Builds Piñata, the redeemed

mp_cude · Nov 23, 2023

This time last year I picked up a 98. The year prior, the owner of a semi truck repair shop wanted $9k. I offered him $6k, to which he scoffed. I smiled politely and told him, if he still had it a year later I’d give him $3k. He smiled, we shook hands and parted ways. I’ve spent a lot of money at his shop for equipment repairs and semi tires, so I wasn’t worried about offending him, lol. A year later, he still had it sitting out front and true to my word I pulled in and offered him $3k. He hemmed and hawed, we went back and forth and settled on $4500 in trade on some items I took in on back rent for one of my rentals. I put new tires on it, an OEM AISEN timing belt and water pump kit. A new third seat for the kids, a valve cover gasket, new Toyota OEM rotors and pads in the rear and some other miscellaneous parts.

The shop I got it from agreed to do paint and body for additional trade, however I fell in love with it and wanted it perfect. I decided to take it to a friend and pay in real monies instead of the bottle caps I’d rather trade with

. It’s close to being finished at paint and I’m getting excited. I’ve decided to document this build and start a thread. Below is a link of some of the teaser pics my buddy sends from time to time…makes me feel like Kip sitting with uncle Rico talking and his online girlfriend

I’m going for a simple, utilitarian build, a throw back to my first love of 20 years ago, the Fj60 and the troopies I only had access to on the innerwebs. I’m in the process of ordering a 1.5” lift, hidden winch mounts, 70 series 16” split rims (a set of five new take offs for a 2007) I found, tall skinny tires and all parts necessary to overhaul the entire undercarriage. CVs, drive flanges, front diff mounts and bushings, new UCAs, LCA rear control arms with bushings, etc, all Toyota OEM parts….the interior, which is somewhat of a disaster, is last on priority, mainly seat repair and detailing, however I will get to it when the LC is mechanically perfect. All parts will be delivered next week.

Any input and ideas are welcome. Pics to come soon.

Color ideas (at paint)

I recently acquired a locked 98. It’s fairly battered on the passenger side, however, to me it’s worth saving. At the end of the month it’s going to the body shop for all the body work and complete color change. Personally I want Toyota color code 4E9 but my wife doesn’t. She loves the cavalry...

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mp_cude · Nov 23, 2023

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mp_cude · Nov 23, 2023

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mp_cude · Nov 23, 2023

If all works out, these will go to powder coating after I take delivery.

mp_cude · Nov 23, 2023

Building fence with the boy. He thinks it’s his first vehicle

…he may be right

SteveH · Nov 24, 2023

Sounds like an interesting build. Post photos as you go.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

These were taken today. According to the shop owner, it was not perfect and so, it was completely resprayed today.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

Today, I made a radical decision change. From inception, I had planned on a grey metallic with a satin clear coat for the bumpers, swatches below. When my buddy called me this morning to confirm, I decided on a different route, and he agreed.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

My inspiration for this build is for a basic, low key (depending on your definition) unassuming LC, which are only available in other countries. I really like the plain, graphite gray bumpers, but did not want to spring the cash for imports. So, I thought a galaxy gray metallic in its place, would be a minor, classy upgrade….however, reading another poster, (@yetiwf thanks for the unsolicited inspiration to use bed liner) I began to be inspired by using a bed liner. Today, I made the decision to use a bed liner instead of paint.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

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hoser · Nov 30, 2023

One detail about the poverty pack 100 that "bothers" me is the 1st and 2nd row windows have frames and the 3rd row is frameless. When painting the frames the body color, it looks incongruous. Looks semi-okay with clear windows... less so with tinted windows.

Not too late to change.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

hoser said:
One detail about the poverty pack 100 that "bothers" me is the 1st and 2nd row windows have frames and the 3rd row is frameless. When painting the frames the body color, it looks incongruous. Looks semi-okay with clear windows... less so with tinted windows.

Not too late to change.

View attachment 3495690

I have wrestled with exactly what you’re saying, however, I can always vinyl wrap the frames.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

@hoser, and the Toyota split rims (5 of them) are on the way

*edit: and I may look into having them welded up to be tubeless, if at all possible.

hoser · Nov 30, 2023

Yes, I was thinking the same about the vinyl wrap. But be nit-picky, the blacked out window frames are accompanied by matching door jambs. A detail that actually surprises me.

I would normally advise against split rims for the common folks but I think you mentioned something about semi-trucks... and so you are probably familiar with them.

yetiwf · Nov 30, 2023

mp_cude said:
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View attachment 3495675

That texture looks amazing. You didn’t have to show me up right off the bat!

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

hoser said:
Yes, I was thinking the same about the vinyl wrap. But to pick nit-picky, the blacked out window frames are accompanied by matching door jambs. A detail that actually surprises me.

I would normally advise against split rims for the common folks but I think you mentioned something about semi-trucks... and so you are probably familiar with them.

I did overlook the door jambs as it relates to the black frames

…I guess this is where I’d reluctantly say yeet or yolo, whichever’s appropriate. If it bothers me down the road I’ll correct it.

As far as the splits rims go, yes, I am familiar. Ranching has ingrained in me to be simple and prepared. Where we live in NM is hours from any where and miles of gravel. They’re perfect and practical for my application. The only reason I’d consider welding them is if I ever sold them or the LC, they’d be good for the next owner.

mp_cude · Nov 30, 2023

yetiwf said:
That texture looks amazing. You didn’t have to show me up right off the bat!

To be fair, if I did it, it would look like trash

and yours does look very good.

mp_cude · Dec 3, 2023

Most of the suspension parts here. Amazingly, everything that came from Dubai arrived 3 days quicker than everything coming from Tennessee.

All parts are Toyota OEM with exception to the springs, torsion bars and shocks and of course the diff drop, which I was very conflicted with and still am to some degree. If they don’t work out, I’ll chuck them and go back to new OEM springs and TBs.