Builds Little Green Monster - 1st Gen 4Runner (1 Viewer)

[elkun1]

after seeing that video i've always wondered if any rust treatment was applied before the bedliner was applied or if it would have made any difference. also this 55 had been sprayed on both sides. i have a bumper that was powdercoated several years ago that is bubbling in several spots, hopefully that doesn't turn into an issue with frames. i'm going to try to find that video, if i can i'll post it

 

[MTsoul]

Next was the Raptor Liner.

While we have been discussing this product choice, I had some other lessons learned or ways I wish I went differently about it. Since, it was relatively a smaller area, and I didn't already have a spray gun, I chose to using the basic "rattle can" aerosol style for applying the liner. This step I had to mask off.

The things I didn't like:

• The coverage doesn't go far in coverage. I had to order I think 10 cans, and used them all...that wasn't cheap.
• Because of the thickness/viscosity of the spray, it wants to start to build up right in front of the spray nozzle. This could potential build up and block the spray, or it would drip big globs onto the floor or vehicle. Not good. But I quickly learned to wipe the can (not the nozzle). every 10 seconds or so of spray.

In hind sight, I should have just used this on the planned exposed surfaces (mostly for looks) like the rear top rails and the exposed areas around the tailgate. That would have saved time and money.

I also used a different aerosol product on the roll bar, Rustolum Textured over the MasterCoat primer. I have used this stuff before and have extra for my Tacoma's sliders.

 

[MTsoul]

after seeing that video i've always wondered if any rust treatment was applied before the bedliner was applied or if it would have made any difference. also this 55 had been sprayed on both sides. i have a bumper that was powdercoated several years ago that is bubbling in several spots, hopefully that doesn't turn into an issue with frames. i'm going to try to find that video, if i can i'll post it

Interesting question, and I am interested to see this video.

 

[MTsoul]

I am still in the process of following up with work I have already done on the runner over the summer/fall.

Sound Deadening:

This might be a loaded subject, and some of this approach has gotten popular recently. Yet, the performance and goals can be questionable. Since I removed some of the OEM sound deadening (Constrained-Layer Dampening), I thought it best to replace. Plus, this is no fancy LC to begin with, and is built like a basic tin can. So, it seemed like a classic case of "while I am in there".

I found a pretty good website/company that covers this material/topic. https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/r...-deadening-material-independent-testing-data/
They do a great job formally testing many of the popular products in the market. Of course theirs is the best performer, but it is also the most expensive..by a long shot. My take away is there their is a much more approachable option that still had good performance. So I went with the Amazon Basics Car Sound Deadener. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XJ5MVQ8/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
Not only is Amazon's version like a tenth of the price to begin with, but they are on sale often. I got the 34-piece kit for $40.

Its important to understand that constrained-layer dampening is NOT soundproofing. The goal is not to achieve full coverage on the floor to stop sound from entering the cabin. That is not how it works, or the mechanical function that is occurring. That is why many folks talk about 25% - 75% coverage (not 100%). The simple way to put it, it manages and reduces a surfaces ability to resonate by dissipating energy through heat in the viscoelastic layer. To me this material is for "sound conditioning" not "soundproofing". (FWIW, I have history with soundproofing in other applications)

Now, for my project, it was not necessary to have a well controlled cabin space. Plus, I plan to have a softopper which will be inherently noisier in general then a traditional SUV anyway. But, "while I am in there".

 

[MTsoul]

Carpet/Floor Finishings:

Now it really starts to take shape. I went with a simple Vinyl carpet kit by ACC. Rock Auto had the cheapest price delivered. Once it was delivered, I found out that one of the pieces was (very) wrong. However, I contacted Rock Auto, and they took care of it quick and painlessly. It took a little wrestling and trimming (of course), but it went in pretty smoothly.

For the rear cargo area, I decided last minute it would be nice to add an additional pad under the vinyl carpet. It will help further protect the sound deadening, plus it feels much nicer on the knees when I crawl back there. I just pickup a foam outdoor mat that worked perfectly. I didn't take good pics, but the last picture shows the mat sitting on top of the vinyl before I swapped it in.

 

[MTsoul]

Nearly caught up on the updates.

Interior Wrap Up - Side Panels and Dash:

To no surprise, my side rear panels were very fragile and extremely faded. My original plan was to try to reinforce the broken and weak areas, then paint. But I ultimately, I decided to purchased an aftermarket ABS panel kit. It was handy that it was going to match the rest of the textured black theme I have going. I like the kit (from Trail Gear), but now that I have had it for a few months now, I do have issues with the plastic rivets and clips wanting to pop out (under just daily on road driving). Not a big deal, I will have to keep playing with that. On the positive side, I appreciated the kit included aluminum pieces, storage doors, and the new steel speakers that I happened to be missing.

Shortly after I purchased the runner, I hit some good timing and found an SR5 gauge cluster and the Inclinometer locally (I just couldn't resist). I thought he new cluster even worked well with the miles being within a few thousand of mine. Both were straight forward to install.

 

[YotaPaullie]

Nice. You are going to do such a nice job on it that you're gonna be scared to get it dirty! Nicely done! It was the first gen 4Runner that made me fall in love with Yota trucks!

 

[MTsoul]

Nice. You are going to do such a nice job on it that you're gonna be scared to get it dirty! Nicely done! It was the first gen 4Runner that made me fall in love with Yota trucks!

I laugh, but you are probably right...

I am definitely loving the 1st gen, and it is cool that a few of us in 406 Cruisers have a few.

I didn't intended to go this deep with the interior, but I opened pandora's box.

 

[YotaPaullie]

I laugh, but you are probably right...

I am definitely loving the 1st gen, and it is cool that a few of us in 406 Cruisers have a few.

I didn't intended to go this deep with the interior, but I opened pandora's box.

If you are having fun with it then who cares right?

 

[MTsoul]

(I couldn't agree more Paul!)

Most of my recent work related to the interior and painting work...but now to some exterior.

B-pillar Clean Up:

Sometimes it is about the little things, and I was actually very excited about this one. The pillar badge color had degraded significantly and the overall plastic was a little faded. So, this was the perfect opportunity to add a touch of bling. I found an aftermarket aluminum and black epoxy replacement badge for a great clean and crisp look!

Behind this B-pillar plastic trim is a body breather mechanism thingy. To no surprise, the rubber valve-like material had hardened and shattered into a million pieces. Only some of it was left when I pull the trim. Doing research on what others have done, I saw that a few people recommended buying any wheel barrel type tire tube at the hardware store and just cutting it into the shape for the flap valve. It turned out to be an easy and effective option. Originally, there was 6 mini flaps, but I just created two larger ones per side and made sure they could still easily move while still being anchored well. In the pictures you can see it was nice to just pull the trim and paint behind them, as taping them off would have been awkward in a few spots with the painting effort I had going on.

I did have to track down replacement clips for the main trim. I think they are referred to as suicide clips(?) and are meant to break, at least a few, when removing the trim. This is a good time to mention a YouTuber, 6th Gear Garage, who’s content around Toyotas I really enjoy. I just love the subtle and dry humor, while covering tops in great detail.

BLING BLING!

 

[AirheadNut]

Nice work! I really wish I could do the same sort of thing to the inside of the Prado, that will be so nice to drive with all the sound deadening.

 

[YotaPaullie]

I like the soft top. Great idea! I’m lurking on this.

 

[MTsoul]

Nice work! I really wish I could do the same sort of thing to the inside of the Prado, that will be so nice to drive with all the sound deadening.

Thanks. Its tedious work, but if you have a good reason to pull carpet back anyway, its a good time to throw it in

I like the soft top. Great idea! I’m lurking on this.

Thanks, nothin' like going topless when the sun comes out!