Long Travel BS Thread

what do you guys think install should cost for the following?
2012 Tacoma 4X4

heres what I have already
-Total Choas +2 race series LT kit (with 2 inch extended axel bars)
-TC spindle gussets
-TC cam tab gussets
-TC coil bucket guests

-fox LT coilovers with RR and DSC

I got quoted $2000 from a shop I trust, that includes a cab mount chop and alignment. if I did it myself I could do it for $300-$500. my buddy has a shop and welder, but neither of us are pro welders.
I'm in Denver Colorado, besides insain fab and slee offroad do you guys know other truck shops that might be able to do it?
for those of you with this kit, did you use factory outer CV boots? I was told I should upgrade to some better ones that are $60 apiece.

also, If anyone in the area wants to come by and weld up the gussets for me when the truck is all stripped please DM me we can talk price. I'm definitely interested as I'm not confident In my welding ability.

 

I installed my Baja Kits +2 with @LTDSC and a couple friends, but take my advice and use OEM or the SDHQ boots. The boots were the one and only shitty part of installation because I ordered non-oem/non-SDHQ

 

thanks, did you do any gussets?

 

I got the all-pro boots with mine, but I would check out SDHQ's as I didn't know they had them till after the fact.

 

I don't believe he has yet, but you def are on the right track with cam tab, spindle, and coil bucket gussets. When doing the spindle, if you are getting the swaybar-less ones, make sure at the base of the spindle gusset that you weld a little piece at the bottom where it is welded on top of the hub outer housing. Many guys have cracked their spindles at this location as a good amount of the stress gets transferred there so its good to add a little gusset on the bottom corner there. I need to dig up the thread on it for better explanation.

 

There is a few guys that sell the spindles on here with the gussets all ready welded. Thats a good option for those.

 

I just sold some for a really good deal...bummer

 

I'll have some for sale in a few weeks...

 

Not yet like @Coot83 mentioned. I have some spindles in progress already and cam tab is hopefully right behind it or even while I wait. Shock mount will be after that

 

Right on, the cam tab gussets seem to be the most daunting. I know I have to have the coilover and uca out to weld in the coil bucket gussets, so that has to be done while the truck is on the lift. as far as the spindles I plan to weld them up while everything is apart so I don't have to do it twice. I would buy some already gusseted spindles, but like I said I already have all the parts ready to go in.

Regarding the cam tab gussets, how hard would they be to do as an after thought down the road? would it only take removing the lower control arm from the mount and grinding off the old stuff and welding in the gussets? I know I would have to get another alignment.

@Coot83 thanks man Id appreciate it if you could find that thread. I'm am going no sway bar, I haven't had the sway bar for quite a while

 

Question for the guys with tundra axle swap. Oem LSD to be specific. I couldn't seem to find much info on rebuilding the LSD any of you guys have info on it? Maybe upgraded clutch packs?

 

Gusset like so

 

Lower arms need to come out to do the welding otherwise you'll melt the bushings. None of what you want to is difficult to weld.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/total-chaos-gusseted-4x4-spindles.379567/
pre welded spindles. Here^^^^

 

road trip to CO to help him out?

 

right, I'm asking if I could just unbolt the lower shock mount and pull the arm from where it mounts to do it. but it makes much more sense to just do it all while everything is taken apart.

do it. ill pay you with beer and then we can go wheel.

 

Yours is first Jason.

 

I know, my pocket book knows too. shh don't tell Holly.
seriously debating new frame. to make fab easier.

 

Anyone care to share some good shock hoop pics/info? Any last minute thoughts before I hit print?

Basically I just rebuilt the 1st gen Taco LT front end, looking to tie up the coil buckets/shock towers. I'm thinking plate the top (3/16"), then weld a 2.5"-3" tube in center on top of that. That will be the node. All tubes/load goes through that.

The pic is a mock up 1.5" tube for the front hoop that is what I'm thinking of putting in. 1.75" dia. seemed too big, especially with flex/deflection/ect.

I'd like to tie in a removable strut bar as well.
Rear would be similar, but I don't yet have secondary shocks, so no metal back there for now.

Lmk what you think.

 

You might have to get another alignment when you are done depending on how well you make marks of where your aligned bolts currently are. Keep in mind when messing with LCAs your cam bolts will to some extent be possibly seized. I would if you can the cam tabs when you are doing your install although they can take a while to grind off and install while doing the install on the kit.