DeMontbrun's 2005 Sequoia Limited 4WD Build

[DeMontbrun]

Our normal "mom car" died and I didn't want to deal with cars breaking so I went back to the most bulletproof thing I know: a first gen Sequoia. It's ugly as sin but it's a Limited and a 4WD which was the combination I was really looking for. This build won't be as involved as the truck since it's main purpose is still the grocery getter, but I'll still have some fun with it.


This has got to be the worst color humans have ever painted a car. It's just the worst.

 

[DeMontbrun]

I'm waiting for all the front end suspension to arrive, but while I waited I figured I'd clean up the headlight situation. If this housing is anything like the one I got for the Tundra, the coating on the lens will have trouble in a couple years. But that buys me some time.


Nice and clean, no more fog. I also removed the reflector and used mini projector bulbs. I had read that it helps prevent light scattering and it definitely seems to work. I have a much more clear line with this than I do on the Tundra where I kept the reflector. I also replace the turn signal bulbs with LEDs, the little corner bulb, and the bulb in the fog light with amber LEDs.


Rather than dealing with which bulbs would trigger hyperflash and which wouldn't, I just replaced the flasher relay under the steering wheel. It's way easier than resistors and way cheaper than more expensive bulbs with whatever magic they need to work properly.

This is the relay that gets replaced.

 

[DeMontbrun]

The headlights came on as DRLs from the factory, but they looked janky so I disconnected them. There's a plug on the fender side of the battery and if you disconnect it the DRL feature will stop, but all the other ones will still work like normal. Eventually I'll wire the fog lights to be able to turn on independently and probably use those as my DRLs.

The DRL plug is easy to access with the headlight out.

 

[DeMontbrun]

Also replaced the radio head unit. There aren't many options that have a physical volume knob so I ended up with the Jensen CAR723W. I remember getting really frustrated when I did this on the Tundra and now I remember why. It was really hard to figure out which wiring harness I needed for my specific situation. So here it is for posterity: if you want to use the factory amp, the 2005-06 Tundra and 2005-07 Sequoia with JBL speakers needs the Axxess TYTO-01 wiring interface and to keep the steering wheel controls you need the Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Adapter. There are several options for bezels including Metra 95-8202, Metra 99-8300, Metra 99-8268, Scosche TA2158B, and Scorpion TOY-K0307DD. (I stumbled across a great thread about bezels HERE)

 

[phsycle]

I actually like the looks of the 1st gen’s. Much more than 2nd gen’s and even more than the 3rd.
I like the old school gold color as well. Best of luck with the build.