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white_is build thread! (1jz swap in progress... 1/30

508K views 2K replies 271 participants last post by  Joshie989 
#1 · (Edited)
Newest pics = Post 1882*

Going to try to revive as much of this as I can. Pictures won't be exact, and I may not put ALL of the pictures back, but I'll do what I can over time.




*** All of these are hotlinked. Click on them and they will take you to the specific post.
Obviously I couldn't include ALL the important posts, so these are the ones with pictures.

Post 1: First day I got the car. Then Tanabe Coilovers, Work Emotion XD9, Work RS Lug Nuts, 15% tint.
Post 8: Fog Mod. DIY BP Emblems.
Post 30: Blitz Nur Spec Exhaust. DIY Black housing Head lights and Fog lights.
Post 32: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 39: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 49: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 52: Duplicolor Metalcast Blue Painted Calipers with Black Decals. Satin Black Emblems and License Plate frame.
Post 89: SOLD Works. 11 spokes back on. Lower. iPhone pics FTL. Extended Exhaust for USDM Bumper. Added “L” Emblem to grill later.
Post 119: More pics.
Post 145: DIY Relocated horns
Post 150: More pics
Post 154: Interior Pics. Tanabe Sway Bars. Falken FK 452’s. Ray’s Extended Blue Lug Nuts.
Post 157: SSR Carbon Fiber Center Caps. SSR Professor MS1’s.
Post 164: Test fit of Wheels/Tires. JDM Altezza Window Visors. JDM Altezza Short Antenna.
Post 199:Fitment after rolling all four fenders. Shorter Springs installed on Tanabe Coilovers.
Post 219: PICS
Post 241: Some fender mods
Post 264: “Tinted” Third brake light red. MMSport Satin Black Tail Lights with Chrome rings.
Post 282: More Pics
Post 308: Random Pictures. LSD.
Post 332: LSD.
Post 338: Grom Audio iPod adapter. More Random Pics.
Post 350: Grom Audio. More pics.
Post 352: Pic.
Post 358: Another random pic.
Post 410: JDM Non Smokers Box. Edited Pictures. Stock wheels back on.
Post 427: Stock wheels + Stock Suspension = FAIL (winter mode)
Post 460: Hiding my Grom Audio Ipod Adaptor!
Post 471: New pics. Tuned Parts Rigid Bars. Polarg Hybrid Bulbs. Figs Mega Arms.
Post 488: BC Racing Coilovers, Ichiba Spacers, Cusco Upper A Arms, Nokya Bulbs, Figs Mega Arms, SSR's all installed. New pics!
Post 513: New pics!
Post 526: New pic!

Post 529: New pic!
Post 532: New pics!
Post 552: LS 400 front calipers in the works
Post 574: BC Damping Extenders, SSR Stickers, Caliper Bolts, Pads, Front Rotors.
Post 581: Some pictures of my front fitment...
Post 585: Techna-Fit Brake Lines
Post 589: Figs CDDD, Caliper Adapters, RCA's, Busted Windshield.
Post 597: Rear rotors and a couple new pics.
Post 608: Teaser from my Brake install.
Post 616: Rear calipers powder coated.
Post 622: HID Fog kit. Brake setup DONE. Stock wheels on.
Post 646: New "old" picture.
Post 651: Random Parts. One of my friends 240sx.
Post 655: New pics. Interior shot.
Post 672: Karl-Sport Short Shifter
Post 691: No more lip kit. Broken lower ball joint bolt.
Post 695: Figs Rear End links and new ball joint.
Post 696: New pictures.
Post 710: New picture of my car. Picture of my friends Civic.
Post 712: Rear end links installed.
Post 721: OEM TRD Altezza Grill.
Post 733: Figs Hood Props installed.
Post 742: Preview. OEM JDM Front. Authentic TRD Lip
Post 777: Random picture
Post 780: Vertex front bumper
Post 788: Vertex Side skirts
Post 799: Vertex front and side teaser
Post 819: Vertex Rear lip
Post 837: Teaser of my wheels
Post 841: Test fit of my wheels
Post 847: Test fit of my new wheels. Two new pics.
Post 867: 255/35/18 Yokohama S.Drives.
Post 873: 215/40/18 S.Drives. UGO Replica.
Post 882: Tires mounted. Teaser rear fitment.
Post 893: Z-Edition Grill
Post 898: Toe Links. Spacers.
Post 910: Lug nuts. Spacers. Teaser.
Post 918: Wheels on. Pics.
Post 943: New pics.
Post 957: Interior Pics.
Post 960: Floor mats, touch up paint. Vertex parts almost ready.
Post 962: Kit installed!!
Post 983: More pics!
Post 986: Pics from my buddy!
Post 996: New random pics
Post 1010: More picture whoring
Post 1028: Pictures...
Post 1060: New pictures before winter
Post 1081: Maintenance parts. Figs. Wheels.
Post 1082: Wheels
Post 1097: Wheel update. KS shifter
Post 1110: Wheel update.
Post 1113: Toe links, end links, teaser.
Post 1132: New Pics with Vertex and Wheels.
Post 1158: More wheel pictures.
Post 1171: New Pics. Refinished wheels on.
Post 1177: Maintenance parts.
Post 1179: Timing belt job. Interior. Raised car.
Post 1204: Old pictures from the summer.
Post 1210: Samco. Koyo. Exterior. Parts. Engine bay.
Post 1217: Ganador Mirrors. Wheel teaser
Post 1229: Wheel teaser.
Post 1236: New pictures.
Post 1241: New picture.
Post 1250: New pictures.
Post 1254: Wald Flares. Vertex hood spoiler.
Post 1269: Spring cleaning. Cusco trunk bar.
Post 1270: Modellista kit!
Post 1292: Interior cleaning. Carbing?
Post 1293: Wald flare test fit.
Post 1314: Painted rear Modellista Mesh
Post 1315: Rect Japan quarter window ducts
Post 1316: Window duct test fit
Post 1328:New pictures.
Post 1331: New pictures
Post 1333:New pictures.
Post 1339: New pictures
Post 1341: Old bent wheel lol.
Post 1360: Fog lights. New pictures.
Post 1376: Vertex fender test fit.
Post 1380: Ganador paint options.
Post 1381: Oil pressure gauge working. Fog light film install.
Post 1382: Power Ganadors!
Post 1386: Fully functional cluster
Post 1392: Modellista Fog lights wired
Post 1406: Two new pictures
Post 1409: TRD Neo/Cloth interior from Japan
Post 1412: New white/blue glass Ganadors
Post 1417: New white Ganadors
Post 1424: My view out of Gandors
Post 1428: Ganadors
Post 1435: Wheel disassembly
Post 1437: Wheels disassembled
Post 1442: Couple old pictures
Post 1444: Qualitat Badge
Post 1445: White Ganadors/Qualitat
Post 1446: Cusco Rear Strut Bar
Post 1451: Door panels. Chrome VS black Head lights
Post 1457: Arm rest, No.2 LCA, bushings
Post 1466: Random pictures
Post 1470: Friend's wheels pictures
Post 1481: Snow pictures
Post 1483: Bushings pressed out. Wheel hardware
Post 1486: Random pics. Juran FSTB
Post 1488: Bushings and parts
Post 1497: Vertex Wheel. Parts. Lips.
Post 1503: Wheel Faces
Post 1506: Random pics. Bushing install. Faces
Post 1513: Random pic.
Post 1519: Snow pics. Inner Barrels
Post 1524: Front wheels.
Post 1529: Buddy Club Spec 2.
Post 1530: Random Picture
Post 1540: New pictures
Post 1548: Buddy Club Spec2 videos. More pictures
Post 1559: Vertex Steering wheel install
Post 1564: Fender marker wiring. Steering wheel
Post 1570: Vertex horn button
Post 1573: Front tires mounted. Test fit
Post 1577: OEM Altezza Push Start
Post 1585: Blitz finished and put together
Post 1593: Blitz on. Pictures
Post 1604: Blitz on. Pictures
Post 1613: Blitz on. More Pictures
Post 1620: Bump Stop Spacers
Post 1621: Couple Pictures
Post 1626: Footwell LED. Blitz center caps. Suspension rubbing.
Post 1629: More pictures
Post 1638: Steering Wheel Spacer
Post 1643: More Pictures. Carbing Rear Strut bar
Post 1645: Carbing rear bar installed. Steering wheel spacer on.
Post 1652: Carbing front strut bar installed.
Post 1658: Wekfest Houston pictures
Post 1664: Fall Pictures
Post 1674: Rolling shots
Post 1678: New keys lol
Post 1688: Modellista Clear Trunk Lights
Post 1692: My garage lol
Post 1695: Spare tail lights. Interior piece
Post 1700: Rear toe adjustment failure
Post 1705: Elixir teaser
Post 1706: Elixir teaser
Post 1720: New rear tires
Post 1725: New BC coils, Figs mega arms installed
Post 1728: Exterior Pictrues
Post 1731: Elixir test fit
Post 1734: Some kind of leak?
Post 1741: Work Lug nuts, Moon face ball joints, random pictures
Post 1745: Pictures, interior and exterior
Post 1746: 17x9 Blitz type 03
Post 1749: Moon Face ball joints installed. Blitz wheel pictures
Post 1756: Ikeya Subframe collars installed
Post 1757: "New" JDM rear bumper
Post 1762: Black 3 Bar Altezza Grill, New 17x9 +22 CE28N, First puppy Luna
Post 1766: 17x10 +35 CE28N, two pair of CE28N
Post 1772: Street Faction Front/Rear Bash Bar Install, TRD Yellow, Elixir Teaser
Post 1773: Pictures with mismatched color CE28N
Post 1774: Luna update, First rescue dog Vada, dogs together, Amsoil trans and diff fluid, cabin air filter, oil change parts
Post 1784: Footwell Lighting, TRD Yellows, LED Ganadors, New door lock actuator, new drive belt, Figs foot plate, hood dampers, battery bar, T-shirt, bushings, Replacement trunk hinges, "new" daily 4Runner
Post 1786: Wiring Ganador plugs, JDM black housing Head lights, Super Pro diff bushings, Carbing front under brace, more pictures with mismatched color CE28N and LED Gandors installed
Post 1789: Figs side skirt clips, JDM Head Light install, CE28N back from powder coat
Post 1791: Tires mounted, Figs foot plate installed, Ray's replacement valve stems and CE28N stickers, matching wheels installed, Figs side skirt clips installed, head lights and tail lights polished
Post 1795: Trac links and bushings removed, Figs trac link arms, trac link knuckle bushing, rear lower control arm bearing installed, OEM white pearl tail lights, interior picture, exterior pictures
Post 1796: Exterior pictures
Post 1797: Exterior Pictrues
Post 1798: Exterior pictures, random pictures
Post 1802: Failed Foster dog addition Bug, all three dogs
Post 1806: Before/After detailing 4Runner, new rear brakes for 4runner
Post 1807: Last Modellista picture, Karl Sport shifter maintenance, Altezza cloth rear seats, arm rest, and door panels installed, Bride Zeta 2 driver seat cleaning with Street Faction seat rail and slider, new trunk lip spoiler, transporting Elixir and IS for paint
Post 1808: After 4Runner paint correction
Post 1809: Elixir painted teaser, Elixir details, grill fitting, Fog lights fitted, IS300 paint correction started, Elixir skirt test fit, broken wheel stud, car on jack stands
Post 1815: Diff removed, diff bushings removed, poly bushings installed, subframe bushings partially removed, picked up Chargespeed fiberglass hood, hood latch replacement parts and hood test fit
Post 1819: Rear H&R Extended wheel studs install, subframe diff poly bushings installed, car back on the ground
Post 1820: Exterior pictures
Post 1821: Exterior pictures
Post 1822: Exterior Pictures
Post 1828: Exterior pictures
Post 1829: Spare dash, Bride hip pads, Bride installed
Post 1830: Exterior pictures, Interior pictures, tires removed from front CE28N, New rear tires
Post 1832: "New" Advan RS 17x9 +29 18x10 +15, tires mounted, exterior pictures
Post 1835: Exterior pictures
Post 1838: Exterior pictures, new tie rod end
Post 1839: Interior pictures, exterior pictures
Post 1843: Interior pictures, exterior pictures, engine bay picture
Post 1844: Bride XAX2 passenger seat, Max intro, all 4 dogs picture
Post 1846: JDM Altezza front fender fitting, Garage shelving updates
Post 1852: Received Karl Long o2 Sim
Post 1854: How NOT to change your door lock actuator
Post 1857: o2 Sim Installed, Bride/Interior Pictures
Post 1858: Bumper on, no side skirts, engine bay pics
Post 1859: Kit back on before paint. Raised front, fenders rolled.
Post 1860: More pictures before paint. After getting an alignment.
Post 1861: More pictures. TRD CF license plate garnish
Post 1863: More Advans (17x9 +29, 18x10 +15, 18x10 +25), new valve stems, Bride RO Seat Rail.
Post 1870: Progress Pics From Body Shop. Hood/Fenders Prepped.
Post 1871: Progress From Body Shop. Parts Painted. Seats in, Car back At home. Ganadors put together. Car ready to be assembled. 18x10 +25 Advans on.
Post 1872: Car Assembled Pictures.
Post 1873: More Pictures
Post 1877: More Pictures. Car On Jackstands. Removing Front Upper Control Arms.
Post 1878: Failed Upper Control Arm Ball Joints. Car back on the charger for now lol
Post 1880: Ball Joints and Bushings Replaced. New Pictures
Post 1881: New Pictures, Garage Rearranged, New Tahoe
Post 1882: Future Fab 1jz Turbo Elbow, Altezza Digital Cluster
Post 1888: Weld Spark Plug Cover, Altezza Hyper Rev Volumes
Post 1889: Random Pics, Parts
Post 1890: ACT Clutch, Fidanza Flywheel, New pics, Buddy Club Exhaust for sale
Post 1891: Greddy Supreme SP Exhaust, Fluidampr Crank Pulley, Walbro Fuel Pump, Pics


There is a lot of talk about my mods throughout the posts inbetween too. I mainly posted the posts which contain pictures lol.

My CURRENT Mods list.

Exterior
15% Tint
Chargespeed Fiberglass Hood
Cerumo Sports Trunk Spoiler
DressUpBolts.com Titanium Engine Bay Dress Up Kit
Elixir Aero Front Bumper
Elixir Aero Side Skirts
Elixir Aero Rear Bumper
Figs CF/FRP Hood Prop Kit
Ganador LED Super Mirrors with Blue Glass
JDM Altezza Antenna
JDM Altezza Black Housing / Blue Tint Head Lights
JDM Altezza Black Z-Edition Grill
JDM Altezza Front Fenders
JDM Altezza Rear Bumper
JDM Altezza Rear Emblem
JDM Altezza Window Visors
JDM Modellista White Tail Lights
Rect Japan Carbon Fiber Quarter Window Ducts
Replica UGO Roof Spoiler
Satin Black Painted Fog Lights
Street Faction Front Bash Bar
Street Faction Rear Bash Bar
TRD Carbon Fiber License Plate Garnish
TRD Oil Cap



Interior
Altezza Black Cloth Arm Rest
Altezza Black Cloth Front And Rear Door Panels
Altezza Black Cloth Rear Seats W/ Head Rests
Bride RO Passenger Seat Rail And Slider
Bride XAX 2
Bride Zeta 2
Carbing Shift Knob
Dakota Digital Speedometer Convertor Box
Dakota Digital Tachometer Convertor Box
Grom Audio iPod Adapter
JDM Altezza RS200 Digital Gauge Cluster
JDM Non Smokers Box
LED Dome Light
LED Door Lights
LED Foot Lights
LED Map Light
LED Trunk Lights
NRG Short Hub
Steet Faction Seat Rail and Slider
Vertex Steering Wheel
*All-Weather Floor Mats (For Bad Weather/Winter)
*Full Black Leather Interior in storage


Performance
Carbing Cooling Plate
Figs Clutch Dampener Device Delete
Greddy Supreme SP Catback Exhaust
JDM OEM Altezza OEM Plug and Play Push Start
K&N Intake
Karl Long o2 Sim
Karl-Sport Short Shifter
Koyo Aluminum Radiator
TRD Type S 1.3kg/m^2 Radiator Cap
Samco Coolant Hoses and Clamp Kit

Suspension and Brakes
5 Speed LSD
BC Racing Coilovers (18k/16k)
BC Racing Damping Adjustment Extenders
Carbing Front Strut Bar
Carbing Rear Strut Tower Bar
Cusco Trunk Bar
Figs Replacement Upper Control Arm Ball Joints
Figs Caliper Adapters
Figs Diff Pinion Mount Bushings
Figs Diff Subframe Bushings
Figs Front Adjustable End Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Front Upper Control Arm Static Bushings
Figs Drop Mega Arms
Figs Polyurethane #1 Lower Control Arm Bushings
Figs Polyurethane #2 Lower Control Arm Bushings
Figs Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings
Figs Rear Adjustable End Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Rear Knuckle Lower Bearing
Figs Roll Center Adjusters
Figs Sway Bar Relocation Brackets
Figs Toe Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Trac Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Trac Link Knuckle Bushing
IS300 EBC 3GD Sport Rotors (Rear)
IS300 EBC RedStuff Pads (Rear)
Ikeya Formula Rear Subframe Collars
LS400 EBC 3GD Sport Rotors (Front)
LS400 EBC RedStuff Pads (Front)
LS400 Front Calipers
OEM Front Upper Control Arms with Moon Face Low Angle Ball Joints
TRD Yellow Front Sway Bar
TRD Yellow Rear Sway Bar
Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines (Black Coated)
Tuned Parts Rigid Bars
URAS JZX110 Super Tie Rods


Wheels and Tires
Advan RS
17x9 +29 215/45/17
18x10 +25 225/40/18
Stock 11-Spoke wheels


My car in it's CURRENT state...

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

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Pics from when I first got the car! 2005 CW 5 speed with black leather interior and 28,900 miles.

WhiteLexus4 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


WhiteLexus6 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

WhiteLexus2 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


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added more pictures... they arent the best either though. its been cloudy and cold all day.

alright i got new rims tires and coilovers all in the past two weeks and have obviously had the windows tinted since i got the car. but i finally got everything put on wednesday and have been dying to post pictures but i didnt have a chance to take decent ones when i got the car back wednesday. i washed it but by the time i got home i ran out of daylight :( and i was busy all day today. so here are some pics i have so far.


tanabe sustec pro s-oc type II coilovers
TanabeSustecProS-OCTypeII by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

bronze work emotion xd9 18x8 +45
WorkEmotionXD94 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


CoreysPictures003 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

CoreysPictures007 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

CoreysPictures011 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
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9
#1,786 ·
So I fixed my door. I still plan to take apart what I have left to take pictures of everything so someone else can avoid what I did lol it's just messy so taking pictures and working on it at the same time is a pain. But it's done, I had to pry the hell out of a lever and gain just enough room to poke a small flathead
After I fixed the door I was motivated to get other stuff done. Installed Ganadors, TRD yellows, new serpentine belt, and replaced my trunk hinges. My trunk now pops completely open! Hasn't done that in years so that's cool.

Just this week I was finally able to get my hands on some pig tails for 2002+ OEM mirrors. My Ganadors had no plugs so I didn't have a way to get power to them to adjust. I removed all the wires from the plugs, grabbed three I wanted to keep, soldered onto the wiring of the Ganadors, and then placed the wires back in the spots needed for adjustment. Much better now that I can atleast see SOMETHING lol

IMG_0586 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0592 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0594 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

I picked up a few parts too. Figs Super Pro bushings for the subframe diff mount and diff ear mounts, Carbing front under brace, and I finally bit the bullet and bought JDM black housing/blue tint head lights.

IMG_0617 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0616 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0528 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0335 by in the slot I needed and it popped right open.
Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Drove my car for the first time in over a month since I couldn't get the door open. This was like January 1st lol

IMG_0132 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0130 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

I did eventually wash my car.

IMG_0579 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0578 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0416 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_0413 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



May install Carbing brace tomorrow, need HID kit for headlights before I install them, need to figure out the best way to wire turn signals for mirrors, need to get my wheels powder coated, need it to warm up so I can work on my Vertex fenders more.
 
#1,788 ·
Thanks! Yeah, I go back and forth between selling it and continuing to mod it. Will have it until I'm fed up with it lol

Haven't messed with the diff bushings yet. I was planning on rushing things together to go to Import Alliance in Atlanta next weekend but I realized I won't be happy with some of the details so I'm not going. Which means I can start working on the bushings soon
 
#1,789 ·
So I may sell my Carbing under brace if anyone wants it. It hangs too low for me, I'm afraid it will get caught on an incline or a speed bump :(

Figs came through and produced new "OEM" side skirt clips. I jumped on the group buy and they showed up last week I think. They're actually a lot bigger than I expected lol but fit perfect once you fix your pinch welds. Mine are folded over and bent to hell so that made it more difficult. I haven't finished putting them in or test fit my side skirts but should be back together next week/weekend.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Started working on the head light install. I removed part of the ballast wiring from my OEM head lights and will be using them to make a plug and play harness. Just need to order some 9006 clips and some 9006 bulbs.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Pictures from before I swapped head lights. Wheels are powder coated and match now!

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



I've got a lot of loose ends right now lol. Started about 6 small "projects" at once and have nothing completed other than greasing the front sway bar lol. Hopefully in the next two weeks or so I'll have things back together and cleaned up

Then it'll get put back on jack stands so I can do the rear bushings lololol at least then it'll go a little lower and get a fresh alignment
 
#1,791 ·
Tires mounted

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Rough install of Figs foot plate. In the process of pulling front seats to clean carpets and then will swap back to carpet floor mats

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Picked up authentic Ray's stickers and a pair of Ray's valve stems so I would have a full matching set in black. My gold pair of CE28 had chrome valve stems while the silver had black

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Was in the process of cleaning the car as well I can and got everything back together

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Figs OEM side skirt mounting clips installed. My pinch welds were pretty jacked up so it was a little bit of a challenge to get everything lined up but I managed to get it lined out. Pretty happy with them. .Haven't fully mounted my side skirts, still need to do some stuff under the car so I'll be pulling them off again soon

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Did some polishing of my head lights and tail lights before I installed them.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

May take some pictures with my camera one day

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Really need to figure out my fender situation. Have Vertex fenders that need a lot of work but I don't have time for them.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,795 ·
Finally got around to replacing the lower control arm bushing on the rear knuckles, the traction arm, and the traction arm bushing on the rear knuckles. I was trying to have the car ready to drive for Import Alliance in Kansas City, so I decided not to attempt the diff bushings.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Part of me has wanted a new set of tail lights for a while now, mainly when I started looking at getting JDM black housing head lights. Well I was originally after the set of JDM black tail lights (not dark chrome, but actual painted black) when a set of white tail lights came available. They are also 100% OEM from Toyota so I decided I'd take a chance on them. Did not expect them to be pearl white or even the same shade of white but was pleasantly surprised. They are also in fantastic shape.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Cleaned up my interior and put in the Figs foot plate. Didn't have time to attempt to refinish my dash but that's on my list, possibly for this year if I can get to it lol

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Car was ready to drive again

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

This was actually on my way back from Kansas City

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,796 ·
Obviously I was able to make the trip to Kansas City for Import Alliance. I left Friday morning, drove to Joplin, drove to KC later in the day, was in KC Saturday, Drove back to Joplin Saturday night, and then drove to Jonesboro Sunday afternoon. I had decided to take some back roads in Arkansas on my way back, and while I wasn't disappointed with the roads, I severely underestimated the time it would take to get there lol. All in all, I ended up driving over 1,000 miles, and spent about 6 hours on some hilly, curvy back roads and highways.

Definitely worth it.

DSC_6591 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6595 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6599 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6615 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6621 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6624 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6627 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6631 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6642 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6646 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6647 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6653 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,797 ·
#1,798 ·
#1,800 ·
Thanks for sharing the picture of the digital Altezza Speedometer gauge cluster. My friend was able to source one for me, and I don't see many posts of what it actually looks like.

I agree with Tobios, colour matching tail lights make the rear end look much better on some of the IS300s.

I will read through the remaining 1799 posts throughout this year. Lol
 
#1,802 ·
So just some small updates...

I sold my full Modellista Qualitat body kit to a guy in Florida who's car is going to look really cool. Excited to see it come together.
Sold my Vertex hood spoiler.
Sold my Carbing under brace.

I'll update with pictures soon ish, but haven't bought much. Been trying to sell all of my extra parts. I took a new job in Franklin, TN back in August so that's been a transition. Currently working from home with the intention of selling my house and moving out there.

Adopted another dog so the total is 3 now. He was found on the side of the highway with some road rash but was otherwise uninjured. My wife and I took him in as a foster, found him a home, unfortunately that didn't work out, and it was clear when we brought him back that he and Luna (our other white dog) had formed a bond so we kept him.

DSC_7103 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_6674 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Umm... I bought a driver seat, swapped to cloth rear seats, cloth door panels, cloth arm rest, bought a new rear spoiler... I think that's pretty much it. My car is currently at the body shop getting Elixir fitted and painted, so I've been waiting to take pictures of the seat until I get the car back and put it in. I bought BN Sports front fenders so I'll need to get them painted (they have not arrived yet) and I might have my mirrors painted at the same time. That will depend, my passenger side LED works and I have it wired to function with my turn signals, but the passenger side doesn't work. I've got to see if I can source one or have it fixed. I don't really want to have them painted until I get that situation sorted.


I think that's pretty much it. I got a dual action polisher for Christmas (Griot's Garage 6") so since the 4runner has been in the garage I've been working on some paint correction with it. "Finished" it this weekend but it's been raining so no pics of it lol. I'm going to Franklin for work this week so no updates for another week or so.

If anyone wants my OEM flush mount trunk spoiler, rear leather seats, leather door panels, let me know.


If anyone knows of an Elixir hood or Do Luck floor bar, let me know. Not many pieces left I want, but those are two that I do.



I'm going through and trying to fix all the broken pictures. I can't get into one of my photobucket accounts right now, and unfortunately I think the majority of my pictures are there :(. I've gone through the first 20 or so pages (based on how many posts you see per page, I see 60 pages) but that's where I get stuck. I will continue to update when I have the opportunity, will also update my first post to continue the hotlinking to all major posts/pictures.


Please, if you have questions don't PM me here. They get forgotten. Instagram is very easy, same username here and there, and you can find me on Facebook from there.
 
#1,803 ·
Also, very disappointed with the body shop so far. It’s a friends shop, and I know he means well and has much higher paying jobs, but the car has been there for going on 3 months. I trust him to do the job and do it well, I just shouldn’t have told him I had no real time frame. So partially my fault.

Just disappointing because I wanted to finish up my rear suspension and swap in both pair of diff bushings, and refinish my dash this winter. Not to mention I wanted the kit to sit and “cure” before driving it too much. Now I’m going to get it back right as spring comes around

And on top of that, as soon as we list our house for sale (which I’m hoping will be in the next month or two) we’ll be packing up to move. I wanted to have the car back and dialed in before the move.
 
#1,806 ·
I'm glad someone else enjoys seeing them lol





Been busy updating the pictures throughout. Making progress and have about 2/3's of all the pages pictures restored.

Figured I would give a small update though...

So I bought a 4runner and decided to start cleaning it up this year. It wasn't in bad shape by any means but I wanted to do what I could with it. Started on the interior and shampoo'd the carpets and stuff. Pulled the seats all out to use leather cleaner and conditioner. The bottom of the rear seats have been removed for more space for the dogs lololol. If my wife and I are traveling with more than just the two of us, or going anywhere without the dogs, we take her Mazda so the rear seats don't ever get used. A fitted sheet over the back works REALLY well to keep the carpets clean of dirt and dog hair by the way!

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Before:
Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


After:
Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



Before:
Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

After:
Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Not long after we got the 4runner, I noticed a weird smell/noise from the rear. I replaced the driver rear caliper and put new Toyota rotors and pads on it and it seemed to take care of the issue.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr





I also had Toyota change the timing belt and a few other parts not long after we got it. I didn't feel comfortable not knowing 100% if it had been changed since it had 145k miles on it, so I went ahead and bit the bullet and got it done. Other than take care of a few maintenance items that I know will need addressed at some point, I don't really have any plans for it.

Only real items of interest are retrofit head lights and maybe some LEDs to brighten up the interior when needed. Keeping it maintained is my main priority.
 
#1,807 ·
As for the IS...

This is I think the last picture I took of Modellista which is now sold.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


I took apart my Karl Sport Short Shifter. After making my trip to Kansas City I noticed the shifter felt really sloppy. Eventually pulled it out and the rubber insulator had completely deteriorated. I lucked into having an email from Karl still so shot him a message and as luck would have it, he responded within 15 minutes and provided with more than I expected. I was able to purchased the exact material originally used and now have 2 extra sleeves. Of course, I did have to cut and drill them myself with limited tools, but I made it work lol. Definitely not the same "quality" as originally provided but no one will ever see it.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Swapped rear seats, door panels, and arm rest...

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


This will be taking the place of my driver seat...

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


I tore it all apart to clean. Had a funky kind of smell lol got most of it out, fabric is a little faded so didn't clean up much

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Street Faction seat bracket and slider

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



Obviously don't have the seat in the car since it's still at the body shop, but it's comfortable to play some super nintendo in. Hoping to pick up an all black Bride Ergo 2, Brix 2, or XAX 2 sometime this year to complete it.



Then, I bought this spoiler and have no idea what it is.. It's not TRD, it's not RMM unless they were sold in Japan. I bought it used off an auction labeled as "TRD??" lol

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



And that ^^^ is how the car sat the last time I saw it.





Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



I think that's pretty much everything up until this point. As I update the rest of this thread I'll update if I come across anything else. Or if I get my car back lol
 
#1,808 ·
Finished my attempt at paint correction on the 4Runner. Definitely not perfect, but it's much better than it was when I got it. Just going to try to keep it close to this condition while I have it.


Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



I have no plans to mod the 4Runner. Wheels would be cool, but I would rather spend the money that I would spend on truck TE37 on the IS lol. Only real changes that will be made are front window tint and I would like to do something different with the head lights. Projector retrofit would be sweet, just money on the 4Runner vs money on the IS lol


Hoping I'll be able to pick up my car in less than 2 weeks. Cross your fingers.

I think I've fixed all of the broken photobucket pictures so that's sweet. I think everything is up to date too.
 
#1,862 ·
Finished my attempt at paint correction on the 4Runner. Definitely not perfect, but it's much better than it was when I got it. Just going to try to keep it close to this condition while I have it.

I have no plans to mod the 4Runner. Wheels would be cool, but I would rather spend the money that I would spend on truck TE37 on the IS lol. Only real changes that will be made are front window tint and I would like to do something different with the head lights. Projector retrofit would be sweet, just money on the 4Runner vs money on the IS lol


Hoping I'll be able to pick up my car in less than 2 weeks. Cross your fingers.

I think I've fixed all of the broken photobucket pictures so that's sweet. I think everything is up to date too.
You should buy the FN BFD wheels in 18x9 instead. Throw some Volk stickers on them. :laugh:
 
#1,809 ·
Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Got my car back from paint a few weeks ago. Had a lot going on with work/life. Spent 3 days in California, had a grandfather pass away which required two weekend trips in a row, and just overall busy.

I manage to get my grill and fog lights mounted on my bumper. Elixir came with some silver mesh so I used plastidip to paint it all black.

Also put my Volks back on. I didn't have any real interested buyers so I'll be keeping them until either someone gives me a good offer or I buy something else.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Mounted my ballasts for my HID fog lights that haven't been used in a few years lol they still work so that's sweet.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



Then I began work doing some "paint correction". I've had this car for over 10 years and the most I've done is clay bar and wax. I didn't want to go too aggressive yet so just used a middle ground polish/pad combo and was able to remove swirls and some minor defects. There is definitely some deeper stuff still there, but I wanted to just do a one step in order to move on to other projects so I can drive the car. I'll see how it looks in the sun and re-evaluate and can do a more thorough (attempt) at a correction over winter or whatever.

My rear bumper was the worst. I actually didn't realize how bad it was until AFTER I got the car back from paint. I bought it used from Japan and it was the same paint code, and I opted to not have it painted. I was nervous once I started looking at it again but I was able to remove most of the defects so I'll be happy with it for now. There are a few marks/scratches down to the plastic that I can do nothing with other than repaint. Most are on the bottom portion that will be covered with the Elixir lip.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr




So I finished that, waxed the car, and then test fit the side skirt to verify height. Ended up raising the rear about 1/2" and adding a 10mm spacer.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Unfortunately, I won't be getting BN Sports fenders. At least not yet. My fenders are awful and it bugs me, but I was shown a deal on another item that's somewhat local to me. Still trying to finalize if I'm picking it up or not (Zac might be purchasing it and having it shipped to him). Once that deal is finalized I'll either be buying fenders or it'll be put on hold for another month or 6.


Now, I raised the car, added the spacers, and was torquing all my lug nuts (with a torque to same 76ftlbs I always do) when I had a lug stud snap. Luckily the lug nut wasn't cross threaded or anything so it came out of the nut no problem. Easy fix, I just need to buy new studs and have been lazy.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Not a huge rush, because I decided to go ahead and do my diff bushings before getting the car back on the road.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

It's gone fairly smoothly other than just some stupid hang ups. First night I ran into a semi-seized bolt so I couldn't get to the passenger side axle bolts. Soaked in PB blaster and it came out the next day. Got everything unbolted except the 3 allen head bolts to the subframe, and couldn't get any tools I owned in there lol. Went and bought a couple things, got them out no problem, everything was unbolted and ready to drop. Couldn't get the axles out of the stubs on the diff. Beat on them for a while and finally got both out, but ended up having to remove the axle back portion of my exhaust.

Currently, diff is on the floor. Everything is unbolted, but the drive shaft is not wanting to separate from the front flange of the diff. I beat on it last night until I smashed my hand/thumb with a dead blow and gave up. Soaked in PB blaster and didn't mess with it tonight. Will probably try to get it separated tomorrow but my thumb is killing me lol

I ordered some resistors so I could install my seat but they weren't ever delivered from Amazon? Just ordered some more that are supposed to be here Saturday. So at some point I'll take a minute to clean my interior and put the seat in.




I plan to take some pictures of the tools I ended up using to remove the diff and maybe some of the process of removing the bushings since I can't find much on it.
 
#1,811 ·
Thank you!


I have had Ichiba extended studs front and rear for years, so I think it was just a unlucky deal. Never had a problem with them until this one, and I think it was my fault

But I was planning to go ARP, until I kept seeing that they’re too long to fit in the rear without removing the hub or ebrake assembly. I don’t want to deal with either of those lol if I had a press I would probably consider just doing it and replacing my wheel bearings for the hell of it but unfortunately I don’t lol

I think my Ichiba were 55mm so 2.165” whereas ARP are 2.6”. I know it was tight getting mine in there already so I imagine another 1/2” would be near impossible with removing parts. Even then, I’m not 100% sure it can be done just by removing the ebrake assembly. I don’t think I saw anyone confirm that and with it out of the way you’re still limited by the dust shield and crap

H&R sells studs too, but I couldn’t find IS300 specific and from ARPs specs, the IS has a knurl size that seems to be pretty unique. I have not contacted them yet but may do so over the weekend to see
 
#1,814 ·
Yeah, if that's the plan it'll be no problem!

Nice to see you (and the car/build) still alive and kicking! Sorry to hear about your grandfather, but at least you're not letting life and stuff get you down. Good luck with the work you're doing, that stuff is no fun, but worth it in the end once it's all done.
Thanks man!

Yeah, I'm still here surprisingly lol. Just gotta hope this new look is worth all the $$$$ I've put into it, otherwise I'm probably done to be honest. It'll be time to move on if that's the case. I don't think it will be because I like what I see so far but you never know until it's all together. Hopefully I can wrap things up soon
 
#1,815 ·
I'm out of town for work right now so figured I'd update since I've got some down time.

Almost done with the bushings. Removing the pinion bushings from the diff proved more difficult than expected. Granted I was only using a plastic dead blow hammer and some chisels for a while... A metal hammer sped things up for sure and an air hammer/chisel would have made things much much easier lol. I'm still new to replacing bushings so it was a learning process for me.

I would say if you're just using tools like I have, the best thing to do is to drop the diff, cut the center and as much rubber out as you can and make sure you remove the plastic ring from inside the bushing, and then fold the flanges of the cup up as much as you can. Once you've got them raised off the ears, I would cut them as far down into the ear as you can without cutting into the housings. I then hammered and folded the flanges in on themselves, flipped the diff over, and used that as a lip to "press" the bearings out.

Really, that probably isn't the easiest/best way to do it, but it did work for me after a lot of effort lol whatever. I didn't take pictures because most of the time I was filthy and frustrated.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


I wanted to finish those bushings before I moved onto the two in the subframe. I had heard the pinion bushings were more difficult, so I figured I might as well get the worst out of the way first.

So far, that's ended up to be true. Again, from what I found would be easiest I cut the rubber center section out of one of the bushings. Then I tried to fit a dremel with a cutoff wheel in there as much as I could to cut the sleeve. Also used a hack saw to reach a little further as well since that's all I had. Then I stuck a flathead screw driver under the lip and hammered it a little bit, worked up to a larger chisel, and then hammered from the opposite side once it was getting loose to just pop it out.

That worked fairly well, didn't require too much effort considering I was under the car (I did not drop or even lower the subframe) with very little room. I broke my box cutter/utility razor before I finished cutting the center section out on the second bushing so I only got one out before I stopped working on it.

I didn't take a before picture of the subframe bushings, but you can see the one on the driver side does show some wear. The passenger side was the same. The pictures are after I cut through the passenger side and they are liquid filled.

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



I will be back in town Friday afternoon so I'm hoping I can at least have the other subframe bushing out and both installed on Saturday so I can start putting it all back together Sunday. New H&R extended wheel studs for the rear should be delivered Friday so I can knock those out too.


Two weekends ago I made an impulse decision thanks to Zac to drive a little over 10 hours round trip for a "local" deal. A guy was selling an authentic Chargespeed fiberglass hood with Aerocatch hood latches for a good deal so I decided to go pick it up. The guy didn't have the pins, hardware, or rubber stops for the latches but Aerocatch sells replacement parts so I ordered them from Summit Racing and all of that stuff was delivered last week. Already started working on cutting the pins down to shorter so I can get them installed. I swapped out my Figs hood struts for a pair of the lightweight FRP/CF pair that I bought a couple years ago lol

I'm still messing with the fitment, it's definitely not the best for some reason. I think once I've got the pins where it latches and holds the corners down it'll fit better so I can actually get it aligned right. We'll see

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

I guess I forgot to take a picture of the hardware kit and rubbers stops lol

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



Trying to figure out whether or not I'm going to get some replacement fenders before I get the hood painted. Would prefer to get them done at the same time if I can.

That's pretty much everything for now. I finally received some resistors so I put my seat in but didn't take pictures. Battery is unhooked so it's dark lol

Really hoping I can get things back together this weekend but we'll see.
 
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