New to me 40th AE Refresh Build (1 Viewer)

[Mamba28]

Since you aren’t staying 100% OEM, why not have Slee put a Toyota 2UZ V8 in it? Probably not a lot more than your rebuild, much more drivable and arguably easier to sell at a high margine should you ever have to.

I owned a 97 ASP 40th...loved it. If I could have put a Toyota V8 in it, I’d have never moved to the 100 Series.

The V8 conversion is really interesting but from what I was told, there are restrictions here in California that make it tricky… I got a quote from a local shop for $30-35k for an E-rod LS swap and a two year wait. If I went V8 route, the Toyota V8 would be sweet.

 

[Mamba28]

@Mamba28 - great looking rig! Can you provide any details around the type of paint job you went with and the rough cost? Need to do the same to mine soon.

Absolutely- this was about $8k worth of paint/body work (not including parts I purchased that they fitted). I ended up taking it to a Maaco about an hour south of me. After doing a lot of research and seeing some of their custom projects, I knew this would be the place. I went with their top tier paint: primer, multiple base coats and multiple clear coats. They sanded and prep’d very well. Removed lights etc. and zero overspray. Zero orange peel as they wet sanded the paint as well. The initial estimate was $6500 but I ended up getting some added body work to make it look perfect. Also, I purchased the OEM bumpers, belt mouldings, passenger turn signal, etc. and brought to them for install. Including those parts, a total of $9,000. I hope this helps. You can find cheaper for sure and also much more as well. For my wants/needs this worked well.

 

[Mamba28]

Have you researched windshield replacement. OEM option seems to be gone. I am considering calling one of the large Toyota Dealer Body shops to see if the have any old guys who can do it right and not screw up my truck.

My windshield was replaced by PO last year but I’m actually going to have it removed to get tinted properly… A local body shop assured me they know how to put it back on properly so we shall see. Either way, it’ll be good to know it was done by a local shop.

 

[Mamba28]

I stopped by the upholstery shop today to check on progress and drop off a few more items. The sound deadener install took them a while to do but looks promising. Here are a few progress pics:

 

[Mamba28]

A few of the carpet as well:

Hard to tell in this angle but the Mass Loaded Vinyl, Damplifier Pro, Jute, and mass back carpet make for a very “thicc” combo. I measured about 1.5” of additional material. They added plenty of adhesive to make it all sit. They trimmed the edges to get everything seated properly with the trim. Fingers crossed it all works.

 

[Mamba28]

I measured highway noise on a freeway I use nearby with a generic decibel reader from Amazon. At 63 mph, I saw a low of 74.6db with a/c and audio off. Sunroof shade and all windows closed. Numbers jumped between 74.6 and 78db over a 1 mile stretch. Not terrible given my tires are in bad shape. I’ll post results replicating same scenario (road/conditions) once the car is done to get a sense of sound deadening benefits.

 

[saraujo]

This build is looking great! I hope to get this sound deadener in on my 80 one fine day. It'll be great for colder and hotter temps as well as the intended sound deadening!

 

[Mamba28]

This build is looking great! I hope to get this sound deadener in on my 80 one fine day. It'll be great for colder and hotter temps as well as the intended sound deadening!

Yeah the thermo benefits look really promising and I’m excited for that. I noticed some heat coming from floor area near cats/trans after a long drive in traffic. Nothing alarming but definitely some warmth. Looking forward to seeing how much this helps there.

 

[Mamba28]

Here’s the Audio setup. In time I plan on moving the sub to the stock location in a hidden panel. For now, it’ll go in the Downfiring box so I won’t lose too much utility. It’s a 10” sub.

 

[saraujo]

Here’s the Audio setup. In time I plan on moving the sub to the stock location in a hidden panel. For now, it’ll go in the Downfiring box so I won’t lose too much utility. It’s a 10” sub.

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That sound is gonna be awesome! I need to upgrade mine and when I do, will be putting Apple Play.

 

[Mamba28]

That sound is gonna be awesome! I need to upgrade mine and when I do, will be putting Apple Play.

Apple Car Play is a game changer! I’m stoked to finally have a backup camera in this rig too. Parking is a challenge without it

 

[saraujo]

Apple Car Play is a game changer! I’m stoked to finally have a backup camera in this rig too. Parking is a challenge without it

Yep, looking forward to integrate a backup camera as well. It can be dicey backing the rig up on trails.

 

[tseck73]

FWIW - I mounted a Kicker 10" Hideaway powered sub on a Wits End quarter panel mount in the stock location - it sounds really nice. I've got the kicker speakers in the door panels too. Overall sounds great considering it is a 27 year old rig. I also added sound deadening on all panels, doors, and floor - no rattles

 

[Mamba28]

FWIW - I mounted a Kicker 10" Hideaway powered sub on a Wits End quarter panel mount in the stock location - it sounds really nice. I've got the kicker speakers in the door panels too. Overall sounds great considering it is a 27 year old rig. I also added sound deadening on all panels, doors, and floor - no rattles

Oh that’s awesome- I didn’t know WE made a mount for the quarter panel. Do you happen to have pics of your install?

 

[tseck73]

Happy to snap a few pics and post them later.

Here is a link to the mount: Quarter Panel Mount, 80 Series- right - https://absolute-wits-end.com/quarter-panel-mount-80-series-right/

 

[Mamba28]

Happy to snap a few pics and post them later.

Here is a link to the mount: Quarter Panel Mount, 80 Series- right - https://absolute-wits-end.com/quarter-panel-mount-80-series-right/

Thanks!

 

[rdcnj]

Great build. Congrats on the purchase.

Maaco did an outstanding job on your paint from those photos.

 

[Mamba28]

Great build. Congrats on the purchase.

Maaco did an outstanding job on your paint from those photos.

Many thanks - I was super skeptical about Maaco prior to this. I'm realizing the individuals and prep are more important than the brand.

Your build is OUTSTANDING - loved thumbing through it. Congrats on a great rig!

 

[Mamba28]

Interior is done! They knocked it out in about 11 days: Suede headliner, Suede pillars, New Front Seat covers with matching armrests, full sound deadening, new oem shifter and new carpet. The carpet is substantially thicker now with the deadening but they trimmed edges so all clips still hold.

 

[Mamba28]

The seats turned out really well. They fit fantastic and feel great. The color match is hard to tell as the back seats are dirty and once I get them cleaned I’ll get a better sense of match. But my OCD will likely just order new rears, too.