My 1999 Taco TuRD Build - I sold it

Completed my air compressor install and wiring yesterday.



The compressor is a Viair 480c, with a 100% duty cycle at 100psi, 50% at 200psi. I have that feeding into a 6 port manifold with a relief valve at one end (line attached to it to be able to release air pressure from the system when I am done airing up), an air line connector and a Viair 90227 pressure switch (110 PSI On, 145 PSI Off). Electrical all runs through the relay mounted next to the on-off switch which is a fully waterproof unit that I mounted in the modified Viair mounting plate that normally holds the on-off switch and pressure gauge. Since I'm not using the air tank, I don't really need the pressure gauge. The little red thing on the switch plate is just a rubber hose cap that I am using so I know which direction is ON for the switch. The wiring is all wrapped with Tesa tape. For now, the aire hose is some cheap, 3/8" air hose I got from Autozone since I ordered the wrong hose the first time around.



Tested the system out on one of my tires that I deflated to 13psi (trail pressure) and was able to fill it back up to street pressure (26psi) in about 5 minutes or so. Not super fast but it's acceptable to me.

 

Thinking about swapping out my center console for the 01-04 model on my 99. Which holes did you need to drill for the rear or the front to get it mounted??

 

Would you say this is a trailer friendly trail?

 

For the rear. The mount inside the console moves back a little bit further with the 01-04 version.

 

The majority of the sections 1 & 2 that we ran are most definitely trailer friendly with open road/trail. There are a few spots on section 2 that goes through Las Cienegas NCA that might get a little interesting for pulling a trailer but I think they should be doable. There were some tight spots with dirt walls one each side and some fairly tight turns. Might take a little work to finagle the trailer in those areas. Also lots of low, overhanging branches in a few spots that where sweeping the snow off my roof but I don't recall them being large, thick ones either. I think we can find bypasses for most of the spots, if we need to. As for the other sections, I have no clue yet as I've never run them. I'd say bring the trailer, there will be plenty of us there to help get it though any problematic spots but there shouldn't be many of those and they might not be problematic for you anyhow.

 

Ok cool thanks!

 

Just relocated the front turn signals. Now I need amber bulbs.

 

Decided it's time to get a little more serious about doing my own fabrication since I have a weld-it-yourself front bumper on order now. Picked up a Hobart 140 today and a HF welding cart.



Probably be a couple weeks or so before I get the bumper, gives me time to start practicing with this and maybe weld up the Relentless Fab u-bolt flip kit I've had sitting around for a few months now.

 

Since I have an awesome welder now, I started work on preparing the front end for the new bumper that is coming.

Cut out the bent up and weak front skid plate mount and removed the frame horns. Can't believe those where only held in place with one bolt.

Notice the bend up on the driver side.



And you can see it's bent rearward too.



So out it comes.





I think it was bent from whatever caused this damage to the passenger frame horn.



Truck has not been in an accident. This was caused by someone either cranking down on the ratchets too much on a tow truck (there is similar damage on the passenger rear frame horn so this is my guess) or they tried using a winch or snatch strap to pull the truck out of something at a very bad angle. Whatever it was, it's going to be a pain to try and somewhat fix to be able to mount the new bumper.

I'm replacing the front cross brace/skid plate mount with 2"x4" 10ga rectangular tube.





I got as far as cutting the angles into the ends and welding caps onto the cuts so the ends don't hang down under the frame rails. Have to clean those up reinstall the tube in the frame to mark it for holes for the skid plate, install the nuserts then weld it into place and paint. More to come.

 

Finished the install of the front frame brace/skid mount. Also welded some 1/4" plate to the ends of the frame horns.



Nutserts to bolt the skid plate to.





My welding sucks but it'll get better, I hope.

 

Solid build going on in here.

 

Thanks! It's coming together.

 

Got some more armor in the mail today from Sky's Off Road Design. Skid plates for the front hangers on the rear leaf springs and shock tabs for 1.75" tube that I'll eventually run under the bed to relocate the shocks for the u-bolt flip.





And then added some patriotism to the hood.

 

Installed my skysoffroaddesign front leaf spring hanger sliders, just letting the paint dry some before popping the springs back in. My welding is better but still not the greatest. Thanks for the tips @Blackdawg and @Adude!

 

Fancy!

 

Thanks @Ace115!

All back together now with Daystar greasable bolts. I didn't use the bushings since my Dakars are still only a couple months old. Save those for later. I did have to sand down the passenger side Daystar bolt as for some reason, the bolt diameter was an RCH too large for the Dakar sleeve and wouldn't go all the way thru. But it's all done now and makes me feel better about those front leaf hangers. Always thought they looked a little weak and needed some kind of reinforcing. Bonus that they are now sliders as well if I need them to be.

 

I really like this idea!

 

Needed to be done in my case, with the already bent up skid mount there. Should help strengthen the front of the frame for the new bumper as well.

 

Well, the factory mount for the skid is not exactly the strongest part of our trucks.

 

True, nor are the frames from the bent up recovery mount I have on the front horn. I tried using a piece of 1/4" plate with a couple holes drilled for the bolt spacing and running the bolts in thru the factory hook with the plate sandwiched in there to try and pull the frame somewhat back into place. I think it helped a little bit but ended up bending the 1/4" plate...

I think when my bumpers get here and I start building the front, I'll weld that 1/4" plate to the bottom of the frame to strengthen it up first since the bumper will bolt to that spot.