cbechtold's Long Travel IFS Crawler Tacoma Build and BS Thread

Breathers good? I'm sure it can push oil out the weakest seal otherwise and that might be the input one

 

I'll have to check the one of the tail housing, but I know the t-case one should be fine.

 

I would make sure you didn't clog up one of the crawl box tailhousing drain holes with RTV. Fluid should shoot out the coupler bearing, into the adpater tailhousing then drain back into the crawl box, there is no seal between the transfer case and the crawl box besides RTV around the mating surfaces. I went crazy with RTV when I first installed mine and while I didn't grenade anything, I saw that I almost completely clogged up a few of the holes that allowed fluid to drain back. Probably wouldn't hurt to blast some compressed air into all the adapter drain holes.

 

Yep. I'm cleaning everything before I put it together just to prevent that. Hopefully not an issue anyway, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

How many miles since crawlbox was installed?

 

Just a hair over 11k, but it's been out of the truck 5 times now

 

5x dang

 

Yep. Hopefully it's awhile before it comes back out next.

 

Don't mind me asking, but why 5x?

 

The first two times was to figure out the leak from the transfer case. Leak ended up being from the RA Designs shift plate because I had the breather port plug. Still leaks but much slower than before. The third time was because I put oil in the crawlbox too early and it was leaking through the RTV. 4th time was when I broke the main bearing last year. This is the 5th.

 

You're patience....

 

nice to briefly chat with you guys out at Chocolate.

 

Likewise man! I Thought the rig a look a little familiar when we parked next to it.

 

same.. we were too busy shoveling down some sandwiches in the truck when you guys rolled up initially.

 

that stance tho!

 

Cory! Where are the KoH photos? I'll get there in a little bit! First lets get this thread caught since I was in a rush to get the truck ready for a week in the desert.

Last I left off with the dual cases pulled apart with parts on order.


PXL_20230115_231751881.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

All the new new here just in time to get a few miles on before KoH.


PXL_20230116_045531663.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Hopefully this is the last time this t-case needs to be pulled out for quite a while, or unless I replace it with an Atlas... maybe later this year?


PXL_20230116_225307269.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

While the t-cases were out, I pulled the dash apart to put new instrument cluster lights in. LEDs were the way to go. So much better than factory at night.

A few days later I pulled the front of the truck part again to install new headlights. The old one were faded and I was basically only using the amber lights in my bumper to see at night. These are BX Built retrofit headlights; full chrome and no rgb or halo. I wanted the front to still look as stock as possible, but since I commute while it's dark out most of the year, it was time to make some much needed changes.


PXL_20230122_201421602.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230122_212745298.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230123_005500310.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

To say I was hesitant about the end result would be an understatement. I actually don't mind the look as much as I thought I would. The change to my drives at night as literally night and day difference... pun intended.

Afterwards, I worked on getting my IFS skid plate back on the truck. Took some modifications and a new coat of paint, but everything clears as it should.


PXL_20230123_002233643.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230123_002126748.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Last big thing before KoH was getting the horn and cruise control working again. Still have the air bag light on, but I have the fix for that now. I'll probably throw a complete guide on TW together once I work out all the lights in the dash and clean a few things up.


PXL_20230123_233222993.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230123_233250044.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


PXL_20230124_002038968.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

The cut I made for the cruise control knob looks a little bigger than I wanted, but it works great otherwise. I have a spare steering wheel column cover that I'll throw on once I get the hole cut the way I want and painted to match the dash.

And lastly, super last minute installs before KoH brought to you by Relentless Fabrication. I've been eyeing on of these tailgate reenforicements for years so when Eric said he was going to run on them, I couldn't say no.


PXL_20230204_200255643.PORTRAIT by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

It's most just a flat cooking surface than anything for me. Super nice though. Great fitment and super easy to install.

 

And here are a few of my favorite photos from King of the Hammers 2023. Link to Flickr album at the bottom.

This is a wild event and I had a blast. Definitely going again next year if I can. Met some awesome people; Meet some new friends; Saw some old ones. Truck did phenomenal for it's first break in trip. She definitely handles the desert pretty well. Rear needs to revamped again eventually, but I'm just going to enjoy the truck this year and see how far we can push IFS.


IMG_7132 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7414 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_6970 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7185 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7233 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7329 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7356 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7388 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7431 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7489 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr


IMG_7572 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

King of the Hammers 2023 Flickr Album: Click Here!

 

Damn, that 7356 pic is amazing!!

 

Yeah. It was wild to see the migration of people coming Hammertown over to Chocolate Thunder for the Shootout.