SwampYota's 2003 Tacoma Build

Black Friday Lift Kit

December 12, 2018 - The day had come. Black Friday was here and it was time to finally purchase the lift. I went with King part # 25001-151 coilovers to pair with the Total Chaos UCA's I got earlier in the year for the front. In the back I went with All-Pro Off-Road leaf springs, part # 4500T-AP-PR and Icon 2.0 shocks, part # 56502. This all arrived by December 12th.

 

Back to the Satoshi Grill

December 29, 2018 - Well, it's been over a year since I started this thing so I guess it's about time I finish it. I went to the local paint supply shop, gave them my exterior color code from the door jamb and they mixed some SEM brand paint in an aerosol can. They recommended some expensive aerosol clear coat that had some sort of hardener. Got home, taped off the black painted portion and back to the paint booth it went.

 

Back to the Satoshi Grill Part II

January 27, 2019 - Some zip ties, plastic washers cut in half, some JB Weld Plastic Weld and the mesh was in. Added the Toyota emblem, part # 75321-60010 and this thing was done. It's got some defects if you look closely but I never claimed to be a paint and body guy.

 

Back to the Satoshi Grill Part III

February 4, 2019 - Removed the OEM grill and side markers, attached the aftermarket clear corners that I had also color-matched and the Satoshi grill.

I also used this opportunity to polish the headlights.

 

Wow! That’s front end came out awesome. That’s some sic work you put into that grill

 

Thanks man! Yeah it’s still holding up, though I keep seeing the 3rd Gen TRD Pro grills put on 1st Gens now and think I may switch it up. We’ll see.

 

Additional Lift Parts Ordered

April 3, 2019 - I needed a couple more parts for the lift set up. For the leaf spring front hangers and the stock shackles I ordered some Daystar Greaseable Bushings, part # KT02017BK. I needed longer U-Bolts and didn't want to reuse the OEM anyway so I went with a 6.75" Wheelers Off-Road Inc. U-Bolt Kit, part # WHE-U6754X. Finally, I ordered a BAMF 3.5" Brake Proportioning Valve Bracket, item # 19.

Last step, request April 15-19, 2019 off work to install the lift. PTO approved.

 

New Tires and Wheels

April 6, 2019 - With the lift these 265/70R16 tires weren't going to look quite right so I ordered some 285/70R17 Cooper STT Pro's to wrap around the Toyota SEMA wheels, part #

$1,157 PTR20-35110-GR (Fits: 4Runner - Tacoma - FJ Cruiser) (4)

PTR20-35110-GR. The wheels, like many parts I buy, had been sitting around for a few years. I bought them sometime in early 2017.

 

Floor Jack

April 13, 2019 - With the lift install beginning the next day it was time to get a proper jack that would work for a lifted truck. Off to Harbor Freight for a 3 Ton Daytona brand Low Profile, Long Reach jack. Hands down, the best thing I've ever purchased from Harbor Freight.

 

Lift Install, Day 1

April 14, 2019 - My Dad took the week off as well to join in the fun, and looking back I must say I really enjoyed wrenching on the truck with him that week. It was the first time either of us had attempted something like this. The front wheels were chocked, rear wheel lug nuts were loosened then it was jacked up and the rear wheels were removed. These were placed under the truck for added fall protection along with two jack stands. Time to begin.

 

Nice wheel and tire choice! How are those STT Pros doing? I'm guessing they are E rated? I had some on my first gen in a C rated. I thinking about getting some in a size that is only E though.

 

Thanks! Yeah, they're E-Rated. Great in the dirt, loud on the road and you feel every bump but I like them. I just realized, you're not in that turbocharged 1st Gen anymore?

 

I'm not. I ended up selling it and buying a AC 2nd gen. Needed more room for the kids. They're growing pretty quick so I actually just sold that truck a couple weeks ago so I'm looking to get a Double Cab now. 1st or 2nd gen depending on what I can find in decent condition.

I miss the turbo'd truck tho...I should've figured out a way to keep it!

 

Dude nice build but you might wanna take care of that rust on the frame or all of that awesome stuff isn’t going to mean much when the frame falls apart.
You’ve got a nice build going on!

 

Thanks for the kind words man. Yeah it’s all surface rust, no flaking and I’ve banged it everywhere with a ball peen hammer. Taking the shocks and leaf springs off was issue-free last year, but I need to stop it before it gets any more invasive. That’s on the short list of to-do’s.

Here’s a picture of the front leaf spring hanger up close for reference, this is a major failure point on rusted frames. There is surface rust but it’s not ugly yet. To your point, I do need to address it before it gets deeper.

 

Right on man, looks better than the little bit on my frame lol.
Coat it with Fluid Film, it’s a oil undercoating that will stop the rust and prevent any more from growing as it penetrates the metal. It’s decently cheap too. You have to reapply at least once a year but it actual will prevent the rust. And make sure to spray the inside very good as well. If I remember correctly the kit with spray gun is about $100 or so for a gallon. I’ve had my gallon for about two years now. It last a long time and really does work. Only downside is having to reapply but your frame will love you for it lol

I’m in the middle of grinding off the paint and rust off my frame to repaint with clear coat so I can see any future rust. I will definitely be applying at least 2 times a year living in Florida by the ocean. Salty air sucks


Edit: my bad it’s like $160 For the whole kit but the gallon will last you a good 6 coats inside and out. Or just buy the straight gallon for like $40 and paint it on by hand. But the inside in crucial

$185 woolwax 1 Gallon Undercoating Kit Bundle w/PRO Gun & 2 Wands. Straw(Clear) Color.

https://www.amazon.com/Woolwax-Gall...keywords=fluid+film+kit&qid=1590198657&sr=8-6

 

I was surprised you were dealing with rust in Florida but I forget about the salt air by the coast. Looks like you’re mitigating that problem well. How are you pulling your bed off? Couple buddies or an engine puller or something?

 

Just my brother and myself. It’s really not that heavy. It took about 30 seconds to slowly maneuver it off the gas tank spout but once it cleared that it was good to go other than the rear bumper. I didn’t realize how far below the rear bumper it was so that took a sec but it honestly is pretty easy. Definitely should’ve removed the rear bumper first. Maybe 45 minutes all together from undoing all 6 bolts and unclipping electrical for the tail lights and trailer light hook up. If you ever take it off spray the bolts with Pb blaster the night before. That was the most time consuming part was just breaking all the bolts free and slowly removing each one from the amount of corrosion on the threads. Probably 40 minutes undoing everything and then 2 removing the bed.

I bought the truck 2 years ago from someone in Winston Salem NC, which is where I think most of the rust came from. As I’m grinding it off looks like some rust was covered up by the Previous owner but the salt air does suck near the coast. My tundra big brake upgrade I did and painted with g2 caliper paint is completely rusty. Not flaking but calipers need to be sand blasted to clean them up again. Same with The new CVs and ball joints I installed.

 

Lift Install, Day 1 Continued

April 14, 2019 - Shocks, u-bolts and springs were removed and replaced. The greaseable bushings were installed in the front eyelet and rear shackles. Productive day 1.

 

Lift Install, Day 2

April 15, 2019 - Today we torqued everything to spec, installed the BAMF BPV bracket and put the tires back on for a quick test drive. Everything was good, check out that rake.