My 2013 Rav4 Transformation thread ** Updated pics page 5-6**
So back in feb. of 2012 i traded in my 2011 scion tc for something bigger, so i fell in love with the new redesigned Rav4 and i got it.. I told myself i wasn't gonna do anything to it or mod things, but that didn't take long for me to break that idea.. i started toying with it, changing things and adding additions, so here is a quick run down of what i have done in the past year and a half..
Ahh.. here she is the day i brought it home.. her untouched virgin self..
within the first month I added window tints.. 35% fronts, 15% rears, 50% entire windshield, then found out how to hack the factory radio to have a video input..
March of 2013 i added wheels i had from my scion laying around, so i had mounted SUV tires to them and added them.. dipped them flat black to give it a much better look
Also in March of 2013 I put my fiberglass skills to work and added a custom fit sub box to go in the rear spare tire area.. with a 10" rockford fosgate punch slim sub.. this gave the factory system a much need deeper bass..
April and June of 2013 was small stuff.. added Tail light tint to smoke out the tail lamps, plastidipped all the badges and chrome pieces and also picked up some H&R lowering springs, brought it only about 1 1/2" lower gaps
Been waiting for mine and decided against going for the Toyota supplied sat nav. Was planning to get an external TomTom unit and the way you located yours looks very cool. Could you share please how you installed it there? How many inches is your GPS unit? Was thinking about getting the TomTom Go 600 here in NZ and wondering if I could install it with the provided screen attachment the same way you have? Sry I'm a noob when it comes to things like this.
Many thanks and props on the mods, very sweet ride mate.
Handling is nice and tight, but bouncy at times size there is very little spring travel since I lowered it that much... So it's a trade off, I'm used it though, my last couple cars I had were all very low to the ground
All I can say is , WOW! Now, on the practical side, did you keep a record of all costs incurred? I would be interested in what these types of customizations cost. You obviously have a lot of skill and talent to be able to do most upgrades yourself. Keep up the good work and happy motoring! :thumbs_up:
Thanks guys... As for records of cost... All modifications, fabrication, electronics.. Etc.. are done by me... Been toying and working on cars for 16 years now... Gives myself a sense of accomplishment and pride in my work..
As for what is next... I have something in mind.. I'm not done yet, with some hope, I'll have what I'm doing next by June.
I need your thoughts on using Staggered wheels as opposed to using spacers. Fronts would probably be 20x8.5 +20 offset and the rears would be 20x10 +23 offset.
That should work... But if you can test fit first, do it. Mine are 40 offset but 1-1/2" bigger of front so by the calculation, should work.. Backs maybe too
Follow these instructions... Wire colors are different, but pin outs are identical... So check by pin out... As for the video while driving bypass, cut the parking brake input wire and hook the connector side wire to ground and take a toggle switch to the vss wire to interrupt that... Boom.. Video while driving
I noticed in your pics that the input selection screen is in a 2x3 mode, not the layered window mode...
I mean on mine, I have to select 'all' to get that 2x3 mode. Is there a way to make the 2x3 layout the default display?
I cannot stand the layered windows one..
Thanks
Tony (also western burbs)
I had wired in a 30 pin AV iPod/iPad cord to play from my iPad, but now I don't have my iPad2 anymore, so I might change it to a DVD player... I really wish there was a mobile version of a media player as I download all my movies.
Just ordered my next big add on.. but depending on when i decide to tackle the project is the next thing, cause its a time consuming project.. its gonna change the whole look of my rav4
Hi RageXD, I'm also interested in that picture... (the garmin mount) This is exactly where I put my garmin but it just hangs there in the cup holder...I was looking for a cupholder mount but hate to loose a cupholder for the long trips...
Just got a '14 rav4 in January (also charcoal ) and was looking to delete rear badges and blackout everything, with your pics I now know what it would look like and I love it!!