What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

I would go with a single lock, doubles are annoying. For the roof rack you can always add later, though some are built with reinforcements, so if you can at least add that. Interior lights are awesome, but might be cheaper to diy.

And the side windows, I would go with the windoor or whatever they call it, would make getting things in the back sooooooooo much easier.

 

I wish. Would love to learn to TIG. someday..

Just MIG for now.

I thought that was how you did it?? Haha

I preheated the spindle. I always do that when you're welding a small thing to a big thing.

Could be way better. But first time I've touch a welder since last April and before that it was like 3 years haha

I had wire wheeled it all up to make it clean and ready for paint. It was hot for sure.

I welded the spindle and Drew the puddle to the gusset so the main heat was on the spindle. Otherwise I'd have burned through the gusset. Actually did in one small spot.

Indeed I did.

And it just wouldn't be right if you guys didn't haha

 

yeah, the windoors are for sure, that was what got me started on this whole adventure in the first place (my current canopy doesn't have windoors). good to know on the double locks. i was kind of figuring on that but wasnt sure. my old truck had a single lock canopy but i've never had too many issues with this double lock one. for the sake on simplicity i'll prolly go i with a single lock one though, probobly cheaper too. i'll see how much a dome light is, might be worth getting done from the get-go. i was kind of figuring on the roof rack that i'd wait though. i added it to the estimates that i've gotten but if it adds more than 500 bucks i'll scrap the idea and wait.

 

Today I finished installing all new speakers, sound proofed the cabin, and installed new headlights and tail lights. She’s looking good!

 

will be different for your 02 but the rear brakes have a splitter just below the master cylinder. one side goes to abs module and one to rear brakes. i removed that and just bent the rear brake hardline up the extra couple inches to go directly into master cylinder. i reused that t fitting to "replace" the abs module so i didnt actually change any lines around

 

I am thinking about doing something like this for my flatbed. Cutout side section and tailgate area would be level with bed plate, and other areas taller. That much I have decided.

Not decided yet on height of front section, and whether to actually keep the tail light mounts and use original bumper. That top rail has a galvanized reinforcement inside, so it adds strength if I keep it full height in the front. The front would have a toolbox. I plan to have some form of overhead rack for hauling long items, like lumber.

I just figure it's easier to remove later than to add back. I know I want to keep the fuel inlet door area, but pretty much everything else is TBD.

 

Dimes look good and all but that looks extremely cold, especially on forged metal. I'd crank the amps up and slow the roll, burn them in right.

 

I see evidence of heat, honestly doesn't look bad at all. More amperage certainly isn't bad advice, but I think given the size of the machine he has this is a pretty solid result. He wire wheeled it all afterward.

 

Yeah that's a cleaned up photo.

Any more heat and the gusset would have blown away. I blew through it here as it is.



It was pretty damn hot. And the gusset is only 1/8 so gotta sorta find a middle ground. As it always is with welding small stuff to big stuff. The puddle was always on the spindle and drawn to the gusset.

 

Thin spots of Forged steel can be deceiving, blue colored areas don't always mean penetration.

 

Thin to thick can be troublesome with cast, did you post heat?

 

Yeah a bit. Just a few minutes with the torch. Not my first set of spindle gussets. And those are still going strong on a 2nd gen who's spindles are much more touchy about this.

 

This is true. As long as his preheat was substantial enough it shouldn't be a big concern. Again you're right that more amperage would've been safer, I think he was up against the limit of his welder though.

I'm going to do mine at work, we have a part oven and the bigger 3 phase welders can really kick it out with the heat cranked up. Would you post heat or just control the cooling ideally with forged steel? I only deal with T1 at work which is just a finicky alloy.

 

I've read your best off heating it up and then if you can control the cooling as much as possible.

My welder can go hotter. Was only about 55-60% maybe? It's a 200amper...not sure my long ass cable extension and the old house wiring before that would let me do full click hahaha

 

You can throw them under the BBQ lid after a good night of debauchery for the post heat with good results I've been told...

 

I have heard that too!! Haha

But I don't have new seals so not about to do that.. haha

 

Pre heat/post heat is the key to carbon-cast welds. A long post heat helps the cast from cracking. Sand heat pits hold the product in place plus the heat.

 

put the windows back in the old canopy. got a couple of quotes in to ARE, Leer, Snugtop, and Ranch. was going to look into Century too but their website was all screwy so i couldnt submit a quote. I looked back at some old quotes and it'll looking like the canopy will come in at about 2500 without a roof rack. pretty steep but i think i can get about 600 for my old canopy and i should be getting my money back for the windoors shortly. that should soften the blow a bit.. then it's . should end up being about 1000 more than i was initially going to spend on the parts which doesnt sound too too bad for a new cap. thought about looking into another range rider but the only dealer south of the Canadian border and north of Redmond Oregon is the place that i'm decidedly not going to do business with.

if i can get a decent trade in for my old cap i'll put it back on the truck and keep it on until i get the new one. if i can't then i'll just sell it bear it until i can get the new one.

 

Added my dorkel on today!

 

I think we already have them on here in pdf. That you can download them.