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.

Good news and bad news

Well, first the good news: found a great Surf grill that I am keeping an eye out for right now online. I put it on the watch list and was surprised when I saw that someone else is interested and has bid on it. The price is only 6000 yen right now but I will wait till the end and bid high. I won't be letting this get away from me. You will never find a specialty grill like this Stateside.

 It's a sport grille and I'm liking it. In great condition front and back and even has the owner's/installation manual with it. This will be a great replacement for my current stock grille. I was looking for an alternative to what I have now and this is perfect. I guess I'll get it painted black when I have the car painted. This one is pretty rare and I imagine cost over 30,000 when it was new. It's crazy to see some of the prices that were charged for mere pieces of plastic.

 The Japanese says 'Sports Grill' at the top. Really like the fact that the manual comes with it too. The Hilux Surf emblem is pretty neat too. I've decided to remove all emblems from the truck, only keeping the ones on the tailgate and this grille. Paint idea is to go all black and probably keep the bumper chrome rather than paint it. With eight months I'm getting excited about my rebuild. Seeing so many people on the forums is good motivation too. I can't wait to see how much I will have gotten for my build. All of the stuff is cheaper too; it's just the shipping that may prove to be a hassle but I'll be fine.

...And here is the back. All in great and usable condition. I can easily send this one back to myself without issue.

Now the bad news but maybe it's actually good; eBay seller after extending me a second chance offer flaked out on me and relished the item. I sent a number of emails to fix the situation but after a while it became clear that the seller was doing some fraudulent listing. I figure they had a friend bid up the charger and at the end offered me the SC then backed out figuring they could get more money. I have decided to pretty much just buy a new unit and save myself the headache of not knowing what's in the box. Yes, it will cost more but at the end of the day I'll sleep better.

JAOS roof carrier on the watch list

I came across a JAOS roof carrier that's up for dibs. I like it but can't imagine ponying up 35,000 yen or about $400 for a used JAOS carrier. I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. I like JAOS but more and more the truth is that their products are seriously overpriced. Here is the carrier:

 Here you get a clean look at the carrier and the accompanying Terzo bars. Don't really need the bars but will take them I guess. They pretty much used the same size carrier for a lot of the vehicles. Landcruiser is same as 4Runner. The post says this came off of a Surf and I guess that that's a 185 in the picture but not sure.

 Here is a good pic from above. Will have to get some clips for the two sets of H4 fogs I have. Also want to run three IPF 817 lights: one on each remaining side. These will give 180 degrees of light and have the car totally covered no matter what. The IPFs are going for about $75 a pop. Figure I'll just tie them all into one switch or keep them separate and have three different switches on the dash.

And here you get a better look at the Terzo bars and clips.

I like the carrier but at this price I'll pass.