Kinetic's 01 TRD Xtracab

in keeping with my new vehicle rituals, I'm creating yet another build thread.

In lieu of posting up plans, goals, and ideas (that never work out) I'll just use this space to document what I actually accomplish.

To start, the current fleet involves a lifted 99 XJ, a pearl white 2017 BRZ, and a 1977 Chevy C20.

I used to have a 2005 Volvo S60R but some drunk asshole blasted it in front of my house a few months ago at around 50 mph. the speed limit in my neighborhood is around 20, but don't worry, I'm not bitter or anything.


Back on topic, I decided I needed a smaller pickup for general pickup use and motorcycle hauling, with 4wd. Always liked the idea of a Tacoma, didn't like the price. Looked for about a year and gave up on the search, then decided I was going to commit to a full size GM truck after my Volvo was totaled.

Flash to last week, a friend of mine sent me a link to the dealer I bought my XJ from, they had a white 02 Xtracab, V6, 5 speed. Looked clean until I got there, had some frame issues. The sales person then tells me "we have another red one over there, we didn't even get a chance to list it yet, basically the same truck but a year older with an extra 10k miles"

Ended up driving it, liked it, bought it for $8k. I have no idea if I overpaid or not, but I was comfortable with the price, which to me is what matters.



So far, I've been doing maintenance things. rear vent window (?) pieces were busted so I got new billet ones, I put a spare CB from my Jeep in it, ordered a softopper.

Next up is wheels and tires, new headlight housings, and I think my buddy has a spare leveling kit I'll toss in.

Other than that, I'll be firing from the hip on this one. No plans, just an okay looking reliable truck.

Looking forward to this one.

 

Softopper installed, took maybe 45 minutes? really simple.

Works great, didn't end up using the Velcro on the tailgate yet.

Did highway speeds with it and didn't notice any movement on the topper itself, but on a really rough road (think potholes) you get a very very tiny amount of shake, which also could have just been the bed.

Not too bad to see out of, a little distortion but I'm used to Jeeps so not a huge deal for me.

I noticed its a little fidgety closing the tailgate with the rear window closed, you kind of have to hold it up then shut the gate, but not at all a deal breaker.

Folding it up is VERY quick, but I was a little cautious due to the temp outside to keep folding it up and down.

And due to the cold weather my clutch pedal squeaks. I figured some sort of lithium grease would be fine?

 

Update time, brought the truck back due to a CEL, my dumb ass didn't think to scan it before I bought it, P0420 code. Cat replaced by the dealer, no charge, and just passed inspection this morning.

This thing is ass in the snow, most likely due to the tires, so my new setup will be here on friday.

I also ordered new housings for all of the lights on the truck, ebay specials. I think $200 ish all in for everything.

I think my buddy has a leveling kit he'll give me if he can find it, otherwise what would you guys suggest? I'm not looking for lift, just to level out the front.

 

wheels and tires arrived a day early, and being that I am an impatient child, I decided to freeze in my snowy driveway to put them on instead of moving my motorcycles around and removing the BRZ from its icy prison in front of the garage door.


Method MR305NV in black, with the stock (?) size of 265/70R16 in a BF Goodrich KM3 flavor.

 

Matchsies!

 

yikes been neglecting this thread.

lost a heat shield on my brake to rust to i ripped them off and checked the LBJ while I had it in the air, those are good, so my rough ride is something unrelated. I'm going to start with shocks and go from there.

Been focused on my XJ and the new dirtbike I bought.