Project Racin' Taco (ECORS racer build-up)

[cumminsdzl]

Planning on racing in high range? Stock low 2.28 worked perfect for me, just wondering how you were going to deal with 1:1 or 4.7:1 with no in between? Plenty of trail riders do it, but not racers.

 

[Tacoma747]

Planning on racing in high range? Stock low 2.28 worked perfect for me, just wondering how you were going to deal with 1:1 or 4.7:1 with no in between? Plenty of trail riders do it, but not racers.

Yea it's gonna be pretty low. I kind of doubt it will see many ECORS races, but IF I race it at KOH, low range would be too slow anyways. If I did decide to race ECORS I might would just swap to a stock t-case for the races.

 

[Tacoma747]

Updated pics of the front bumper, had gotten this far awhile back, just hadn't taken a picture.

Front axle is tacked in place at full bump, not going to be able to get it to 'stuff' as high as I wanted (unless I smash in the oilpan some), so the ride height is going to have to be raised some. Probably going to end up around 23-24" frame height on 37's.

 

[frankenyoter]

Looks good. I dig the bumper; different is good!

I like the jack stand stands...

 

[Tacoma747]

Thanks.

Yea the jackstand risers are a little safer than concrete blocks ;-)

 

[83yota4x4]

this thread is my new homepage!

 

[Tacoma747]

this thread is my new homepage!

Haha glad to hear it, but I doubt I will be able to make updates as fast as you would like

 

[Tacoma747]

No big updates, I worked on the truck a little today, mounted the BFG Baja's on the aluminum wheels I got from Galloways awhile back. These are 37's off a Hummer, so they are 16.5" wheels. I doubt I will use the for any racing or hard offroading, as the 16.5's are bad about losing a bead. Probably going to get some 17" wheels and Krawlers or something for racing. The 37" krawler spare I have is about 1" taller than these Baja's.

 

[Tacoma747]

Here's a front picture, wish it were actually sitting on the tires and not the jackstands...

Looks like I will need to shorten the suspension links some to bring the axle back. This is probably going to cause some really close clearances with the oilpan, maybe require some fender tubbing as well. I just don't like the 'look' of the tires being nowhere close to centered in the fenderwell.

I put two spares in the back, and bounced on the back some to help settle the springs a little. Right now it is 20" frame height at the rear leaf spring hanger, I will be moving the shackle hangers some to raise the rear up some probably. I really like the low frame height, but I think the front is going to end up a few inches higher than the rear if I don't move the shackle.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Looks good but why not use recentered H1's. From the looks those frt fenders will need reworking even if you move the axle back.

 

[Tacoma747]

Looks good but why not use recentered H1's. From the looks those frt fenders will need reworking even if you move the axle back.

I could, but I don't want the weight of the H1's. Plus, no matter what wheels I were to use, the Baja's would probably never perform off-road anywhere close to that of a Krawler, KRT, or even an IROK for that matter. I will use the Baja's for trips where I want to drive to/from the trail, as spares, for mallcrawlin, etc.

I am sure the fender will need to be trimmed some, that's not a big deal, as it sits, that should be fairly close to full bump, but the tires turning/suspension flexing will likely cause things to rub.

 

[Tacoma747]

Got the dual cases bolted together. Marlin Crawler 23 spline input on the front case, Marlin Competition 23 spline 4.7 gears in the rear case, TG dual case adapter, TG twin stick on rear case, triple drilled flanges on front and rear. Inchworm Gear front adapter to adapt the crawl box to the Tacoma transmission, clocked up 10 degrees. Gonna be a perfect but tight fit for the front driveshaft, also going to have to trim the floor some because the rear case is touching the floorpan. I'll try and get a pic of it in the truck tomorrow, it's a TOUGH task to install by yourself!!!

 

[95yjjeep]

This thing is looking awesome!

 

[TJcrawler97]

This thing is looking awesome!

Yeah chad I got to see it today, its pretty badass!! Wait to you see the shocks

 

[cgm147]

This thing is gonna be a beast! And i know all about installing a twin setup alone it deff brings the suck..
Thanks for the wheels.

sent from deep space via galaxy S 2

 

[Tacoma747]

Thanks guys, here is a pic of the t-cases installed. Minor work on the crossmember will be needed for driveshaft clearance, basically cutting off the top 3 mounting bolts on the passenger side, it will still have 4 bolts holding it together on that side. I can't say enough good about this crossmember, it is VERY nice having a place to mount the lower links, and having a crossmember that is easily removable if work needs to be done on the transmission or t-cases, without removing the suspension links.

 

[Tacoma747]

Finally made a purchase! Just got the BEEFY steering knuckles/arms in from Hellfire Fab, guess I need to pull the front axle out next week to modify it for the e-locker, then assemble it!

 

[Neal3000]

Thanks guys, here is a pic of the t-cases installed. Minor work on the crossmember will be needed for driveshaft clearance, basically cutting off the top 3 mounting bolts on the passenger side, it will still have 4 bolts holding it together on that side. I can't say enough good about this crossmember, it is VERY nice having a place to mount the lower links, and having a crossmember that is easily removable if work needs to be done on the transmission or t-cases, without removing the suspension links.

Wow that crossmember is the beef

 

[Tacoma747]

Wow that crossmember is the beef

It is an Infamous Metalworks crossmember, and you are correct, it is definitely beef. Very nice design because it allows the lower links to stay in place even if the centersection needs to be dropped.

Just ordered 2 ORI STX struts for the front suspension... Whew that hurts the wallet!

 

[Tacoma747]

Gonna have oilpan clearance issues for sure if this is the ride height... I need to do a dry sump setup...

 

[Tacoma747]

Well, shortened the links and the axle was bigtime hitting the oilpan, pretty much at ride height (or what I hope will be ride height).
Came to a solution that will hopefully allow me to run more uptravel and a lower ride height. I moved the motor back about 2" and up about 1", I had to remove the exhaust manifolds to allow room to move the motor back, the crossover pipe would be hitting the firewall otherwise. I had wanted to put headers on it anyways, guess that will just happen sooner, will just be a full custom set of headers...
Before:

After:

 

[Tacoma747]

The front driveshaft is going to be interesting, getting it to clear the crossmember may prove to be a challenge.

Panhard bar, I will have to notch the frame for clearance. I will also have to bend it to clear the front axle, and the oilpan...

Flex pic:

Flex pic:

I removed the oil cooler because it will interfere with the upper link mount, so I will be doing a front mount oil cooler and put an adapter plate on the block that will hopefully stick out less. Turns out it's a good thing I took it off, I don't imagine any coolant was getting through there...

 

[zman2day]

Lookin good.. Gonna have that thing ready for KOH?

 

[Tacoma747]

Lookin good.. Gonna have that thing ready for KOH?

Hopefully will have it ready to take, not planning to race though. At least not unless someone want's to pay all the fees for me

You got people pitting for you? I will be helping to pit for Jay (Redlyner), probably at one of the remote pits, if you need help just let me know.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Can you get a rear picture of the tcases if it not a problem? I'd like to see how much that 10 degrees raises the the case. Looking to flat belly mine was wondering its worth the extra compared to a normal case.


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