Betterbuckleup's 2000 taco build & BS

Yea that's a good point. Bypasses would be tits.
My plan was to run the typical setup that a lot of people do with just the added crossmember and inboard of the frame.

and I would rebuild my own shocks, but I don't have a nitrogen setup and spring compressor for the front CO's.

 

Nitrogen setups only go for $200 or so and a quality spring compressor would be nice, but not necessary if you can get by with widow makers or find a shop to remove them while you work on them.

https://classifieds.race-dezert.com/FOR-SALE:2.5x10-2-tube-bypass-175411

You could find a nicer pair, just a case in point ^^^^

 

Still more than i'm currently wanting to spend on gear for rebuilding. Other things are higher on the priority list for me currently. Maybe further down the line. I still have a free rebuild/tune from accutune to use from when I bought my from CO's.

I've tried with the windowmakers and the ones you rent from auto parts stores don't fit or work really because of the 2.5 shock body. The clamps protrude too far into the coil and hit the shock body. I was able to make it work, but at the cost of kinda marring up the cans.

I bookmarked both of those pages, so I'll definitely keep an eye out for some bypasses.

 

Yeah I just was going off of your link to Fox 2.5 smoothies from Accutune at $900 or so with tax as a ballpark.

Making your own spring compressor would probably work if you got some beefy 3/4 all thread and 3/8 plate

 

Out the door was like 1800 or so iirc for a pair, but yea if I can find a used set of decent bypasses I'll definitely spring for those.

I was thinking about doing the same thing last night. Maybe once I've used up my free rebuild and need to do it again after I can give the DIY route

I've got almost 22k on them now and not really sure when I should send them in. I'm thinking 35k or sooner if they start to weep? It's not my daily anymore, but I'm also not romping on them super hard in the whoops or anything. I think I remember reading that some guys get 50k out of them but with like 95% street.

 

Very true. It's just a matter of how much motivation do I have after I all this work done to my truck. The answer for the time being is going to be very little. :^)

 

Don't blame ya. I'm with you there.
I'm trying to knock things out that I've been putting off all winter to get ready for this summer.

 

I’m about ready to do a relocation and get some matching ADS. The 9” bilstein 5125s I have right now don’t dampen enough and I get this little rear bounce going.

 

Yea I remember you saying that when you went to the billies.
I think I'm gonna try and get some used bypasses for the rear. That would be bitchin and would be a good bit cheaper too

 

Yeah, I think the ADS with resi and click compression is like $1200

 

ADS smoothies or the ADS bypasses like that one guy runs?

 

My initial thought is smooth body’s. But the click compression is a custom order. I haven’t looked into the bypass very hard tho.

 

Gotcha. Yea I'd be curious on the ADS bypasses and the cost for those in comparison.

It really comes down to the extended and collapsed length of the shock. That's the problem I'm running into with finding any used 10" travel bypasses/smoothies. @Dalandser Those ADS bypasses are a custom "short body" to accommodate the much shorter extended length to fit under the bed. Hence why a lot of people get welded rod ends in order to shorten the extended length so that they can be more vertical under the bed

 

Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/WD9s7T53lfb

 

https://www.dezertrangers.com/threads/fox-2-0-shocks.240178/#post-4005807

 

The extended and collapsed lengths on those should work actually.
I guess i'm making a dezertrangers account lol

 

That’s exactly the plan.

I just drove a shit load of dirt through Mojave Preserve, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, up to Kanab and somehow ended up near Parowan. I need an upgrade bad.

Also I’m in the Utah area until at at least the end of April if anyone wants to meet up.

 

Good shit. Yea it'll be well worth it for what you use the rig for.

Wish I could make a trip to Utah right around now. I need more Moab in my life.

 

Finally got my passenger seat installed.
Fought with the slider a bit since there aren't any instructions for it, but just needed a washer between the slider and seat to space it away enough so they didn't contact each other.


Relocated the seat belt buckles from being mounted on the brackets to the seats themselves so that they move with the seat and are more low profile. That way I have more room between the seats to make a center console.


Original mounting location:



Modified buckle brackets. Original on top, modified on bottom





Final mounting location:

 

Here are some pics of the details on the seats. Great craftsmanship. Always good to support a made in USA product too.



Suspension part of the seat. Don't see this getting worn out anytime soon.




Ordered the passenger without adjustable lumbar support, but with a back pocket.