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Post by speedy on Jun 10, 2008 1:30:41 GMT -5
I just re-entered all my pics. They seem to be good for now. I am using Kodak Gallery for all my pics. Not sure what happened, but I didn't like it!
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Post by speedy on Jun 10, 2008 1:33:21 GMT -5
Big news! I finally replaced the passenger side rear view mirror. If only all repairs could be that cheap and easy!
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Post by speedy on Jul 30, 2008 1:44:24 GMT -5
Well I was going to go on another trip to Gilmer but I couldn't find enough interested people to do it since my bud still has his broken Tacoma in my backyard, and everyone else I know has to stay in town and earn money. So... I bought a Trail Gear front DOM bumper, rock sliders, dual stick transfercase shifter, BudBuilt banana shackles for the front end, a dual case crossmember that Bud said could be mounted to my singlecase with new mounts until I get the second transfercase, an All Pro driveshaft mounted emergency brake, DuraBak bedliner for doing the whole cab, creeper shackle mounts for the rear springs, and all new bushings for the suspension. Looks like I will be able to keep myself busy during my upcoming vacation. Not to mention I need to remove the engine on my boat to replace a engine coupler my friends broke the last and only time I let them take the boat out when they hit an underwater rock and messed it up. We will also be removing the engine from the Tacoma for a major rebuild.
The Trail Gear front bumper has already been welded on to my Toy. It looks awesome. They say it isn't designed to work with a body lift but it looks like it was made to work with my 2" BL. It is designed to be bolted onto an 84+ front end so we modified it and just welded it onto my 83. I already had a front receiver hitch welded into the factory front crossmember so it provided ample welding surface to stabilize the bumper. I just need to fab up some brackets for the turn signals and the spot lights I had on the factory bumper. I will take some pics a.s.a.p..
The All Pro e-brake has been installed and is only waiting for a SWB front e-brake cable from Toyota to finish hooking it up. I can't wait to get rid of all the crap on the rear axle.
I am going to be very busy with this latest round of upgrades over the next couple of weeks and i will try to get it on the site when I can!
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Post by Hoodlum on Aug 26, 2008 9:42:54 GMT -5
Heck yeah!All that stuff should def keep you busy for a while.Thanks for the update and keep'em posted.  |
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Post by speedy on Nov 26, 2008 1:17:23 GMT -5
Well I have now completely recovered from the roll-over I had. I had to replace the hood and one front fender. I couldn't find the stupid 82-83 square headlight doors I needed to finish the repairs so I converted the front end to a 79-81 look with the round lights. I cried about it for a week or so then decided I liked the new look. Thanks for the help Hoodlum trying to track down those silly doors. I also completed all the projects I had listed above, just in time. The toyota is about to become my daily driver. I am getting rid of the Dodge Durango that has been my daily driver for the last four years. No more Dodges for me, unless its a Challenger. I am going to rock the Yota for a couple of months then try to get my hands on a 97 Landcruiser. Bedlining the truck was a project and a half. It took quite some time to strip it down to the metal and take off all the door gaskets, handles, mirrors, back window etc... The actual spraying only took a couple of hours and it turned out awesome although I think I had the air pressure on the spray gun turned up a little too much and it dripped in a couple of places. I drove it up to the Toyota dealership a couple of weeks ago to get a $.30 part for the door lock, went in to the parts department and came back out to find that the entire bay of mechanics had stopped what they were doing and were out looking over my truck. Priceless!!!
Now while I am all about switching it over to a fuel injected engine, I know I wont have the $ for that until after I score my next daily driver so tonight I went ahead and ordered a weber 38. I am curious to see how much better the power is going to be with it on. From what I hear and what I have experienced, the 32/36 that I have on it right now is not a good match for a modified engine which is what I have. I haven't been pleased with the meager power that it has on the freeway, it is such a pain to keep up with traffic, so I want this new carb to help me out with that problem. We will see.
I know I constantly say that I will take pics, just like I tell my mother(I'm 36) that I will for sure call her more often, but I really will in the near future. I am waiting to pick up a new tool box from a friend on Thanksgiving. I am going to durabak the tool box with the left over gray that I used on the rest of the truck, then I will take the glory shots and post them here.
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Post by speedy on Jan 26, 2009 1:42:13 GMT -5
Weber 38 has been in for a while. What a difference!!! Anybody that has been thinking about which carb to get, think no more. You would be wasting good money on a 32/36, the 38 is WAY better. I can actually speed on the freeway if I really wanted to, without flooring it. Please keep in mind that my engine has a performer LC head, Weber 38, and a header, plus it has been bored .20 over. I also installed the Trail Gear creeper shackle mounts last night. Along with longer shackles, I was able to lower the rear about an inch, which levels it out, and gain at least 2 inches of articulation, probably more. The only thing that disturbs me about the creeper shackles is that they move the entire spring and thus the axle from side to side when flexing. They are separating the springs with the one spring that is mounted to the shackles swinging with the spring and the rest trying to stay straight. I am going to order baja bushings from Deaver for the front spring mount on the rear springs and hopefully this will keep the entire spring on the same path. It is definitely worth it, I also moved the rear creeper shackles in 2 inches from the previously mounts that were 2 inches(about) back from factory for my long travel Marlin rear springs.
Long story short, with the Trail Gear Long travels on the front, and the current setup on the back, this truck has some respectable flex. Plus it rides much better on the freeway with longer shackles moved further in.
Glad I got all that done, now I am waiting for the Trail Gear complete hydro assist steering. I got everything, the steering pump, reserve tank, radiator, steering box tapped for hydro, and the ram setup. Next comes the front disc brake upgrade with V-6 calipers and Marlin pro rotors.
I nearly died on the freeway when my truck stalled going home at 1 am from work a couple of weeks ago. I rolled to a stop in the slow lane because I stalled in a construction zone with no shoulder at all. Suspecting the ignition system and knowing that it was original equipment I decided to move on. I am expecting a package from LC Engineering with a DUI distributer. If you haven't read up about those then check it out.
In another week or so I will order either rear disk brakes and the goodies to make a torque bar, or the dual adapter to put my dual crawler case together, I already have the second case along with a W56 B tranny on the back porch!
I think I have a problem! I have been spending more of my time working on it then I have using it!!!
P.S. The Dodge is out, I had to suffer thru driving my buddy's Cobra for a couple of weeks! I finally found an 01 Taco 4x4 Sr5 5 speed Extended Cab. It's the next project, I am thinking Baja style rather than another Rock Crawler!
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Post by speedy on Feb 3, 2009 1:51:12 GMT -5
DUI distributor is in! NICE difference. The freeway is a happy place for me now. My buddy and I are thinking the engine is putting out maybe 130 hp now. Not bad for a carbbed 22r eh. The distributor is huge! I could use it for a steering wheel!
I also finished the front brake conversion. I had to trim the backing plate a little, not much. Other than that it was as quick as it could be considering it is a major job changing out rotors on Toyota's this old. The brakes were scary bad at first, but I didn't turn the rotors before putting them on. They are getting better as I wear off the first layer on the rotors. Unfortunately I found out one of the front wheel bearings is about to explode so the truck is sitting in the driveway again waiting for a hoard of new parts. I am going to rebuild both knuckles again with new bearings and seals including the new HD Marlin axle seal. The knuckles were starting to let grease and oil drain out.
I am still waiting for the hydro steering box from Trail Gear. Since I was already on the phone with Marlin today for the knuckle parts, I went for the gold and ordered everything I need for the dual case setup including 23 spline input for the rear case, adapter, clutch fork for the W56, new Marlin HD rockcrawling clutch, HD spring for the first transfercase, speedo cable extension and so on and so forth.
The list of upgrades I still want to do is slowly but surely getting smaller. I figure I have about $18,000 in this truck now with another $10,000 or more to go. Still need a fuel injected engine so I can crawl up anything!
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Post by DeadlyPeace on Feb 3, 2009 4:49:03 GMT -5
Looks like your TOY is really coming along there. I bet it's nice to have that extra 30% gain of HP.
Good to see the list getting shorter. The only problem is that it doesn't matter how short it gets, it's still never ending. BTW you won't regret those HD seals. I use to have to replace mine every year. Replaced them with the HD ones when they came out, and so far I'm seeing no signs of leakage.
OH and also I just wanted to say.......
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Post by Hoodlum on Feb 3, 2009 9:25:54 GMT -5
Good to hear that the motor add-ons worked out good for you bro.You'll love having the doubler,I can't wait to try mine out on the trail.I just need to get the 4.7's for the rear case then that'll be finished.
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Post by speedy on Feb 4, 2009 1:06:57 GMT -5
I hear you on the pics Deadly! I tried to post some more the other day. They were there that night, and gone the next day. Are you still seeing the first pics I took for this thread or are they just boxes like I am seeing. I can't figure out if it is my security program or just the Kodak web site I am using.
I know this is a newbie question, but what are you using to upload pics(for free)? Is there an issue with having pics too big or high res?
I have ALOT of pics but I got tired of trying to figure out the problem with posting them!
Hoodlum, how much of a pain was the DT lift you did? I am thinking about lifting mine when I install the tranny and dual setup. I have a Bud Built crossmember and would only need to replace the crossmember and not the skid plate since it is a dual already.
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Post by DeadlyPeace on Feb 4, 2009 2:16:33 GMT -5
PMed you.
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Post by speedy on Feb 4, 2009 14:31:02 GMT -5
I'll try some pics... Putting the front bumper to work...  Post bedliner...  A test flex...  |
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Post by speedy on Feb 4, 2009 14:46:17 GMT -5
Here's a couple more flex shots at Shiloh Ridge a while back.   |
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Post by kellenc on Feb 4, 2009 20:52:14 GMT -5
Looks good! I think my next truck will be a solid axle. Looks like a ton of fun.
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Post by speedy on Feb 5, 2009 1:31:37 GMT -5
Kellenc, you have a great truck to start with. Fuel injection and an extended cab. Put a solid axle on the one you have and you will be set!
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Post by speedy on Feb 5, 2009 1:44:00 GMT -5
I am going to be pic-happy for a while... Here are some more. The DUI distributor installed   The W56B tranny and transfercase, after 4 days of scrubbing  The creeper shackle joints with the longer shackles  The new license plate, I doubt you can read the holder. It says "My Other Ride is Your Mom"  |
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Post by DeadlyPeace on Feb 5, 2009 2:05:18 GMT -5
Great looking rig, I see that Photo Bucket is working out for you.
Damn that distributor is big. You really could use it for a steering wheel.
I love the first pic. It's the first time I've seen a full roll over without any roof damage.
How long have you had the bedliner on the cab? How does it seem to be holding up?
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Post by speedy on Feb 5, 2009 4:15:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, it worked out!
First noticeable difference with that monster ignition system is a quick smooth idle even when the engine is cold. I haven't cleaned up the wiring yet, but it does get rid of alot of factory crap for the install.
I was so pissed when I first rolled it, but after surveying the damage I took it as a lesson, and a message. I was lucky the rear end was in a tree and I had just(a week before) welded that front bumper on. I did $2700 worth of insurance damage to the Durango getting to the truck to pull it back over and about $350 of damage to the Toyota. I am glad I have a Taco as a back up vehicle now.
The bedliner is working out GREAT! It gets more attention then anything else I have done. It covered up the serious bondo job I did on the doors(they are F'd up in real life). It sealed a couple of rust holes I had. Not to mention I haven't washed it once since doing it and the truck still looks clean. I have to clean the windows every now and then and scrub off some bird poop. I haven't taken it thru the back country trails yet. If it scratches off, I have extra liner to patch it with.
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Post by Hoodlum on Feb 9, 2009 9:29:18 GMT -5
Installing a DT lift is as easy as installing motor mounts. If you do go with one call Bud at Budbuilt and ask him for a couple of trans mount spacers with hadrware.He'll send you a couple of 1/4" spacers for incase you need them to keep the trans level.I'll try to take a couple pics.I cut out the factory mounts and I just have a x-member that sits flat to the frame.The only thing that sits below the frame is the t-case. |
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Post by speedy on Mar 12, 2009 0:47:52 GMT -5
I just got back from a trip this past weekend. Probably the best trip to date. My buds and I finished our first attempted Class IV trail with no real carnage to speak of although I did dent the wheel well on my flat bed going up an obstacle that the boys chose to bypass. I managed to get a HUGE rock outcropping between my tire(drooped) and my flatbed when I fell off a boulder you couldn't stand on because it was so typsy. Never had to use the winch though. Major props to the hydro assist. If you are rolling with a front autolocking locker, you NEED this!!!!!! I did have MAJOR issues driving there and then driving back but not a single problem on the trail. My truck started dying intermittently on the freeway. I think I tracked it down and now blame the orginal gas tank. It has been slowly leaking for over 2 years now and I am sure it has accumulated a bunch of rust and other crap. Enough to clog up the fuel lines. I cut open my filter and found LOTS of black paint peels in it. Fortunately the carb is spotless. I have another tank in the mail showing up on the 17th, just in time for the next trip on the 25th. I didn't get many pics of my ride because the camera was in my truck. Here are some pics...   The obstacle I took and dented my wheel well on one of the rocks on the left about halfway up. My buddy is bypassing at the top.  Poor IFS Taco, It's on three wheels  Poor Jeep, It's on two wheels!  |
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