a few pictures of before and after the mods, including a fresh headlight assy. from the Yota Dealer for a Sport model (blacked-out version).

 

Looks so much better!

 

I like it

 

Thank you. It is a slow process, but already de-badged it, and getting a new Fabfours rear steel bumper installed this week - courtesy of a young female on her phone rear-ending me with her Beamer.
Next is a 2.5-3" lift and better lighting than stock.

 

Very nice looking

 

That looks great! If you're interested in retrofits, check out LSC15. He builds some really nice lights.

 

Thanks for the tip. LSC15 is a great resource, although I'm tending to lean towards higher output halogens after reading a fairly recent post by a TW member who did his homework with German built bulbs that work with the stock housing (projector style). There appears to be pros and cons to either switching to LED's or a higher output (hotter) halogen. Haven't made up my mind yet, as I'm soaking in the info available on this great forum. Thanks again.

 

Way better, nice job!

 

great job!

 

color matched grill is much nicer. Good work!

 

Looks awesome. Makes me want to do something to mine lol.

 

Looks like you swapped out your headlights to ones that either came with the black interior or did the BHLM yourself as well as new/cleaned fogs, painted lower valence...

The cleaned up headlights look WAY better and is one of the more significant differences besides your grill, in my opinion. Curious as to what was done.
Also, doing the ultimate headlight mod with the halogens is on my list too because I want to be able to see in the dark, not look cool FWIW.

 

Looks good! Well worth the time

 

That looks amazing! Another inexpensive way to clean up the front end is to replace your stock antenna with a shorter 14" one from Amazon. The reception isn't that great though so if you use your radio, disregard

 

Reply to all & orezona. Thank you for the kind replies. The headlights were an OEM purchase through a link I found on TW. Part # 81130-04173 and 81170-04173 head lamp housing bought on-line through EB Toyota Parts, N. Attleboro, MA. They were $168.93/each plus $54.42 shipping to FL. Total under $400.00 which I thought was well worth it. Fog lenses were polished and clear coated.
I'm thinking of building a small, stout steel front bumper for below the grill. I have started to mock-up with wood, but wanted to get the curves of the bumper correct so it will be a bolt-on deal with a snug fit, and also make it so you don't have to take the bumper cover off. Looking for a used front bumper cover to get the compound curves correct when I fiberglass it and then transfer it to wood; then laser cut to steel. Any one out there who want to donate or sell inexpensively a front bumper cover? The sides can be damaged (fog light areas), as long as the midsection where it is currently painted black is in straight condition. I'm in the Tampa Bay area. Thanks.

 

My wife wants me to get those black headlights. Dunno, my truck is black I'm feeling it May be a bit much. Looks good on yours!

P.S. it's an 05 sport so everything is black