Builds Vinyl Seats 100 Series Build

[VinylSeats]

@TheAshenWolf Any updates? Also, ballpark how much $ do you have in your platform build?

It's been too long since I've updated the thread! Thanks for the nudge. I'll post my new steering wheel soon.

As for the platform build, my records show I spent $235 for all materials. You could definitely shave down that cost by using cheaper materials for the legs but I'm REALLY happy with how mine turned out. It was great for our road trip to Utah and I basically leave the extended section of the platform in at all times since I tend to haul more random stuff than I do carry a 3rd and 4th passenger.

 

[reddog90]

Awesome, would love to see more pics of the platform in use. Are you glad you attached carpet or if you built it again, would you paint/stain/bedline instead? Also, are you glad you used a hinge pin to connect the two pieces or would you rather have a full hinge similar to the air down gear up platform?

 

[VinylSeats]

Awesome, would love to see more pics of the platform in use. Are you glad you attached carpet or if you built it again, would you paint/stain/bedline instead? Also, are you glad you used a hinge pin to connect the two pieces or would you rather have a full hinge similar to the air down gear up platform?

I'll need to take some more pics next time we are out camping. Here is one from our trip to Utah last summer. You can see the memory foam mattress and sleeping bag on top of the platform. Those Sterilite bins slide perfectly under the platform.

To answer your questions:

1) Happy with carpet over other materials?

Yeah, I really like the carpet. While I have hauled a decent amount of stuff in the back, my primary goal was to make it a good space for sleeping, so carpet felt like the right choice. If I was primarily using it to haul stuff, then I think bedlining would have been a cool way to go.


2) Happy with hinge pins over full hinge?

Yeah, I'm happy the second piece of the platform can easily be removed. It can also easily sit on top of the back platform if need be. I really wanted to keep this system as solid as possible while at the same time allowing for easy removal if necessary.


Honestly, at this point, there's not much I would change if I could do it over again. Maybe that will change as I camp with it more.

 

[VinylSeats]

Finally installed a new steering wheel. After 265,000 miles, the original one was very worn on the top.

I decided to go with this one from Taiwan that others from Mud have used:

Wood Grain Brown Leather Grip Steering Wheel For Lexus LX470 Toyota Land Cruiser | eBay


I strongly prefer the wood feel that was common on Lexus of this time which influenced my choice. As you can see below, the leather closely matches the rest of the dash but it is certainly not perfect. I'm pretty particular about this stuff and the leather color match is just on the cusp of acceptable for me. My 80 has a rewrapped original steering wheel that looks absolutely stock which the particular part of me prefers. However, for the price ($250) and the wood feel, I'm happy I went this route for the 100.

Pictures of me and my dad performing the install:

 

[VinylSeats]

Installed picture once more. In addition to the leather being close, the wood grain is also really close to stock. It has a slightly more red hue than stock but it is hard to notice.

 

[VinylSeats]

@Spike555's post (linked below) inspired me to switch my old, failing antenna with a fixed one.

Broken power antenna again and no more...

So my power antenna broke again. That’s twice in 6 months. The Tundra mod was $65 in parts last time I checked and a couple hours of your time. This took me literally 10min to do. Remove the power antenna the same way if you were going to replace a broken one with a new power antenna. Then...

forum.ih8mud.com

Many people have gone the fixed Tundra antenna route, but I like the look of the short antenna and the simplicity of the install.

The kit (linked below) cost $60 via Amazon. It was delivered in less than a week from Wisconsin to Colorado.

AntennaMastsRus - Conversion Kit is Compatible with Lexus LX470 (1998-2007) - Toyota Land Cruiser (01-1998-2008) Amazon product ASIN B07BB4KT2P
The kit did not come with instructions but it was a relatively simple project.

1) While truck is off, unscrew the cap with needle nose pliers (careful not to slip and scratch the paint

2) Turn truck to accessory and let the antenna fully extend

3) As the antenna nears the top, grab it and pull hard straight up to remove the telescoping metal and the nylon teeth strip attached to it.

This video does a great job explaining the process:



I struggled with this step initially. I was already pulling hard and the antenna would not fully eject. After getting some encouragement from other Mud members, I tried again, intent on pulling it out with what some called "a scary amount of force." Fortunately, on this attempt, the antenna and nylon strip slid right out with almost no resistance. Go figure!

 

[VinylSeats]

4) Insert new metal adapter piece into antenna access hole

 

[VinylSeats]

5) Screw metal collar piece back into place.

6) Screw in new antenna (short plastic one comes with conversion kit)

 

[VinylSeats]

The short antenna that comes with the kit is 7" tall.

Other universal antenna can be screwed into this conversion kit using their included double sided screw.

Overall, this was a really simple project. The only challenge was removing the old antenna due to the force that can be required to pull it out.

I've heard good things about the reception of this little one but I'll need time to test it myself.

As for the antenna motor, it still runs when the truck starts and stops. With the OEM antenna, I could hear the motor for 5 to 10 seconds on startup and shutdown. With the conversion kit installed, the motor runs for 2 seconds on startup and roughly 15 seconds on shutdown.

 

[Spike555]

I found the reception with that short antenna lacking, I researched it and 31” is exactly 1/4 of a FM radio wave length and will get you the best reception without going bonkers on equipment and money spent.
I bought a standard GM radio antenna of that length off of Amazon for $20.
Your results may vary, check local listings.

 

[VinylSeats]

I found the reception with that short antenna lacking, I researched it and 31” is exactly 1/4 of a FM radio wave length and will get you the best reception without going bonkers on equipment and money spent.
I bought a standard GM radio antenna of that length off of Amazon for $20.
Your results may vary, check local listings.

Really good to know. I'll need to test a bit around town to see how the signal compares. I use a Bluetooth FM transmitter 99% of the time.

Knowing that I can just throw on a taller fixed one is great.

 

[VinylSeats]

I finally pulled the trigger on some retro TEQ badges from @bhicks.

My initial inclination was to play it safe and go for black and silver. But I figured the red and silver could look really cool on my white truck. I've always been the type of person to keep things as stock as possible in order to maximize resale value and possible buyers. But now I'm finally starting to let myself personalize the truck a bit!

Links to BH3D Badges
Front Grill Badge
Rear Badge


Front Grill Process
1) Remove front grill (3 upper screws, 2 lower clips)
2) Remove front emblem (3 screws)
3) Wipe down emblem area with cleaner
4) Remove new tape backing, align new emblem, connect 3 new screws and slowly tighten one to adhere emblem evenly

 

[VinylSeats]

Rear Process
1) Heat rear emblem with blow dryer
2) Carefully pry rear emblem with flat head screw driver
3) Wipe down emblem area with cleaner
4) Remove new tape backing, align new emblem, press emblem tightly to vehicle for roughly a minute

 

[VinylSeats]

Old emblem with 20-year-old adhesive:

Tools used for rear install:

 

[MattyO]

Thoughts on the steering wheel after some time? How does the color look? Thinking about doing this, but concerned that it doesn't really match.

 

[VinylSeats]

Thoughts on the steering wheel after some time? How does the color look? Thinking about doing this, but concerned that it doesn't really match.

Honestly, I would consider myself someone who can be very bothered by something like steering wheel leather being slightly off color.

With that framing, I'm still really happy with it almost a year later. I think the color is just close enough that it doesn't bother me. Is it as good a match as my rewrapped 80 steering wheel? No. Is it pretty darn close? Yes.

The following reasons make this a good option for me:
1) The color is close enough that it almost matches
2) I prefer having some wood on the wheel and this is a very reasonable way to accomplish that in a 99 TLC

My only complaint is that fitment was not quite 100%. There were some plastic pieces that didn't quite fit like OEM on install and I hear a quiet plastic on plastic noise when I turn the wheel. I just need to take the wheel off again and adjust/modify the plastic pieces.

Given the choice of this wheel vs. a rewrapped one (considering cost, look, time, etc.), I'd go with this one again.

 

[VinylSeats]

Put on some new tires. I took advantage of Discount Tire's Labor Day 10% off sale and walked away with 5 KO2s under $1100 after tax.

The new tires are 285 / 75 / 16. They look much better than my previous tires and add a nice small lift.

Old Tires

New Tires

Next up: OME rear springs and a slight torsion bar crank.

 

[VinylSeats]

Installed the ARB Safari Snorkel Clone.

Parts / Tools
ARB Safari Snorkel Clone
Painter's Tape
4 1/4 Hole Saw
Drill
Step Drill Bit
Round File
Fender Guard Clips
Pop Rivet Gun
Silicone Sealant
Silicone Spray Lubricant

HUGE thanks to @REZARF, @phi1osopher, and everyone else in the Budget Snorkel Thread. Phi1osopher's $98 ARB-Clone Snorkel Install thread was really helpful.

REZARF's write-up is FANTASTIC and the best resource I could find on this project. I printed this out so I could have it on hand during the install.

Finished Product

Progress Shots

 

[VinylSeats]

 

[VinylSeats]

Rectified the silver intake head clamp by painting it black to match the snorkel. Much better!