Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Finally decided to give the IFS some love, and hope it gets me 2-3 more seasons. My question is how do you like the Solo LCAs? Mine are original (just rolled over 560k on the way back from Moab last week and have seen some abuse). Would you buy the Solos again or just stick with the OEMs? I will be putting the truck on 35x11.50s here soon. I imagine the +1" might save my firewall a bit for the tubbing job.

 

I'd give the new BTF fab ones a look. They look better clearance to me.

https://btffabrication.com/collecti...96-02-4runner-tacoma-boxed-lower-control-arms

Total chaos too.

Spoiled for choice now! Not sure any of them really give any major advantages over others.

I don't mind mine though. I had issues with my first set but solo came through and replaced them which was awesome so props to solo.

 

The BTF arms look intriguing. Are you familiar enough with them to know if they keep the ball joint in the stock location? Or do they push it forward? I didn't see anything on their page regarding that.

 

I think I read someone somewhere say it does push it forward. I'd just email them though and ask to confirm any of that info.

 

Hey Jake!

I'd buy them again. They've still been working well for me, and definitely made clearing 35s much easier. Not sure if that alone makes it worth it, but they are beefy, and my stock arms were cracking. Only very minor complaint is that they should have come with grease zerks.

The TCs look super nice, but they're even more expensive, and it's a bummer they don't move the ball joint further forward.


Let's wheel this summer, or hit Trestle!

 

Thanks Monte, I will do that!

You betcha! I haven't been on a bike in a few weeks due to all the rain, I'm ready to get going again.

 

You should start a build thread on that beautiful new Stanton



I’m still looking at various Ti hardtail frames, but I keep coming back to the Litespeed Pinhoti III since I’m not looking for a hardcore hardtail or anything. Anyway, looking forward to seeing that Stanton out in the wild soon! Hope things are good!

 

Sounds like we need to have a TW Trestle day.

Stanton is mostly built, should have it done tomorrow. Will grab a couple pics when I finish it and ride it.

 

Just for you, Jason!

I would be riding it, but the idiot building it messed up the rear brake and now I need a lever rebuild kit from Sram.

 

Damn! That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

Sucks about the brake issue, but live and learn, right? Hopefully you get it out on its maiden voyage soon and report back with more pics!

Out of curiosity, what pushed you to the steel hardtail route?

 

Wait, you have someone else work on your bikes

 

I'm stoked about how it looks! Hopefully, it rides just as nicely.

I wanted a fun hardtail to play around on easier trails, and occasionally see what it will do on a more techy trail. No very specific reasoning for Steel, just sounded fun and different, and I didn't want to pay to TI.

No, I'm the idiot who built it.

It was also my 2nd stupid mistake putting it together. First was putting a headset bearing in upside down and destroying it.


First full bike build though, so live and learn like Jason said.

 

Haha, OK, that's better in my eyes than having someone else fuck it up.

 

Should probably get back to actual truck build stuff here soon. Have some skidplates to build, and several other little projects...

As requested.

 

Thanks for the pics, Brett! That second one is

Glad you got it out on some dirt!

 

Got burned out after the bumper, but actually need to get this thing ready..

Built a new skid to match the new bumper/radiator.



And this looks too familiar...



Going to better seal the trans tunnel, fix some f'd seat mounts, and finally put the interior all the way back together for the first time after the crawlbox install.

 

My sheet metal work is questionable at best, but this should be a huge improvement. Only had to trim a little more on the console. Also got the shift levers painted and the black knobs from NWF. And fixed all the seat mounts by tapping them out to 7/16" fine, minus one of the front ones that needed a new nut welded in, which was a major PITA.

 

All back together and much quieter than before. Real test in a few days.

 

Nicely done! Looks a lot better than the first go around.

 

Finally, back out on the trail! Also, have a new favorite CO trail.













At least @Wishbone Runner is there to help when he spots you into CV snapping positions.