The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

I just finished rebuilding the stock LCA's with the following (much thanks to Crom for his posts - this thread is like a tacoma bible...)

Whiteline Front Poly Bushing kit
ProForged Ball Joints
Reinforced some of the LCA with added welds
I sandblasted the LCA's and primered them with self etching paint followed by rustoleum black paint and hit the underside a few times with bed coating

I had to cut the passengerside sleeves to get the original control arm out and only the rear sleeve on the driverside. I used Dewalt Metal Blades (linked below) and these worked the best out of the three brands I bought. I used cutting oil on them while I cut and it went through eventually.. fought me the whole way but nothing a corded milwalkee and a few beers couldn't fix. Rebuilt them with all new oem hardware from toyota prepped with a dry film lubricant and a LOT of neverseize.

$21 DEWALT 9" Reciprocating Saw Blades, 14 TPI, 5-Pack (DWAR9114)

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWA41...8&sr=8-2&keywords=dewalt+metal+sawzall+blades

 

Looks great! If the bushing weren't 150 I'd do them too lol

 

To those inquiring if you need an alignment after installing these - my truck has 134k on it and I need an alignment even after setting the cams to the exact setting they were before - the bushings I had in my original LCA's were very work and super soft. The new bushings definitely give me a much better feel for the road that's for sure.

 

Were you able to move your bushings by hand? I stick a bar in mine and they hardly moved at all so I "think" they are good

 

One of mine looked like it was torn after I removed them. I'm going to rebuild the set that came out of the truck except this time spend some more time welding them a bit better and possibly welding skid plates to them as opposed to having bolt-on skids. I would ideally like to make a jig for them and make my own lca's but that's long term.

 

Really impressive and inspiring. nice work!!!

 

Most of the credit goes to this forum for the ideas and help - I'd be lost without this forum... but then again I'd probably be a lot better off financially as well...........................

 

no kidding!!!

 

Moog greasable joints are working well. I'd buy again in the future.
Whiteline bushings are working fine. Not a lot of mileage on them yet though.

Very well done!

I can confirm that financial outlook improves dramatically when not dumping money into truck! lol This year I've spent a total of $58 for smog, $139 on state registration, and 2-3 tanks of gas from Jan-Feb.

 

Howdy, Nick!

Hey, I was looking up your links to the sound deadening project, and I didn't see one for the back wall of the cab. Did I just miss it?

I think that is what I need to attack first, and is obviously going to be the simplest, which also means fastest, which is what I need for any wins these days.

 

First off, absolutely amazing build thread. So much detail and information, thank you for that! I literally have been on this thread for 2 hours straight. (Work is super slow today..)

Anyway, how was the ride quality around town/highway with the Bilsteins versus the OME? I had the OME on my truck and was pleased with them but I have been reading here lately that a lot of you guys swear to using the Bilsteins vs OME. Mine is more a daily than offroad currently, for now, so performance as a daily is a high priority.

Thanks again for the awesome thread!

 

Here you go @scocar

 

My advice to @scocar is when you lay down that first layer of foil covered butyl, avoid trying to lay down a large section at once and then work around all the curves. Instead, stick down the center of the section you're laying down first (vertically) and work your way outward from there. That way you can give yourself enough slack for the mat to conform to the ribs in the sheetmetal and you won't tear through the product by stretching it too far. Also, if you get the roller applicator with a wooden handle, the rounded end of the handle is perfect for pressing the material tight into those curves and saves your hands and fingers from being sore as shit the next day. That's how I did mine. To some it may not matter since it'll be covered up anyway, but a neat application saves you from wasting product and time in the long run.

I talk about that a bit in my roof insulation thread.

 

Nice, that all makes sense. So is that all that was used on the back wall? Foil-covered butyl, or is that only the first layer? I was looking at his product links to trying determine what to get without hours of reading.

 

From what I recall, he used 3 layers:


Sheet metal
-
Butyl foil
-
Insulating foam
-
MLV
-
Storage bins or whatever your final exposed cover is.


Looks like the "products discussed" window doesn't show link for any of those. He's usually good at providing links.

 

Thanks, man, OK, it's the C-pillar links I didn't get that far. I know I sound like a lazy sack of shit, but we've been in the process of buying house, moving, selling house, heat waves, failing irrigation, and 2-year toddler sleep regression and separation anxiety destroying our "free" time. We've also got longer commutes with the kiddo in the back seat, which is what is making me focus on this mod now.

 

My idea is to shitcan that plastic crap and attempt a perforated aluminum panel (a la homeroshi grill) recessed into the...recesses in the back wall to which I can attach whatever I want wherever I want, from quick grips to various clamp, hooks, or what have you.

The insulation is primary, though, for now, My fancy panel will likely take much longer because I will need a lot of dicking around and design time.

 

Looking for the links, but he used Noico just like me. I have links to them here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/removing-your-headliner-and-insulating-sound-deadening.394469/

 

I lucked out and got the MOLLE panel on the first group buy (post revival). One of my favorite mods.

 

Yeah, that was the inspiration, but IMO, it still leaves a lot of potential space on the table, and requires, well, molle pouch stuff. I want something more efficient and flexible for my needs.