SMKYTXN'S 2011 DCFBFTMFW Solid Axle Swap

He’s already at his headlights haha

 

Guess he’s just lower than I thought

 

Our trucks already have such long wheel bases too. Dunno how much a couple inches matters, but I know that I want to chop my DCLB frame when I eventually (in a billion years) flat deck. I don't like being high centered... haha. I'd say optimal wheelbase for strictly wheeling is between 100-115 inches. Even the DCSB/AC taco is at 127". Our longer wheel bases are more stable at speeds and on pavement though.

It's probably not much of a consideration for @SMKYTXN but it would be for me. Pushing it forward does give a very nice approach angle though! Compromises everywhere!!!

 

There's an "IN" and an "OUT" and they only flow one direction. My fault for not checking their operation before drilling holes. Oh well, they'll work just fine.

I put my lower tabs on the back of the axle due to the size of the shock body. If I was on top of the tube I'd bottom out the shock. Mine are angled in towards the centerline of the truck. I put the top as close as I could to the bed and then the lower just far enough out that I wouldn't hit the frame when drooped out. That gives maximum tire clearance. Mine are both laid back, but still close to vertical.

I did push the axle foward. If that 127" is correct for a DCSB then I moved the axle 5" forward. I also pushed the 14bolt back 3" to help clear the cab. I adjusted my suspension last night and locked in the lowers. I ended up at a 135" wheelbase.

 

Major milestone alert! She's officially off of the jackstands!

Items accomplished yesterday:

1. Welded 14bolt tubes
2. Welded rear leaf mounts
3. Fabbed and installed bump stops
4. Painted 14 bolt
5. Filled and bled ps system, that sucked
6. Wired winch
7. Installed ORI's
8. Charged ORI's
9. Removed JACKSTANDS!

 

​

 

Crazy stuff right there. Great job buddy, can't wait to see her up and running!!!

 

You're almost in DCLB territory! I'm just under 140"! You're basically where I would want mine if I flat deck and frame chop in the future. Looks so good. The dclb looks too stretched out for the width, but the dcsb looks all smooshed together, so you're sitting right in the sweet spot for a double cab in my opinion

Best looking garbage truck I've ever seen Still can't believe the level of work put into this weapon

 

Bad ass! You're gonna have to wear a limo driver's hat on account of how long the wheelbase is, haha

 

I'm still shorter than the trail limo DCLB, so I'm good.

 

Looking good man!

Definitely can't wait to see it in person!



P.S.

You keeping the scooped hood?

 

Yes, the scooped hood is staying. It's a TRD Sport after all, right?

Oh and I might need a few fittings off of those fenders of yours. I'll let you know once I try to mount these aftermarket fenders.

 

Thought I would ask!

Off my Stock fenders? Just let me know.

 

Yeah, like the little plastic dealies that hold the top headlight tabs. I'll let you know.

 

Ah ok, just let me know as I have those off my truck anyways as they got replaced with bolts when I did the limb risers.

 

Scoop hood squad 4 lyfe.

 

You still gonna run a full size spare? Any thoughts on where you're gonna mount it?

 

Looks great man!

For safety’s sake You might want to swap to castle nuts and cotter pins on all your link bolts. I have had stover nuts back off before on my linked ‘80 model before. Wash board sections can really shake things up.

 

Yes, I have a full size spare that will live on the trailer at camp.

 

I found two nice snags yesterday. The first was the pinion seal not sealing around the pinion flange. It's real fun when all your diff fluid comes running out the front of the housing. So that had me a bit bummed yesterday, but I found the solution. The older 14 bolts have a smaller diameter shaft, so the seal is smaller. I picked up a new seal and will get it installed tomorrow. That should solve the issue.

The second issue was the threads for the banjo bolt on the driver side front caliper being stripped. That was the first time I had pulled the plug so i didn't do it. I'm going to take my tap and die set out to the shop tomorrow and hope I have the right tap. Otherwise I'll put a new caliper on.

I did manage to run the new hard lines for the front brakes though. That was the first time I've flared or bent a brake line. I'll get some pics of the new line installed tomorrow.

The frankenstein mishmash of standard and metric fittings is laughable, but it should work. Here's the adapter from M10x1 to 3/8-24 I made up.



the buggered threads



Here are the lines that will live on the 60. I don't have a pic of the line from the master to the soft line, but I'll get one.



The super poorly fitting Rock Auto fenders are on the truck and the headlights are back on. She's getting closer.