Builds "Choyota" 2002 LX470 Thread (9 Viewers)

[choyota]

Beautiful mods. Making me want to transform my black 2002 LX to look like yours.

Thank you.

 

[VR6GURU]

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Quick mall-crawler photo sesh this morning. Beginning to believe these tires are looking smaller every time I look at them.

Nice rig. Can you tell me who makes your bumpers? I have gone down the rabbit hole trying to find a good option for my LX.

Thanks

 

[choyota]

Nice rig. Can you tell me who makes your bumpers? I have gone down the rabbit hole trying to find a good option for my LX.

Thanks

The rear is from Nguyen Works. Right now I'm the only one with it, but they acquired a 100 series for themselves, which probably means they'll go into production for these for other folks.

The front is a Coastal Offroad center section with custom tubing for the "wings". You can buy a center section only from Coastal. I took that center section to a shop not too far (KP Offroad) and Tanner did the welding of all the pieces and made the custom tubing.

Vidal Metal Works (also in Socal) has a new front bumper for 100s, and it should be on their website, without all that custom work: STRYKER 100 - DIY Kit - https://vidalmetalworx.com/products/stryker-100

 

[VR6GURU]

The rear is from Nguyen Works. Right now I'm the only one with it, but they acquired a 100 series for themselves, which probably means they'll go into production for these for other folks.

The front is a Coastal Offroad center section with custom tubing for the "wings". You can buy a center section only from Coastal. I took that center section to a shop not too far (KP Offroad) and Tanner did the welding of all the pieces and made the custom tubing.

Vidal Metal Works (also in Socal) has a new front bumper for 100s, and it should be on their website, without all that custom work: STRYKER 100 - DIY Kit - https://vidalmetalworx.com/products/stryker-100

Great info. I have hit up Nguyen Works in the past and they confirmed they have something coming. I looked up the Coastal site the bumper looks good. Do you know the ballpark a welder would charge to put it together. Just trying to get an idea of an all in cost of this bumper.

Thanks

 

[choyota]

Great info. I have hit up Nguyen Works in the past and they confirmed they have something coming. I looked up the Coastal site the bumper looks good. Do you know the ballpark a welder would charge to put it together. Just trying to get an idea of an all in cost of this bumper.

Thanks

Well, it was expensive. I'd call around because it could range wildly. The Coastal kits are going to be good for guys who are good garage fabricators, but it won't really save money if you're paying someone for the labor. It could range from 300-1500 probably to pay someone, depending how custom you're going. The center section was like 400-500 bucks, don't remember exactly.

A good welder I know is Iron Ryno Fabrications, a good guy named Ryan, he's located in Lomita. But he's booked out for a few months, I'd call to get on the list sooner than later.

I took mine to KP Offroad, and they had my truck in their shop for a few weeks.

 

[choyota]

There's a lot of lurking going on, but no one is saying anything. Anyone have a question or anything?

 

[Foehammer]

Nope just admiring the work of art; and also I have no desire to modify mine that far

 

[KonTiki]

I saw the name choyota and thought here’s another blasphemous Chevy LS swap (Chevrolet-Toyota=choyota)

Love the build and absence of GM parts.
The camping and desert shots have me wishing I lived out west

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Great build! Great stance. One last thing to do solid front axle conversion.

 

[choyota]

Great build! Great stance. One last thing to do solid front axle conversion.

I wish! Maybe one day.

 

[choyota]

I've added a lot since the last update including Radflo 2.5s all-around, ICECO APL35 fridge, skids, bunch of other stuff. I'll get around to updating this since it's a little outdated. I'll just post a pic or two:

 

[tbisaacs]

I've added a lot since the last update including Radflo 2.5s all-around, ICECO APL35 fridge, skids, bunch of other stuff. I'll get around to updating this since it's a little outdated. I'll just post a pic or two:

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My desire for machined wheels for my black 570 has never been higher than it is now

 

[choyota]

My desire for machined wheels for my black 570 has never been higher than it is now

Yea....I thought black on black was a little tired for my personal taste. Black with machined, that was the ticket.

 

[choyota]

Severe lack of updating here, but had a blast attending Cruisers on the Rockies II and running Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Poughkeepsie.

Just some pics:

 

[daohaus]

*This is somewhat for personal record-keeping and a little bit of sharing. I'll go back and refine some of the stuff I listed with actual model numbers and some pics here and there.

Picked up an Black 2002 LX470 in May 2023 w/ 235k on the odo, bone stock (aside from a AHC-delete), from a single owner that passed the vehicle down to his son/daughter in Newport Beach, CA.

The primary use is intended for light trails, long road trips, solo+family camping, occasional grocery-getter, and not so much hardcore wheeling. I had a long-travel 3rd Gen Tacoma that I sold earlier this year and I wheeled that thing pretty good. I then bought a 2nd Gen Tacoma for the purpose of wheeling but will probably end up selling that, and picking up a 1st Gen Tacoma to get wild with. The goals for this LX won't be the same. Not getting wild, just mild.

Here's how it looked upon day of purchase:

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As it sits now (March '25):

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...and this is what I sold prior to the LX:

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Here's what went into that: Choyota's 2018 MGM LT+2 TRD *Locked* Sport 4x4 Build - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/choyotas-2018-mgm-lt-2-trd-locked-sport-4x4-build.703752/

Anyhow. This is what had been done so far:

Maintenance Items:
- Swapped Trans Fluid, T-Case Fluid, F+R Diff Fluids, Oil Change
- Water Pump / TB service (before THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE SWAPPED, see below)
- New Drive Belt, Thermostat Gasket, Coolant, PS hose swapped
- New Spark Plugs/Ignition Coils
- New OEM steering rack
- Rebuilt OEM CVs
- New Radiator
- Heater T inspection (was/is good)
- Address Valve Cover Gasket leak
- Address PS fluid leak
- Address Center Diff Lock light out (on dash)
- Address AC water leak (new gasket, water accumulated on passenger side floor)
- New AC blower (shortly thereafter the leak, few months)
- New In-Cabin Microfilters
- New Air Filter
- Cleaned MAF
- Diff Bushing Swap

Ultra-Minor Maintenance Items:
- Fixed all door light lens covers that popped out and replaced with LEDs
- Replaced all interior lights with LEDs
- Replaced a broken license plate light housing, replaced with LEDs
- Replaced Corner Light Bulb that was out
- Replaced seat heater bulb (never worked since acquisition)
- New windshield wipers, front and rear
- Fixed driver side door handle
- Fix Glove Box issue
- Replaced headunit display screen with a Alibaba replacement, 70% of the screen surface was inoperable
- New armrests (front, they were missing)
- 2nd row seating swapped (unsuitable condition previously)
- Replaced broken wheel stud
- Removed sidesteps
- Replaced weatherstrip in the rear
- Removed rest of the AHC hardware on the frame rails
- LED bulbs all around

A Bit More Fun Fixes/Upgrades:
- Installed @LandCruiserPhil mud-flap eliminators
- Installed Magnaflow muffler (12259), resonator-delete
- Installed Taiwan Headlights (original OEM in bad shape, broken tabs everywhere)
- Replacing with retrofit headlights from Teqcustoms
- Wanderer 4x4 Cup Holder Inserts
- New magnetic sunshades for 2nd Row, sunshades for 3rd row and back window (AliExpress)
- New rubber floor mats
- Cover King seat covers (Saddle Blanket style)
- Installed Blue Ridge Overland attic storage
- Installed Ohana Rig Supply dash mount
- Replaced multiple goodies in the interior from Cruiser DM (T-Case Shift Knob + Shift Plate)
- Well Visors wind deflectors
- Sherpa Oxford Roof Rack
- Viper Ceramic 30 (procured by a fella in Oregon selling them)
- Custom southwestern style tailgate panel (using cheap Amazon rug)
- Victory4x4 molle panels (back windows)
- Drawers/Sleeping Platform
- Replaced with Gear Panel and Shelf (Custom)
- Vinyl wrap hood (partial)
- Installed LED flasher relay (for hyperflash)
- DRL delete (snipping wire)
- Center console armrest re-leather (terrible job, btw)
- Added LEDs for hatch lighting (magnets, came with remote)
- Added Cruiser DM 3rd row rock light replacements (KC Cyclones)
- Wolfbox Rearview Mirror
- Prospeed Attic in the rear cargo area
- YodaTeq Hatch Mount (for a Dirt Direct 2.5 lighted whip I need to install)
- Ronin Metalworks Ditch Light Mount + Pods
- CruiserPatch CDL "Protect" Magnetic cover
- KC Hilites Cyclone v2 Reverse Light "aid"
- Washer Res Relocation (DIY)

Funner Upgrades:
- New Eibach shocks/springs
- Radflo 2.5s with remote resi + adjusters, Front/Rear
- SPC UCAs, new OEM LCAs
- Swayaway Torsion Bars
- Durobump Bump Stops, Front and Rear
- New Swaybar bushings, Front and Rear
- Trail Tailor Extended Swaybar links
- Ironman Diff Drop
- New Rear Links (OEM upper, Dobinsons lower)
- New OEM Panhard Bar
- Adjustable Panhard Bar - Freedom Offroad
- eimkeith Panhard Correction Kit (PCK)
- Rock sliders from Iron Ryno Fab
- Raceline Ryno 17x8.5 -0 offset Wheels
- Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT 295/70-17
- Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MT 37s
- 4.88 Yukons
- Eaton E-Lockers (Front and Rear) w/ 80 style switch and dash light indicators (Thanks, TJ Auto)

As it turned out, I ended up with rod knock. Long story short, I went on a road trip, heard some noises from the engine bay, I thought I had a loose spark plug, which I did. Replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils, turned out to be rod knock. There must have been some leak that didn't get addressed from a shop that I visited a few times. Oil levels seemed OK prior to the trip.

So, the whole motor was swapped, Long Block (new rod bearings, piston rings, head gasket, new valves, seals, freaking everything). Made the decision to sell my 2nd gen Tacoma at the same time.

Shortly thereafter, I started getting drips on my driveway from a leaking steering rack. So an OEM steering rack went in, new bushings, along with 555 tie rods.

Future plans (already purchased, too lazy to install or initiate action):
- *DONE April 2024 - Auxbeam Install
- *DONE April 2024 - Coastal Offroad Front Bumper w/ custom tube work from KP Offroad
- *DONE June 2024 - Nguyen Works Rear Bumper w/ Dual Swingouts
- *DONE 2025 - Lockers from Eaton. Yukon Gears 4.88. 37" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MTs
- *DONE 2025 - Custom Retrofit Headlights from Teq Customs
- *DONE 2025 - Skids (Talon's Garage)
- *DONE 2025 - New Sliders (IronRyno Fab)
- *DONE 2025 - Reinstall Smittybilt 10k winch I had from my Tacoma + Factor Ultrahook and Fairlead
- *DONE 2025 - Reinstall Baja Design lights I had from my Tacoma
- *DONE 2025 - Valvomax Install
- *DONE 2025 - Lutz Speedometer Correction
- *DONE 2025 - Internal Chase Light
- *DONE 2025 - Replaced Courtesy Step Lights with red rock LEDs
- *DONE 2025 - DIY Fender Liners
- *DONE 2025 - Radflo 2.5s all around
- *DONE 2025 - ICECO APL35 Fridge with Ecoflow Delta 3 Battery
- *DONE 2025 - Starlink Mini with Magnetic Dash Mount
- Loncky Steering Wheel Cover
- Fix the D in the instrument panel
- Fix my auto up/down on front passenger window
- Fix the telescoping steering wheel
- NAV Delete - Complete Stereo Overhaul
- Etc Etc Etc

That grille replacement. Any issues with fitment? I was tempted to order it awhile back but read that the fitment was dodgy. But damn your to m build looks great!

 

[daohaus]

What grille is that? Think it would look good to replaced the cracked one on my black onyx '00!

It’s for the cyngus model in Japan. They have them on aliexpress but as OP stated the fitment might require some finessing

 

[choyota]

That grille replacement. Any issues with fitment? I was tempted to order it awhile back but read that the fitment was dodgy. But damn your to m build looks great!

Yea...the early 100s had that "bracket" thing-a-me-bopper that the actual grill fits onto. I had to ditch it and use an assortment of hardware from the local hardware store to kinda fit it up. The bottom part of the grille kinda sticks out a little bit, but I have my lightbar and tubing that somewhat conceal it.

So yes, it's not a plug-and-play unfortunately. But it's been fine for a few years. I have to reach into the "O" of the Coastal Offroad "CO" cutouts in the bumper to access the hood release.

 

[anthonydiaz85]

Sweet thread and killer truck! What are the rails on your roof rack? Looks like it is for a full rack with several crossbars?

 

[choyota]

Sweet thread and killer truck! What are the rails on your roof rack? Looks like it is for a full rack with several crossbars?

It was Kyle's (Plaidwagon) old personal roofrack that I bought off of him, but I didn't have the crossbars on there. At this time I value garage parking (I fit without any crossbars) over roof storage, since the heat during the summers in CA suck (I live more inland).