eimkeith's '03 Taco(s)

whoa! I need to bring this thread current.

here's a more recent photo, I've raised the exhaust and sent it out through the bedside, started on an under-bed battery relocation, am 1/2 way through a high-clearance transmission crossmember design, and am mocking up the 5 speed and Lefty to swap in there..



(more stuff this weekend, possibly.)

 

I had a very similar problem with my replacement frame for an 03 D-cab.

Also, sweet build!! I'm doing some of the same mods, whats the diameter of the exhaust where it passes under the bed/over the frame?

 

Thanks! It's slow going at the moment.

The exhaust tubing is 2.5" OD

 

What ever happened with your gas tank lift brackets?

 

Hey there! They're going good - zero issues in daily use since I installed them.

I actually have a couple guys who expressed interest in them this year, so I put them into the production queue - but my bend shop had an equipment failure and had to replace one of their lasers this summer, which has shoved everything back a bit. - I'm a small fish in that pond, so my prototyping and small run orders sort of get shuffled to the end of the line on occaision.

In any event, they're going to be in the catalog presently - which I'm kinda stoked about.

 

Also, I keep forgetting about my build thread here - need to take a day and find photos/update, etc.

 

Oh damn, never knew you had a build thread.

Subscribed!

(Still waiting on your custom 4 link for 4Runners )

 

Me too! (still proving out the high-clearance transmission cross-member & case clocking parts first, then I'll be comfortable finalizing those link mounts)

 

Take your time!

I'm only 2 weeks into MIG welding at my school for welding.

I'll need a lot longer before I go through such an install myself

 

Rad! I'll be grabbing a set if you have them available before I decide to hack into that project myself.

Now this has me curious too. You're picking up a NWF case right, but probably for the 4runner? I was hoping to clock the stock case, cut out the factory trans crossmember, and have a nearly flat belly. Regardless, I'll be watching what you come up with.

 

I'm working with NWF on an eco case for my 6mt FJC; but my clocking kit is for 1st gen Taco/3rd gen T4R stock single case (and probably expandable to FJC/4th/5th T4R, etc - we'll see)
- my crossmember gains a couple inches where it counts over the factory crossmember, too.

 

No kidding.

I've actually hit my cross member, right after the skid

 

Just stumbled upon this thread too! Been following along with you on T4R and ********** for awhile now. I didn't realize you had a Taco too, I'm excited for some updates in this thread. I haven't seen many bobbed first gens. The rear LC axle with the MCM LT kit up front is gonna be super cool. Keep up the innovative and rad work man!

 

well, my GSD is too big for the passenger seat in the Xtra cab (has knocked us into neutral twice now), so I picked up an '03 DC 5spd to continue with - will be moving all the good stuff over to the DC and selling the Xtra cab.

Sula already appreciates being able to stretch out and having her own roll down windows!

 

DC is really a good setup for dogs as far as trucks go.

 

How is that battery under bed on the frame rail project looking

 

it’s been delayed while I change shops - moving from 12k sqft to 5-6k and upfitting the new place has really screwed up my projects!

 

Haha totally understandable. I might just build my own but still haven't prioritized it. Always other shit higher on the list since it's rare I stay in one place for multiple days.

 

Bookmark: black Taco has been sold as of today; the hacking of the doublecab will be the content moving forward (and it's rough - but already converted to manual, so there's that.)