BEATER to BEAUTIFUL

Couple of pics next to my regular cab ha ha

Also need to figure out what to do about the bumper reinforcement since it doesnt fit with the 2 inch bodylift they have on there. Ive been trying to find brackets out there that raise it but no luck. The brackets that were on are damaged and i think they were too high in the first place. 2 inch body lift so im assuming i need a bracket that raises the bar 2 inches lol. Makes sense right?

 

This looks like a fun project!

You could consider removing the body lift or swapping it with a one-inch, and replacing those body mount bushings. I bet you won't have a problem with a 1-inch body lift.

More importantly, the lift is slanted back towards the rear end, and the bushings are awkwardly smashed. It doesn't look to safe to me. Think about what happens if you brake SUPER hard. The lift might just bend back the other way, snap the mounting bolt or lift spacer under pressure, and send the cab flying off the frame. It makes me wonder if they slanted it back so the tires clear the rear of the front fenders...

Regardless, if you're interested in an aftermarket bumper (like a plate or prerunner style), you'll be golden. If you buy it brand new from any of the TW vendors, they can modify the mount for any size body lift you're running. You just have to let them know. Or if you buy used, you can modify it yourself (by drilling out new holes), but it might involve welding a new mount since two inches is pretty drastic.

Keep us posted!

 

You bought the truck from a police auction and there was still a baggie of blow in there?!?!

 

Sub'd for the outcome

 

How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking? '12 DCSB? I'm guessing you pretty much stole it...

 

That bent mount you see is just the front pieces where the radiator mounts. They hit sinthing at sone point abd bent that a little. Everything else is rock solid. I was thinking about swapping it put to a 1 inch or just taking it out completely. But i dont know all what hardware ill need to make the change. Im trying to get a custom bracket just to keep the costs down for now. The axle shipped put to hawaii costed an arm a leg and a testicle lol still recovering from that rape job lol. Thank for the input illnhave to make some decisions on how to move forward.

I actually got it from an insurance auto auction. It cane from a small dealer who i think may have picked it up from the state abandoned vehicle auction at some point. Probably found that it was to much work and dumped it at that auction i bought it from. It def is a ton of work, but i think i can turn it around to be a nice truck.

 

Lol dont ask, i paid way to much ha ha. Tacomas are so popular here in hawaii and people will pay big bucks for them. Its crazy.

 

Was it totaled?

 

No its a clear title still!

I see a lot of salvage title tacomas being sold there and they are seriously really nice. Crazy somtimes what they total vehicles for.

 

How did it end up at an insurance auction if it has a clear title?

 

Anyone can consign any vehicle there for a 100 dollar fee and have the auction sell it for them. Clear title vehicles come through often. Seems like dealers take there old inventory thats nto selling there and all the cars that get donated to kidney cars etc are sold there as well. I just bought a 2005 jaguar x type there. Clean title with a bad radiator and transmission mount. Changed those and the car was pristine. 52k miles looked like it was never used inside and outside was close to perfect. You can find gems there. Also just licked this up there as well. Clear title 2017

 

Coming along nicely, sweet bike.

 

Thankyou!

 

Changed the transmission fluid and filter. At 73k it needed it. Lots of deposits in there and as you can see. Dark dark fluid. Looks black in the bucket. Shifting very smooth!

 

Still troubleshooting the 4x4 low on this truck. I saw a ton of threads on people with the same problem as me. Goes into 4 hi light blinks and co tinues blinking front driveshaft is spinning so i know that works. 4 low just blinks and beeps doesnt seem to engage. Pylled off the front actuator as that has seemed to be most peoples issue with the bad contacts. This one has either been replaced once before or just never had an issue. Its clean inside. But i soldered the connections anyway as well as the microswitch. Reinstalled and no change. So back to the troubleshooting.

 

Well guys trucks coming along.

Still working on 4x4 i think my transfer case actuator is bad. I ordered a used one to replace mine. Installed it and was able to get in 4 low for the first time with a big clunk. Then got out of it first time. Went back drove the truck later 4 hi at 20mph and sounded harsh getting in, not smooth like it was before. since that was all i had working before was 4 high. Switched into 4 low at a complete stop in neutral, went in again, drove a little, stop neutral, switch back to 4 high and i was stuck in 4 low. Lol faaawk.

Crawled bacl to my driveway. Pulled the actuator off and fogured i may have aligned the little gear on the shaft wrong. Messed with it some more changed the alignment put it all back together. This is qhere it got bad. Put truck into reverse, hear gears grinding, neutral was the same, then back in park grinding stopped but i grinded into park a little and then truck was rolling lol. It was actually not in park or going into any gear. Had to ghost ride the whip grab a brick and jump back in as the truck rolled away, stop it and chaulk it on the flat ground while my neighbors watched and laughed.

Pulled the new (used) actuator off and forced rhe rod on transfer case inwards which i think is 2 high. Put the old one back on with gear whereever it landed in that position. Truck drove again thank god.

At this point i no longer can get in 4 high either. Went to pull off the front actuator again to check it, sad to say this in the heat of the moment, tired, frustrated i missed the top left bolt and broke the actutor like a dumbass. Well guess ill be replacing both now and start again from there.

So my question is. How do you get the gear properly aligned on that rod that comes from the transfer case hmmmm. I may repost this in the proper area. But figured id share with you guys my adventure lol

Other than that heres some ebay flares i put on so i can pass recon here pretty soon. Oahu hawaii, we have recon, so much fun. Like a super safety check.

 

I love it! Sub'd!

 

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is this your 1st 4wd taco? Shift to neutral, foot on brake, then switch to 4low. Hope that helps.


Edit. Never mind, I didnt read the last post! Lol

 

Really cool to see it come back to life, the flares look great for the price! The S1000 looks clean, except for a turn signal?

 

That actuator seems to be a pain when it goes wrong. Always takes a bit, you'll get it figured out. Truck is looking good though, coming along nicely.