Luke's 97 Single Cab 4x4 build

Thought it'd be nice to have a spot to document my progress with this thing. How she sits now:


The day I bought it in Sept. of 2016:


2 months later (after a string of other car problems throughout 2016, these things happen in 3s) the original 3RZ-FE dumped all its oil on Route 36 about 20 minutes outside of Denver. That meant a rebuilt motor went in, and all my modification plans were out the window for a while. It was lame.

It wasn't enough to deter me though, I'd already caught the Tacoma bug. I started slowly modifying this thing to get it where I really trust it offroad in Rockies. Swapped out the factory 15" wheels and 30" discount special tires for 3rd gen T4R 5 spokes and 265/75/16 Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws in Oct. 2017 and had a blast in the snow that winter. The previous year on those nearly bald "mall terrain" tires was sketchy, to say the least.

(These will eventually be) Links to some of the bigger projects I've tackled:
Camper Shell buildout
OME suspension
Camping Platform
Frame Reinforcement/Rust Repair

 

Local reg cab 1st Gen?

Sub’d!

 

I’m interested to see your camping platform.

 

@DJB1 It's getting bolted in later today, I'll snap some pictures this afternoon.

Did the Tundra brake upgrade this morning, forgot to take any pics so next time I get the wheels off I'll grab some of that as well.

 

Finally have some updates worth posting about, but I forgot to take pictures so I'll grab some next time the wheels are off and throw those in accordingly.

A week ago I did the Tundra Brake Upgrade and replaced my brake lines with Wheeler's SS lines.

[picture of some nice fresh rotors and calipers here]

The rear hard line was seized at the connection with the soft line, so I replaced that hard line section yesterday and finished up bleeding the system. Did the one man bleed and it was a breeze, had only ever bled with a helper before.

[pics of the new brake lines go here]

 

And here's my camping platform in it's current iteration:


The drawer is only 3/4 of the platform length, I'm planning on adding either a flip up storage section or an onboard water tank in the front section at some point. It's bolted straight through the bed, I had hopes of keeping it quickly removable but after running Kingston Peak it was pretty clear that wouldn't be sturdy enough.

 

A couple months ago I did the Tundra brake upgrade. A week ago I replaced the lower ball joints, and Saturday afternoon I swapped in a new steering rack. All oem. Working on my own, I always neglect to take photos. Getting it aligned today, but the driver's outer tie rod jam nut is seized so those will be the next project. I'll snap some pics this afternoon!

Oh, and moved the truck from CO to CT - life hits hard. Living back at the parents and figuring out my next steps.

 

Sometimes one step back is two steps forward. Good luck with writing the next chapter. It isn't so bad.

Nice work on the truck too.

 

A pipe wrench will loosen that tie rod jam nut no problem.

 

Firestone managed to break it free for the alignment. Thing drives like new!

 

Here's the frame reinforcement, done over the summer, I also plated the under side and replaced the shock mount gusset with 3/16ths steel.

This was my first serious welding project.


To make sure this hole didn't cause problems:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU6iCKmVLfc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJFPfw5G7V0

swapped in energy suspension bushings yesterday to fix the nasty movement I had. Looks like the vertical mounting bushing sleeve was too large for the bolt. Now it really feels like a new truck

 

Looking good!

Just did the bushings in mine a few weeks ago. Haven't driven it yet though. Anxious to see how it feels!

 

Sub'd!

 

This is the best the steering has felt while I’ve owned the truck, going on 2.5 years. I’ve read that the poly bushings might transfer more vibrations to the steer wheel but haven’t noticed that at all.

 

When I had my 2000 Tacoma, I freaked out when I went to get an alignment and they showed me how much movement the stock rack bushings were getting. Those ES bushings are one of the best cheap upgrades you can do

 

I concur.