Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

Buy someone’s used rig. You’ll pay the equivalent of the new parts prices and get the truck and labor free.

 

Most likely.

I give a lot of respect for those with the mastery and skill for those who can do it.

DIY usually you’ll need to spend money on the tools to get it done, spend years getting good at it, potential time away from your family, etc. A builder, especially one at a shop, might have potential ties or established relationships with parts makers for potential discounts on parts, decreased lead times, etc. Who knows *shrug*

I have a bunch of pals who turn wrenches with the best of ‘em, but have outsourced work here and there.

Anyhow, my friend I mentioned earlier who sent his truck off, is physically unable to, since he has a spinal injury.

 

That's if it's any good. You might end up spending as much money fixing it. Pros and Cons

 

where do I sign? Lol

nope. I want to look back and say, that’s my truck. This year will be 10 years of ownership

same boat. I can’t rotate the tires anymore without hurting for a few days. I’ll gladly pay someone with a body that doesn’t hurt. Lol.


Lowest quote I got from a shop was 25k, highest was 35k…. They said turn key. I probably won’t see the rig for awhile at a big shop…. That’s why I’m looking for someone who has the knowledge and time to take it on. I completely understand the liability thing, but I know what I’m getting into. Willing to sign whatever it takes if need be

 

Buy a good one of course! lol

 

Those pop up only once in a blue moon, and probably go from $30-60k+. Otherwise, you can pick one up that looks like Godzilla stomped on it.

 

You’d be paying that much for a shitty SAS’d Tacoma. 30-60k gets you fully built LS buggies/bouncers around here. I see them everyday in a rock crawling classified group on FB.

 

Yea, I see those buggies/bouncers around too on race dezert and FB classifieds. I've seen some of them in the 6 figure range too, those Ultra4 setups. I kinda like the idea of something you can drive around on the street too, if there's a need. Not just a pure trailer queen.

 

Agreed. Anything that is built correctly and in good to decent shape are in the upward of 40k+. Some of the ones I considered buying precovid were in the 50k+.

My buddy bought a link front, chevy 63 first gen DC for 30k on bald 37 and end up spending another 10k if not more to get it up to condition. CO needed rebuilt, end up buying new CO instead. Crawlbox made noise and was told it had 4.7, when he tored it apart, it was 2.23 and end up buying 4.7 for it. Lower link damaged, heim are decent but would need replacement, interior is beat by exterior panel were OK.

That's the issue with buying used and unknown. It's a gamble.

 

I think the easiest way to get around someone complaining about performance or ride quality for me would be take them for a ride and spend a day out on the trail. Cruise the road to get lunch and show them what it’s actually like and experience it. I think it’ll surprise a lot of people that what they are expecting isn’t what they are going to get. Cause at the end of the day, these are solid axle trucks that weigh 5k lbs and a small v6. They can be slow and ride quality in mine is good but it’s definitely not a rzr or race truck smooth.

I haven’t bought axle parts or shocks and stuff since before Covid. I’d imagine I have 10k in axles. 5-6k on shocks and who knows how much in metal and brackets and heims. And labor isn’t cheap lol

 

Message me if your serious and we can talk.

 

I let a good one go. Brians DC. That thing was built very well.

Its adding up, in my head, real quick too. lol

Will do bro, When I'm ready. Spoke with my lawyer, it might be a little bit longer ***Sigh***. I just want my truck back on all fours so I can drive her. Its got a full tank a gas too. lol. Filled her up right before the accident.

 

Shits never pan out as plan.

 

You got your Ultra4 and your Michelob Ultra builds. Budget street worthy is likely a 4 Michelob Ultra build somewhere in the middle. That’s when bubba is fueled up enough to give a good price, but not so tossed he stops using a measuring tape.

 

Do it. It's always getting changed but I never get tired of looking at mine. I kept track of costs and still paying some credit card swipes off but Id do it again. It took me 4 weekends in a buddy's shop an hour away and that was with a decent kit.

 

No kidding, that bullshit alone is going to cost a few grand for my headache.

Buying used is a great way to go for the first serious wheeler. Not because it is a super high value proposition, but because it lets you get your foot in the door a hell of a lot easier than building your first truck when you don't know jack from shit. Learn what you like/don't like with it, and either change it or then build the truck you want. So many guys get caught in project hell and never make it out or aren't super happy with the end product for reasons like @malburg114 said when they just jump straight into the deep end and want to check every box possible.

I traded an IFS third gen 4Runner for my Tacoma straight across and it was an awesome move. Yeah I had to fix a bunch of things pretty quickly, and literally the only components left from when I bought it are the front axle housing, the back 2/3rds of the frame, and the cab. But it let me get going and learn what the fuck I was doing while massaging it into something I really like.

For the record, I'd put the value on my first gen in the open market at $10k or so being what it realistically would sell for.

 

Very good points. It’s a giant bitch of a project and takes deep pockets and lots of time and patience. If I hadn’t already back halved and linked the rear and felt I could tackle the front I wouldn’t have. I would have sold that bitch in a minute and finished up someone else’s abortion probably.

Definitely easy to get wrapped up into checking all the boxes like you said. My biggest thing was forward compatibility with the more expensive shit like hydro, wheels/tires, front axle, and coil overs. I can slap those under another rig pretty easy if I feel the taco is no longer able to do what I want it to. Who knows. It’s been much more involved than I ever expected, but it’s been fulfilling to push myself to learn new things. It may be a turd when it’s done, but it’ll be my turd

 

I was trying to get your DC back in the day too. lol

 

haha i remember that. wish i knew where that one was.