My 1999 Taco TuRD Build - I sold it

I’m in town again. Let me know if you want a hand.

 

Thanks. I got part of the issue resolved this afternoon. Cut off the pad that the swingout was resting on and latched to and shortened the legs some to bring the swingout in closer and to rest partially on the bumper. Then I added the pin that should hold it in place if the latch comes undone. Boxed in the sides of the pad and then cut off the hook and made a shorter one out of a piece of .120 wall tube I had leftover. Working much better now and the swingout is closer to the tailgate. So the next thing to do is cut the tire mount off and move that closer as well.

 

Slider were installed yesterday. I had a local fabricator do them up for me since I can't bend steel.















With some help from @Ace115 and his son again, I got the rear bumper and swingout painted today. Had to do some quick mods to stiffen the passenger side wing for when the swingout is open but it's all done and back on the truck already. Harbor freight sells some great bedliner spray paint that dries fast, looks and feels just like the Rustoleum stuff and is $2 cheaper per can. The sliders are also painted with it.

Swingout primed and painted.





Retaining plates primered. Added the "P" and "D" with the welder.





The passenger side wing stiffener thingy. Works great, virtually no flex in the wing with the swingout open now.



I did have to clearance the side of the bed a little further on the passenger side to account for the additional stiffener.



Bumper painted. That took forever it felt like. So many surfaces to paint.



All done and back on the truck.



The additional cut is barely visible and clears the stiffener perfectly. I probably could have cut slightly less.

 

That is, without question, the best looking 1st gen rear bumper I’ve ever seen.

 

I agree.

I’m seriously thinking about this one when I get sick of mine. I think it looks amazing and the DIY version would be way cheaper. And Todd has done an awesome job of documenting everything too.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Did you have to cut you cbi frame plates at all? I was getting ready to install mine on my double cab and noticed they hit a bed and body mount due to their length.

Really won’t be an issue since I’m only losing like 2in, just curious if your’s fit right in

NVM: went back and actually applied my college degree and read their page. Specifically mentions double cabd need some trimming

 

Yup, my ext cab did not need cutting.

 

Picture dump from yesterday wheeling excursion. @Ace115 is also featured. The Jeep Cherokee was really well setup with 37s. He also knew this trail extremely well and was lead on this run.

 

That hood vinyl is badass!

 

Thanks!

 

Haven't done shit to the Taco lately. Having a real job kinda sucks in that sense. But here are some more pics from the last trip!

 

Prep work for shock relocation and replacing the rear axle wheel bearings and seals.

 

Nice! You’re not too far behind me, it looks like.

 

Getting the bed off is so easy on this truck.

Rest of the work will take longer. Waiting on parts and it f'ing hot here in Tucson right now so I'm not too enthusiastic about welding.

 

It’s balls hot here and I’m sweating like a pig. Can’t imagine doing this outside down there right now

 

I'll be in the shade doing it, still in the garage but temps are getting over 100 now. Plus I'm coming off a week of being sick and am on antibiotics and steroids (sinus infection) that make me feel kinda crappy still. They are working at least.

 

Hang in there.

 

So with the bed removed, I took the truck over to a local DIY car wash and hosed the frame down pretty good. Just lots of caked on mud from over the years and especially this past winter with how wet it was here in Tucson.

Laid out the new cross piece that is going to make up the upper shock mounts.



Pics for future reference of stock shit in case they are needed. Also just to show off how clean a 20 year old Arizona truck is underneath!



Then I cut shit off.



You can see how carefully I measured and cut.



Welded a new tail pipe in place. $15 from Autozone and I cut about 2.5" off the straight end.







Then cleaned up the frame to weld the new crossmember in place.





The things on the tube will become the new upper shock mounts. They are just hanging loose for now.



Finished off by capping the ends. Done for today, tomorrow I do the u-bolt flip and shock mounts.

 

Wow man nice work! That was quick. Where did you get those upper mount tabs from?