PreRunner to 4x4 Swap

[jerretxx]

 

[alove0750]

Got done with class and came down to check out the progress. It looks amazing! Everything looks to be money. I got the wheel bearings packed and the rotor/hub put on and torqued to specs. Damien ran into on issue, he was worried about the shocks rubbing the frame because of how narrow the toyota axle is. So instead of just calling it good enough, he notched the frame, bent a piece of 3/16th steel to fit just right and then welded her back together. Test fit showed it to be perfect, leaving about 1/4in at full droop.

I really can't say enough about Damien and his work. This hasn't been the easiest project, but it's come out looking amazing. He's gone above and beyond when it's come to the design on the build. He's treated it like it was his own... He knows that I'm not going to be too hard on it, but he's made everything like it's for his crawler that he intends to put balls to the wall on every obstacle

 

[alove0750]

She's just about done! Damien got everything in place, all the final welds (sexy as hell!) done, everything's painted. He stayed late tonight getting the cross member finished and painted. Mean while I got the hub bodies put on, got the V6 calipers on... she's slowly yet surely starting to look like a finished product. Tomorrow evening I'm going to finish up with the hubs and I have to put in new seals at the transfer case outputs and swap out the front drive flange. By tomorrow evening she should be on her own weight and rolling. We put the rear under it's own weight and I don't think I'm going to need shackles. The leafs look like they will do, plus they seem to be really soft.

I also picked up my drive shaft tonight. I had Universal Automotive finish off the Trail-Gear shaft. I got the upgraded joint from TG and had Josh go ahead and put new ends on the shaft, also had him use a thicker wall tubing on the extension, so I shouldn't have to worry about this one taking a dump on me

 

[Chris_Keziah]

That driveshaft is beefy, but what is that of in the second pic

 

[alove0750]

That's the firewall plate with my make-shift boot. I used a tie road end boot of my model truck... fit like a glove

 

[MarsFab]

She's just about done! Damien got everything in place, all the final welds (sexy as hell!) done, everything's painted. He stayed late tonight getting the cross member finished and painted. Mean while I got the hub bodies put on, got the V6 calipers on... she's slowly yet surely starting to look like a finished product. Tomorrow evening I'm going to finish up with the hubs and I have to put in new seals at the transfer case outputs and swap out the front drive flange. By tomorrow evening she should be on her own weight and rolling. We put the rear under it's own weight and I don't think I'm going to need shackles. The leafs look like they will do, plus they seem to be really soft.

I also picked up my drive shaft tonight. I had Universal Automotive finish off the Trail-Gear shaft. I got the upgraded joint from TG and had Josh go ahead and put new ends on the shaft, also had him use a thicker wall tubing on the extension, so I shouldn't have to worry about this one taking a dump on me

Did you have those 2 jackstands under it there when you checked the rear ride height with the new springs? They're awfully close to the balance point if so. I'd venture to say the rear will settle a couple more inches once the weight is on both axles.

 

[alove0750]

Yeah, I had to order 2 in shackles

Nothing major, she's on the road for now with a little squat in the rear end

The only thing I'm having issues with is the PS seems like it's not working 100%. I'm going to flush it and bleed it best I can either tonight of tomorrow. Other than that I'm very happy with it! It's going to be fun to tear up the street in and then take of to the trail.

 

[alove0750]

I got my shackles in thursday afternoon. I got them put on today and the alignment done. She now sit's just right and drives like a dream... not to mention the rear is real flexy I'm getting the shocks mocked up tomorrow and then it will be complete, ready to wheel.

Here's some pics of the skid plate he made. Not the best pics, I will try to get some better ones tomorrow when we have it flexed to check the rear setup.

I love looking in the parking lot and seeing this

 

[alove0750]

 

[alove0750]

Just thought I would post an update of the finished product. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I handles great on the road and is very stable on the trail. I'm still getting used to how much flex it has.

 

[alove0750]

Just thought I would do a little update. I just hit 3,000 miles on the SAS and everything is still great! Tires are wearing good, doesn't death wobble, tracks well and it great to drive. Off roading is great with it. It was more than enough travel for what I want to do with it. The 4.7's make it too easy, just let off the brake and let it idle up whatever I point it at.

The other evening I installed my transmission temp gauge and here in the next few days I'm going to install my cooler. I'm getting it ready for a trip to Windrock here in a few weeks.

 

[sjones26573]

VERY Sweet Yota! That's a hell of a lot of work but the finished product looks great! I've seen your truck at Carquest when I get lunch at Subway. IIRC, there is another guy that works at Carquest with a burgundy Tacoma on Fuel Hostage wheels. Anyways, I wish I had the time, money and skills to get all that done at once. I'm forever collecting parts in anticipation of a F&R axle swap but I am forever finding more parts I need.

 

[alove0750]

Thanks bud, I appreciate it the kind words. Yeah I think he's on here too. That's his DD, he has an 85 yota that he wheels. What kind of swap are you doing?

 

[alove0750]

Also, another update; I got my transmission cooler installed and my trans temp gauge. I don't think I am getting a good ground on the temp gauge, but I'm not too worried about it, it's just a temporary gauge until I can get an Autometer

Saturday me and a few buddies are heading to Windrock for the weekend/buddies bachelors party.

 

[HAPPY]

Truck turned out sweet! Good looking truck, nice fab work.....

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Saw you on 49 in harrisburg this morning goin to work. Truck looks even better than in the pictures.

 

[alove0750]

Thanks! Yeah I'm up and down 49 a lot Monday thru Thursday.

 

[alove0750]

I picked up an ARE camper shell from Redneck92 (didn't know/figure that out until I was on the way to get it). So far I have gotten mixed feed back on it, but I am pretty happy with it. I want to start turning the truck into a more capable camping vehicle since it already handles the trails pretty well. This should meet and exceed all of my fall/winter camping needs, plus I have been wanting more room for dry storage.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Forgot to tell you that you can shut your self inside the camper shell there's a handle on the backside. I think Jarred's idea for a roof rack will be on point.

 

[alove0750]

Yeah, I've been looking at several expedtion style rigs today. Even if I just used to roof rack to carry odds and ends and put most of the heavy stuff in the bed... Plus this may keep me from buying a RTT

 

[alove0750]

I was able to get some better pictures on the truck today. I finally got her all shined up and I ordered a 2in block for the rear. As much as I hate them, I need a new leaf pack but don't have the $$$ plus I figure getting a 2in block to see where it puts me would be cheaper than guessing at a several hundred dollar leaf pack.

I also got some picture from our Windrock trip from Labor Day... enjoy

 

[criket]

FWIW, I love the look of these expedition style rigs. I like yours much more with the camper on it but thta's my opinion. Either way dude, your rig is dang awesome. Very nice job.

 

[Lurch830]

Saw this today on 49 in Harrisburg on the way to work. Very nice rig, wish mine was that clean & dent free!

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Dont worry I have a feeling it will not be dent free for to much longer.

 

[duggan98tj]

i have to say i love waiting for updates in this build bc this is the next build i will tackle i only drive jeeps and toyota's and i must say urs is beyond on point its pretty f@#$ing nasty great job