2000 TRD OFFROAD MT (Black Betty aka Black Hole aka Tamiya Bruiser II) Rebuild Thread

This I comprehended

 

For 10 grand I'll sell you my 93 Miata with about 38K on the odometer and pick you up at the airport so you can drive it home.

 

Im looking for a Steal not a Deal.

 

I lost all my good poser shots from St. Vrain... A buddy took these.

 

It's ok, we don't wheel with 3rd Genners anyway

 

Can anyone confirm or deny that their 6" Fabtech drop bracket actually drops the LCA pivots by 7"?

 

Your shocks and coils are simply clapped out (completely) which is why your lower control arms are pretty much parallel to the ground.

They normally have a bit of an angle.



It's also why you're resting on your bumpstops.

 

Cam bolts, center to center, are not a direct correlation to ride height lift. Look, there is nothing good about drop bracket lifts. You're only making this harder on yourself by second-guessing all the components on this rig. Don't worry about the bracket- it's unlikely that anyone messed with that. Focus on getting those coils sorted out. Once you have the front repaired, work on the back. You'll likely need some custom arched springs to get things leveled. I also wouldn't worry about having to use a 1/4" shim or something to get it level. You have a drop bracket lift already, so the worst thing that can happen to your truck already has.

 

Get literally anything for less than what you're trying to spend on the miata. Just something mildly roadworthy to drive so you can sell your turd gen, get rid of the payment, free up funds, and work on the taco to get it where you want it.

 

Yeah, I understand, somewhat, the dynamics of the IFS. I want to be sure I have what I think I do when I start ordering parts.

I guess I am going to call Fabtech... and see what they can recommend for springs and ask them some rhetorical questions about why they would build such a shitty lift. IMO a drop bracket doesn't need to be crap.

I am not going to buy a leaf pack for the truck yet. I am hoping a longer shackle will be an acceptable temporary fix. (Pros and cons for this?) I think the leaf springs look worse in the photos than they actually are. I'll admit that the worst corrosion on the truck is right there at and around the leafs. However, I do believe the leafs are still structurally sound. I will probably replace the bushings when I clean them up.

I knew I was going to get shit for the DB, but I really had no idea!!

 

You want to spend as little as possible.

You will get rid of the DB kit, just not now...not yet.

You want to buy suspension components that work with said kit.

Later you want to get rid of the DB kit, knowing you'll have to buy new suspension components again.

Now you see why everyone kept suggesting the removal of that kit. You want to spend as little as possible but your avenue of approach will actually cost you more.

Drive the newer Tacoma and down the old Tacoma while you get that crappy kit uninstalled. The money you'd spend on Fabtec-specific components can be spent on Tacoma-specific components in anticipation of the kit removal.

 

No one is saying "you have to buy ADS coilovers, and ADS custom rears and do a shock relocation, custom Deaver or Alcan leaf pack..." etc.

You will get that one person from time to time suggesting that you have to spend $4-6k on suspension, but no one's done that in this thread.

Everyone is just suggesting the best way to go, the safest way to go, and the cheapest way to go, about getting your truck where you want it to be. And like everyone in here has said before, it starts with the removal of that kit.

 

Miata needs to be as nice as possible. It will be my daily when I get it. The Taco is a toy/truck. The Miata is transportation.

I know I have been complaining alot about the monetary cost of the DB removal but the time cost is just as big of a concern.

I know some of you may find this hi-larry-ous but, I need to teach myself to weld before, (immediately before as in at the time of) I can remove the DB. I know enough to know what a good weld looks like. I know what to look for in a bad weld. I have done some welding and I have an old Miller that needs a drive motor before I can get started. I'll weld on scrap until I feel confident in my skills and start welding on the truck. Tooting my own horn a little, I have very acceptable design and fabrication skills. I have no worries on the truck being structurally sound when I am done. My biggest concern will be the tub as I will still want a full fenderwell when I'm done. (Concerned and looking forward to it at the same time.)

When I get the Miata and have it up to snuff. I will begin planning the DB removal. I will have to aquire parts over time and not start the conversion until I have all/most if the parts.

The final plan for the truck would be 1 1/2" lift. No more. I do not want the severe CV angles. (I am not planning on installing BB CVs. I would like to but those are $$.) Retain the 35s and gearing. Depending on funds, air locker in the front. I will tub the chassis so I have about an inch (this is the plan for now, may change a little when I get in there) of clearance around the 35s. At this time I'll add gusseting to the shock towers and other areas as I see fit. I'll probably end up with some billstein 5100s and I'm not sure what for the spring. I'm assuming I'll need new UCAs at this point as well but I will address that when I get there. Then I'll custom make some 3/16 steel skids under the front. I think that will about do her on the underside.

Anyway. For now (and then actually) the name if the game is Cheap Cheap Cheap. Happy wife, happy life.

 

Yes, I realize I am spending more money doing it this way. Spreading the cost out over time helps me. I also expect to recover something... by selling the Fabtech kit after removal.

Look, I have a plan. Help me work my plan. And I do, very much, appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. This is what I came here for.

And 16' has got to go!!

Again, I'm working a plan. A scheme if you will. Lol. I said it before and I will say it agian, happy wife happy life!

 

I do think I used the term hair brained in my originally post...

 

Get the wife on board, she might surprise you.

 

LOL, you don't know my wife! No, I kid. My wife is great! She is very supportive. I discuss this truck with her so much she is sick of hearing about it. I feel I have a plan that works best for me (edit, and her).

I agree, whole heartedly, the drop bracket must go ASAP.

 

Cool she's supportive!

Mine bought be an angle grinder, got me some free steel for a welding table (her uncle) and even a free big ass air compressor from another uncle

Wife asked me yesterday "when does your drill...press get here?"

 

Daaaaannnng! Sounds like a keeper!!

 

I would just get a hold of fabtech and get the large spacers and source some regular sized shocks. Those feont shocks are probably to long which is why it bent.