SPRFRKR - Mall Cruiser Refresh Build

[sprfrkr]

Hi All, starting a thread here for my very tame refresh build of a 1996 Black LC. Locked with 124K miles from the original owner.

Starting Point:

Current:

1.) Wind Noise - Windshield Replacement
2.) Descenting Odor from Previous Owner
3.) Alarm Key Fob Repair
4.) Floor Mats
5.) Clear Euro Style Flashers
6.) Trailer Hitch De-Rust and Repaint
7.) Color Match Bumpers
8.) Ebony Wood Trim Kit
9.) Headlight and Harness Upgrade + Grille Blackout
10.) Tint Install
11.) Radio Install
12.) Passenger Seat Repair
13.) Wheel Spacers, Wheels, and Tires
14.) Complete Bosal Exhaust
15.) Auxiliary Lights
16.) Center Wheel Cap Delete
17.) Exhaust Manifold Replacement OEM

 

[sprfrkr]

1.) Wind Noise - Windshield Replacement

I picked the truck up in Newark, NJ and drove back to Philadelphia. When I test drove it, I did not have a chance to get it up to highway speed. Once I did, it had a very loud wind noise coming from the front windscreen.

I took it to a Safelite Auto Glass franchise here in Philly. They gave me two prices, one of $128 if they were able to take the glass out and put a new gasket in, and another of $285 if they broke the windshield when they were removing it. Of course they broke it and it ran the full $285. It is now tight as a drum.

Total Cost: $285

 

[sprfrkr]

2.) Descenting Odor from Previous Owner

All used cars have smells particular to their owners- especially ones that are 16 years old. My truck was no different. It had a string smell of "used car" that is a combination of things. I brought it to a detail shop here in Philadelphia who had worked on my cars before. Specifically, they were able to get cigar smoke out of my G-Wagen that had a previous owner who loved stogies (bought car remotely).

They used a product called Vaportek which ran $25 additional. I did an interior only detail which included full shampoo of carpets and headliner as well as cleaning the middle and rear seats. The front seats were getting re-skinned. The floor mats are getting replaced so they were not touched.

Cost for interior detail and odor elimination: $130 (includes tip)

 

[BlackLS1]

if you dont mind me asking how much did you pay for your landcruiser?

 

[sprfrkr]

if you dont mind me asking how much did you pay for your landcruiser?

$9,000

 

[sprfrkr]

3.) Alarm Key Fob Repair

When I picked my truck up, it had the factory alarm in place. The key fob was taped together, the battery was mostly dead, and the I button was broken.

I removed the tape and saw "Pursuit" on the bottom. I eBay'd "pursuit key fob" and saw several people had them for sale around $25-30. Ordered one and it arrived quickly.

I swapped the components of my existing one into the eBay replacement case along with a new battery:

It was an easy swap with only one screen holding the case together. The board popped out easily using a small flat head screwdriver. I took a small silver ring from a beer keychain and placed it around the small loop at the top of the device. If you put the large keyring directly to the plastic loop on the device, it can break easily as it can't twist to relieve pressure. I assume that is how it broke the first time.

All done. Certainly not rocket surgery by any means, but one of the many things that will be done.

Cost for replacement fob case and new battery: $35

 

[BlackLS1]

lets see some pics of the ride!!

 

[sprfrkr]

4.) Floor Mats

The truck came with some old, beat up, smelly aftermarket floormats.

I picked up a pair of Toyota floormats off eBay. They definitely help imho.

Cost: $90

 

[sprfrkr]

5.) Clear Euro Style Flashers

I replaced the front flasher with the clear lens euro style ones.

I'm not crazy about the change, but I 'm gonna stick with it a bit.

Cost: $30

 

[sprfrkr]

6.) Trailer Hitch De-Rust and Repaint

The truck came with an aftermarket hitch which has some surface rust on it.

I hit the large rust flakes with a wire wheel, then placed rust converter/zinc on the entire thing with a brush.

The converter worked great. Decided to match the bumper center to the same satin black, so taped it off and used prepaint wipe on it. Then some primer.

It came out great. It was very windy out there today, so the paint got a bit contaminated with dust, but no one will ever notice. Spent a long time on it actually, but I wanted it to be done right.

Cost: $18

 

[SavGACruiser]

I bet if you change the corner lights to clear lenses, you'll like the look better. I think the clear lenses look good.

I replaced the front flasher with the clear lens euro style ones.

I'm not crazy about the change, but I 'm gonna stick with it a bit.

Cost: $30

 

[sprfrkr]

Yep, I have those in a box right next to me. I bought a set along with clear headlights. I think it will turn out ok. I'm getting the bumper color matched black, so that should help.

 

[NLXTACY]

Yep, I have those in a box right next to me. I bought a set along with clear headlights. I think it will turn out ok. I'm getting the bumper color matched black, so that should help.

Just make sure you get your 1156 and 1157NA bulbs

 

[sprfrkr]

Just make sure you get your 1156 and 1157NA bulbs

This is a good call actually. I was going to the auto store to prep for the install tomorrow and didn't have bulbs on the list for the new flashers and headlights. There are few things I hate more than having to make a return trip to the store due to forgetting something...

 

[sprfrkr]

7. Color Match Bumpers

I just picked up the LC from getting the front and rear bumper covers color matched to the factory black. They look great. I'm really happy with the result. IMHO, it updates the look to a more modern car. Cost way too much though, was quote $650, came out at $970.

Cost: $970

 

[sprfrkr]

8. Ebony Wood Trim Kit

My LC came with a faded, outdated wood trim kit. I used the heat gun method to remove the factory trim and it came off easily. It left a little glue residue which was peeling/rubbing off, but I got impatient and used Goo Gone which worked great for most pieces. However, it took the black off the heater/ac controls and wiped off the lettering! I didn't check well enough for color fastness. Needless to say my ac/heater controls look terrible now.

Anyway, the utilitarian look without the trim is fine for most off road build, but my build is for a mall cruiser during the zombie apocalypse. I found a great color that matches the interior of the LC perfectly. I don't think it could match any better then the Ebony Wood trim kits. I believe I got mine from carid. Most suppliers I've seen have the color. The fit was good to very good. Some parts didn't align perfectly, but you'd have to look to notice it.

The results:










Cost: $120

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I like your style. That wood looks really nice.

Where did your wheel center caps go?

I made the same mistake with Goo Gone on my power mirror controls.

 

[sprfrkr]

I deleted the center caps for now. Waiting on new wheels and I am going to shoot the hubs in satin black. They have some wear/fade spots right now. I think it will tighten it up. Trying to balance a clean, but off-road capable look. Trying to make a '96 SUV look too clean and modern doesn't seem to work, but with a little purpose and functionality, it does work. I think I'm on the right track.

 

[sprfrkr]

9.) Headlight Harness Upgrade, Headlight Install, and Blackout Grille

Was a slow process for me today, but after six hours, I finished the headlight upgrade for my truck. I also blacked the grille out.

Previously, I replaced the side markers and turn signals with clear lenses (euro style). This time, I upgraded the headlight harness using the Slee harness upgrades. I also bought a 9005/9006 to h1/h4 connector from innovative wiring (Howard I believe) which made the DEPO lights I got off of eBay a plug n play job.

While I had it all apart, I took the time to mask the grille (PITA) and hit it with a fresh coat of gloss black. I also did the trim pieces on the headlights and side markers which came with silver channels instead of the factory black.

Items Needed: DEPO Lights, upgrade harness, 9005-h1 converter kit, bulbs, rattle cans of paint

Cost: ~$430


My results:

 

[redeye]

Very clean. I like!

Nice to see another Jersey cruiserhead. Upload a pic of that G Wagon! I love those things. A friend of mine has the G Wagon AMG. The noise that eminates from that thing is to die for.