Melrose 4runner 1986 restomod summer beach truck
#501
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#502
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Here’s a photo of the blue vinyl die mentioned above. I think a darker blue would be better.
Last edited by Melrose 4r; 04-28-2019 at 05:44 PM.
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SomedayJ (04-28-2019)
#503
Your body work is looking great! I'm gonna have to reread this when I do mine
I'll be interested to see how that chrome tape holds up over time, I was just gonna paint my trim black as i already have a stormtrooper look going on
I'll be interested to see how that chrome tape holds up over time, I was just gonna paint my trim black as i already have a stormtrooper look going on
#504
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Thanks, seems to be holding up, though i dont drive the truck in bad weather and it’s currently garaged. the problem with the tape is it doesnt wrap well because the adhesive is not that strong. I may try a layer of double stick tape beneath it.
Last edited by Melrose 4r; 04-29-2019 at 03:37 AM.
#505
Or silver spray paint
#506
#507
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Drove the truck to the office twice this week. 100 miles each r/t.
It NEVER fails to get a "thumbs up" (Like?) from somebody on the highway.
It NEVER fails to get a "thumbs up" (Like?) from somebody on the highway.
#508
#509
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Yep, mine's not quite the looker that yours is, but I always get a thumbs up or a quick question in the Home Depot parking lot, "What year is that?"
#510
Occasionally when I see guys with a built offroading jeep I wave at them. They never return it.
There is a guy with a sweet second gen pickup that has an opposite commute that I pass every day, he gave me a wave
I do get plenty of parking lot comments though
There is a guy with a sweet second gen pickup that has an opposite commute that I pass every day, he gave me a wave
I do get plenty of parking lot comments though
#511
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Beautiful weather for soft top 4Runners today here in MASS!
I worked until after dark last night with the help of my son putting the Kayline back on.
I drove it to the office today and will take the scenic way home.
Crappy iphone 5 photos...
I worked until after dark last night with the help of my son putting the Kayline back on.
I drove it to the office today and will take the scenic way home.
Crappy iphone 5 photos...
Last edited by Melrose 4r; 05-22-2019 at 12:46 PM.
#513
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My Kayline was purchased from J C Whitney in 1989. All the metal was mill finish aluminum. It is somewhere in the landfill of Middlesex County, VA in perfect condition due to there not being Craigslist when I sold the truck and was moving. How long did it take to install? Did you drill the 99,000 holes in the body it required? How long did it take to install? I put the timer on my phone when I put on the Softopper and it took 1 hour and 40 minutes with no help. The hard top has not been back on since it got painted in 2016.
Your 4Runner is looking fabulous and I'm sure you're proud. Mine attracts attention in VA where things don't rust nearly as quickly as MA.
Have you explored the idea of beach driving on the Cape? I think they sell permits. I went one time in the 80's from Race Point and it's what hooked me on 4x4s.
Your 4Runner is looking fabulous and I'm sure you're proud. Mine attracts attention in VA where things don't rust nearly as quickly as MA.
Have you explored the idea of beach driving on the Cape? I think they sell permits. I went one time in the 80's from Race Point and it's what hooked me on 4x4s.
#514
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My Kayline was purchased from J C Whitney in 1989. All the metal was mill finish aluminum. It is somewhere in the landfill of Middlesex County, VA in perfect condition due to there not being Craigslist when I sold the truck and was moving. How long did it take to install? Did you drill the 99,000 holes in the body it required? How long did it take to install? I put the timer on my phone when I put on the Softopper and it took 1 hour and 40 minutes with no help. The hard top has not been back on since it got painted in 2016.
Your 4Runner is looking fabulous and I'm sure you're proud. Mine attracts attention in VA where things don't rust nearly as quickly as MA.
Have you explored the idea of beach driving on the Cape? I think they sell permits. I went one time in the 80's from Race Point and it's what hooked me on 4x4s.
Your 4Runner is looking fabulous and I'm sure you're proud. Mine attracts attention in VA where things don't rust nearly as quickly as MA.
Have you explored the idea of beach driving on the Cape? I think they sell permits. I went one time in the 80's from Race Point and it's what hooked me on 4x4s.
#515
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Oh duh. The whole point in replying to you was to ask about the rear step bumper. It fits well. Is it OEM Toyota or one of those generic Fay bumpers?
#516
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I'm happy with the way it came out but the bolt on receiver hitch twists it too much with the bike rack on. I bought a Curt receiver hitch that will have to be modified because it's for a pickup and won't work with this bumper. So that's one of my near future operations to be able to carry bikes around this summer/fall.
Last edited by Melrose 4r; 05-23-2019 at 11:27 AM.
#517
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We've had some nice weather interspersed with rainy days and I've been putting some miles on the 4runner on the sunny days.
I've been watching the gas mileage on several tankfulls and using 93 octane for the last three.
The mileage on each of the last three has been:
21.50 mpg
22.55 mpg
22.98 mpg
Mostly highway driving, compensated 10 miles/100 for odometer error due to 31" tires.
Now I've disabled the EGR per the old Toyota Racing Development white paper I had in the 90's that suggested using a BB to block the vacuum signal. Immediately the truck felt more responsive and smoother under load. My son even commented on the feel from the passenger seat. I'm very curious to see if it results in even better fuel economy. I'll report again in about 200 miles.
I've been watching the gas mileage on several tankfulls and using 93 octane for the last three.
The mileage on each of the last three has been:
21.50 mpg
22.55 mpg
22.98 mpg
Mostly highway driving, compensated 10 miles/100 for odometer error due to 31" tires.
Now I've disabled the EGR per the old Toyota Racing Development white paper I had in the 90's that suggested using a BB to block the vacuum signal. Immediately the truck felt more responsive and smoother under load. My son even commented on the feel from the passenger seat. I'm very curious to see if it results in even better fuel economy. I'll report again in about 200 miles.
#518
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Finally made it to the beach!
We hit Crane Beach in Ipswich on Monday. After the beach we visited the Crane estate.
Here's my truck with two 15 year old bananas in it. Funny how it looks so small next to a mansion...
We hit Crane Beach in Ipswich on Monday. After the beach we visited the Crane estate.
Here's my truck with two 15 year old bananas in it. Funny how it looks so small next to a mansion...
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#519
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We've had some nice weather interspersed with rainy days and I've been putting some miles on the 4runner on the sunny days.
I've been watching the gas mileage on several tankfulls and using 93 octane for the last three.
The mileage on each of the last three has been:
21.50 mpg
22.55 mpg
22.98 mpg
Mostly highway driving, compensated 10 miles/100 for odometer error due to 31" tires.
Now I've disabled the EGR per the old Toyota Racing Development white paper I had in the 90's that suggested using a BB to block the vacuum signal. Immediately the truck felt more responsive and smoother under load. My son even commented on the feel from the passenger seat. I'm very curious to see if it results in even better fuel economy. I'll report again in about 200 miles.
I've been watching the gas mileage on several tankfulls and using 93 octane for the last three.
The mileage on each of the last three has been:
21.50 mpg
22.55 mpg
22.98 mpg
Mostly highway driving, compensated 10 miles/100 for odometer error due to 31" tires.
Now I've disabled the EGR per the old Toyota Racing Development white paper I had in the 90's that suggested using a BB to block the vacuum signal. Immediately the truck felt more responsive and smoother under load. My son even commented on the feel from the passenger seat. I'm very curious to see if it results in even better fuel economy. I'll report again in about 200 miles.
22.96 mpg on the last tankful and mostly highway driving. It sure feels more responsive, though.
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SomedayJ (06-19-2019)
#520
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I’ve been putting some fun miles on the 4runner lately. Spent last weekend in Cape Ann with my best man and went to the St. Peter’s fiesta in Gloucester, MA. The highlight of each day is the greased pole competition where contestants who are the fishermen and sons of fishermen try to walk the greased pole to grab the flag at the end. As soon as someone does it, game over. I heard a 14 year old did it Friday, then we saw him do it again on Saturday. On Sunday the previous 50 years’ winners are invited back to compete. If you are too old, i believe you can appoint a proxy.
We ran into this couple in Rockport with a great Cruiser. It had an LS engine swap and was totally legit. He liked my truck too.
Then we got breakfast in Rockport, cruised the coast and scouted locations for photo opportunities at about 9 am.
We ran into this couple in Rockport with a great Cruiser. It had an LS engine swap and was totally legit. He liked my truck too.
Then we got breakfast in Rockport, cruised the coast and scouted locations for photo opportunities at about 9 am.
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SomedayJ (07-04-2019)