What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Ok sweet, thank you!

 

So I just made an offer on another truck...

 

Another taco, sweet!

 

Better.... sorta.
It is a 1974 Datsun 620, I wanted a project that could become a daily. This needs some work but being such a simple little truck it could become a nice daily and parts getter for the Taco. Allowing me to get a bit more mod happy with the Taco after the Datsun has proved itself. Plus if it goes tits up, everyone around here wants Datsun panels because these poor little trucks rust away in the mildest of climates.

 

Put my rusty nasty steel wheels on for winter. Quick n00b question here, I have a set of brand new 255/70/16 winter tires that I haven't mounted yet, and I picked up a set of 6 lug Chevy american racing wheels. From what I can tell (tape measure) it's a 10 inch wide wheel. The current tires on the chevy wheels are 265/70/16s. I'm just wondering would my 255s fit on those wheels? I know I'd be stretching them a bit but with my lift and bed the truck looks terrible with the steelies. I'll run the steels if I have to but I'd really like to avoid that.

 

I'm no expert, but I have an 8in wide wheel and my tires are 265/75/16 and they look just about perfect, maybe 1 in wider would be acceptable. So I think they may be too stretched. But I'd have a tire shop just throw one on and see what it looks like before committing to the others.

 

Just ran outside and grabbed one of the snow tires and put it next to the wheel, don't see much of a difference really. I re measured the wheel as best I could and got 9 inches this time. Hard to measure with the tires on them. I made friends with a co worker who has free access to a professional garage. So free mounting and balancing anyway I helped him mount his 10 ply 35s for his F150 2 days ago so I'll have him return the favor

 

I put my finger through my frame today...

I would have taken a picture but I was too pissed off. I will get one later.

 

I wouldn't run that personally. You want a rim to pull the tire in. But I guess if you're not airin down and wheeling it it'll probably be fine.

It'll all so make them shorter overall

 

Hope you have your tetanus shot.

 

so I'm looking at ome 883 coils with the nitro charger shocks. I have about a extra 175 pounds of weight up front with skids and bumper combined. I would also be looking at removing my sway bar. from what I read my setup in the front would be solid enough to remove sway. I will keep sway bar incase I don't like the ride but that means I wouldn't have to space out my second skid plate.. to keep sway bar from smashing that skid plate. I understand the 882 are 20mm taller but don't have that extra load capacity.. so I think I'm pulling towards the 883. I also understand it'll give me about 2.5 inches of lift? any input from anyone would be nice. thanks.

 

I have 881s a plate bumper and skids. Took my sway bar off years ago without issue.

 

good stuff! notice a difference when driving with out the sGay bar?

 

I have the Eibach coils (620 # IIRC) and I didn't notice a difference in the turns

 

OK cool, Thanks. a lot of what I read people said they really never noticed a difference. I do drive my truck normal. as in not speeding or driving like a street car

 

There is a big difference in body roll. You will notice it on sharp 90 degree turns and highway off ramps. It rides better over potholes and warped roads. It won't take long to get used to. Off-road it rides better you get extra travel and none of that bottoming out feeling.

 

yeah also read about all of that. thanks buddy

 

Idk how guys can't notice a difference if I throw the wheel hard enough I can stuff the front tires and hit the bump stops. My coils can't really be that much softer.

 

also read about that too.. that's why I'm thinking about 883 have a nice stiff ride up front and drive normal on the street but hit it hard on the dirt.

 

If you wheel a lot I would recommend the 882s over 883s. The fact that they're longer means they're preloaded a bit, giving it more than a 500lb spring rate, but they are still softer than an 883s allowing them to compress nicely when you want them too. 883s will give a better ride on the pavement and better cornering characteristics though.

FWIW, I've been running without a sway bar for years and have had no trouble with the softer coils. Also keep in mind a lot of body roll comes from the rear, and stiffer rear setup will help with body roll quite a bit.

Lastly, check out @BDN build for a good comparison of 881, 882s, and 883s.

Edit, I would avoid the 620lb Eibachs completely as they are way too stiff.