Some potential good news..!

Well, I've been going back and forth with my old company back home and if I get a yes from them next week then it looks like I will be headed home at the end of January so I will get a jump on my mods. To make sure everything goes smoothly I've already sent off my passport off to be renewed and expect to have it back in two weeks. I expect the fridge and separator will arrive tomorrow or Monday. I currently have my eyes on a couple of items that I'm excited about as you might imagine. Don't want to broadcast yet just so I don't jinx it but keep you posted. Cheers everyone and have a good weekend!

Closed the deal on both items

As the weather gets colder and colder here in Ishikawa I'm happy to say that I closed the deal (finally) on the fridge and the separator. The fridge ended up going for cheaper than I'd seen in the past so that was an added bonus. From here on out it is basically lights and just the Jaos bumper. I may pass on it though and go for another bumper from back home but since I like the thing so much I may just make it my last purchase before transitioning back home. A ladder would be nice too but I'm not holding my breath for that one. Anyway, I'll stop here for the time being.

Oh and great news: another fridge has been posted today, lol.

Only a few more months to go but still so far away...it seems

Well November is almost finished and my apartment is both my sleeping quarter and full time car part storage facility. After selling a field monitor on one of the sites I frequent to another member he decided not to install and I chose to buy it back from him. Got a great price on it and in the end it was shipped to my parents' home. Ok so I do have a couple of items currently on the auction block and I plan to win both of these. The first is just a generic looking luggage separator for the SURF and while I don't know exactly how it installs in the trunk I know that it's not rocket science.

 The second is the ever elusive Toyota box fridge; this is the third unit I have come across and I will bid on this one before the close aggressively. This unit appears to be even cleaner than the previous two that I came across

Here is the plug and I want to say spare strap. Will keep you posted.

As it is now I plan to ship everything in January or March. I'm in no hurry to ship everything but by the same token I wouldn't mind having some space in my apartment again. Until next time, Cheers!

Newest addition: Rear Surf Mat

Ok, so here it is; hard to believe it's been a whole month since my last post. Also, I ended up buying back a field monitor from a guy I sold it to a good month and a half ago for $100 plus shipping. I'll work to keep this updated. Can't wait to get back in May!

Corvette seats for the 4Runner

Here are pics of the heated Corvette seats that I got off of ebay. I plan to add a cooling feature and have these seats professionally installed. Love the look of them and can't wait to feel the difference.

Picked up a JDM Hilux Rollbar

So the rollbar is off of the Hilux pickup. You don't see it so much in Japan as you do in Southeast Asian countries and Australia. It cost more to ship the thing then it cost to buy. Was only like $30 for the auction and close to $40 to have it shipped to me but very happy to have it. Also received a second tarp which I think I mentioned in an earlier post. Below are some pics of the roll bar. The first one is it in my apartment all packed and the other two funky angled pics are from the auction. Guess the seller was going for some kind of wow factor or something. 

Rollbar and behind it the first tarp that I won

One of the two pics that the seller posted. Love the Hilux badges

And here is the second

Also received the second tarp which I bid on like a jackass; live and learn though right. In any case the apartment has started to get a little smaller again unfortunately. As far as things on the radar that list is quickly shrinking. I do want to get these smoked lights, IPF 817s, JAOS H3 set and skid plate and maybe a fridge if I can find one down the road. Keep you posted.

Current Items on auction block update

So since the last article the Recaro seats were removed by the seller. Was pretty ticked but got over it quick. Now looking at seats on eBay and found this great set that I bidded on. Making them work will be the issue of course. I also won the tarp and it's here in the apartment but I did not bid on the fridge; the reason being was because I made the seats my first priority and they were expensive. By the time the seats were removed the fridge was sold so no worries. I also managed to sell a couple of items on the forum that I recently joined as well as purchase the tire carrier for my truck. I lost a little on the selling transaction but it is what it is. I'll do better next time. Other than that I currently have my eye on a rollbar from a JDM truck which closes tonight. Bid on another tarp only to get the price up and ended up winning the damn thing so now I will have two of the things, lol. Live and learn I guess. Cheers!

Current items on the bidding block

Ok, so as of now I have the following items that I have collected while here in Japan:

1. JDM Surf Sports Grill
2. JDM Surf tailgate
3. JDM compatible carrier
4. JDM field monitor

And on the block are the following items:

The awesome Recaro seats that I found which I am hoping to get.

An original JDM side tarp

The last picture is the best shot and of course that's a 4Runner/Surf in the picture. I'm really keeping an eye on this one because these things are ridiculously rare. It's number two on my list after the seats I guess. It closes tonight so we'll see what happens.

And last would be this:

Found another one that will be closing tonight. Comes with a couple of other items that this one does not. Price so far is cheaper too. I lose it, I lose it, I don't mind so much. Bigger focus is on the seats and the side tarp. The seats alone on eBay or wherever are rare, expensive and sought after. I don't plan to sell them at all, rather will install them to add some class to the truck. Cheers and keep you posted!

Ok, so here is the engine and tranny

Ok, so here is the engine and tranny that I am purchasing for the rebuild. Got a good deal on the set which came out of a JDM Surf so low miles, likely less wear and tear. I'll replace the obvious things of course like seals, belts and gaskets. Will also drop the stock alternator for a DC Power 180 Amp which will attach to the stock oem location without need for modification. I've actually decided to hold off on a Supercharger after really thinking it over so it along with the accompanying items are now off of my list. Clearly a move that will save plenty of money but that's not why; guess after a while I just couldn't sell it to myself. Anyway, Cheers!

Grill pics

Carrier has arrived...and my apartment is shrinking

The carrier arrived yesterday, gotta say it's a bit larger than I anticipated but still it will work. Looks like the JAOS H4s I have back home will mount easily with some clips and fasteners. My apartment is turning into a storage facility. Posted my field monitor for sale on a 4Runner forum just to see if it will sell. Either way I don't lose anything. I also went ahead and put a bid on those Recaro seats the C81 and with two days to go hope to win them. Looks like I will have to arrange shipping much sooner than I anticipated due to the fact that with the carrier, tail gate, grill and likely soon the Recaros my already tiny apartment will become incredibly small! Here is a pic of the carrier. Cheers!

So there you have it; the Thule rails are packed inside of it. Will be so glad to get this stuff out of here.

Updates and whatnot

Well the good news is that the grille is expected to arrive today so I will post pics upon receipt. The carrier should arrive this week too so I'll be looking for that.

Also, found a matching JDM engine and tranny down in Florida and will make a deposit on it and have it shipped in October to my mechanic for installation. I plan to have engine and tranny installed along with Thorley Headers, DC Power 180 or 270 amp alternator, tranny cooler, etc. I will also try to get the Big three upgrade done along with replacing belts, water pump and gaskets. This will get the truck running again at the least so not bad and for the price they gave me on the two I decided to go ahead and buy. They come with a warranty of course which you definitely want.

Maybe also have the sway bar and control arm bushings done then too. Guess that's about it for the time being then; keep you posted and will post pics when I receive grille and carrier. Cheers!

Deals closed today!

Well, good news. Won auctions on both the grille and the roof carrier I had my eye on so up to four items now for the truck. Here again is the grille:

Tadaa!

So that's the grille and here's the carrier. Dimensions again are about the same as the Jaos at a fraction of the price. 

The Thule pieces are also included

Good prices on both items so will pay and wait for them to come in which means next week perhaps. I like this carrier because it appears to be quite flexible and adaptable for whatever. My plan is to set up three IPF 817s at back, left and right of the unit then have my four JAOS H4s at front. I'll likely get a Thule 44" deflector for the front of the carrier also. Cheaper back home.

So I received the tailgate today...

Yep, that's right!! It arrived at the apartment and good grief is it larger than I had anticipated! I started looking for a shipping company that will handle a freight shipment for me when I head home next Spring. Came across an Engel manufactured Toyota on board fridge today that blew me away.

It holds a good 14liters 

Some detail

Here you see even more detail

This thing brand new originally retailed for well over $700 and would be a serious one of a kind edition back in the States simply because I am very certain that you won't find one. I will only install it after completing my planned dual battery setup of course as I don't want this killing my main battery. In any case I will keep you posted

Back to the tailgate though I found a spot for it behind the couch in my apartment but it is seriously larger than I anticipated with the packaging but I appreciate that. I have a one week period to return it and check it but I don't want to have to rewrap the thing. It would be one thing if I were setting it up on a truck here but with me going to have to send it home anyway I'd just rather keep it neat and packed. I will try and see if I can cut away at a piece of the wrapping tomorrow but feeling the expose top part. Correction: I just cut away a part of the top and it is indeed the correct item so I am satisfied. I'll end on that note for the time being.

Radio and speaker update

This is the setup I plan to replace my stock setup with when I get in Spring.

At the front of it all I will add a Kenwood Excelon DNX6990HD

Front and back of the unit

Plenty of input items in the back. Plan to run my WDTV media player and a CMOS 310 backup camera. Will add an iPhone cable also. 

Here are the specs

Polk Audio speakers in the front and rear

These are the db6501s and they are component. I'll wire the front tweeters to the appropriate housings in the A pillars

The amp that I have chosen to go with is the JL Audio XD700/5

This will power everything and specs are more than enough for what I want. 

And here is the single 10" Infinity 100.9 sub which will be sealed in a Sound Ordnance box for tight accurate bass.

Some pictures of the truck in its current state

Was able to get some pics of the truck as it looks now. I plan to start with interior stuff first when I get back then move from there. I have a Kenwood double din Japanese radio now but will update that plus the entire system. I'll post my Audio setup idea later.

Here it is and  here you can see the Magnaflow exhaust pipe

Updated tail lights

Debating taking off the Surf stickers. Also may paint the whole thing or just flares

Another good shot

Jaos H4s up top, two sets. JDM fogs on front

Nice profile pic of a clean truck

So there you go, it looks like this now so I know that it will look much better when completed next spring. Keep you posted.

PS: As far as painting goes I'm between all black or sticking with two tone and panting the flares silver; maybe even white along with the bumper. I keep trying to decide which configuration is best but figure I can't go wrong no mater which way I choose. There seem to be a lot of all blacks so I wouldn't mind staying away from that but who's to say it's not the best right?!

List of current things I'm watching

Here is a list of items I'm keeping an eye on over the next few days. I took the JAOS carrier off the list too just because it's very overpriced. 

Thinking three of these on three sides of the carrier

Looks wise: Attractive Utility wise: Fairly useless

Recaro C front seats

Very usable carrier at a very reasonable price

Tire carrier at a negotiable price

My current number one.

Anyway, that is a rundown of things currently peaking my interest. Bottom of the list would be the mud flaps just because I've used these in the past and they are not good once you start going off road and hitting high brush, etc so I will likely pass. The grill and carrier are my top two and I guess the seats after that but they are more expensive. Anyway, guess that's enough for the time being. I'll keep you posted.