I AM BRUTICUS (build thread)

Homertaco grill + FJ lettering

Finally got the right color surround for the grill. Looks like the color of the other grill I got was called "Toyota deluxe" 2014 issue, not even sure what color this is. I thought maybe it was a knock off, but the rest of the grill and packaging is spot on as to the OEM grill, if it is a knock off it is hard to distinguish except for the slight color variation of the surround.

Here is the final product with the correct MGM surround.




Here are some details of the FJ40 lettering. I shaved off the original tabs, epoxied a bolt onto the center position of the emblem, once dried, placed the emblem onto the grill and marked off the other two locations of where I need to epoxy the bolts to, finished it off with a washer and nut.

 

Diggin it.

I really like the Apollo shrouds on the retros. I think Im going to go with the same ones now as they seem to look the best.

 

TRD Shortshifter

Installed the TRD short shifter today. Fairly easy install. Here are some detailed instructions I found to help illustrate the process.
http://www.xr-underground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2568

Shift feels much more solid, not loose and wobbly like before. A lot less effort driving a stick in my opinion. Shift throws are also much shorter, similar to a car. Couple of things to note when installing, the TRD shifter does not come with the liquid gasket needed to do the install, so you will need to purchase that separately. You will also need a 1 1/4" hole punch (I used grinder bit on a Dremel) if you have a Offroad edition to cut away part of the body to make room for the spacer to fit, some touch up paint to make sure the area you cut doesn't rust.

 

AJT custom shifter

To complete the TRD short shifter I added this custom shifter from AJT Designs. I've been looking for a while for a nice looking shifter with some good weight to it to help with the shifting. I wasn't really a fan of the TRD ball knob. Then this came up in a GB and it was exactly what I was looking for. Build is superb, has some real good weight to it, feels real good when shifting, and the finish is top notch. You can even do custom etching to the top if you so desire.

http://www.ajtdesign-llc.com/#!product-page/c1cs/14c39ec4-12e0-c83f-fad1-a8f07d9a0907

 

sub'd

 

@alvinfromhawaii Great thread bro and great build!

 

Bad Ass Tacoma

 

Thank you, really kudos to everyone here on the forum. I am inspired seeing other's great builds.

 

Nice! Sub'd

 

Rear USB charging port

Installed a USB charging port for the rear seats. Drilled a 1 1/8" hole in the rear of the center console and installed this unit http://smile.amazon.com/Bestpriceam...1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage, used a

$7 Lumision ADD CIRCUIT BLADE STYLE ATT LOW PROFILE LP MINI FUSETAP FUSE TAP + 5AMP FUSE

add a fuse and tapped into the fuse block behind the coin tray.

 

Trying out a black emblem for the grill. Thinking of trying a Metallic Grey to match the body.

 

Aloha, Did you install the cover yourself? Will you please post a close up side shot of where the rail and cover meet? Do your Retrax rails run parallel with the stock plastic bed top liner (parallel meaning evenly spaced with the same distance apart). Mahalo's

 

I had a friend help me. For the most part you can do all of it by yourself, the only time you will need help is lifting it into the bed once it is assembled. The rails run parallel with the bed/bedrails since it mount to the rail. There are spacer shims to help adjust it left and right. I believe the plastic bed cap rail on the truck tapers toward the tail so it isn't 100% parallel on the outer edges but is parallel on the inner edge.

Here is a close up of the rail.

 

Lift kit installed!

After a couple of 6 hour days and watching a couple of videos over and over again, the lift is finally in!

Tutorial videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbsTJgb6S_c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsHZapF-mwc

Equipment installed:

• King's 2.5 front and rear
• Total Chaos UCA
• Icon mini leaf pack
• Firestone Ride-Rite
• Daystar Cradles
• Allpro U-bolt Flip kit

Before and after



Tires and Wheels are next!

 

Those kings

 

Allpro U-bolt flip kit + Firestone Ride-rite

I searched and searched for a while to see if was possible to use a U-bolt flip kit and a air ride together. The answer was mostly no. I did find a TW member @Mach375 who fabricated his own flip kit so that it could be used with the air ride. You can see his solution here. It was nice and I was about to head down that same route but then I decided I didn't want to waste the Allpro plates that I just got. So I figured I try to reuse what I had and if that didn't work then I would do the same thing. @Mach375 was the inspiration for my solution. Thanks buddy.

* My Allpro came with the holes predrilled for the bumpstops which was important for my install.

I decided to alter the mounting plates that came with my air ride kit.


Marked a few holes.


After drilling a few holes, cutting, grinding, filing, and painting... TADA, a custom mounting plate!



Next was to alter the Daystar cradles. Gold color marks places where I had to grind away the plastic. I made sure not to grind off any of the support structure.



Cradles are ready





Here it is installed






This added an extra 2 days to my lift install.

 

Dude if I ever find your address I'm going to dig up the money tree you have.. seriously though you need to post pics with the beast wheels on. Those are what I'm waiting to see.

 

Wheels are coming soon, prob end of next week. Group buys and internet deals are the way to go!

 

What offset did you go with on the wheels? I assume the back space is 4.5.

 

I believe so.