Where Form Meets Function. Steveo27’s Bolt-on Thread (Camping/Fishing/Weekend Exploring Build)

More updates for anyone watching -

After finishing knocking all the plastic down, I started on the filler pieces for the sides. I used pieces of the center grille section I cutout -



Mocked em up in place and traced them out -



And cut the filler pieces out -



I did it a little different and cut the center piece out so it would fill better -



Then started plastic welding -



Finished all the plastic welding -



Sanded it all down -



Then repeated on the other side -



All done -




First coat of body filler -



Tomorrow, I'll knock down the filler and add another coat. If all goes well I'll be able to paint it this weekend.

:beer:

 

Not much to update.

Second guessing the Satoshi. I love the look of the 2011 grille more and more everyday I look at it. I may end up keeping the OEM grille and going a different route with the aux lighting.

Sunday, we went out and sighted in our rifles for deer season and I snapped this picture

 

Nothing to update on. I finally got to use the 4wd on the ride home from work today. I'm really impressed with how well it works.

On another note. I think once I finish the Satoshi, it'll be for sale.

:beer:

 

More updates:


I did a rear breather relocate a while back, but never posted pics...

Used OEM fittings -



10 ft of 5/16" fuel line -



And some PEX clamps because they look more OEM than off the shelf hose clamps -



Built the breather assembly. I think I ended up using about 8 feet of hose -



I ended up running up behind the taillight because it was the cleanest most hidden place I could put it. Plus I didnt want to drill into any of the plastics -







And I left enough slack that it would bind at full droop -




I ordered knock off TRD badges off of eBay a while back and they finally showed up yesterday -



Installed the front one -







:beer:

 

More shit -

Installed a lighted 4wd indicator last week.

Installed a K&N panel filter last week.

Replaced the cabin filter last week.


Picked up a set of used wheels yesterday -




They need refinished. There are few missing bolts that need addressed.

The bolts are just pressed into place, which is dumb. I will probably remove all of them, tap the holes and install new hardware.

Ideally Id like to find a set of rock rings for them to covered the little bit of rash on the lips and make them look like MT Classic Locks. I'd paint the wheels gun metal and do a polished ring with stainless hardware.


More pics coming eventually.

 

Not much to update on.

I finished my '14 non JBL navigation retrofit -



Info/write up here -

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...igation-retrofit-diy-w-info-part-numbers.html

Im not happy with the finish on the surround, so itll get repainted. I still need to paint the HVAC surround as well.

:beer:

 

Well I forgot about this thread...


Nothing really exciting has happened since March.

I did some shit to the truck. Heres some pictures in no specific order..

Installed an Ebay USB/3.5mm plug in place of the stock 3.5mm jack -





I shaved down the front calipers to clear the aftermarket wheels I plan on running -





Then I painted the calipers -



I built a sweet bed divider to hold gear for fishing -



Room for a cooler, bait bucket, waders, and other shit.

And I build a fishing rod holder -



Random picture -



I found a set of Weathertech's on Craigslist for cheap and picked them up -



I bought a canoe over summer, so I needed a way to haul it. I bought a Rhino Rack roof rack and added a fairing off the Thule rack from my VW -





Also, over the summer, we went camping one weekend -



The last time we went camping, we took the MK4. Its so much nicer using a truck for camping.

I changed the oil -



I bought a 30" LED light bar off of Amazon -











And heres some random pictures -







This brings us up to date

:beer:

 

After i got your message i checked your thread. Nice work man! I know you were working on a satoshi grille but i really like the 2011 honeycomb and trd emblem on your truck. I really need to work on my rear diff breather mod. And damn you made me want to get a light bar for my lower valence. Keep up the good work.

 

Thanks dude. Im glad I kept the stock grille and went with the light bar over a Satoshi and Hella 500s. The first option is ALOT cleaner.

:beer:

 

Not too much to update on....

But Ive been thinking a lot lately with the directions I want to take the truck in. Ive come to the conclusion that Im going to turn it in to a TRD Off Road/TRD Sport hybrid w/ an OEM+ twist.

Basically I plan on taking all the stuff I like about the TRD Sport and adding it to my truck.

Sport parts include -

- 17" Sport wheels
- Painted mirrors
- Painted door handles
- Painted rear bumper.
- Scoop'd hood


I pretty much want my truck to look like this when Im done -





Larger tire, 3" lift, Sport bits. Simple yet super effective.

Now I have something to shoot for.


Since the last update a month ago....

I replaced the plate lights, the map lights, and the dome lights with LEDs. Super happy with them over the halogen bulbs.

I picked a set of TL projectors from my buddy and am extra set of headlights from a local member on here. I plan on doing a BHLM with the retrofit and I have a little twist up my sleeve -




I need to order HIDs, ballasts, and shrouds then I can make some progress.

I purchased a set of Silver Streak Metallic mirrors off of a member on here and installed them -



Its amazing the difference the silver mirrors make -







:beer:

 

Nice progress!

 

Thanks!

I have some more to update on.

Ive spent the last week or so collecting parts.


I happened upon a set of 4 used and 1 new 265/70/17 Duratracs on Craigslist for a steal and picked em up last Tuesday.







3 of the used ones have pretty good tread left on them -



The 4th used one is meh, but itll work as a spare.

Lets just say I paid full price for the one new one and got the 4 used one for free.


I check Craigslist daily, and came across a single brand new 265/70/17 Duratra on Craigslist the day after I picked up the first 5. I picked it up for 125$



All said and done, I picked up 2 brand new tires, 3 used tires with over half tread, and 1 meh tire for 375$..

I think the Duratracs will be a nice slightly more aggressive upgrade over the 265/70/16 Cooper AT3s -



I need to score a set of 17" Sport wheels now. I have set lined up, just ironing out all the details on them.

All said and done, the truck should look like this soon -




Also, my spare set of door handles showed up -



I plan on color matching them.

More parts showed up over the weekend as well -



New spark plugs, LED bed lights, and bed light connectors.

The truck rolled over 60,000 miles last week as well and I decided it was time to do the 60k maintenance on the truck. I bought the truck with 47k on it and I havent do anything other than oil changes on it.

I plan on doing plug, front and rear differential oil, transfercase oil, and tranny oil.

:beer:

 

Since the last update....

1. I sold the aftermarket 16" wheels I had originally purchased. I flipped em on Craigslist for 10$ more than I paid for them.

2. I started on my LED bed lights -



3. I changed the original spark plugs. They had 61k miles on them -



4. I started on my LED underhood lights -



5. I started on my fuseblock install -



6. I wired the DRLs to come on as driving lights and changed the clear LEDs to amber the side markers -



7. I picked up a set of 17" TRD Sport wheel -



The clear on the wheel is bubbling like most TRD Sport wheels do and they need refinished.

Im kickin around the idea of painting them a little darker silver like so -



:beer:

 

Boom

 

Monthly update -

Been doing alotta little things to the truck - nothing major as me and the girlfriend are saving money up to buy a house in the summer.

- I sold the 16" TRD wheels and tires on Craigslist.

- I got the fuse panel all mounted up -



(Dont mind the extra wiring, its for the underhood lighting)

- I got the bed lighting finished -





- I added a console lock as I like to carry my pistol and I need somewhere safe to lock it when I dont carry it on my person -



- I added a constant 12v lighted socket from a VW inside the center console -



- I added a dual USB charger as well, but I dont have any pictures.

- I added mounts for a D cell LED Maglite to the drive side seat bottom -



- I added an LED light strip to the center console thats wired to come on when the headlights come on -



- I replace the locker switch with a cleaner/smaller option -



- I ordered some MT-90 for the transmission and I also bought a set of used Toytec top plate spacers -



- I finally got around to ordering rear 5100s to replace the stock shocks -



It rides SO much better now with the 5100s all around.

Here's a few random pictures from some hunting trips this past month -





And lastly, I found a TRD catback locally for dirt cheap. Its so cheap, Id be crazy not to buy it. I didnt plan on doing anything else engine or performance oriented, but Im gonna pick up the TRD exhaust and throw it on the truck

:beer:

 

Monthly update -

Havent really been doing much to the truck lately, searching for a house has taken up most of my free time.

1. I got my TRD exhaust installed -





After driving around with it on the truck for a few months now, I must say I am satisfied with it.

2. I found a 5th TRD Sport alloy and I mounted it to one of my spare Duratracs to have matching spare wheel/tire -



3. I got my Light Racing control arms all stripped, painted, and rebuilt -

Before -



After -



4. I found a used set of Eibach springs -



Waiting on a chance to install these and the control arms.

5. Installed a set of LED puddle lights -



6. I finished the underhood lighting -



7. Finally got around to painting my HVAC panel -



8. I built a rear seat delete panel -





9. I replaced the door speakers with a set of Infinity's -



10. - I added a set of pedal covers to it. These are actually a set of pedal covers off of an Audi TT -



11. Sourced a Bestop Supertop off of Craigslist -



Im sure Ive done a few other things that I cant remember.

Cheers

 

Nice work!Lookin sweet!I was born in Pittsburgh PA.but have lived most of my life in CA.More power to you OP!Way to be creative and hands on with your mods!

 

Thanks.

Nothing much to update on. I finally got around to painting the wheels -



The clear laid funny, so I gotta scuff em down and shoot em again.

I also talked to Down South Motorsports about my blown 5100. Awaiting them to not be back ordered so I can get a replacement .

 

havent popped in here in a while. great work on all of your mods, i really like the direction you are taking with the truck!

 

How is this build not more popular. I love this build. It's very simple and clean. Everything looks to be done the right way. You got yourself a very sharp looking truck. Keep up the good work.